January 31, 2016
Morning Service

Luke 18:1-14

 

            This morning we bring January to a close.  We have been looking at the parables the Lord gave to teach certain points.  This morning, you could say, He uses an example of a widow getting her way with a judge.  Then an example of how, and how not to pray, using two different turned individuals, a Pharisee, and a Publican.  Let’s see which categories we fit into.

 

Luk 18:1-14  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 

·         Now the Lord tells us what this parable is about, and that is prayer

·         Men ought always to pray, and not faint.

·         Prayer is a lost art.  They used to talk about praying heaven down, great prayer warriors.

·         Prayer is talking to God.  Whether it is just to thank Him, intercession for others, special needs of our own, no matter what it is, it is talking with God.

·         A lot is said concerning prayer in our new covenant with God.

Now the example:

(2)  Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:  (3)  And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.  (4)  And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;  (5)  Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 

·         Widows have a special place in the heart of God.  Just as He used Lazarus as an example in the Rich Man, Poor Man lesson, here He uses widows.  Something they knew about, widows.

·         This judge doesn’t fear God, nor does he favor one man over another.  Rich or poor.

·         She was constant in asking for help, and this is why the judge said he would help her.  She kept coming, and he said, “she troubles me, and is making me weary.”

·         Now let me say, you are not going to trouble God, nor make Him weary, that is not the idea here.  The idea is, that we keep coming to God in prayer.  Don’t quit, nor give up.  Keep talking to God, He is your heavenly Father.  Until you get the answer.        David’s child.

(6)  And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.  (7)  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 

·         Here is something difficult for me from time to time.  When I read of the souls under the altar, that were killed for their faith, and testimony of the Lord, and this is found in chapter 6 of Rev. They are crying out, “how long oh God must we wait for retribution?”  My patience is thin.  I want them revenged.  I know, that every day brings us one day closer to the judgment.

·         Shall not God avenge His own elect, that cry day, and night unto Him?  Though it seems He doesn’t hear, but He does, and He will act for justice.  There will be a reckoning day.

(8)  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

·         What is speedily with God, is not necessarily speedy to us.  But justice will be delivered.

·         Then He asks the question, “when the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?”

·         Faith, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

·         Will people still be hoping for heaven?  Will people still be hoping for eternal life?  Will people still be hoping for healing?  Will people still be hoping for deliverance from anything that is destroying their lives, or will all hope be gone? 

 

 

 

·         2Ti 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

Then Jesus tells us of the different people that pray:

(9)  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 

·         This is a really bad trait in ones life.  Pride, and contempt of others.  So sad. 

THE PARABLE:

(10)  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 

·         The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee, and before His conversion, he thought he was doing God a favor by persecuting the Christians.  He felt he was right in Judaism, and the Christians, who followed Jesus were wrong.  It’s sad, but we have this today even within Christianity.

·         The Publican 1. A collector of toll or tribute. Among the Romans, a publican was a farmer of the taxes and public revenues,and the inferior officers of this class were deemed oppressive.

·         Today, someone that would work for the IRS.  Not the most desired person.

(11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 

·         There is certainly nothing wrong with telling the Lord that you are thankful for the good life He has given you the ability to live.  But don’t mention other people less fortunate, that are still caught up in their sins.  We should thank Him for deliverance, and peace.

·         It’s very admirable that he fasts twice a week, and pays tithes of all that he has, very notable.

·         But he is comparing himself with another person, it’s just not what you do.

(13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other:

·         It’s not the distance, or the position, but the condition of the heart. 

·         We see because this man was humble, he went to his house justified.  His prayer was answered.

·         The lesson?

for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

·         Talk to God with a humble attitude.  Speak to Him about things that concern you.  Let Him know your hearts desires.  It’s studying Scriptures like these that makes us know how, when, what for, to talk to God about.

Chapter six of Matthew is a good place to read concerning prayer.

 

Paul said, “1Th 5:17  Pray without ceasing.”

 

James said, : Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER, AND A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU.  AMEN.