Sermon:
Jesus and Prayer
By:
Bro. Dale Leacock
Date:
February 11, 2001

TEXT: LUKE 11:1.13

INTRODUCTION

In THE preceding chapter we may note two sides of the Christian life: doing (10:25-37), with the Good Samaritan as model, and hearing (10:38-42), as exemplified by Mary of Bethany.

Here is a third and equally important side, namely, praying. This lesson on prayer was part of the training which Christ gave to His disciples during the latter months of His ministry on earth, and no lesson was more vital.

  1. The Necessity of Prayer (vs. 1,2)

    1. Christ's Example-"as He was praying" Note-
      1. His habit of prayer-habitual prayerfulness.
      2. His times of prayer-cf. 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,28.
    2. The Disciples' Request-"Lord, teach us to pray"
      1. Incited by His example-perhaps had prayed aloud.
      2. Conscious of need for teaching.
      3. Shows John the Baptist was man of prayer also.
    3. Christ's Response-"When ye pray, say . . ." Who more fitted as teacher than He, the God-Man, by -
      1. Knowledge of God and of man.
      2. Experience-in His human dependence on God.

  2. The Model of Prayer (vs. 24)

    Not to be followed slavishly or exclusively, nor even to be repeated often, but given as guide and suggestion. Emphasis here in Luke on form-"say" (v.2); in Matthew (6:9-13) on type-"after this manner" (v.9).

    1. The Address - "Our Father which art in heaven"
      1. "Father"-conscious sonship-child's loving confidence, submission, and yearning for reassurance.
      2. "Our"-only in true Church of God is true brotherhood of man - sonship through Christ includes brotherhood (John 1:12).
      3. "Which art in heaven"-recognition of God's unlimited sphere as distinct from human fatherhood (cf. v.13).
    2. The Attitude - "Hallowed be Thy Name"
      1. God first-prayer not as beggars, but as worshippers - more worship needed in church: much religion selfish, many services self-centered. Illus.- Many hymns no more than pretty songs about self to which we ask God to listen or, someone has put it, versified histories of feelings, failings and fallings! Prayers often similar.
      2. First of three uses in prayer of word "Thy"- true worship takes one out of self and into presence of Almighty God.
    3. The Appeal - "Thy kingdom ... from evil"-note-
      1. Coming of Kingdom of God includes doing of His will an earth-"as . . . so . . . also."
      2. Bread to be asked for, not luxuries-sufficiency, not surfeit.
      3. Forgiveness, leading, deliverance.
    4. The Attributes-"For Thine ….for ever. Amen" (see Matt. 6:13b)
      1. Spirit of prayer: filial, fraternal, reverent, missionary, obedient, dependent, forgiving, cautious, adoring.
      2. Thought in prayer-"Limp prayers need backbone of thought"-true devotions not characterized by absence of contemplation.

  3. The Effectiveness of Prayer (vs. 5-10)

    1. Illustrated (vs. 5-8)

      1. Emphasis not on unwillingness of friend but on earnestness of suppliant, yet-
      2. Note contrasts of these verses with verses 11-13:
        1. Selfish indolence-fatherly love.
        2. Slothful indifference-perfect, never-resting beneficence.
        3. Yielding to avoid annoyance-yearning to bless.
      N.B. If persistence conquered selfishness, what will not pity do?

    2. Promised (v.9)
      1. Three types of prayer:
        1. Asking-simple desire.
        2. Seeking-earnest enquiry.
        3. Knocking-repeated endeavor.
      2. One type of answer: God says "shall"-"be given, ...find, ... be opened."
      3. Two means of blessing-no true Christian life without both:
        1. "Ask and it shall be given" (v.9).
        2. "Give and it shall be given" (6:38).
    3. Assured (v.10)
      1. To encourage-most natural law, to "receive," "find," "have opened."
      2. To strengthen-universal-"every one."

  4. The Reasonableness of Prayer (vs. 11-13)

    1. Man's Need (vs. 11,12)
      1. Not ask unless required.
      2. Reasonable to expect answer.
    2. Human Beneficence (vs. 11,12,13)
      1. Father's response considerate and prompt because loving.
      2. Yet giver frail, limited, "evil."
    3. Divine Bounty (v.13)
      1. "Much more" will "heavenly Father" give "Holy Spirit to them that ask Him."
      2. Greatest Giver gives highest gift and shows largest beneficence.

Conclusion

How to pray:

  1. With a feeling of need.
  2. With earnestness and even with importunity.
  3. In filial confidence.
  4. For the Holy Spirit's enabling.

Then is the need met, the importunity prevails, the promises assure, experience confirms, and the faithfulness of God guarantees the answer.

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