Point of Grace Worship 8.29.21 Sermon Notes – Parables of the Kingdom – Prayer Parables!
Parable – A small past-time narrative that Jesus tells in order to communicate a deeper meaning. They “hide” before they “reveal” making the listener think, consider, question etc. … especially about what God is doing through Jesus to reestablish His reign in creation – the Kingdom of God.
Prayer gets multiple parables!
Luke 18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Comparison or contrast?
How does the parable help us “always pray and not give up”? Jesus tells us to, “Listen to what the unjust judge says”. How does that help? What kind of “reframing” of my mind and habits is Jesus working in me through this parable?
Relentlessness is effective (sometimes) when facing people and situations “against” us …. but it is tiring.
“What if that same relentlessness was present in our prayer life to God …… who is the opposite of the unjust judge. He is our Father in heaven who loves us very much. He is for us not against us!” “Will we, can we be relentless in pray to God, who is ‘for’ us?”
Relentless prayer to a God who is tirelessly working “for” us is a primary activity of life in His kingdom as it breaks in to a broken world.
How do I contend for and in this Kingdom – “always pray and never give up”?
Pray First
Pray Now
Pray Bold
Pray Through
Prayer of the Week
My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed in You to receive Your love and Your life and all the GRACE and MERCY I so desperately need this day. I praise You Jesus, that You have made union with my Father in heaven possible through for me through Your life, death, and resurrection. Thank You for reconciling me to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank You for the gift of prayer so that I might experience this deep relationship in the moments of my day.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit I love You, I worship You, I adore You and I embrace You in this time of prayer. Wow, to think that in this moment I am talking with my God on a deep and personal, sitting down over a cup of coffee, kind of way. You are amazing. You are available. You are the creator of the universe, Savior of the world, the King above all kings and You have time for me and everything that is important to me right now. Oh, Jesus thank You for making sure I am never alone. Come Holy Spirit and empower me to pray well and enjoy You this day.
Jesus, refresh the mindset I have about prayer, expand my understanding, fine tune my framework so that nothing (especially me) gets in the way of using this gift. Help me to keep from seeing prayer as another thing on the “to do” list but rather help me see prayer as the way to experience Your radically gracious availability.
Father, I want to “always pray and never give up” but I confess that so often I don’t even think of coming to You first – for the big things and the little things. Holy Spirit, I sincerely ask You to teach, guide, counsel and help me to Pray First, Pray Now, Pray Bold and Pray Through. Jesus, hear my prayer ….. (conclude this prayer by taking whatever time you need to personally pray what is on your heart right now …. Prayers of praise or petition or thanks giving or …. just enjoy praying first, praying now, praying bold, praying through…) Amen
Resources for this Week
Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.
Mon – Philippians 4:4-7 Tue – Luke 18:1-8 Wed – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-25 Thu – Colossians 4:2-6 Fri – Psalm 34:1-10 Sat - Psalm 62:5-8
Meditation Hints:
Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”
Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.
Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.
Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.