Point of Grace Worship 9.5.21 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 11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

Remember what Jesus is doing!

He is not only forming their words but also their heart, approach, mindset, attitude etc. for praying!

What is a Jesus shaped “posture” for prayer?

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

In the parable,

• The “friendship” dynamic?

• Exaggerated contrast reveals the “Father” of Jesus to whom we are invited to pray. “how much more will your Father in heaven...”

• What is with the “without shame-ness” asking?  

What kind of relationship is Jesus inviting us into?

“How much more will your Father in heaven give ……”

A-S-K is “not-an-orphan but a child” posture of praying

Jesus is striking against a great enemy of our life with God …

Pray First

Pray Now

Pray Bold

Pray Through

leads us deep into the meaningful life Christ intends!

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 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. Jesus, refresh the mindset I have about prayer, expand my understanding, fine tune my framework so that nothing (especially my own default thinking) gets in the way of experiencing You in prayer. Father, I confess my natural bent toward “self” rule. I can function so easily more as an “orphan” making demands out of my heart-wounds and scarcity mentality rather than as a “child of my Father in heaven” who loves me very much. I now turn away from this “natural bent” in humble repentance. I ask You for forgiveness of all my sin and sinfulness. I ask as a child with no shame. I ask for Your Holy Spirit to fill me. I am Your child and most of all I need You – fill me afresh with You. Jesus, because I have You then the riches of Your reign are available to me so I come ASKing for all these needs and situations knowing I have a heavenly Father who loves me very much. Jesus, hear my prayer ….. (conclude prayer by taking whatever time you need to personally pray what is on your heart right now …. Prayers of praise or ASKing or thanksgiving or …. whatever. 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 – Luke 11:1-8 Tue – Luke 11:9-13 Wed – John 14:11-21 Thu – Ephesians 3:14-19 Fri – James 5:13-18 Sat - Psalm 100

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