There are certain things that you expect in turning up for worship, and others you do not. Everything turned upside down for the membership of Grace Church in San Diego California. Their Church building was totally destroyed by the fires. No doubt you have heard of the trauma of the massive fires that raged in Southern California. the Los Angeles Times reports that 1,609 homes have been destroyed and 695 square miles scorched. The destruction is expected to cost insurance companies around $1 billion, Mark Lauterbach is senior pastor of Grace Church. Mark wrote the following: “It is probably as close to apocalyptic as I have seen....I look at maps of the firelines ...and I see the reality of the last day when fire will consume and all things will be shaken.”. He continues: “God has given our people great grace to trust and to serve and to care for each other. The prayer would be for the Gospel to advance through this time and for specific ways we can serve people. We need faith and clarity in how to do that”.
For some outside observes, they would think that the congregation’s prayers had failed. They were displaced from their homes. God did not hear their prayers and there is no point continuing.
In Luke 18 is linked to the previous eschatological discourse by the reference in Luke 18:8 to the Son of Man’s return. Its plea that believers ask God for justice looks back to the vindication of the saints described in 17:22-37. We are to identify with the widow’s persistence in praying for the decisive coming of God’s justice in the kingdom’s full expression (18:1, 8).
It is not easy to always pray and not lose heart. Distractions will pull us away. Difficulties work on us to question if God can do anything, and Delays in prayer being answered cause us to even question if God cares. We can Doubt the effectiveness of prayer. Defilement of unconfessed sin can put a barrier between us and God. We eventually despair and quit praying.
What’s so amazing about Jesus telling this parable about prayer is that prayer is what Christ was all about. You would think that the God of the universe in human flesh would not need to pray. That He would be above prayer. Yet He sets the example for us as a perfect human being, rising early in the morning to pray (Mk. 1:35) and seeking times alone to pray (Mt. 14:23). Sometimes He spent the whole night in prayer (Lk. 6:12) and in the end, preparing for His suffering by prayer (Lk. 22:41-42). Only when Jesus prayed do we see him agonizing and toiling, even to the point of sweating great drops of blood.
Do you find it difficult to find time to pray? Do the challenges in your life cause you to wonder if God is really in control, of if He is, is He Good? Does He truly care about me? Have you prayed for something for years: The salvation of a loved one, a job opportunity or to see a loved one again?
All these things can cause us to be discouraged and think what’s the use in praying or let’s just go through the motions to keep God happy or off your back.
This parable is a teaching from God himself to Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart. We can see this in the: 1) Exhortation to Pray (Luke 18:1) 2) Example of Prayer (Luke 18:2-6) and 3) Encouragement for Prayer (Luke 18:7-8)
1) Exhortation to Pray (Luke 18:1)
Luke 18:1 [18:1]And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. (ESV)
Luke concluded chapter 17 with a discourse on the last days and the fact that Jesus would be coming again. And He likened the last days to the days of Noah, that they would be difficult days—days that would not be conducive to faith.
So now He talks to them, looking back to 17:22, which represents the disciples who are the audience. He instructs them about a life of faith in days that are devoid of faith. That is the reason it is so pertinent for this hour. We are living in days, as He indicated, when people’s hearts are failing them for fear. What we have in this first parable is a pertinent paragraph on prayer for the present hour.
This is in the form of moral imperatives, commands for action. We are commanded to pray for the ultimate request for God’s justice and the Son of Man’s return.
Jesus has taught prayer by practice in his own life, pattern, with the disciples prayer of Mt. 6, and now the parable of prayer
This story is a parable. The word comes from two roots: Para meaning beside and bolo meaning to cast. A Parable is literally, a spiritual story cast alongside earthly life. It is unusual for it is only one of two parables where the meaning is written by the author before the parable.
Quote: Matthew Henry described it as the unusual situation where “the Key is hanging outside the door”. The meaning to the parable is unusually stated upfront.
• This is a parable of contrasts. Some people misinterpret this parable by not understanding that the judge pictured here is the opposite of God.
• The lesson here is that: since a dishonest judge responds to a persistent woman, how much more will God respond to his children? If a widow’s nagging causes a response in the unrighteous, how much more will the disciple’s request be honored by a righteous God?
The command always to pray is a hallmark of a relationship. Just as we would continue to converse with someone who is close to us, the command to always pray should reflect every element in our lives:
Ephesians 6:18 [18]praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (ESV)
2 Thessalonians 1:11 [11]To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, (ESV).
Quote: John MacArthur noted “Perhaps the best way to illustrate the idea of ceaseless prayer is to compare it to breathing. Inhaling and exhaling is so natural for us that it often seems totally involuntary; it’s actually harder to hold your breath than to breathe. The same should be true of prayer for the Christian. Prayer is like breathing for us. The natural thing for us to do is commune with God. When we don’t pray, we’re holding our breath spiritually-fighting against the very existence and presence of God in our lives. Prayer should flow naturally and continually from our hearts.
When Paul commands us to pray without ceasing he doesn’t expect us to walk around with closed eyes all the time, nor does he mean every prayer should last an hour or more. What he does mean, however, is that we should be in constant communion with God”.
(John MacArthur: Lord, Teach Me to Pray: Countryman. 2003. p. 49).
The command in Luke 18:1 is in the continual present tense. It is not as Jesus warned:
Matthew 6:7 [7]”And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (ESV)
The natural human tendency in continual prayer is to wonder if anyone is listening or anyone cares, that’s why Luke continues that we should not lose heart.
This is in light of the afflictions and hardships of life, and the evidence of approaching judgment as described in the preceding discourse.
To illustrate the 1) Exhortation to Pray (Luke 18:1) we see the
2) Example of Prayer (Luke 18:2-6)
Luke 18:2-6 [2]He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. [3]And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ [4]For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, [5]yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” [6]And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. (ESV)
In Verse 2 of the parable, the unrighteous/unjust judge as Christ described him in verse 6, neither feared God nor respected man.
• He is probably not a religious authority like from the Sanhedrin or synagogue elder since he did not outwardly fear God.
• He may possibly be a political judge and given the nature of the appeal, the case is probably financial in nature.
• He was unmoved by the validity of her case; the fact that she was being treated unjustly.
o The judge is probably looking for a bribe to act on the widows behalf or to impress someone influential in order to increase his standings.
o He probably sees the widow as someone who offers him nothing: She is a widow who has to directly appeal her case, therefore, she probably has neither the resources to hire an advocate nor relatives to act on her behalf.
The Judge was thoroughly wicked. The judge is not given as a symbol of God, but rather in contrast to Him. The point of the parable is that if such an unjust man would respond to persistent pleas, would not God, who is not only just, but also loving and merciful, do so more readily?
In many ways our prayers are like boys’ runaway knocks (Nickey Nickey Nine Door), given and then the giver is away before the door is opened.
The adversary of verse 3 may have deprived her of the little she had, or may have prevented her from receiving that to which she was entitled.
We are to identify with this widow of Verse 3: She is weak, vulnerable and in dire need, just like us in a hostile world.
• The helpless widow need not have been very old, since in this culture women married at age thirteen or fourteen, and widows were frequently quite young.
Quote: Samuel Chadwick said: The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.—
(Cameron V. Thompson, Master Secrets of Prayer (Lincoln, Nebraska: Back to the Bible, 1959), 8.).
• The Widow has everything against her from a first century perspective: She is a woman, has no husband, poor and unjustly treated.
• Likewise, when we take an honest look at ourselves, we must realize that there is nothing in us to commend us to the Lord.
• Even though the widow had been unjustly treated, we, like her, have an advocate in the Lord that will bring about justice.
Quote: Ethel Barrymore said: When life knocks you to your knees—well, that’s the best position in which to pray, isn’t it?—
In 18:5 this widow keeps bothering/wearying the judge. Lit. “hit under the eye.” What the judge would not do out of compassion for the widow or reverence for God, he would do out of sheer frustration with her incessant pleading.
• She is getting on his nerves and wearing him down emotionally.
Please turn to Luke 11
Luke then mentions in 18:6 that we should: Hear what the unrighteous/unjust judge says. I.e., listen to
Luke 11 gives us a similar situation that informs meaning on this text:
Luke 11:5-8 [5]And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ’Friend, lend me three loaves, [6]for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; [7]and he will answer from within, ’Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? [8]I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. (ESV)
If such a reluctant and sinful friend will honour persistence, how much more will our holy, loving sympathetic heavenly Father respond to us?
The man who came to his friend to ask for bread did not recite some formula request, he pleaded for what he needed. Persistent, continual prayer that comes from the innermost part of your being is what moves the heart of our compassionate, loving God. He delights in granting the request of those who passionately desire to be faithful.
Illustration: The 100-Year Prayer Meeting
In 1722, Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, troubled by the suffering of Christian exiles from Bohemia and Moravia, allowed them to establish a community on his estate in Germany. The center became known as Herrnhut, meaning “Under the Lord’s Watch.” It grew quickly, and so did its appreciation for the power of prayer.
On August 27, 1727, twenty-four men and twenty-four women covenanted to spend an hour each day in scheduled prayer, praying in sequence around the clock. Soon others joined the prayer chain. More signed on, then others still. Days passed, then months. Unceasing prayer rose to God twenty-four-hours a day as someone—at least one—was engaged in intercessory prayer each hour of every day. The intercessors met weekly for encouragement and to read letters and messages from their brothers in different places, giving them specific needs to pray about. A decade passed, the prayer chain continuing nonstop. Then another decade. It was a prayer meeting that lasted over one hundred years.
Undoubtedly this prayer chain helped birth Protestant missions. Six months into it, Zinzendorf, twenty-seven, suggested the possibility of attempting to reach others for Christ in the West Indies, Greenland, Turkey, and Lapland. Twenty-six Moravians stepped forward the next day to volunteer. The first missionaries, Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann, were commissioned during an unforgettable service on August 18, 1732, during which one hundred hymns were sung. The two men reached the West Indies in December of that year, beginning the “Golden Decade” of Moravian Missions, 1732–1742. During the first two years, twenty-two missionaries perished and two more were imprisoned, but others took their places. In all, seventy Moravian missionaries flowed from the six hundred inhabitants of Herrnhut, a feat unparalleled in missionary history.
By the time William Carey became the “Father of Modern Missions” over three hundred Moravian missionaries had already gone to the ends of the earth. And that’s not all. The Moravian fervor sparked the conversions of John and Charles Wesley and indirectly ignited the Great Awakening that swept through Europe and America, sweeping thousands into the kingdom. The prayer meeting lasted one hundred years. The results will last for eternity.
(Robert J. Morgan, On This Day (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997), August 27.)
To illustrate the 1) Exhortation to Pray (Luke 18:1) we see the 2) Example of Prayer (Luke 18:2-6)
3) Encouragement for Prayer (Luke 18:7-8)
The point of the story,
Luke 18:7-8 [7]And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? [8]I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (ESV)
The final two verses indicate that God will respond quickly to requests and faith is needed in the face of delay. Therefore, steadfastness is necessary. We are to maintain a hopeful perspective about God’s plan, and persistently pray for the kingdom’s full coming, trusting that God will respond to this request.
Please turn to Romans 12
The call in Verse 7 is for Justice
Other translations render it vindicate or avenge. This is the key term binding together the parable and its application. The term means the vindication of a wronged person by the punishment of the wrongdoer.
This is God’s prerogative:
Romans 12:19 [19]Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (ESV)
Now over to Romans 13
On earth, God delegates the state to perform this function:
Romans 13:3-4 [3]For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, (ESV) [4]for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (ESV)
Should the state fail to fulfill their God given role, God himself says that He will vindicate.
The call to always pray and not lose heart is a prayer for justice and the order of things as God intends:
Matthew 6:10 [10]Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The point of the story as indicated in verse seven is that God, who always does right and is filled with compassion for believers who suffer, will certainly respond to His beloved ones who cry for His help.
We must never, even as God’s elect, take his ear for granted:
Please turn to 2 Peter 3
18:8 indicates that God will give justice/respond speedily. This is where we can easily fall off the rails here in understanding. He may delay long, but He does so for good reason.
• The original hearers of this were wondering why there was a delay from their perspective in Christ’s return (parousia). This was not a chronological problem but a life problem.
• Why was there a delay in the face of continuing death? Persecution caused hope to fade and apostasy to rise.
• Why does God delay in answering prayer? Why even when we are faithful , when we have righteous motives, does He not answer our requests?
2 Peter 3:8-9 [8]But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9]The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (ESV)
When God acts, His vengeance is swift, as swift as the Flood and at Sodom.
Please turn to Mt. 7
The reasons for the delay of answered prayer are many:
• Answering the prayer now may cause a detrimental effect in us or others.
• We may not be presently ready for the responsibility. God knows our heart (Mt. 6:8), and we may react with pride or disregard the blessing. We may regard the gift higher than the giver.
• It teaches us patience.
• Often, God has a future greater blessing in store for us (Jn. 11:5-6).
God is not that unjust judge that needs to be persuaded to give to us:
Matthew 7:7-11 [7]"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [8]For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [9]Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10]Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11]If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (ESV)
To always pray and not lose heart is not to keep doing something to break God’s resistance, but to discover, by patient prayer, God’s wisdom as to the way and time the prayer should be answered.
• Persistence in prayer shows our confidence that God is our only hope and that He will act in the best way and the best time in response to our persistent pleas.
The question is, as Luke 18:8 concludes when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?
The verb used here for comes, (elthon) is a general one. It can be a coming in judgement or a coming in revival.
• Will Christ find believers faith that perseveres in prayer and loyality?
The faith that the Son of Man will look for is not simply an identification with his message nor a faith that just avoids strange teaching. Rather the context indicates that the Son of Man will be looking for those who are looking for him.
• Even though Jesus expresses the idea as a question, he is exhorting them to keep watching. He is calling for a faith that perseveres in allegiance to Him The message is be vigilant.
The question ultimately asked not for the purpose of speculation of what will or will not be, but of self-examination: What is the nature of our expectation, hope and faith?
Revelation 22:20 [20]He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (ESV)
What does your faith look like? Are you motivated to continually pray for justice? Or can you characterise your prayer life as sporadic with only pleas for yourself?
Story: I want to conclude this morning with testimony of a seminary professor, Dr. R. Scott Clark who teaches at Westminster Seminary California:
“Ironically, I warned the students in the doctrine of God class Wednesday and Thursday of last week that they must preach and teach the doctrine of providence to their people before their parishioners become ill or suffer in other ways. When folk are suffering is not the time to try to teach them the doctrine of providence. We need to develop the conviction that health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand. We need this truth to gain perspective on suffering.
Sunday rolled around. We have a lovely day with the most hospitable George and Paula Barton. As we entered Escondido from the west we noticed a disturbingly large plume of smoke rising from the northeast corner of Escondido or from SE Valley Center. The rest, as they say, is history.
There is no question that whatever happens is under the control of the providence of God.
It’s appropriate to say "thanks" to those who have been praying for us in So Cal and at WSC in particular because we do not simply confess that God is sovereign and that all things are under his control but we also confess that God works through means. One of the most important means through which he accomplishes his purposes is prayer. For Christ’s sake alone he is pleased to hear our prayers and he answers them according to his perfect wisdom and righteousness.
In any case, his ways are inscrutable. They are beyond our knowing and he will glorify himself in all everything he does, even if it isn’t immediately apparent to us how a given providence and God’s glory are connected. We may never know.
If you are dealing with a hard providence right now or in the future, fix your eyes on Christ. If you’re tempted to shake your fist at your heavenly Father because he has not ordered things to your liking, consider his Son whom he gave up for sinners, whom he gave up for you. He sent his Son into the fury and maelstrom of human sin and wrath with God to propitiate the wrath of God for all his people. God himself is no stranger himself to hard providences and our Savior entered history knowing what that hard providence would be. You and I face them as they arise, but our Savior lived his whole life knowing what was to come.
His Father heard his righteous prayer and he hears our prayers in our righteous Mediator Jesus.
Over the last week we’ve had a mild foretaste of what divine wrath might look like. We should be chastened and we are certainly reminded of our finitude, sins, and mortality. We are also reminded of the mercy of our Father who does not give to us what we deserve but who is patient with his children and gives them grace -- which they manifestly do not deserve.
We are unusually ready for the Sabbath”.
How are we to be ready? by persistence in prayer, just as the widow persisted in petitioning the judge. We are to recognize that God is not like the judge who does not care what people think, He is listening and responding to the cries of his children. He promises to send vindication quickly.
