Living Faith: Urgency, Prayer, and Humility

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound teachings of Luke 18, which intricately connects with Luke 17, focusing on the kingdom of God and the essence of faith. We began by acknowledging the unique challenges faced by our online community, emphasizing the importance of preparing our hearts for worship and the Word. The central theme revolved around the urgency of living out our faith today, rather than postponing it for tomorrow. This urgency is highlighted through Jesus' teachings on prayer, where He challenges us to be persistent, humble, and childlike in our approach to God.

The parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow serves as a powerful illustration of the need for relentless prayer. Despite the widow's lack of social standing, her persistence leads to justice, teaching us that if an unjust judge can be moved, how much more will our righteous God respond to our cries. This story underscores the importance of faith expressed through prayer, urging us to bring our needs before God continually.

Furthermore, we examined the contrasting prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector, highlighting the danger of self-righteousness and the beauty of humble repentance. The Pharisee's prideful prayer stands in stark contrast to the tax collector's humble plea for mercy, reminding us that God exalts those who humble themselves.

Lastly, we reflected on the childlike faith required to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus' invitation to let the children come to Him illustrates the purity and innocence with which we should approach our relationship with God. This childlike faith is not naive but is marked by trust and dependence on God.

As we concluded, we were reminded of the spiritual battle we face and the need to express the kingdom of God individually, corporately, spiritually, and prayerfully. Our faith should be evident in our daily lives, not just in our words but in our actions and interactions with others.

Key Takeaways:

- Persistent Prayer: The parable of the unjust judge teaches us the power of persistent prayer. If an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will our loving God respond to our continuous prayers? We are encouraged to bring our needs before God without ceasing, trusting in His justice and love. [41:52]

- Humble Repentance: The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector highlights the importance of humility in our relationship with God. The tax collector's humble plea for mercy is a model for us, reminding us that God exalts those who humble themselves and recognize their need for His grace. [01:03:15]

- Childlike Faith: Jesus' invitation to let the children come to Him illustrates the necessity of childlike faith. This faith is characterized by trust, innocence, and dependence on God, reminding us that the kingdom of God belongs to those who approach Him with such purity. [01:05:09]

- Urgency of Faith: We are challenged to live out our faith today, not postponing it for tomorrow. Jesus' teachings urge us to express our faith actively and persistently, ensuring that when He returns, He will find faith on earth. [34:59]

- Spiritual Battle: Our journey of faith is a spiritual battle, requiring us to stand firm against spiritual forces. We are called to put on the full armor of God, engage in persistent prayer, and support one another in love, making the kingdom of God real in our lives. [39:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:02] - Introduction to Luke 18
- [13:52] - Preparing for Worship
- [14:46] - Community and Service
- [34:59] - Urgency of Faith
- [36:00] - Kingdom of God Now
- [36:42] - Personal Renewal
- [38:19] - Corporate Expression
- [39:42] - Spiritual Battle
- [41:52] - Persistent Prayer
- [43:17] - Humble Repentance
- [46:41] - Cultural Context of Prayer
- [48:45] - The Unjust Judge
- [50:48] - The Widow's Persistence
- [52:14] - The Judge's Reputation
- [55:28] - The Widow's Victory
- [57:46] - God's Justice
- [58:41] - Faith Today
- [59:45] - Persistent Prayer Challenge
- [01:01:07] - Two Men Pray
- [01:02:45] - Self-Righteousness vs. Humility
- [01:03:15] - The Tax Collector's Prayer
- [01:04:10] - Humble Prayer
- [01:05:09] - Childlike Faith
- [01:06:35] - Living Faith Today
- [01:07:02] - Communion Preparation
- [01:09:45] - Communion and Reflection
- [01:12:04] - Closing and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 18:1-17

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the main lesson Jesus wants to convey through the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow? [41:52]

2. How does the prayer of the Pharisee differ from that of the tax collector in Luke 18? [01:01:07]

3. What does Jesus mean when He says that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children? [01:05:09]

4. How does the sermon describe the connection between Luke 17 and 18 regarding the kingdom of God and faith? [13:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of persistent prayer in the parable of the unjust judge? How does this relate to our understanding of God's character? [41:52]

2. In what ways does the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector challenge our views on self-righteousness and humility? [01:01:07]

3. How does the concept of childlike faith challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith? What characteristics of a child does Jesus highlight as essential for entering the kingdom of God? [01:05:09]

4. The sermon mentions the urgency of living out our faith today. How does this urgency manifest in the teachings of Jesus in Luke 18? [34:59]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your prayer life. How can you incorporate more persistence in your prayers, similar to the widow in the parable? What specific steps can you take this week to make prayer a more consistent part of your daily routine? [41:52]

2. Consider a time when you may have approached God with a self-righteous attitude. How can you cultivate a spirit of humility in your prayers and interactions with others, following the example of the tax collector? [01:01:07]

3. What does having a childlike faith mean to you personally? Identify one area in your life where you can practice more trust and dependence on God, like a child. [01:05:09]

4. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of expressing our faith today. What is one specific action you can take this week to live out your faith more actively? [34:59]

5. How do you perceive the spiritual battles in your life? What practical steps can you take to stand firm in your faith and support others in their spiritual journeys? [39:42]

6. Reflect on the idea of the kingdom of God being expressed individually and corporately. How can you contribute to your community of faith in a way that reflects the kingdom of God? [38:19]

7. Think about a situation where you might have postponed living out your faith. What changes can you make to ensure that you are not delaying your spiritual growth and expression of faith? [34:59]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer is a demonstration of unwavering faith, as illustrated by the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. Despite the widow's lack of social standing, her relentless pursuit of justice eventually moves the unjust judge to act. This story serves as a powerful reminder that if an unjust judge can be swayed by persistence, how much more will our loving and righteous God respond to our continuous prayers? We are encouraged to bring our needs before God without ceasing, trusting in His justice and love. This persistence in prayer is not about wearing God down but about building a relationship of trust and dependence on Him. [41:52]

Luke 11:9-10 (ESV): "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."

Reflection: What is one specific need or concern you have been hesitant to bring before God repeatedly? How can you commit to persistently praying about it this week?


Day 2: The Beauty of Humble Repentance
The contrasting prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector highlight the danger of self-righteousness and the beauty of humble repentance. The Pharisee's prideful prayer stands in stark contrast to the tax collector's humble plea for mercy. This story reminds us that God exalts those who humble themselves and recognize their need for His grace. Humility in prayer is not about self-deprecation but about acknowledging our dependence on God's mercy and grace. It is a posture that opens us to receive God's forgiveness and transformation. [01:03:15]

James 4:6 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own righteousness rather than God's grace? How can you practice humble repentance in your prayers today?


Day 3: Embracing Childlike Faith
Jesus' invitation to let the children come to Him illustrates the necessity of childlike faith. This faith is characterized by trust, innocence, and dependence on God, reminding us that the kingdom of God belongs to those who approach Him with such purity. Childlike faith is not naive but is marked by a sincere trust in God's goodness and a willingness to depend on Him fully. It challenges us to let go of cynicism and self-reliance, embracing a posture of openness and wonder in our relationship with God. [01:05:09]

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"

Reflection: What aspects of your faith have become complicated or burdened by doubt? How can you cultivate a more childlike trust in God today?


Day 4: The Urgency of Living Out Faith
We are challenged to live out our faith today, not postponing it for tomorrow. Jesus' teachings urge us to express our faith actively and persistently, ensuring that when He returns, He will find faith on earth. This urgency is not about fear but about recognizing the importance of embodying our beliefs in our daily actions and interactions. It calls us to be intentional in how we live, making our faith visible and impactful in the world around us. [34:59]

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV): "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively live out your faith today, rather than putting it off for tomorrow? How can you encourage others to do the same?


Day 5: Engaging in the Spiritual Battle
Our journey of faith is a spiritual battle, requiring us to stand firm against spiritual forces. We are called to put on the full armor of God, engage in persistent prayer, and support one another in love, making the kingdom of God real in our lives. This battle is not fought with physical weapons but with spiritual disciplines and a community of believers who stand together in faith. It is a call to be vigilant, prayerful, and supportive of one another as we navigate the challenges of living out our faith in a world that often opposes it. [39:42]

Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: What spiritual disciplines can you strengthen to better equip yourself for the spiritual battles you face? How can you support someone else in their spiritual journey this week?

Quotes


And so as we think through this message, as we think about what Jesus is talking about, he is talking about us not waiting for tomorrow. But we need to actually apply this. And look at it, apply it, think through it, dwell on it today. [00:34:44] (15 seconds)


The kingdom of God is expressed individually. Individually through personal renewal. How is the kingdom? It comes upon you individually. It is when you realize that God is absolute holy. God is pure. God is right. God is noble. And there's nothing, there's no sin in him. He is perfect in every sense of the way. [00:36:20] (22 seconds)


When we, individually, are disciples. When we, individually, and corporately, stand against the spiritual force, I tell the worship leaders that we are not just here to play music. This is a spiritual battle we face. We face a spiritual battle, and there could be conflict within. There could be conflict without. [00:39:17] (19 seconds)


Then Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Oh, then Jesus said this, there was a judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor cared about the people. The judge of that city came. Wait. The widow of that city came to him repeatedly saying, give me justice in this dispute with my enemy. [00:41:52] (29 seconds)


He even rendered a just decision. So don't you think that God will surely give justice to the chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? For I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly. But when the Son of Man returns, see there's the connection between chapter 17 and 18, when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on earth who have faith? [00:42:42] (28 seconds)


Some of them who were confident in their own righteousness looked down on everyone else, and Jesus told the parable. So here he is, he's saying, there are some people who think that they deserve to be in God's presence, and God is so good to have them. Two men went to the temple to pray. One a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. [01:01:32] (17 seconds)


But the tax collector stood at a distance. He's way in the back room, back there by Breen Alley. He's way in the back, back there. He would not even look up into heaven, but he beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me. If I tell you that this man, rather than the other one who went home, for those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. [01:03:07] (23 seconds)


So do not put off. See tomorrow what you can do today. Pray persistently. Knock on God's door constantly and continually. May it not be a strange thing for you. When you're asked, hey, what are you reading this week? May you never say, I haven't read anything. When you're asked, what are you praying for? [01:06:35] (23 seconds)


And then don't wait till tomorrow for what you can do today. And what is that? You can pray persistently. You can pray humbly when you pray. And just pray childlike faith. God, God, you said it. I believe it. Someone has a telephone call to get. You said it. I believe it. And therefore, God, I want you to pray. [01:07:02] (22 seconds)


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Transcript
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