Persistent Prayer: Deepening Our Relationship with God

 

Summary

In today's exploration of Luke 11:5-13, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus on prayer and the nature of our relationship with God. The parable of the persistent friend serves as a vivid illustration of the dynamics of prayer. Jesus presents a scenario where a man, faced with an unexpected guest, seeks help from a friend at midnight. Despite initial reluctance, the friend's persistence compels the neighbor to assist. This story underscores the importance of persistence in prayer, encouraging us to ask, seek, and knock with the assurance that God hears and responds.

Prayer is not merely a tool to fulfill our desires but a means to align ourselves with God's will. Jesus emphasizes that while God knows our needs, He desires us to express them, fostering a deeper relationship. This act of asking is not for God's benefit but ours, allowing us to open our hearts and share our concerns with our Heavenly Father.

Furthermore, the sermon challenges the modern concept of "seeker-sensitive" worship, highlighting that true seekers are those who have already been touched by God's grace. The natural state of humanity is not to seek God but to flee from Him. It is only through conversion that one begins the genuine pursuit of God, making the seeking of His kingdom a lifelong endeavor.

The sermon also addresses the common misinterpretation of Revelation 3:20, where Jesus is depicted as knocking on the door of the church, not the hearts of unbelievers. This passage is a call for believers to deepen their relationship with Christ, who desires to enter and transform His church.

Finally, Jesus' teaching on the goodness of God as a Father is highlighted. If earthly fathers, despite their flaws, can give good gifts to their children, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask? This assurance invites us to trust in God's provision and His desire to bless us abundantly.

Key Takeaways:

1. Persistence in Prayer: The parable of the persistent friend teaches us the value of perseverance in prayer. Just as the neighbor eventually responds to the persistent request, God encourages us to continually seek Him, knowing that our persistence is a testament to our faith and trust in His goodness. [05:02]

2. Prayer as Relationship: Prayer is not about informing God of our needs but about building a relationship with Him. By expressing our concerns and desires, we open our hearts to God, allowing Him to work in us and through us, deepening our faith and reliance on Him. [07:35]

3. True Seekers: The notion of "seeker-sensitive" worship is challenged by the understanding that true seekers are those who have been transformed by God's grace. Our natural inclination is to flee from God, but through conversion, we begin a lifelong journey of seeking His kingdom and righteousness. [12:46]

4. Christ's Invitation to Believers: Revelation 3:20 is a call for believers to invite Christ into a deeper relationship. Jesus knocks on the door of the church, urging us to open our hearts to His transformative presence, leading to a more profound communion with Him. [17:46]

5. God's Goodness as a Father: Jesus assures us of God's goodness by comparing Him to earthly fathers. If flawed human parents can give good gifts, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father provide for us, especially the gift of the Holy Spirit, when we ask? This truth invites us to trust in His generous provision. [22:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:22] - Reading of Luke 11:5-13
- [01:48] - The Purpose of Prayer
- [02:34] - The Parable of the Persistent Friend
- [03:29] - The Principle of Hospitality
- [04:19] - Reciprocity in Community
- [05:02] - Persistence in Prayer
- [05:53] - Ask, Seek, Knock
- [06:35] - The Focus of Prayer
- [07:35] - The Purpose of Asking
- [08:27] - Misunderstandings in Worship
- [09:10] - Seeker-Sensitive Worship
- [10:07] - The Nature of Unbelievers
- [12:46] - True Seekers
- [14:19] - Seeker-Sensitive Worship for Believers
- [16:02] - Knock and It Will Be Opened
- [17:46] - Christ's Invitation to Believers
- [19:24] - Jesus' Entry into Our Hearts
- [21:15] - God's Goodness as a Father
- [22:42] - Conclusion and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 11:5-13

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Observation Questions:

1. In the parable of the persistent friend, what is the initial response of the neighbor when asked for help at midnight? How does this change, and why? [00:22]

2. What does Jesus say will happen to those who ask, seek, and knock? How does this relate to the parable? [05:53]

3. How does Jesus compare earthly fathers to our Heavenly Father in terms of giving good gifts? [21:15]

4. What is the context of Revelation 3:20, and how is it often misinterpreted according to the sermon? [17:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the parable of the persistent friend illustrate the importance of persistence in prayer? What does this suggest about our relationship with God? [05:02]

2. The sermon challenges the concept of "seeker-sensitive" worship. What does it mean to be a true seeker according to the sermon, and how does this differ from common perceptions? [12:46]

3. How does the sermon interpret the act of asking in prayer as beneficial for us rather than for God? What does this reveal about the nature of prayer? [07:35]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' invitation in Revelation 3:20 is directed towards believers rather than unbelievers? How does this affect our understanding of the passage? [17:46]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you persisted in prayer. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith and relationship with God? [05:02]

2. How can you ensure that your prayer life is more about building a relationship with God rather than just presenting a list of requests? What changes might you need to make? [07:35]

3. The sermon suggests that true seekers are those transformed by God's grace. How can you cultivate a heart that continually seeks God's kingdom and righteousness? [12:46]

4. Consider the ways in which your church might unintentionally exclude Christ from its activities. How can you personally contribute to inviting Christ into a deeper relationship within your church community? [17:46]

5. Jesus compares God's goodness to that of earthly fathers. How does this comparison encourage you to trust in God's provision, especially when you are in need? [21:15]

6. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's goodness and provision. What steps can you take this week to actively seek His guidance and support? [22:04]

7. How can you apply the principle of hospitality, as discussed in the sermon, in your daily interactions with others? What practical steps can you take to be more hospitable? [03:29]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistence in prayer is a testament to our faith and trust in God's goodness. The parable of the persistent friend in Luke 11:5-13 illustrates the importance of perseverance in our prayer life. Just as the neighbor eventually responds to the persistent request, God encourages us to continually seek Him. This persistence is not about wearing God down but about demonstrating our reliance on Him and our belief in His willingness to respond. When we persist in prayer, we align ourselves with God's timing and purposes, trusting that He knows what is best for us. [05:02]

Luke 18:1-5 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have given up praying? How can you renew your commitment to persist in prayer for this situation today?


Day 2: Prayer as a Pathway to Relationship
Prayer is not about informing God of our needs but about building a relationship with Him. By expressing our concerns and desires, we open our hearts to God, allowing Him to work in us and through us. This act of asking is not for God's benefit but ours, fostering a deeper relationship and reliance on Him. As we pray, we invite God into our lives, allowing Him to shape our hearts and align our desires with His will. Through prayer, we deepen our faith and grow in our understanding of God's character and love for us. [07:35]

Psalm 62:8 (ESV): "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

Reflection: How can you make your prayer time more about building a relationship with God rather than just presenting requests? What specific steps can you take to deepen your connection with Him today?


Day 3: The Journey of True Seekers
True seekers are those who have been transformed by God's grace. Our natural inclination is to flee from God, but through conversion, we begin a lifelong journey of seeking His kingdom and righteousness. This journey is not about a one-time decision but a continuous pursuit of God's presence and purposes in our lives. As we seek God, we are drawn into a deeper understanding of His love and grace, which compels us to live in a way that honors Him. True seekers are marked by a desire to know God more fully and to align their lives with His will. [12:46]

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek God's kingdom in your daily life? What changes can you make to ensure that your pursuit of God is wholehearted and genuine?


Day 4: Christ's Invitation to Deeper Communion
Revelation 3:20 is a call for believers to invite Christ into a deeper relationship. Jesus knocks on the door of the church, urging us to open our hearts to His transformative presence. This invitation is not just for initial salvation but for ongoing communion with Christ, leading to a more profound relationship with Him. As believers, we are called to continually open our hearts to Jesus, allowing Him to transform us and lead us into a deeper understanding of His love and purposes. This ongoing relationship with Christ is marked by a willingness to be changed and to follow His leading in every area of our lives. [17:46]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How can you open your heart more fully to Christ's transformative presence today? What specific areas of your life need to be surrendered to His leading?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Goodness as Our Father
Jesus assures us of God's goodness by comparing Him to earthly fathers. If flawed human parents can give good gifts, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father provide for us, especially the gift of the Holy Spirit, when we ask? This truth invites us to trust in His generous provision and His desire to bless us abundantly. As we trust in God's goodness, we are encouraged to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He delights in giving us what we need for our spiritual growth and well-being. Our trust in God's goodness is a reflection of our faith in His character and His promises. [22:04]

James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's goodness and provision? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and generosity in your daily life?

Quotes

“Though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will rise and give him as many as he needs.” So I say to you, “Ask and it shall be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you.” [00:44:06]

The purpose of our prayer is not to go through a grocery list of things that we need in order to inform God of our situation. He already knows it. Well, if He already knows it and He’s inclined to give these things, why bother to ask? Again, the purpose of asking is not for God’s benefit. It’s for us. [00:44:46]

He is saying, “Come here. In your prayers open your heart. Tell the Father your concerns.” He knows them of course, but He wants to hear from you. He knows that it’s good for you that you have the opportunity to come to Him and pour out your heart to Him. [00:47:10]

This is called being seeker sensitive. Sensitive to those unbelievers who are seeking after God, but as of yet have not found Him. With the hope that in this worship service, that in this gathering, those unbelievers who are seeking God will now come to faith and find the God of their quest. [00:09:19]

If we tailor worship for unbelieving seekers, we are tailoring our worship for no one, because there’s no such thing as an unbeliever who is seeking after God. Doesn’t the New Testament make that abundantly clear? To refresh your memory let me read briefly from Paul’s letter to the Romans. [00:10:07]

The natural disposition of unconverted fallen human beings is not a disposition of seeking after God. There’s not a one of them who seeks after God. No not one. The natural activity of the unbeliever is not to seek after God, but to flee from God. That’s our natural disposition. [00:11:18]

What you see are people searching for those things that you know only God can give them. Then you rush to the conclusion that since they’re searching for the gifts of God they must be searching for God. But now the problem with fallen humanity is that in our fallen nature we want the gifts of God without God. [00:13:19]

The seeking of the Kingdom of God, which Jesus said is to be our top priority when He said, “Speak first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Everything else will be added unto you.” You don’t begin to seek God until you’re converted. Once you’re converted that’s not the end of the search beloved, it’s the beginning of the search. [00:14:55]

Edward put it this way, this seeking after God is the main and central business of the Christian life. The day we met Christ was the day we started a lifelong pursuit to know him more deeply and more fully. So let’s understand that seeking is something that is the business of the believer. [00:15:20]

Finally He says, “Knock and it will be opened unto you.” Again, let me take you to the last book in the New Testament, the Book of Revelation, where we read in the third Chapter of Revelation Jesus statements to the churches of Asia Minor. Where He gives rebuke and also compliments to various aspects of the churches that He finds. [00:16:26]

Jesus in not knocking on the hearts of unbelievers, He’s knocking at the door of the church. That may seem strange, because we like to think that our church is open for anybody to come in. Certainly our doors are always open for Jesus to come in. The Lord Jesus Christ whose church it is shouldn’t have to knock to come in to His church. [00:18:00]

If an earthly father who is a sinner will give good things to his son, so God who is perfectly holy and righteous will good things to His people. No, no, no. The comparison is like this, if you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. [00:22:25]

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Transcript
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