Sovereign Grace Baptist Church
Date: 9-13-98
Sermon Number: 122
Text: Luke 18:1-8
Pray at all times
Christ's instruction in Luke eighteen verses one through eight are directly connected to chapter seventeen verses twenty-two through thirty-seven. In that passage our Savior speaks to His disciples of the second coming. Of the time when He would return to judge His enemies and take His people to Himself. But between the time of His ascension into glory and His second return Christians would not have an easy time of it. They would be hard pressed from within and without. They would be tormented by the lust of their own flesh, persecuted by men, and tempted by evil spirit beings. Life on earth would be very hard. Therefore, it would be easy for Christians to lose heart or to faint along the way. What could they do? What can we do? What will strengthen and sustain us while we wait and look for the return of our Elder Brother Jesus Christ the Lord? He answers that question in today's text.
(Luke 18:1-8 NASB) "Now He was telling them a parable TO SHOW THAT AT ALL TIMES THEY OUGHT TO PRAY AND NOT TO LOSE HEART, (KJV, ". . . not faint.") {2} saying, "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and did not respect man. {3} "And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me legal protection from my opponent.' {4} "And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, {5} yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out.'" {6} And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge said; {7} now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? {8} "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
In the days of Christ there were no pensions, no social security, no life insurance, and few honorable jobs for women. Therefore, widows were usually unable to support themselves and were often taken advantage of. They were weak and helpless. They had no recourse but to turn to those more powerful than themselves. In this case, the widow appeals to the law and particularly to a judge. He is a wicked judge however. He is not interested in right and wrong. He doesn't care that God would have him be fair and impartial. He doesn't care that God has commanded individuals and society to take care of and protect those who cannot fend for themselves. He does not fear God nor does he respect man. Therefore, when this insignificant widow appeals to him for protection he ignores her. But she will not be ignored. She comes to him again, and again, until he grants her request. He does so for no good reason. He just wants to get her out of his hair.
Mom's know about being pestered till they cave in to a child's wishes. The child comes to his mother who is busy and distracted by some routine task. Mom, he cries, "May I go out and play." "I'm busy, leave me alone," she declares. It happens again, and again, and again, until at last, in frustration, mom exclaims, "Alright go outside and play, do anything but just leave me alone!" The persevering child finally got what he wanted. In the same way the widow won her protection.
So what is the point of the illustration or parable. Christ tell us Himself in the opening words, "Now He was telling them a parable TO SHOW THAT AT ALL TIMES THEY OUGHT TO PRAY AND NOT TO LOSE HEART." In other words, He is advising His disciples, and us, to persevere or be persistent in our prayers. We are to pray at all times so that we will not faint or lose heart in the midst of our journey. By implication we are told that a faithful prayer life strengthens the Christian. Prayer keeps us from fainting along the way.
This is not the first time Jesus has brought the subject of persistent prayer to our attention. Return with me to Luke 11:2-10 NASB And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. {3} 'Give us each day our daily bread. {4} 'And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"
(This is Luke's version of The Lord's Prayer. In it Christ teaches us HOW to pray. It tells us who the OBJECT of our prayers should be and WHAT TO INCLUDE as far as praise and request. In the verses that follow Jesus goes on to illustrate the NECESSITY OF FAITHFULNESS AND PERSISTENCE in offering up our prayers.) {5} And He said to them, "Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; {6} for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; {7} and from inside he shall answer and say, 'DO NOT BOTHER ME; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' {8} "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet BECAUSE OF HIS PERSISTENCE HE WILL GET UP AND GIVE HIM AS MUCH AS HE NEEDS. (Jesus says we are to be just as persistent in offering up prayers to God. If a mere man will finally grant our request we shall surely get what we need from God. But not, of course, because He tires of our pleadings. Rather, He answers because He is our Father and has determined to supply our needs THROUGH PERSISTENT PRAYER. PERSISTENT PRAYER IS A DIVINELY APPOINTED MEANS OF GRACE TO THE CHRISTIAN. Christ continues. . . ) {9} "And I say to you, (continue to) ask, and it shall be given to you; (continue to) seek, and you shall find; (continue to) knock, and it shall be opened to you. {10} "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened."
Now a word of warning. We must be careful, when dealing with parables, to restrict ourselves to the lesson they were intended to teach. A parable cannot be correctly interpreted by looking at its details. Rather we must look at the whole statement if we hope to arrive at the correct conclusion. These two parables have to do with the importance of persevering prayer. As we look at the friend who wanted his rest and the judge who wanted rid of an annoying widow we must not conclude things about God that are not true. For instance, in light of these parables many believe that God will, "give in," to one who won't leave Him alone. But that is not the point of the parable. Others believe that by persistent prayer one wrestles with God. He is trying to persuade God to do something He really doesn't want to do. If persistent enough God will give in. Still others believe that this kind of prayer is how you get God to change His mind about something. But I tell you beloved, none of these things are true.
Persistent prayer is not answered because it is troublesome to God but rather because it pleases Him. It was wise in His eyes to make this kind of prayer a means of grace to His people. This is why we come before the throne of grace again, and again, and again, with the same requests and concerns. This is why we keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. It is the way God would have us pray. In His good time, if we have prayed in accord with His will, we will have what we have asked for. What we seek will be found and the door upon which we knock will be opened unto us. Our prayers will be answered. This is the overall lesson Christ intends to teach.
Our old friend John Gill has some helpful comments on the words, "Ask and it shall be given unto you." He wrote, "This is said by Christ, to encourage us to pray and persist in it; that if any one asks of God, in the name of Christ, and in faith, whether it be for bread for the body, or food for the soul; or any blessing whatever, whether temporal or spiritual, it shall be given; not according to what they deserve, but according to the riches of the grace of God; who is rich unto all that call upon him, in sincerity and truth:" On the words, "Seek and ye shall find," he wrote; "Whether it be Christ, the pearl of great price, God in Christ; or, pardoning grace and mercy through Christ." The promise is that all such seekers shall be rewarded with the object of their desires. Then on the words, "Knock and it shall be opened to you," he comments like this; "The door of mercy with God; the door of fellowship with Christ; the door of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it . . .to all that seek these doors shall be opened even the door of heaven, into which there is entrance by the blood of Jesus. All these are opened by means of persistent prayer." (End Quote)
Returning to Luke chapter eighteen we find that the believer's persistent prayer will be rewarded with an answer. Luke 18:6. And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge said; (Remember, the godless judge caved in to the widow and gave her legal protection or justice.) {7} now shall not GOD bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night, (who pray at all times) and will He delay long over them? {8} "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
If, after much harping and persuasion, one gets his request filled by a judge who cares nothing for God or man. How much more may we expect from our Heavenly Father? Jesus argues from the lessor to the greater, from the perfectly sinful to the perfectly Holy and good. If you can squeeze some goodness out of sinful men you will find a virtual stream of goodness flowing freely from God to His elect people. Therefore, let us never tire of coming to the throne of grace to find help in time of need.
Notice that God's love for His elect people is revealed by these words. The elect are God's people chosen in Christ from before the foundation of the world. This choice was made by a Sovereign God and the reasons lie solely in Himself. The elect are those purchased out of the rest of the world by the blood of His Son. They are God's by choice, price, and by power. Because they are His He loves and cares for them. The wrongs done to them will be avenged. Justice will win the day and it will come through this instrument of grace called prayer. God's people are to cry to Him day and night. We are to offer up our petitions with praise, thanksgiving, and faithful persistence. We can have confidence as we do so year after year because of the promises of God. He will bring about justice for His elect people. He will do what is right on our behalf. And be assured of this, He never tires of hearing your prayers.
Notice how the people of God are characterized. They ARE those who cry out to Him day and night. They ARE a praying people. They ARE a people filled with the sense of their own weakness and dependence on God. Christians ARE people who recognize the injustices done one man to another. They know that when our Lord returns He will make it all right. Our Sovereign God loves His chosen people and promises justice for everyone of them. Therefore we continue to pray at all times for all things necessary to sustain us in our journey.
Our Lord concludes with this haunting question, ". . . WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMES, WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?" What does this question mean? I believe Jesus was asking this. "When I return will I find people who prove their faith in Me by persevering in their prayers?" You see, people pray BECAUSE they believe God is listening and may choose to honor their request. People cry out to God day and night BECAUSE of their faith in Christ and in God. People pray to God thorough Christ because they are Christians. This is what Christians do. It is their nature, it is the result of their having been saved. But ask yourself, how many praying people do you know? How many people do you know who pray at all times, about all things, in all places? I dare say you can only name a few. The most important question, however, has to do with you. If our Lord returned today would He find faith in you? Would He recognize your voice as one He has heard day and night for years and years? Would you know one another through the fellowship you have had through prayer? "When the Son of Man comes will He find such faith on earth?" True, saving faith makes one cry out to God day and night.
My closing remarks take the form of a warning. I speak to those who believe, as all Christians ought to believe, in the absolute sovereignty of God. I realize the sovereignty has not been the central subject but I feel compelled to offer this warning nonetheless. There are two areas in the Christian faith that get beat up pretty badly by those who mix human logic with what the Bible says about God's Sovereignty. The first area is Evangelism. The argument goes something like this. "Since God is Sovereign in salvation and will save His elect people without losing even one, then we do not need to preach the Gospel or seek the souls of the lost." This reasoning flies in the face of everything the Bible teaches yet many adhere to such a belief. The reason we MUST continue to preach the Gospel and evangelize, even in the light of God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners, is that God has chosen to save His people by this means of grace. Could He save His Lost Sheep without the preaching of Gospel? The answer is yes, if He had chosen to do so. But He did not. God has chosen to save His Lost Elect Sheep by the preaching of the Gospel however foolish or illogical it may seem to men. So, be careful that you do not come to despise or neglect what God, in infinite wisdom, has deemed good and necessary to the accomplishment of His eternal purpose.
Evangelism and the preaching of the Gospel have been commanded by God. Let no man speak against them. Most of you may not believe this but in recent months I have been chastised, twice, for preaching Gospel messages from this pulpit. The Gospel is not for Christians to hear, they said, it is for sinners. Therefore, I should not preach the Gospel in the church. Well, in the first place, God's people love to hear the Good News again and again. In the second place the Bible commands Elders or Pastors to do the work of an evangelist. In the third place, anyone who believes that this church or any other contains only Christians is self deceived. Therefore, when in the course of my exposition of the Bible I come across the Good News that Jesus saves believing sinners I will teach and preach it without apology and indeed, with joy in my heart. Be careful beloved not to pit human reasoning against the clear teaching of the Bible. God is Sovereign in salvation. He loves and cares for His elect people and he has chosen to save them through the preaching of the Gospel. Let us never despise the Gospel.
Now we come to the subject of this lesson, prayer. This means of grace also gets abused when men begin walking by sight and reason as opposed to truth and revelation. Jesus, the Son of God, God in the flesh has said,"Men ought always to pray and not faint." Jesus has taught us today that persistent prayer prevails with God because He would have it so. In spite of this many would say, "If God is Sovereign, can do what He wills to do, and if none can interfere with Him then prayer is not necessary. What good could it do? If God knows what we need before we ask, then why ask? If I have prayed about something why should I pray about it again? After all, my prayers cannot change the mind of a God who has determined, unchangeably, whatsoever comes to pass." Those who come to such conclusions have left God's truth behind. They have both added to and taken away from the Bible. They are being governed by human logic as oppose to God's book. Historically such a person has been called a Hyper or Extreme Calvinist. Truth is, he is no Calvinist at all. His views are not even Christian. To be a Calvinist is to be a Biblical Christian. It is to believe nothing more or less than Jesus, the Apostles, and the Prophets of old believed and taught. To be a Hyper Calvinist is to join with the hundreds of cults that practice religion but not Christianity. It is to walk in the way of heresy. It is to leave the Christian faith behind. If you find no warrant in the Bible to pray at all times about all things you do not have eyes with which to see or ears with which to hear the word of God.
After the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray He said, "When you pray say," and He went on to teach them the "Lord's Prayer." Today He tells them and us to pray at all times because prayer will keep you from losing heart or fainting along the way. Prayer will strengthen your soul and body so that you can continue your pilgrimage. Some men say that since God is sovereign we need not pray. Jesus says that this is precisely the reason we ought to pray and can expect an answer. "Since God's is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, since He is sovereign in every we may have confidence when we pray. We ought to pray all our lives about all things until we breath our last. We must never let ourselves or any other human dissuade us from this. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. {6} In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. {7} DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES; FEAR THE LORD AND TURN AWAY FROM EVIL. {8} It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8 NASB)
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Let us altogether renew our commitment to prayer. Ask and keep on asking for the souls of your children. If it is pleasing to God they will one day be saved. Seek and keep on seeking wisdom from God, sanctification, a more loving heart, opportunities for witness, the ability to forgive, the increased influence of the Holy Spirit in your life, and comfort for your grieving soul. Knock and keep on knocking on this door of grace and mercy. For God has promised to hear and answer your prayers in accord with His good and Holy will. Pray and suffer patiently the injustices committed against you for God will bring about justice for His elect people who cry to Him day and night. Pray, Beloved, for God is the Sovereign King and Lord of all. He is our loving Father! He is both able and willing to meet all your needs according to His riches in glory.