MARCH 8, 2020
LISTEN TO HIM--PART II
SERMON TITLE: LISTEN FOR THE FATHER'S GOOD GIFTS
SERMON THEME: ASK, SEEK, KNOCK
SERMON TEXT: LUKE 11:5-13
Luke 11:5-13 New International Version (NIV)
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[a] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
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[b] 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!”
INTRODUCTION: JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES HOW TO PRAY
LUKE 11:1-4
Luke 11:1-4 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
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,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.[b]
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[c]
And lead us not into temptation.[d]’”
PRAY FOR GOD'S WILL NOT YOUR OWN.
I THESSALONIANS 5:16-18
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
HOW TO LISTEN AND INTERCEDE FOR OTHERS IN PRAYER
I) YOU NEED TO PRAY WITH BOLDNESS
LUKE 11:5-8
Luke 11:5-8 New International Version (NIV)
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[a] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
PRAY LIKE YOU BELIEVE GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS
JAMES 1:5-6
James 1:5-6 New International Version (NIV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
PRAY WITH HUMILTY
PSALM 103:1-3
Psalm 103:1-3 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
II) YOU NEED TO PRAY WITH PRESISTANT PASSION
LUKE 11:9-10
Luke 11:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
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.
GOD WANTS YOU TO TELL HIM WHAT YOU REALLY WANT.
EPHESIANS 6:12
Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEDGE TO INTERCEDE ON BEHALF OF OTHERS.
COLOSSIANS 1:9
Colossians 1:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a]
III) YOU NEED TO PRAY EXPECTANTLY
LUKE 11:11-13
Luke 11:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[a] 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!”
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS AND IT CHANGES YOU.
MARK 5:23
Mark 5:23 New International Version (NIV)
23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”
GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS AND GIVES YOU WHAT YOU NEED
JEREMIAH 33:3
Jeremiah 33:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
CONCLUSION: JESUS WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT WHEN YOU BOLDLY COME TO GOD IN PRAYER, GOD HEARS YOU AND DESIRES TO ANSWER YOU.
COLOSSIANS 4:2
Colossians 4:2 New International Version (NIV)
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.