Sermon Tone Analysis

Luke 6:12-16

ICC’s Wednesday In the Word ( DATE \@ "M/d/yy" 2/8/23)

Introduction

Prayers

Scripture memory

Romans 8:18- For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Catch- Why is prayer essential before big decisions?

If prayer is essential, why do find ourselves too busy for it often?

In his great book on Prayer, Alister Begg writes

"A self-assured person is not going to pray prayers of petition; there’s no need to pray if you think you have got it all covered.

A self-righteous person is not going to Pray prayers of confession; there’s no need to pray if you think you’re good enough to earn God’s blessing.

We don’t think we need prayer

But if there is anyone who didn’t need anything, it was the God-man, Jesus Christ… God in human flesh

But what do we find Jesus doing over and over again, except praying

Review on the context

What is the purpose of Luke?

To remind

So the apostles are the foundation of the church, right?

Ephesians 2:19–21- So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Where did these guys come from and how was their ministry connected to Jesus?

Luke shows us we can be assured they followed Jesus.

Luke has shown how Jesus went toe to toe with Pharisees regarding the SabbathNow, he figures out his specific chosen ones

Jesus’ prayer before ordaining shows the necessity of prayer

1) Jesus model show our prerequisite for prayer (12)

Explanation

Is “in these days” is saying this happened next?

Notice that Luke is often not chronological like Mark, saying the next thing hapepend.

Where does Jesus go?

These are the Arbels cliffs, Magdala, and Sea of Galilee

The highest mountain near the Sea of Galilee is Mount Arbel.

Since Luke doesn’t name any of the locations in this narrative, this may be considered a possible location for Jesus’s night of prayer

What does Jesus then do there?

Jesus prayed all night until morning

Medical writers used it to depict carrying out all-night vigils caring for the sick

Often, people are looking for a single formula in prayer, but the bible seems to have as many prayers are there are life situations

We see people pray in preparation like Jesus did here and Nehemiah did

Nehemiah 1:11- O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Then during the incident as Nehemiah sent off a quick prayer

Nehemiah 2:4- Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?”

So I prayed to the God of heaven.

And after ministry his ministry to the Philippians we read Paul saying

Philippians 1:9- And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

There are long prayers as Solomon dedicated the temple in 1kings 8

And there are short prayer

E. M. Bounds says: "Our short prayers owe their point and efficiency to the long ones that have preceded them.

The short prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance . .

." (Power Through Prayer, p. 37).

John Piper writes, “And though we might think that the Son of God would be above the need to pray, he sets the example for us, as a perfect human being, by rising early in the morning to pray (Mark 1:35) and seeking times alone to pray (Matt.

14:23) and sometimes spending the whole night in prayer (Luke 6:12) and, in the end, preparing for his suffering by prayer (Luke 22:41-42)”

Prayer is key for Luke and Acts showing the expansion of the church followed the prayerful example of Jesus

Jesus prays before he asks disciples who he is (9:18), and when he is transfigured (9:28)

They Pray in the upper room before the spirit comes Acts 1:12-14

And the Peter and John lead other sin prayer for boldness after suffering

Acts 14:23 we read, “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Who is around Jesus? no one!

Son of God had a need to get away from the multitudes just to be with his Father, surely we too need this

Doesn’t mean you always have to pray by yourself, as Jesus prays publicly sometimes

Luke 10:21- In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

What kind of prayers can be shared privately that will not be given on a Sunday night?

Illustration

Prayer is essential

Why do bakers get up so early in the morning?

To get the bread is One of the most vital ingredients in yeasted breads is time.

It takes a lot of time for the dough to rise, to proof, to be shaped, to bake in the oven.

I read it is impossible to get the bread going in less than 4 hours!

Like the baker, Jesus is up at the crack of dawn , kneading his own heart with prayer and God’s Word to prepare to serve His people

Application

Why does Jesus show prayer is so important?

The reason is that prayer corresponds with two great n purposes of God that Jesus came to accomplish: God's glory and our joy.

Jesus said, "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13

we get the help and He gets the glory

How does God get glory when something good happens after we pray?

We are to be persistent in prayer over a long period of time, if necessary

The point is not to finally break God's resistance but to discover, by patient prayer, God's wisdom as to the way and time the prayer should be answered.

He is not disinclined to help his children and glorify his name.

How does praying prepare us differently?

If Jesus spent so much time in prayer, what does that say about our needs?

How do you keep from praying the exact same thing every day?

Try writing out your prayers in a journal so that your mind does not wander.

Leave a space to put an answer

Praying out loud or praying through a psalm are also helpful strategies to get you started.

Praying the Lord’s prayer before you start

But what is Jesus praying for?

Jesus’ motivation shows us the power of prayer (13-16)

Explanation

Their sender (13)

It is now day after praying all night

Jesus calls his many disciples

Remember, disciple doesn’t just mean student, but follower.

in the first century a student did not simply study a subject; he followed a teacher.

There is an element of personal attachment in ‘disciple’ that is lacking in ‘student’.

He’s already called some disciples in chapter 5- Simon, james and JohnLevi

And the disciples have been harassed by the pharisees for what Jesus is doing.

Out of all the people, he chooses 12 he names Apostles

These guys are important

We already read they were the foundation of the church

Paul claimed the signs gifts went along with this foundational role saying:

2 Corinthians 12:12- The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

Apostles of Christ or apostles of the church