The Prayer Gate to God's Goodness

The Prayer Gate to God's Goodness

Luke 11:1-13

March 10, 1996

Scripture:

Prayer:  (transliteration from the Greek)

                   Father,

                   let be hallowed the name of thee;

                   let come the kingdom of thee;

                   the bread of us belonging to the morrow give us each day;

                   and forgive us the sins of us,

                             for indeed ourselves we forgive everyone owing to us;

                   and lead not us into temptation.

Introduction:  E P I C

I.       Example in Prayer

          A.      Jesus modeled a life of prayer.

1*  One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.

          B.      His disciples found his example desirable.

When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

II.      Pattern for Prayer

          A.      Jesus' instruction

2  He said to them, "When you pray, say:

          B.      Petitions in recognition of God

                   1.       His Person

"'Father,

                   2.       His character

hallowed be your name,

                   3.       His power and authority

your kingdom come.

          C.      Petitions in recognition of our need

                   1.       For daily provision

3  Give us each day our daily bread.

                   2.       For renewal of fellowship

                             a.       With God

4  Forgive us our sins,

                             b.       With others

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

                   3.       For protection

And lead us not into temptation. '"

III.    Illustration on Prayer

          A.      Human request

5*  Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

6  because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

          B.      Human response

7*  "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'

          C.      Human analogy

8*  I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

IV.    Certainty of Prayer

          A.      Godly request

                   1.       Ask - for daily provision

9*  "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;

                   2.       Seek - renewal of fellowship

seek and you will find;

                   3.       Knock - to obtain protection

knock and the door will be opened to you.

          B.      Godly response

10  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

          C.      Godly analogy

                   1.       Human contrast---

11  "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

12  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

                   2.       Given the human condition---

13  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

                   3.       With the abundant certainty of God's goodness.

how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"