The cure for discouragment Luke 18:1-8
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Intro
Intro
Title-The cure for discouragment
husband worried about wifes temper- goes to doctor looking for a cure.
doctor says everytime she starts loosing it swish water and dont stop until she calms down.
a week later He goes to doctor— it works. How does this work.
doctor says- THE WATER DOES NOTHING ITS KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT THAT DOES THE TRICK
today I want to talk about a cure
cure- the means by which you heal a disease
Story- google searched cure---
cure for cancer---$25 billion $ in research
today We are talking about a different kind of cancer.
Spiritual cancer called discouragement.
unlike breast cancer or lung cancer
this type of cancer does have a cure
His name is Jesus.
and His means of healing your spirit is through faith and prayer
Lets read Luke 18:1-8
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Jesus gives parable
to disciples
so that they would stay steadfast in prayer and not be discouraged.
go hand in hand -----prayer corelated to peace
prayer is talking to God
Reading His word is Him talking to you
fellowship/communion- spirit moves in your heart
A healthy prayer life ,,, Getting alone with God
is the cure to you discouragement and depression
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
implies you will
A. be tempted to neglect prayer
B. you will face trials , afflictions, and hardships
temptation to be discouraged. (loose heart)
parable turns to a widow & Injustice
and a Judge who doesnt really care.
common for widows to be neglected and taken advantage of.
sales- people taking advantage of widows.
The Judge- wicked, no reverance for God, no compassion for people.
He has every intention of dismissing the widow
but She is persistent.
yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
reminds me of Bradley----Dad can I have fruit snacks.
no 100 times but at 101 I give in.
Judge gets annoyed.
He rules in her favor to get her off his back.
pray without ceasing
pray without ceasing
This is how we are supposed to come to God.
We are to be continually coming to him like the widow.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Q. What are we to pray for? EVERYTHING
A. bringing everything to God in prayer will keep you from loosing heart.
problems, fears, troubles, anxieties, challenges,
success, thanksgiving, ideas, praise,
supplications- requests
loved ones....
B. Be specific.
God give me peace over the situation....
or God this is the situation , this is how I feel about it, please give me peace…
Widow brings the problem and asks for justice from her adversary.
dialouge- talking to judge/Jesus
If you pray without ceasing you will be in constant communion with Jesus.
set apart time& all throughout the day
although your affliction and hardship may still be there , you will be reminded that Jesus is with you.
This is the peace that keeps you from discouragement.
PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF YOUR PROBLEMS BUT THE PRESENCE OF JESUS.
Have faith that God is for you
Have faith that God is for you
Q. How many of you have felt like God didnt see you or care much about you.
sometimes its hard to believe God is for you when everything in your life seems to be falling apart.
We see A contrast
judge and God
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
hear—compare
unjust judge acted on the faithful and continual asking for justice.
-difference-
God is good —judge is evil
How much more will God act rightly.
v7 Shall God not Avenge His elect- chosen men and women of God who by faith become his children.
God will act for those who are His,
and even more so to those who are faithful in prayer.
coming day and night. ----
dedicate time - throughout the day
like daniel— 3 times a day
Elijah- went up on mount carmel and prayed fervently for rain — 7 times servant came back
elect - children
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
we see here
A. it pleases God to grant you good things through prayer.
because He is for you
Most important thing for you to know today is that God loves you and is for you. ....If your His.
Pauls prayer
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
my prayer for you
know that God loves you.
not according to your moral behavior…but you as you are in Christ.
The lingering question moving forward is
What about when I pray and dont get what I prayed for?
Have faith in His answer to your prayer
Have faith in His answer to your prayer
You will get 3 answers
yes, no, and wait.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
communion vs genie wishing.
how many of you have tried to rub alladins lamp
wish for things.
as you get to know God better, you start realizing that prayer is more about Alligning yourself with Gods will than giving Him your wishlist.
Story of my wait---boss steve
Story of my no
Ava - teaching me that my hope is in God not healing
Story of my yes- salvation, marriage, kids, job, provisions, ministry,
Wether you get wait, yes, no
you can trust God in His answers
If God said yes to all of your prayers you would be way worse off.
God soverign plan- good,bad,ugly
So if you feel like God is giving you a stone instead of bread,
you have hardship, trial,
your getting discouraged?
Bring it to God in prayer and trust that He will lead you and answer your prayer the best way.
Trust that it is best for you to come to Him like the woman in this parable.
Because even in my no, with Ava,,
My insistent prayer built more of Christ in me.
And I can be sure that she is waiting for me on the other side of heaven
I can trust God that He is using the evil things in this world and working them together for my good.
The No tests your faith ,
the waiting tests your faith
trusting in God builds builds your faith
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
God will preform Justice on every wrong doer for every thing they do. …Guarantee.
But,
Will He find faith like this woman when He comes back.
Will He find faith in you.
Cry out to God for everything in your life.
There is love and grace for you in Jesus
there is peace from your hardship
He loves you through your afflictions
Believe that He is for you.
for He is the cure for your discouragment, cure for your depression, cure for your sin.
promise your life will change if you develop your prayer life.
so pray like your life depends on it.
because it does.
Close with lyric from hymn what a friend we have in Jesus
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Pray-