A Friend at Midnight
A Friend at Midnight
(Luke 11:5-8)
Introduction:
Read: Luke 11:5-8
I want to show you three things.
First, we want to put the story in its’ setting (context).
In order to appreciate the parable, you have to know why Jesus told the parable.
What were the circumstances that made this particular story necessary and what did Jesus want the ancient listeners to hear.
Setting: Go to the beginning of the chapter
At the beginning, Jesus is praying
Read: Luke 11:1
It is good for people to see you pray sometimes. It lets folk know that the Lord means something to you.
Sometimes, as members of the Lord’s church, we take for granted the great privilege that we have in prayer (many people think they have).
When your life is going through some changes, you know that sometimes the only one you can talk to is the Lord.
Jesus is praying (disciple is in ah). – Lord teach us how to pray.
Jesus does two things (many times we only discuss one)
Jesus says, alright when you pray, pray like this (model)
Many times we call this the Lord’s prayer (John 17) – This is not the Lord’s prayer
Read: Luke 11:2-4
Now, that is not where the teaching stopped.
I’ve heard this preached many times and usually they stop right there.
Jesus does not stop teaching here (model prayer / tells him a story)
The story has to do with how God responds when the disciple pray.
See, you can’t make this story say something that the Lord didn’t intend for it to say and be true to the text.
Example: (Scripture say something that the Lord never intended for it to say)
You have to see the text in its’ original, historical setting.
So, whatever this story is about, the setting suggest that is talking about prayer.
In the story, I want you to look at three things.
1st – Look at the request
2nd – Nature of the prayer
3rd – Response
Example: (Some in the church longer than I have / Know all about prayer)
Let’s look at the request.
We have some characters in this story
Read: Luke 11:5
Question: Where is our friend? / Friend in the house
You have a man in need. / Borrower
The borrower goes to his friend. When?
Lend me what?
Read: Luke 11:5-7
Who would the borrower identify with?
Who would the friend outside the house be? / Disciple
What do you do when you pray?
You take your request to somebody that can fulfill your request.
The disciple would be you and me. He is the one in need.
What does he need? / Three loaves
So, the man in the house is who?
If the man outside the house is you and me, who is the man inside the house?
Question: How many says it’s (God / Other than God / Don’t know)
Problem: Why you didn’t say it’s God
Jesus are you wanting me to understand that when I come to you in prayer that you are going to say (Trouble me not…).
That’s the problem we have saying that it is God.
How many of you want to solve this?
How many of you want to know?
Joke: ( I should just leave you right there)
What are you going to do with this (That’s what makes bible study interesting)
You have to rightly divide the word of God.
Point:
God is a friend that you can go to at midnight. And it would be unimaginable for Him to turn you aware with excuses about doors being shut, children in bed.
It would be unimaginable for God to do that. Because God is a friend.
Explain: (Which of you shall have a friend / Can you imagine having a friend)
It would be unimaginable for my friend to talk to me that way.
What kind of friend would he be.
Reference: Luke 17:7 (But which of you having a slave)
Is that the way a slave owner talks to a slave?
Example: Roots
Read: Luke 17:7-9
Story: Middle East Hospitality / They don’t eat meat at every meal (the only chicken)
So, the man in the house, is God.
And what he is saying is it would be unimaginable for God to turn you away with excuses about doors being shut.
My God is a friend that I can go to when I can’t go to anybody else.
My God is somebody, when it gets too late for you, He is still up and I can have just a little talk with Him.
When you turn your back on me, He is still there. (Stick closer than a brother)
Some of you have had times when it seemed like you were all by yourself (nobody cared, nobody said can I help)
Isn’t good to know that God is a friend who you can go to even at midnight!
And He will never turn you away.
It would be unimaginable for Him to turn you away with frivolous excuses.
Now, let’s look at the request.
The man asked for is bread.
In our culture, bread is not that important to the meal.
Explain: Bread (I am the bread of Life)
What is the Lord trying to teach us?
1st – God is a friend that you can go to at midnight
2nd – When you go to God in prayer, ask for that which is essential
You don’t go to God about frivolous stuff. That’s why you don’t get what you ask for (You don’t know to pray).
Go to God about that which is important.
3rd – Prayer should not be selfish.
The man goes and ask for bread (but not for himself / for a friend in his journey)
If you get involved (about somebody else situation)
Read: Luke 11:8
We have made the wrong application of the word “importunity.”
Explain: Importunity / Anaidia (Shamelessness)
The man in the house will get up a give him what he needs, but it is not based on friendship.
God doesn’t answer us because we are such good friends.
It’s not based on who you are. It’s based on who God is.
It is based on the avoidance of shame (Psalms 23)
Example: Traveling/ Breakdown
Reference: Daniel 9 (God just waiting for you to ask for something)
There is no persistence in this story. You can’t wear the Lord down.
Prayer is a powerful tool
Conclusion:
1st – God is a friend that you can go to at midnight. It is unimaginable that He will turn you away with frivolous excuses about doors being shut.
2nd – Go to Him about that which is essential
3rd – Don’t always be selfish. Pray for somebody else.
4th – You can be sure that He will answer because His name is on the line.
I hope that blesses somebody’s life as it relates to pray.
Those in the church (Pray all the time)
Those who are not in the church (Pray is not your privilege)