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Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

This sermon explores the parables in Luke 18:1-14, focusing on the need to be persistent in prayer and the importance of humility. It emphasizes the rewards of persistence, the future kingdom, and God's timing. The sermon also highlights the dangers of self-righteousness and the need for true humility in prayer.

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Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

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  1. Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

  2. Persistence and Humility in PrayerLuke 18:1-14 The kingdom of God is present in a hidden spiritual kingdom. In the future there it will be a visible, physical kingdom when the Son of Man returns. Jesus could be talking to a different group, but the content suggests it is the same one

  3. Persistence in Prayer Luke 18:1-8 The purpose of this parable is to show the need to be persistence in prayer and not lose heart

  4. The Quest for Justice The righteous desire justice and can be frustrated when it is delayed (Ps. 94) She wants the justice of a legal remedy & not personal revenge (Lev. 19:18; Prov. 24:29; Rom. 12:19)

  5. The Widow is in a vulnerable position without a protector The Judge does not fear God or respect man - a bad man who would be expected to be an unjust judge

  6. The Reward of Persistence The judge grants justice only because he doesn’t want to be “worn out”

  7. The Comparison This is from the lesser to the greater - if this judge does this, then imagine what God will do If this widow can be persistent, then we have even more incentive to be persistent is prayer to God

  8. Preparing for the Future The delay will be until the Son of Man comes (cf. Luke 7:22-37) God’s timing and our timing are not the same for we are transient and He is eternal (Psalm 90)

  9. Preparing for the Future We should expect persecution and tribulation until Jesus returns - Matt. 5:10-12; John 15:19-20; 16:33 Jesus wants us be persistent and not lose heart as we wait for His return and coming kingdom

  10. Preparing for the Future Justice delayed on this earth will still be carried out in God’s judgment of the wicked in the future - Rev. 20 Regard God’s patience in the present as salvation - it gives more time for others to repent & be saved

  11. Humility in PrayerLuke 18:9-14 The parable is directed as those who trusted in themselves as righteous and viewed others with contempt

  12. The Pharisees They fit this description of self-righteous and proud of their pedigree, theology and traditions These qualities caused them to be in conflict with Jesus and deny the miracles He did in front of them

  13. The Pharisees Pharisees were zealous for the Law and God, but without knowledge & blinded by their traditions Nearly every group will have proud and self-righteous people within them - some even more so

  14. The Tax-collectors (publicans) were considered among the worst of sinners and traitors to the nation Praying in the Temple was properly open to the righteous and unrighteous alike - Isaiah 56:7; 1 Kings 8

  15. A Proud & Self-righteous Pharisee Luke 18:11-12 He stood praying, a normal posture for prayer He “prayed thus to himself” - his focus was on himself, not on God He was not a “robber,” - except false prophets were & Pharisees devoured widow’s houses (Mt. 7:15; 23:14)

  16. A Proud & Self-righteous Pharisee Luke 18:11-12 He was not “unrighteous” - except Pharisees were unjust even making false accusations against Jesus He was not an “adulterer” - except he probably was by God’s standard - Matt. 5:27-28, 31-32

  17. A Proud & Self-righteous Pharisee Luke 18:11-12 He indeed was not a “tax collector” - but Pharisees often exploited others for their own benefit He fasted more than required by the Mosaic Law, but Pharisees did it to be seen by others (Matt. 6:16)

  18. A Proud & Self-righteous Pharisee Luke 18:11-12 He tithed more than required by the Mosaic Law, but Pharisees did it while neglecting justice and mercy

  19. A Humble Tax-collector Luke 18:13 He has the opposite attitude of the Pharisee He does not want to be heard or attract the attention of others and moves away by himself He is unwilling to lift his eyes to heaven - a sign of shame and humility – Isa. 58:5

  20. A Humble Tax-collector Luke 18:13 He is beating his breast - an action of deep contrition or great emotional anguish He pleas for God to be merciful - , ijlavskomai / hilaskomai - provide propitiation

  21. Justification The tax collector left justified, the Pharisee did not Justification arises from God granting grace to the humble and reckoning their faith as righteousness The Pharisee was self-righteous disregarding Isaiah 64:6

  22. Justification Salvation comes only by God’s grace through faith, and not by pedigree, position, production or piety Conclusion: heed the warning and humble yourself before God to believe and walk with Him

  23. Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

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