Hello Friends!
Welcome back to our Bible study series titled
“Luke 11: The Biblical Boldness of Prayer!”
As we draw our fabulous study on “prayer” to a close, we will find that this beautiful passage of
God’s Word concludes with profound THEOLOGY in the final verse penned by Doctor Luke as inspired by
the “Holy Spirit” Himself.
In fact, “we” could mine much MORE terrific “truth” from this excellent passage found in the perfect “Word of
God” through further concentrated efforts in our
Bible study time together – And we INTEND to DO just that!
CLOSING QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: Can the true Christian “pray”
so PERSISTANTLY that in doing so, actually PERSUADE a Sovereign God? And
since God does what HE wants to do according to HIS perfect “predestined” wonderful will
and ways, just how much impact can OUR purposeful planning and poignant “prayers” have concerning our life-long “walk” of “sanctification” with our Lord Jesus Christ? –
Excellent questions!
Luke 11: The Biblical Boldness of Prayer! (Part 4)
Let’s
conclude
our topical study time together with the full context of our
fabulous foundational passage as we further consider our “joyful” journey through God’s “wonderful” Word…
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and
shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 For a
friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before
him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the
door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give
thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he
is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many
as he needeth. 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For
every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he
give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if
he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more
shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? – Luke
11:5-13
FINAL POINTS TO PONDER: As we continue to dig
into the “doctrinal” soil of this amazing little story
recorded by Dr. Luke spoken directly
from the “heart” of our Lord,
we “learned” in our previous
study that this poignant parable from Jesus Christ consisted of two astounding
aspects framed from His wonderful Word:
God’s
great PROVISION!
God’s
great PROMISE!
And
going forward we will find TWO
more GREAT aspects of “prayer”
coupled with Biblical boldness for the true “believer” to consider:
God’s
great PRINCIPLE!
God’s
great PREMISE!
Therefore,
in conclusion
of this study we will explore the guarantee of a great PRINCIPLE
and a great PREMISE from God of which is the “foundation” laid BY God Himself – Awesome!
The
THIRD
key point in our Luke 11 story is a
great PRINCIPLE
that manifests as we “give”
to other people – Fathers do GOOD to their children!
If a
son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if
he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? – Luke 11:11
Generally
speaking from a human standpoint, “fathers”
although imperfectly, will care for their “children”
in an earthly physical sense. And this parable is written in a typical common
Jewish pattern of reasoning moving from the lesser to the greater
point of consideration. Therefore, Jesus is moving this warm story from a “friendship” between MEN towards a “relationship” with – GOD!
With
that said, what was the man’s unkind response to his “friend” in “need”
mentioned here in Jesus’ story? As we learned, he essentially responded as
such: “Don’t bother me. My door has been
shut, my family is in bed and I can’t get up to give you anything. I’m
your friend, but don't push it, pal!” In other words, our “friendship” only goes so
far! However, “fatherhood”
is something quite different, isn’t it? In fact, my own children certainly never
hesitated to “ask” their “father” for what they wanted
as youngsters! – How about yours?
And
so Jesus continues by inquiring: If your son “wants”
some “bread” will you then “give” him a “stone” to eat – Obviously
NOT! Then Jesus asks: If your son is “hungry” and “wants” a “fish”
will you “give” him a “serpent”
instead? In other words, you’re not going to mock
his “hunger” are you? You
wouldn’t “give” him something
that could kill him, would you? – NO way!
Jesus
then continues to give us another simple analogy of choice
offered by a “father” towards
his children:
Or if
he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? – Luke 11:12
If
your son “asks” for an “egg” will you instead “offer” him a “scorpion?” Why
this strange comparison? Because “scorpions” in Jesus’ day were of different
breeds then as are familiar to us today. And historians tell us the “scorpions” in those days were yellowish in
color, not unlike the color of an “egg”
and they would curl up into a little ball. In doing so, they took on the
appearance of a small “egg”
and were a curious enticement to youngsters. And the expectation
of a child is that if it’s something they “need”
in life, they’re going to “receive”
it. WHY? Because even they understand
the “relationship” that they
have with their “loving”
fleshly “father” in life. In
other words – What will your EARTHLY
father do for you?
This
is the great PRINCIPLE that the Lord lays it out for “us” to consider here in this passage – Fathers do GOOD to their children!
The
FOURTH
and final key point from Jesus found in our Luke
11 story is a great PREMISE of which is the “foundation” for this entire
study. This amazing verse is VERY
rich in God’s “truth” in several areas, primarily – Your SALVATION and SANCTIFICATION in Jesus Christ!
If you
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! – Luke 11:13
WOW! There
is a LOT of great “doctrine” and “theology” to consider here in this very exciting final verse! To begin with,
Jesus says “If you then,
being evil” of which speaks directly to the “doctrine” of the depravity of man. And it is vitally important
for “us” to “understand” that Jesus is “speaking” to His “disciples” of whom had already
embraced Him as “Lord”
and “Savior” and were
completely “forgiven” of their
“sins!” These “faithful” men were His “children” but they were still “evil” by their “fallen” human nature. HOW? Notice Jesus does NOT say “you then, who DO evil” but rather “you then, BEING evil.”
The Greek word for “evil” used
here is ponēros meaning “wicked” or “worthless”
and is a reference to “Satan”
the “wicked one” and fallen “god” of this age. In fact, this word ponēros
for “evil” was used again by
Jesus Christ during His Sermon on the Mount:
But let your statement be,
‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil – Matthew
5:37
And do not lead us into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever. Amen – Matthew 6:13
Beloved,
“we” too share the SAME fallen “nature” that the “devil” possesses. Even “we” who are “saved” from our “sins”
and “follow” Jesus Christ and are “indwelt” with the Holy Spirit still “live” with an “evil” and “desperately
wicked” human nature operating within our
fallen “fleshly” bodies.
Therefore, “sin” is not just
what “we” DO, it is what “we” ARE
this side of our “glorified”
state:
The heart is more deceitful
than all else and is desperately wicked; Who can understand it? – Jeremiah
17:9
And
although “we” do indeed POSESS the “image of God” as “created”
by Him, “we” were “defiled” through the “fall” of “Adam”
and “Eve” in the garden. This
“truth” is known as the “doctrine” of Original Sin. Therefore, “sin” indeed REMAINS within us – Until we are GLORIFIED by God!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The Apostle Paul also
expounded on this “truth” that
“no one is good” and therefore
cannot at all “bridle” himself! WHY? Because this MIRACLE
of transformation MUST be
a supernatural “work”
of God within the “wicked”
and “deceitfully” depraved “heart” of man to “save” him from his fallen “sin” nature. Therefore, it is within the third chapter of Paul’s excellent epistle to
the Romans where he quotes directly
from the very “Word of God”
using SEVERAL
marvelous illustrations from the Old
Testament Prophets to make this theological “teaching” point pertaining to the “doctrine” of Original Sin and its devastating
& disastrous decimation upon ALL
of mankind…
As it
is written:
“There
is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is
none who seeks after God. They have all turned
aside; they have together become unprofitable;
there is none who does good, no, not one” (see Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3
and Ecclesiastes 7:20)
“Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit” (see Psalm
5:9)
“The
poison of asps is under their lips” (see Psalm 140:3)
“Whose
mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (see Psalm
10:7)
“Their
feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace
they have not known” (see Isaiah
59:7-8)
“There
is no fear of God before their eyes” (see Psalm
36:1)
Now we
know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that
every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for
by the law is the knowledge of sin – Romans
3:10-20
This
is God’s comprehensive list of stinging statements taken directly
from His “perfect,” “inerrant,” “eternal”
and “sufficient” Word
pertaining to the desperate deep “depravity” found within
the “whole body”
of “sinners” to include ALL of “us” – Our FALLEN
flesh!
GIVE THANKS! This entire discussion on the BOLDNESS of “prayer” provides for us a real relief
in our “understanding” here! HOW? As “Christians”
we can “go” directly
to “God” through “Jesus Christ” with our real requests. WHY? Because He’s a LOVING heavenly “Father” of whom is far BEYOND any “fallen” human “father”
in this wicked “world” who by nature is “evil” but does his “fleshly”
best to “give good gifts” out
of a “corrupt” heart.
Therefore, how “much more” will your eternal
heavenly “Father” care for YOU with a perfect
heart of “love,” “wisdom,” “compassion,”
“mercy,” “grace” and “understanding”
of your life’s situation – What will your HEAVENLY
FATHER do for you?
The
Psalmist also had this to say
concerning our LOVING
eternal “Lord God” in Heaven:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold
from those who walk uprightly – Psalm 84:11
And
although “taught” on a different
occasion than our passage here in Luke,
Jesus’ parallel “teaching” in
the book of Matthew has this to say
regarding God’s “giving” and
Goodness:
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 what is
good to those who ask Him! – Matthew
7:11
REMEMBER: Jesus did NOT say
this in Luke’s writings! Here in our poignant passage Jesus says it this
way:
If you
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! – Luke 11:13
WOW! How
did the ”Holy Spirit“ get into
this WONDERFUL conversation? – Excellent question!
CONCLUDING CONTEXT: In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says “give what is good” which is broad
and limitless within God’s wonderful “will” for our lives. However, here in the Gospel of Luke Jesus says “give the Holy Spirit” as our Lord narrows it down to
this very specific point.
The whole PREMISE of this “teaching”
from Jesus Christ is to “ask”
of GOD for what is on your
desperate “heart” of “need” with boldness
in an attitude of humility and reverence
for Him – Specifically your SALVATION
and SANCTIFICATION in Jesus Christ!
And
now we “learn” from Jesus
Christ HIMSELF that when
we “ask” God for “whatever” we “need” most in life, God WILL indeed “give” the true “believer” the “Holy Spirit” Himself – HOW?
Let’s LOOK to GOD’s wonderful WORD for HIS
answer…
You
“ask” for HELP, He gives you the “Helper!”
You
“ask” for GUIDANCE, He gives you the “Guide!”
You
“ask” for COMFORT, He gives you the “Comforter!”
You
“ask” for TRUTH, He gives you the “Spirit of Truth!”
You
“ask” for POWER, He gives you the “Spirit of Power!”
You
“ask” for FRUIT, He gives you the “Fruit of the Spirit!”
You
“ask” for WISDOM, He gives you the “Spirit of Wisdom!”
This
is the great GENEROSITY of
God! We “ask” for the GIFT and He “gives” the GIVER. We “ask” for the EFFECT and He “gives” the CAUSE. We “ask”
for the PRODUCT and He “gives” the SOURCE from God – Spirit-filled generosity!
The
“disciples” expected that when
their “Messiah” arrived, He
would be EMPOWERED by the
“Holy Spirit” just as “Jesus Christ” was! He was “born of a virgin” who was impregnated by
the “Holy Spirit.” Jesus was “anointed” by the “Holy Spirit” at His “baptism.” Jesus was “filled” by the “Holy Spirit” with complete “obedience” to “God the Father” in heaven. And Jesus was “led” by the “Holy Spirit” in His wilderness “temptation” as well as throughout His ENTIRE three-year earthly “ministry.” The “Holy Spirit” of God ENERGIZED Jesus Christ and we can see
this amazing truth throughout the Gospel of
Luke as we consider ALL
these excellent elements of His PERFECT
life. Therefore, Jesus’ “disciples”
indeed KNEW that the Old Testament promised their Messiah would be – ANNOINTED by the Holy
Spirit!
QUIZING QUESTION: Do YOU understand that everything
that the Lord has allowed to happen to you as a “believer” is a “work” of the “Holy Spirit” working IN and THROUGH
your life? These important final poignant PREMISE points
are found throughout the “doctrine”
of Pneumatology concerning the “study” of the “Holy Spirit” of God – The Third PERSON
of the thrice Holy TRINITY!
As
a LOST and dying “sinner,” we were CONVICTED by the “Holy Spirit” and that’s how we came to “understand” our “sin” nature, God’s “righteousness” and “judgment” to include our “need” for “salvation”
IN Jesus Christ:
Nevertheless I tell you the
truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the
Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when
He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me – John 16:7-9
And
when we “confessed” Jesus
Christ as “Lord” and “Savior” through “repentance” from our “sins” against God, we did it because
of the – Holy Spirit!
The
Apostle Paul also expounded on this “truth”
when speaking of the “Spirit of God”
to the Corinthian assembly:
Therefore I make known to you
that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one
can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit – 1
Corinthians 12:3
When
the Lord “gave” us the “Holy Spirit,” He “gave” us EVERYTHING
we need! We “received” the “knowledge” of God’s “truth” from the “Holy Spirit” because it’s ONLY the “Spirit
that knows the things of God” and by His “grace” we PERMANENTLY posses EVERYTHING
we “need” in life. We have
more resources in the “Holy
Spirit” than we can even imagine and when
we “ask” of God, He doesn’t
just “give” us hat belongs
to the “Holy Spirit” – He GIVES us the Holy Spirit Himself!
Beloved,
God is NOT at all like
that “neighbor” who was bothered
by his “friend” saying “GO AWAY!” but finally through his “importunity” had relented. Rather,
God is so GENEROUS towards
HIS own! He “gives” us His “power,” “wisdom”
and “might” if we’ll only ASK of Him. And we certainly cannot FULLY comprehend the “Holy Spirit” He indeed – Lives IN us!
FINAL RECAP: Beloved, in this
serious study series based upon our foundational parable passage concerning Biblical “prayer” found in Luke chapter 11, we’ve journeyed through a PROVISION,
a PROMISE,
a PRINCIPLE
and a PREMISE. Therefore, we have “learned” to “discern” God’s divine of Biblical “doctrine” through “life” in Jesus
Christ the Son by the perfect “will”
of God the Father of which is “empowered” by the – Holy Spirit!
In
fact, that’s why the Apostle Paul also ENCOURAGED
the “brethren” in Ephesus with this WONDERFUL statement concerning the “power” of
God IN our lives:
Now to
Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by
Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen – Ephesians 3:20-21
Brethren,
let us never dishonor God by doubting
His “great” GENEROUSITY! We
can go DIRECTLY to “Him” in the middle of the “night” and “know”
that we could NOT possibly interrupt
Him. WHY? Because He “delights” in our real requests! Thus, we
can safely “hold” Him to His
precious PROMISES by being
“persistent” with a Biblical BOLDNESS in our “asking” and He will “listen” and “give” us what we “need”
– According to HIS perfect WILL
for our lives!
In
closing:
God
is our “all in all” and He
gives us “much more”
of these “good gifts”
through HIS glorious “riches” in Jesus Christ. We “receive” not only the SUPPLY but the SOURCE and not only the STUFF but much BETTER than that – The HOLY SPIRIT Himself!
REAL REFLECTIONS: My beloved brethren,
can BOLDNESS and REVERENCE
co-exist in our mindful “prayers”
unto God? – YES!
However,
as Jesus Christ the Son “teaches” us here in these poignant
passages, our BOLDNESS in
“prayer” indeed MUST be “according”
to the perfect “Will,”
the perfect “Ways”
and the perfect “Word”
of God the Father
empowered by God the Holy Spirit
but NEVER according to our
“wicked” will,
ways or wants – Can you DISCERN
the DIFFERENCE?
God’s
question for the true “Christian”
is not: “Can you DIE for Jesus Christ?” The
question for “us” to ponder
is: “Can you LIVE selflessly THROUGH
Him?” That’s the REAL
question concerning HIS wonderful “will” for our lives! Therefore, the distraction
that always stands in the way of “our” purposeful “prayers” for God’s “will” to be “done” in our “lives”
is our OWN
will. However, when “we”
learn to “pray” Biblically in conformity
with HIS perfect “will”
rather than our own… Our “lives”
filled with true and trusting “faith” will indeed – Change dramatically!
Our
“prayer” is a Sanctifying Grace and
we do NOT in any way “pray” to manipulate
God. We do NOT in any
way “pray” to get God to do
what we want. We do NOT
in any manner “pray” with
incantations, pious public demonstrations or vain “religious” repetitions simply to put on a
shady show for man. Rather, we “go” into God’s PRESENCE and we “hallow” His NAME and we “bring” to the “lost” His saving “Kingdom” through the “Gospel” message of “Jesus
Christ” our Lord. Thereby, we FULFILL
His ultimate “will” and are – Conformed TO His PERFECT purposes!
REIGNING REMINDER: The MOTIVES of our “heart” is the main KEY
to this wonderful little story from the Gospel
of Luke – A VERY IMPORTANT
distinction!
Beloved,
does this sincere scriptural study series pertaining to the Biblical BOLDNESS of “prayer” help you to “understand” God’s perfect “will” from a different
perspective as mined directly from God’s wonderful
Word? – I PRAY it DOES!
Thank you for embarking on
this wonderful journey! It is my hope that you have been blessed by God’s
Word through this exciting study of “Luke 11: The Biblical Boldness
of Prayer!”
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
