The key(s) to Eternal SuccessUnderstanding whom we pray

to!

by

Brian Birdow

Sermon text: Luke 18:1-5

www.cmcoc.org

Luke 18:1-5• And he spoke a parable unto them to this end,

that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.

• And he would not for awhile: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she wearies me.

Jesus believes in the POWER of prayer!

• NOTE vs. 1: men must always to pray, and never lose heart!

• WHY? ? ? ? ? ? ?Why . . . . .WHY? ? ? ? ? ?

Because the GODHEAD HEARS!!

• Ephesians 3 (turn with me please)

God the Father

• Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

• Ephesians 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

• Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your

room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.

God the Son (Intercession)

• Intercession—Literally falls in with us and speaks to GOD in our behalf. Who pleads our cause; who aids and assists us;

• Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

GOD the Son

• Presents our interests before the mercy-seat in the heavens, for this purpose he ascended to heaven!

• Hebrews 7:25 Therefore HE is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing HE ever lives to make intercession for them.

God the Son (Mediator)

• Literally in the middle. A person who stands between two parties. Pleads the case of the two parties. Mediator makes possible communication between two parties!

• 1 Timothy 2:1-5 please turn with me.

Only ONE!

• 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

• Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also HE is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

God the SON (Advocate)

• Jesus serves as our own personal Advocate or litigation! We have COMFORT!!

• 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

• 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

We have Comfort

• The God-Man pleads our case!

• This is meant for encouragement

• Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

God the HOLY SPIRIT

• Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

• HELPS= SUNANTILAMBANETAI

HELPS• A 3 part word.. Which paints a picture!

• Sun= “together”

• Anti=“over against”

• Lambanetai= to keep on taking hold of

• When we struggle in prayer, the Holy Spirit is always there to take hold of our thoughts with us. He (H.S.) is on one side of our unexpressed feelings, we are on the other; and, together, our requests are presented to Jesus who pleads our case to the FATHER

The Godhead listens to our prayers• 1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see

good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

• 1 Peter 3:11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.

• 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Application• All this is done on our behalf

• How does God view us?

• Are we an accident?

• Are we primordial slime?

• ……………………or………………….

• We are made in His image

• HE loves us and wants to be with us!

• We were not an after thought or accident

• He is moved by our prayers!