Sermon On the Net

WHEN TO PRAY

 

Luke 18: A great title because many wonder when and where to pray. Jesus tells us using a parable of a judge who didn’t fear God nor did he respect people. However, there was a woman who had a legal problem who relentlessly approached the judge until he finally gave in to her.  

 

He says that God will give justice to those who cry to Him day and night, verse 6: “And will God not bring justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?  He will deliver His promises but when He returns will He find faith on earth?

 

Self-exaltation with God does not impress Him, but a humble person is always welcomed. Verse 14: “…For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

The people were so taken by Jesus that they were bringing their children to Him just so that He would touch them. The disciples thought this to be inappropriate and rebuked them, however Jesus stopped them and told them that people must come to God as little children in verse 17: “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.”

 

A certain ruler asked Him what he should do to obtain eternal life after explaining how he had kept many of the commandments and Jesus told him to sell all that he had and follow Him. As he was very rich he could not bring himself to make this sacrifice. Jesus then explained the difficulty rich people will have to obtain eternal life. The disciples quickly asked Him, ‘who could be saved?’ He replied in verse 27: “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” He also said that people, when they turn to God, will receive much more than they gave up.

 

Jesus explained to the disciple’s events concerning His death and resurrection, but they did not comprehend the things that were said.

 

As they were approaching Jericho a blind man cried out to Jesus for mercy. When Jesus asked him in verse 41: “What do you want me to do for you?” He said he wanted to see. Jesus restored his sight and told him: “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he was able to see and gave praise to God and began to follow Jesus.

 

It is amazing what prayer and will achieve; as Jesus said: ‘faith as little as a mustard seed could move mountains.’ Do you have faith? I know that those of you who have accepted Jesus as Savior have faith, but what about you who have not taken the faith step?  Take the faith step and you will receive confirmation that you are the benefactor of eternal life. How, you ask? You will experience a changed life as Paul so aptly put it in 2^nd Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

 

Prayer is fellowship with Him. He loves it. The Holy Spirit takes what’s in our heart to Him. Words are not as important as what is in our heart. Pray (speak) anytime and anywhere.