CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Timothy Keller Jeffrey Smead Mark Driscoll Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler John Hamby Michael Hollinger Daniel Olukoya

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,

5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

On what basis did the widow approach the judge? On what basis do you approach God? The basis by which you approach God will greatly affect your desire to approach and your manner of approach.

18

18

John The Baptist (Luke 3) <> Peter (Acts 12)

The better thing is for the good person to die?

The better thing is for the good person to die?

The better thing is for the good person to die?

HOW do you pray?

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

MATTHEW 6 6 …when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

MATTHEW 6 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

MATTHEW 6 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, MATTHEW 6 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 MATTHEW 6 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

MATTHEW 6 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

PRAYER

MATTHEW 6 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Pagan way to pray / Christian way to pray /

PAGAN What is a pagan?

PAGAN What is a pagan? Prays like a pagan <> Prays “our Father”

PAGAN What is a pagan? Prays like a pagan <> Prays “our Father”

Religious action Christian Why do you think you are being heard? BASIS Jesus is saying there are two different BASIS on which you can approach God. Religious action Christian Why do you think you are being heard?

> understand the true basis of prayer that Jesus talks about >employee the true basis of prayer

Jesus is talking about two different ways to go to God. MATTHEW 6 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Jesus is talking about two different ways to go to God.

When you approach anyone for an exchange, interaction, or a give-and-take, you have to have some basis on which are approaching a person and intuitively that basis determines the level of the exchange.

When you approach anyone for an exchange, interaction, or a give-and-take, you have to have some basis on which are approaching a person and intuitively that basis determines the level of the exchange.

When you approach anyone for an exchange, interaction, or a give-and-take, you have to have some basis on which are approaching a person and intuitively that basis determines the level of the exchange.

If you want to have a deeper interaction you have to have a deeper basis.

Two basic ways we go to God Similar to the two basic ways we deal with each other

“Business” relationship / “Family” relationship “What I have for you” <> “What I am for you”

“Business” relationship / “Family” relationship I perform, so I am accepted <> I am accepted so I perform Performance-based Commitment-based

Both have Responsibilities there is a basis for approach. There are two different ways to live in someone’s house 1. BOARDER / LANDLORD Both have Responsibilities there is a basis for approach. BUT, the interchange is a mechanical one of goods and services. It’s a business relationship.

Both have Responsibilities There are two different ways to live in someone’s house 1. BOARDER / LANDLORD Both have Responsibilities there is a basis for approach. BUT, the interchange is a mechanical one of goods and services. It’s a business relationship.

2. You can live in the home of your parents There are two different ways to live in someone’s house 2. You can live in the home of your parents You are not a BOARDER, you are a CHILD. there is a basis for approach. Since you are accepted you should perform.

Here’s how you can tell whether you’re approaching God on a business basis or a family basis. PRAYER

here is how you know whether or not you’re a pagan or a Christian: what happens when your prayers aren’t answered?

here is how you know whether or not you’re a pagan or a Christian: what happens when your prayers aren’t answered? A Cold / angry Anxious / Guilty

In either case you prove that you’re a border, not a child. In either case, you believe at a fundamental level that your relationship with God is a business one— it’s based on your performance and His. A

A religious person says: “God come into my life, be my landlord. I’ll do my part, you do yours.” A

A Christian is someone who says: “God come into my life, be my father. I am not worthy of your favor, but on the basis of Christ has done, be my Father.”

Those are two different paradigms Those are two different paradigms. And the way you can tell which you use by looking at your prayer life.

Babbling like a pagan: empty, cold, impersonal, mechanical. There’s no love, there’s no grace, there’s no sweetness, there’s no fullness in your praying. You do them just because you’re supposed to do them. They are kind of irritated. Anxious. Guilty.

As a child of God: Prayers are warm. Confident. Loving. Personal.

Your understanding that you are an adopted child of God is the very essence of what it means to be a Christian! John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

What does it mean to be a Christian? It means you’re adopted.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, MATTHEW 6 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, Jesus says “here is how you pray.” You start with adoption.

“every time you have any dealing with God, any time, you’ve got to saturate yourself in it, you’ve got to rejoice in it, and that’s the fire that fuels access into the presence of God. That’s the thing that changes the throne of the Universe into a throne of grace.”

… Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace HEBREWS 4 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, … Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace

What does it mean to be a Christian? It means you’re adopted.

HEBREWS 4

“From what country [does God’s love come from]?!” 1 John 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God” “From what country [does God’s love come from]?!” 30 minutes

Boarders believe they’ve been paying the rent. Christians understand that the reason they are Christians and loved by God is it’s a totally free gift. Boarders believe they’ve been paying the rent.

PAYDAY!

PAYDAY!

PAGAN VS CHRISTIAN Both repent of their SINS

Both repent of their SINS PAGAN VS CHRISTIAN Both repent of their SINS The Christian also repents of their RIGHTEOUSNESS

Both repent of their SINS PAGAN VS CHRISTIAN Both repent of their SINS The Christian also repents of their RIGHTEOUSNESS

Both repent of their SINS PAGAN VS CHRISTIAN Both repent of their SINS The Christian also repents of their RIGHTEOUSNESS

>expect life to go okay. They get mad when life doesn’t Paying rent >expect life to go okay. They get mad when life doesn’t >When prayers aren’t answered they get angry >There is no spirit of praise. Child > everything’s a gift!

HEBREWS 4

MATTHEW 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.

shameless, impertinent Luke 11 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. shameless, impertinent

Abraham praying for Sodom shameless, impertinent

Moses reminding God of His promise shameless, impertinent

People in the Bible pray aggressively, shamelessly, and constantly to make the request known to God.

How can we pray like this to such a powerful God? People in the Bible pray aggressively, shamelessly, and constantly to make the request known to God. How can we pray like this to such a powerful God?

what would be shameless, overly aggressive, and demanding in anyone else is natural, normal and acceptable behavior for a little child towards their parent.

A boarder expects to understand a landlord A child must trust

>won’t ask aggressively >won’t trust God when he says no Boarder >won’t ask aggressively >won’t trust God when he says no >won’t be able to say “your will be done” >No rest or peace in your identity as a boarder Child > Spirit of praise > shamelessly and aggressively pursuing God > Rest & Peace in your identity as his child

Learn to pray, understand, and live, “our Father.”

How are you like the widow? 1. What good thing do you need to keep striving for? 2. What in your life if worth fighting for? 3. On what understanding of God will you base tenacity?

6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; Isaiah 62 6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, 7 and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Learn to pray, understand, and live, “our Father.”