GREETS YOU!

Bible Reading this Evening: Romans 8:31-34

The Parables of Jesus: The Introduction. September 10, 2017 The Dragnet. November 5, 2017 The Hidden Treasure. November 12, 2017 The Parable fo the Sower. September 17, 2017 The Pearl of Great Price. November 19, 2017 The Wheat&the Tares. October 1, 2017 The Growing Seed. October 8, 2017 The Workers in the Vineyard. December 3, 2017 The Mustard Seed. October 15, 2017 The Leaven. October 21, 2017

The persistent widow.

persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering.

In Luke 18, we find ourselves 2 parables. The Persistent Widow. Lucas 18:1-8. The Pharisee and the tax collector. Luke 18:9-14.

This is not the first time Jesus used a parable to teach about prayer: Do we remember: The friend at midnight? In this parable he taught about the importance of prayer in every faithful Christian life.

Luke 18:1-8 [1] Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, [2] saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. [3] Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' [4] And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, [5] yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'" [6] Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. [7] And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? [8] I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

The theme of this parable is really simple: The importance of being "persistent". Our first verse of this parable says.. 1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, Saying:

The judge's character is shown to us. The parable itself: The judge's character is shown to us. V 2.Saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. He did not fear God. Nor Regard man.

What else can you expect from a man like this? He has the opportunity to do good, for the position he has, but instead he abuses his position by being evil. Is that attitude common? Very, very common today in 2018. Many in courts and in many government places they mock the name of God.

Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' According to verse 3 this woman has a problem with her “adversary”. An enemy, somebody that is trying to hurt her… A Pharisee Mat 23:14?

But let's see the difficulty that she faces: It was the responsibility of all the judges not to steal and deceive the widows,…Jer 22:3… But to punish the oppressor and to protect the widows…Isaiah 1:17. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. Jeremiah 22:3 Thus says the LORD: "Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. But let's see the difficulty that she faces:

Why didn't he want to make justice to her? And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, Why didn't he want to make justice to her? Because she was not an important person? Because he was waiting to be bribed like they all did? Because she was “just” a woman according to many? Or, just because he was an evil judge?

But let's notice what the Bible said: And he would not for a while Repeated attempts seem to fall on deaf ears... Even though he confesses not to fear God nor regard man... He is going to act...

It was the woman who made him Why? 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 Yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " How? It was the woman who made him change his thinking...

By being, "PERSISTENT" The Judge said that he will take action just because the woman wearies him. He was tired of her.

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. The application of the parable... Jesus is trying to call his listeners attention by saying: 6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. He was moved by the woman's persistence...

But it was this woman who changed his thinking… The judge has already declared not to fear God, nor regard man... But it was this woman who changed his thinking… Then by application the Lord said:

Let's see closer what Jesus has said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? Let's see closer what Jesus has said. What Jesus is saying is: Imagine for a moment if this judge being evil he does justice, how much more God? How much more will a just God? The contrast...

The Widow The people of God. A stranger Only one At a Distance An unjust Judge On her Own Plead her own case No promise given Her asking provoke the judge The people of God. His elect 1 Peter 2:9-10. We are many. We can come boldly. Heb 4:15. A Righteous Father. God is for us. Rom 8:31. We have an Advocate Rom 8:34. Promise given. Luke 18:8. Our Asking Delights God. If persistence paid off for the widow, how much more for God's elect who pray?

God will avenge his elect! He may bear long with the prayers of his persecuted people…Luke 18:7. Revelations 6:9-10. 2 Peter 3:9 When his vengeance comes, it will come swiftly!

The widow represents us the christians... There is a day coming in which God will take vengeance. 2 Thessalonians.1:7-9. There will be a sudden destruction with no way to escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3. The widow represents us the christians...

But Jesus asks a question: I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Let’s not forget that God will come avenging his people. What is Jesus asking with that? When?

That's why Jesus is asking. His delay may prompt some to lose faith (Lack of prayer) This is the purpose of this parable, not lose faith but to pray more.

How about us as Christians? Do we pray the same way this woman was acting? In the end: she wins.

1 Thessalonians 5:17. Are you always praying? Are we praying like the way Paul exhorted many christians? 1 Thessalonians 5:17. God will avenge his people, but in order for him to do that we need to be persistent in prayer... Are you always praying?

Persistence brothers, persistence...

You can become a Christian this evening. Believe Jesus is God’s Son (John 8:24) Repent of your sins and turn to God (Acts 3:19) Confess your faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9) Be immersed for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) Faithfully put Christ first in all things (Col. 1:18)