Three Questions 1.“Do I really belong among the people of God since I am so _______________?” 2.“How am I supposed to do life so intimately with all these different people?” 3.“How do I continue Jesus’ mission to love?” 1.“Do I really belong among the people of God since I am so _______________?” 2.“How am I supposed to do life so intimately with all these different people?” 3.“How do I continue Jesus’ mission to love?”

Luke 11: He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’

Luke 11: He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ Who do you immediately identify with when you hear or read that?

Luke 11: He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’

Luke 11: He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ How LAME!!!

Luke 11: He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ PRIVACY not paramount

Luke 11: He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ FAMILY ROUTINE not the ultimate trump card

Luke 11: He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ Translation into our culture???

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. Can also be translated as “shamelessness”

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. Can also be translated as “shamelessness” Honor is at stake for all

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Keep being persistent in prayer because you will eventually shame God into action?!?

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Keep being persistent in prayer because you will eventually shame God into action?!?

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. The logic of the parable is moving from the lesser to the greater…

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Keep being persistent in prayer because God is a good Father

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Keep being persistent in prayer because God doesn’t sleep

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Keep being persistent in prayer because God isn’t into lame excuses

Luke 11: I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Keep being persistent in prayer because God is bent upon honoring His name also!

Luke 11: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

Luke 11: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Luke 11: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Luke 11: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Luke 11: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Luke 11: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Matt. 7:11 – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Luke 11: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Matt. 7:11 – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Conclusions Persistence in prayer is commendable. 1 Thess. 5:17 -- Pray constantly.

Conclusions Persistence in prayer is commendable. 1 Thess. 5:17 -- Pray constantly. Magic = an attempt to understand, experience and influence the world using rituals, symbols, actions, gestures and language

Conclusions If you believe God is good: If you aren’t sure God is good:

Conclusions If you believe God is good: If you aren’t sure God is good: Will not fear approaching Him Will hesitate to approach Him

Conclusions If you believe God is good: If you aren’t sure God is good: Will not fear approaching Him Will hesitate to approach Him Will trust Him to respond with good motives Will be suspicious of what He is doing or giving

Conclusions If you believe God is good: If you aren’t sure God is good: Will not fear approaching Him Will hesitate to approach Him Will trust Him to respond with good motives Will be suspicious of what He is doing or giving Will be able to be truly content Will blame Him for difficulties

Conclusions If you believe God is good: If you aren’t sure God is good: Will not fear approaching Him Will hesitate to approach Him Will trust Him to respond with good motives Will be suspicious of what He is doing or giving Will be able to be truly content Will blame Him for difficulties Will have a restful spiritWill have an anxious spirit

Conclusions If you believe God is good: If you aren’t sure God is good: Will not fear approaching Him Will hesitate to approach Him Will trust Him to respond with good motives Will be suspicious of what He is doing or giving Will be able to be truly content Will blame Him for difficulties Will have a restful spiritWill have an anxious spirit Will enjoy being with Him Will have a transactional relationship

 Three stations (choose the one closest to you)  Pick up the bread & juice  Return to your seat  Eat & drink when your ready …consider partnering with someone The Lord’s Supper

Ushers please come forward… A Chance to Give to the Cause