1. Pine Grove Church of Christ – 03/07/10

2. 3 LESSONS FROM THE PERSISTENT WIDOW Pine Grove Church of Christ – 03/07/10

3. The Parable of the Persistent Widow  The Parable of the Persistent Widow  Luke 18:1-8

4. The Parable of the Persistent Widow  1.) We Need to Pray

5. We Need to Pray  In Times of Joy – Do we fail give thanksgivings to God?  I Thessalonians 5:17-18 – “in everything give thanks”  In Times of Distress – Do we fail to petition God for help?  II Chronicles 16:12 – “yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord”  Hebrews 13:5-6 – “The Lord is my helper”

6. We Need to Pray  Not only do we need to pray, but we need to be persistent.  Luke 11:1-8 – “yet because of his persistence he will rise”

7. The Parable of the Persistent Widow  1.) We Need to Pray  2. ) God, the Hearer of Our Prayers

8. God, the Hearer of Our Prayers  I Peter 5:6-7 – “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”  Matthew 7:7-11 – “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  John 9:31 – “He hears him”  I Peter 3:12 – “His ears are open to their prayers”

9. God, the Hearer of Our Prayers  I John 2:1 – “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus”  Romans 8:34 – “who also makes intercession for us”

10. The Parable of the Persistent Widow  1.) We Need to Pray  2. ) God, the Hearer of Our Prayers  3.) Don’t Lose Heart

11. Don’t Lose Heart  NEVER GIVE UP  Philippians 3:8-14  (11) “if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead”  (14) “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”  Galatians 6:9 – “let us not grow weary while doing good”

12. Conclusion  We need to continue to grow in our relationship with God and prays always.  We need to make a commitment that in our pursuit of God and Heaven – WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP.  Do you want to go to heaven?  Then do whatever it takes to be there.

13. God’s Invitation  Hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17)  Believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16)  Repent of Sins (Acts 2:38)  Confess Faith in Christ (Acts 8:37-38)  Be Baptized in Water (Acts 22:16)  Remain Faithful (Revelations 2:10)  If err, repent and pray to God (Acts 8:22)

14. Pine Grove Church of Christ – 03/07/10