TEACH US TO PRAY

Luke 11:1-4

V: 1             (A) One of HIS disciples asks: LORD, teach us to pray…

                   (B) So the following prayer is only an example of how to pray –

                           not what to pray!

                   (C) Because vain repetition in prayer is condemned by the

                          LORD – Matthew 6:5-8.

V: 2             (A) Our prayers are to be addressed to our “Father in Heaven”

                           Because that is the kind of relationship GOD wants with us!

                           Ephesians 2:19-22.

                   (B) Hallowed be THY NAME. Psalms 113:3.

                   (C) Thy Kingdom come – Since the Kingdom (the Church) has

                           already come (Daniel 7:13-14 & Colossians 1:13), always

                            remember that JESUS is a King now! cf: Acts 2:29-30

                            Revelation 17:14 & 19:16.

         (D) Thy will be done – Psalms 143:10, 1 John 2:17 & 5:14.

V: 3                   Give us daily bread – Psalms 136:25, 145:15-16.

V: 4             (A) Acknowledge your sins – Psalms 51:1ff & 103:3.

                   (B) Forgive others! Ephesians 4:32

                   (C) Lead us like a shepherd – away from temptations.

                         1 Corinthians 10:13 & Peter 2:9.

                   (D) Deliverance to be sought – Psalms 25:20 & 91:3

THE PARABLE OF THE RELUNCTANT NEIGHBOR

Luke 11:5-8

Why don’t we pray?

Do we view GOD as a reluctant neighbor?

V: 5-6         (A) This is a humorous story.

                   (B) A traveler must be fed is an age-old show of hospitality.

                           2 Samuel 12:4.

V: 7-8         (A) Are we afraid that God is in bed or that HE will say

                           Trouble ME not?

                   (B) God neither slumbers nor sleeps. Psalms 121:3

                   (C) If a reluctant neighbor will arise and give you what you

                           need because of importunity – how much more will GOD

                           who loves you – give you your daily bread!

THE PARABLE of THE THREE-FOLD PRAYER

Luke 11:9-13

V:9              (A)Attitudes of heart and our spiritual growth is the lesson here.

                   (B) Ask – We are to grow from I want....

                   (C) Seek – To what do you want from me GOD….

                   (D) Knock – to I will ….

V: 10           (A) The availability of the FATHER!

                   (B) Go to HIM in prayer

V:11            (A) A stone and a hungry child? Of course not, JESUS!

          `        (B) A fang and a little hand? Of course not, JESUS!

                   (C) A wooly spider and little fingers? Of course not, JESUS!

V: 13                 How much more? Hebrews 4:14-16.   

GREED

Luke 12:13-15

V: 13                                   Greed – not a plea for justice.

V: 14                  JESUS had only a bite and a rebuke for him.

V:15            (A) Covetousness – Exodus 20:17 & Psalms 10:3

                   (B) A man’s life – JESUS is pointing toward the abundant life   

                         of mind, soul and spirit.

THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL

Luke 12:16-21

V: 16                 Who made it come forth plentifully? Deuteronomy 6:10-12.

V: 17-19     (A) The man’s whole thinking and life was inverted into  

                         Himself. Proverbs 1:32.

                   (B) This man uses I six times, my five times, himself one time

                         and thine one time, referring to himself.

                   (C) He talked to the wrong person – soul – psyche or mental

                         capacity. Proverbs 18:2.

                   (D) GOD was not consulted at all. James 4:13-17.

                   (E) He was a pleasure seeker. 1 Timothy 5:6 and 2 Timothy 3:4

V: 20           The immortal soul of man – Ecclesiastes 12:7 & Hebrews 9:27.

V: 21           (A) treasure for himself  - accumulation. James 5:3

                   (B) rich toward GOD – Proverbs 13:7 and Ephesians 1:18.