Sermon: Hang In There, Don’t Quit!
Hang In There: Don’t Quit!
(Luke 18:1-8)
A Message by Pastor Kuan Ming on 21 August 2011
The story begins with a widow who had an adversary who was trying to take advantage of her. It’s likely that he was trying to cheat her of the money or land her husband left her. She faced a terrible judge who have no fear of God and man. Our widow had no money to bribe this wicked judge, so her only recourse was to come before him repeatedly crying, “Grant me justice against my adversary!”. He dismissed her claim, but she kept coming back, begging him for justice. He was upset because she was constantly in his face. This constant begging and nagging finally paid off –he ruled in her favor.
Three Men and a Frog
David’s 3 mighty men: Shammah, Adino and Eliza. 2 Samuel 23:8-12
These three men and a frog teach us the importance of perseverance and endurance in prayer.
Today’s scripture encourages us to persevere in prayer.
Five reasons why we should keep on praying:
I. THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE
Luke 18:1, Jesus says,” men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”
The phrase “ought to pray” is really not quite strong enough. The word should be translated “must”, “they must always pray.”
” If we don’t pray, we will lose heart.”
The African cheetah can run at speeds of 70 miles per hour. The cheetah has only one problem, however, it has a disproportionately small heart, which causes it to tire quickly. If it doesn’t catch its prey quickly, it must end the chase.
How often we have the cheetah’s approach in prayer. What is needed may not be more explosive power, but more staying power –stamina that comes from a bigger prayer heart.
George Mueller’s success in praying for his 2 friends for 60 years may be summarized in four powerful words: He did not quit.
Pastor Bill Hypes tells about an interesting experience after a baptism service.
If we want to see good things happening in your life, church and nation, we must keep praying – there is too much at stake and…..
II. WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES SEEM AGAINST YOU
The widow came to the judge saying, “Get justice for me from my adversary,”
This widow had several factors stacked against her.
- She was a widow, and widows were oppressed and taken advantage of legally.
- She had no means to pay a bribe even if she wanted to.
- She faced a terrible judge who was corrupted and evil.
Elijah labored in prayer diligently seven times in the posture of a woman in travail before clouds appeared and rain came. (1 Kings 18:1)
Daniel prayed for 21 days for God’s answer. (Daniel 9 and 10)
What would have happened had Elijah and Daniel not persevered in their prayer?
III. The Answer May Be Just Around the Corner.
“…I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. V.4
Although the Judge keeps refusing, she keeps coming. The judge is finally moved to help her not out of a sense of justice or compassion but one of self-preservation.
John Wesley’s diary reads as follows:
“Sunday morning, May 5, preached in St.Ann’s, was asked not to come back anymore.
Sunday evening, May 5, preached at St.John’s, deacons said, “Get out and stay out.”
Sunday morning., May 12, preached at St.Jude’s, can’t go back there either.
Sunday evening., May 12, preached at St.George’s, kicked out again.
Sunday morning, May 19, preached at St.Thomas, deacons called special meeting and said I couldn’t return.
Sunday p.m., May 19, preached on the street, kicked off the street.
Sunday a.m., May 26, preached in meadow, chased out of meadow as a bull was turned loose during the service.
Sunday a.m., June 2, preached at the edge of town, kicked off the highway.
Sunday p.m., June, afternoon service, preached in a pasture, 10,000 people came to hear me.”
IV. GOD IS WORKING OUT THE ANSWER.(V.7-8)
“And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?’
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily”.
We often make the mistake of equating delay with denial. God’s delay is not His denial.
We need to understand that Jesus is not comparing God to an unjust judge. Rather, he is making a point by contrast. Unless we see that Jesus is pointing out contrasts, we will still get the idea that God must be argued or bribed into answering our prayers. But if the poor widow can get an uncaring judge to answer her request by perseverance, then how much more should we expect that our heavenly Father who cares will answer the request of his children’s persistent request.
All through the centuries believers have struggled with the seeming silence of God to their prayers.
In Verse 8, Jesus addresses that issue – “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily..”
The moment that God hears our request, if it is in his will, he begins to work out the answer. We may not see it now but one day the answer will come.
Roger Simms, a soldier who got a ride from Hanover and led him to Christ on May 7.
V. JESUS ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES.
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Cor.1:20
Jesus concludes with a question _”Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Vs.8)
Jesus does not say, “When the Son of man comes, he will not find faith on earth,” nor does he say,” When the Son of man comes, he will find faith on earth.”
He does not say,” If the Son of man comes,” but “When,” for this is one thing that is absolutely certain.
God is utterly faithful. He does not say,” When the Son of man comes, will he find men praying?
Prayer is an absolute, vital necessity in the interchange of a child’s heart with the Father. Which is why Jesus asked the question-“ When he comes, will he find men exercising this blessed privilege?”
Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples to pray and not give up is still relevant to us today. Let us be like the widow who persisted in asking what she needed.
We are God’s children who have His ear at all times.
“Because God is the living God, He can hear; because He is a loving God, He will hear; because He is our covenant God, He has bound Himself to hear.” – Charles Spurgeon
- There is Too Much at Stake.
- When Circumstances Seem Against You.
- The Answer May Be Just Around the Corner.
- God is Working Out the Answer.
- Jesus Always Keeps His Promises.