Family Camp 2016: Pre Camp Special
Text: Luke 18:1-8
27 February 2016
Luke 18:1-8
“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” Luke 18:1
JESUS’ OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER
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The problem of hypocrisy Matthew 6:5-8
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The problem of praying wrongly
a) For people to see
b) For the praise of men
c) Vain repetition
d) Many words
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The problem of prayerlessness
a) Generally
b) Specifically… even among His disciples
A SPECIAL PARABLE Luke 18:1-8
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Purpose of the parable
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Point of the parable
“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” Luke 18:1
INHERENT TENDENCIES
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To lose heart
a) To be discouraged
b) To be disheartened
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Men always
a) Without fail
b) Consistent practice
c) Daily
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Ought
a) Necessity
b) Must
c) No option
REASONS FOR LOSS OF HEART
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A poor understanding of God
a) Abstract
b) Distant
c) Estranged
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A bleak view of the circumstances of life
a) Tough
b) Terrible
c) Overwhelming
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A lack of faith in God
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8
a) It affects our prayer efforts
b) It causes us to lose heart easily
THE LACK OF GREAT FAITH IN ISRAEL
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Comment about the faith of the centurion
“I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel” Luke 7:9; Matthew 8:10
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Comment about the faith of the Syro-Phonecian woman
“O woman, great is your faith!” Matthew 15:28
REBUKE FOR LITTLE FAITH
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Rebuke of the disciples
“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith” Matthew 8:26
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Rebuke of Peter
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
FAITH AND PRAYER
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The lack of faith affects our prayer efforts
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Greatness of faith affects our prayer efforts
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The challenge