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Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 3 January 2021 : "Men ought always to pray"

Text: Luke 18
3 January 2021

MINISTRY : BILINGUAL WORSHIP
NAME : REV MARK TAN
TEXT : LUKE 18
TITLE : “MEN ALWAYS OUGHT TO PRAY”

INTRODUCTION

1. Commencing 2021

a. Facing another challenging year
b. Focusing on the theme of prayer

2. The problems of life can bring discouragement

a. When faced with problems, one after another
b. It may cause us to feel down

3. The challenge is for us to learn to pray, to deal with discouragement

a. The Lord Jesus challenged the disciples to pray Luke 18:1
b. The problem is that we don’t pray as we should

THE PLACE OF PRAYER

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” Luke 18:1

1. The key word is “ought”

a. It is necessary to pray
b. It is a must… “I must pray”

2. Prayer should be our first approach

3. We need an understanding of the vital place of prayer

4. Many don’t understand the place of prayer

THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” Luke 18:1

1. Another key word is “always”

a. “Always” means to continue
b. We want to continue practising prayer

2. There is continuity in balancing two things

a. To keep praying
b. To not lose heart

3. An example of how to practise praying

a. The parable of the widow seeking justice
b. The plea of the widow
“Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’’ Luke 18:3
c. The perseverance of the woman
“Yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Luke 18:5

4. God does take time to answer our prayer Luke 18:4

a. God is not like the unjust judge
b. But God may not answer our prayers immediately

5. The challenge is to practise praying – to keep praying and not lose heart

THE PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO PRAYER

“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8

1. The question of faith posed by the Lord Jesus

2. The personal commitment to prayer is a good response

3. As an expression of our faith

a. A personal response that comes through faith
b. Stirring of the heart to respond
c. Much wisdom to pray in this manner
d. To exercise faith to pray

CONCLUSION

Looking ahead to 2021

1. Understand the vital place of prayer

2. Seek to diligently practise praying

3. Make a personal commitment to pray with faith