WEBVTT

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 We're going to be reading Luke chapter 18 and just the first 17 verses this morning, so not the whole chapter.

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 Luke chapter 18.

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 We have three short little stories making up this and they'll make up our points for the passage or for the sermon this morning.

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 But follow along with me as we read.

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 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

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 He said,

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 In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

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 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying,

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 Give me justice against my adversary.

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 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself,

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 Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me,

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 I will give her justice so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.

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 And the Lord said,

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 Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

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 And will not God give justice to his elect who cried to him day and night?

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 Will he delay long over them?

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 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.

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 Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

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 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous,

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 and they treated others with contempt.

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 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

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 And the Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus,

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 God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

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 I fast twice a week, and I give tithes of all that I get.

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 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven,

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 but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

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 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

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 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

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 Now they were bringing even infants to him, that he might touch them.

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 And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

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 But Jesus called to them, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them.

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 For to such belongs the kingdom of God.

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 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

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 Sorry, I was standing up front this morning, and my wife and the rest of the kids come in,

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 and I heard my two-year-old.

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 This wasn't planned.

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 Juliet, she said, Daddy, because she saw me up here.

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 And that was like, it was such a cool feeling.

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 And then I turn around, and in that moment, I'm singing these songs about God, and I'm floored.

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 Because just like that connection that Juliet felt towards me, her daddy,

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 I got to feel about God, and how he loves us.

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 Today we're talking about prayer, and it's such an important thing.

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 If Juliet and I had never talked, we never spoke, we had no relationship,

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 what would that mean?

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 So when we sang that God is a good, good father, and Lord, I need you, and it's not about me,

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 it's about him.

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 It was just hard to sing.

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 I'm just crying because God is so good, and I'm just a sinner.

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 But we do have a message.

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 That was just an introduction.

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 Sorry, Brian, that wasn't in my manuscript.

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 But God works that way.

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 In our passage this morning, God is teaching us that prayer is important to our faith.

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 It's so cool when God works that way, when he wants us to get a hold of something.

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 Sometimes he just keeps pushing in until we get it.

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 And so I'm thankful that we have a God like that.

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 But he teaches us that prayer is important for our faith, our relationship with him.

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 So how is your prayer life?

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 I'm going to ask you that this morning, and just pause for a minute.

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 I'm going to pause for a minute, and you just think about it.

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 You don't have to blurt out answers.

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 I just want you to think about how would you characterize your prayer life?

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 How would you characterize your faith in God?

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 I'm sure here this morning there's a few people who don't pray.

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 I'm sure there's some people here that you're, for one reason or another,

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 you're here but you don't believe in God, or you're learning, you're seeing,

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 you're testing the waters of the Bible and who Jesus is.

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 And I'm just glad that you're here this morning.

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 But my prayer is that by the end of this passage from the Word of God,

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 your faith in God might be stronger.

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 It might be changed in a way that will have effects on what your prayer life is.

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 And if you're a Christian and you believe in God and you know who Jesus Christ is

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 and what He did for you, and your prayer life is still non-existent,

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 I pray that after this message you will be encouraged to change that

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 because of its importance to your faith.

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 So in our passage this morning we're going to be looking at three characteristics

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 that Jesus gives us related to prayer and faith.

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 Three things that should define our prayer-faith life.

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 I say prayer-faith because these two things, although they're different,

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 they're very much connected together.

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 Verse 1 in our passage, chapter 18, verse 1,

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 and He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

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 So right from the beginning we get this connection of praying and not losing heart or a person's faith.

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 Here we see Luke does something a little different in this parable.

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 In the beginning he tells us right up front the reason for the parable.

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 Parables are given by Jesus to teach us something.

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 We know this, and Luke here tells us what it is right from the beginning.

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 He says He told a parable to the effect that,

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 to teach them that,

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 they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

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 Now from the end of chapter 17,

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 that we heard about last week and the week before,

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 we know that Jesus is talking to His disciples.

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 So why is He telling them that they should always pray and not lose heart?

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 Well, as you remember from last week especially,

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 Sean talked about how Jesus is returning.

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 He's going to be returning.

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 It'll be visible like lightning.

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 You're not going to miss it.

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 But no one knows when that's happening except for God Himself.

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 So it's going to be a while.

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 And what happens when something takes a while?

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 We don't know when it's happening.

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 We're kind of hoping in it.

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 And life continues to go on.

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 If we don't have a focus,

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 if we don't have a purpose,

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 then we're going to lose heart.

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 And so the other reason Luke is saying this

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 is because he wants us to make this connection

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 between faith and prayer.

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 And we're also going to see this connection made even stronger

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 at the end of this passage in verse 8.

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 We'll look at that in a minute.

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 But we need to understand that relationship between prayer and faith

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 because it's crucial to the framework of our Christian life.

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 That is, if our Christian life is like a house

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 that's built up and made stronger

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 and over time more usable for God,

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 then we must realize that the connection between prayer and faith

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 is needed to make that happen.

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 There's a role there that has to take place

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 in order for those things to work.

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 First, we should always pray and not lose heart.

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 And then if we jump down to verse 8,

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 when Jesus comes back,

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 will he find faith on earth?

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 So we have always pray and don't lose heart.

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 And will he find faith?

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 And what I'm going to argue this morning

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 is that those two things we can't separate.

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 They go together.

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 If there's no prayer, then faith becomes obsolete.

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 See, prayer is faith's main activity.

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 If your faith life is strong,

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 your prayer life is strong.

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 Strong prayer makes for strong faith.

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 No prayer makes for no faith.

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 So this morning, as we look at a Christian's prayer, faith, life,

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 we're going to be looking at three characteristics.

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 And the first one is taken from the parable.

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 Excuse me.

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 In the first eight verses.

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 I'm going to reread this section just because I think it's helpful.

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 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

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 And he, this is Jesus, said,

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 In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

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 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying,

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 Give me justice against my adversary.

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 For a while he refused.

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 But afterward he said to himself,

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 Though I neither fear God nor respect man,

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 yet because this widow keeps bothering me,

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 I will give her justice so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.

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 And the Lord said,

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 Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

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 And will not God give justice to his elect who cry to him day and night?

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 Will he delay long over them?

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 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.

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 Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes,

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 will he find faith on earth?

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 So there are two characters in this parable.

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 First is a judge.

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 And the passage says that he did not fear God.

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 That is, he was not a believer.

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 He did not trust in who God was.

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 And secondly is he did not respect man.

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 Basically, he didn't really care what people thought.

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 He wasn't one who looked up more to a prominent person

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 versus, in this case, a widow.

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 The judge in this parable is not Jewish.

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 We know that because Jews, when they had a dispute,

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 they would bring them in front of Jewish elders.

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 They wouldn't bring them to the public court.

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 So this judge here would have been appointed by Romans.

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 And Roman judges were known for their corruption.

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 So the more clout, the more money that you have,

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 the more speedily and better a verdict will be for you.

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 So when we're talking about a widow,

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 you can imagine that speed and a good verdict

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 isn't really on her side.

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 We see that the judge refuses for a while

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 to give any relief to the widow.

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 But then he changes his mind.

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 It says in verse 5,

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 It's interesting that the words there,

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 so that she will not beat me down,

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 can actually be translated a couple different ways.

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 One is, the obvious is,

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 she exhausts me by continually coming.

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 So before she does that,

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 I'm going to go ahead and give her what she wants.

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 It can also mean that

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 she's going to eventually give me a black eye

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 if I don't give her what she wants.

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 So the judge is, in either case,

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 wants to save face, if you will,

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 by giving her what she needs.

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 Then in verse 6,

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 And the Lord said,

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 Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

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 And will not God give justice to his elect

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 who cry to him day and night?

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 Will he delay long over them?

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 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.

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 See, in this parable,

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 Jesus is not saying

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 that God is like an unrighteous judge.

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 This parable is not one of similarities,

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 but rather a lesser versus greater.

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 If the lesser thing is true,

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 then how much more will the greater thing be?

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 If a slow-to-respond,

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 earthly, unrighteous judge

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 will finally answer this widow's request,

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 then how much more

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 will our all-knowing,

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 loving, righteous,

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 Heavenly Father

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 answer the pleas of his elect?

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 And who are his elect?

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 Take a look at verse 7.

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 Those who cry to him day and night.

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 Those who cry out to God day and night

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 are those who have faith in God.

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 You're not going to cry out to him day and night

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 for relief if there's not a faith

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 in who God is.

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 Jesus is not teaching,

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 also through this parable,

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 that if we ask God enough,

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 that we'll get whatever we want.

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 God is for us.

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 He knows what is best,

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 but he also knows what's harmful for us,

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 even if we don't know about that harm

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 ahead of time.

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 So to that end,

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 he will answer our prayers.

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 Thanks, man.

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 You got it.

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.019
 We all know,

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 if we can remember far enough back,

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 that kids ask for a lot of things.

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 Christmas time, obviously,

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 but other times,

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 you go into stores,

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 they see things,

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 they want things.

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 One thing that...

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 Sorry, my pages are sticking here.

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 One thing our kids...

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 It wasn't things,

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 it was more freedom.

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 One thing that our kids wanted to do

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 once they learned how to walk

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 was they wanted to do it on their own,

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 especially if we pull into Walmart parking lot

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 or we pull into the mall,

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 we get out of the car,

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 it's freedom time.

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 Daddy, mommy, let me walk.

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 I don't want to hold your hand,

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 just let me walk.

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 Now, we know there's a couple problems.

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 The first problem is

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 they might not be that good at walking,

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 so you know if you hold their hand,

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 and you can keep them from falling

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 and skinning a knee.

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 The bigger issue is

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 they have no idea

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 of the death,

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 the injury that can happen

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 because of cars.

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 Cars aren't looking for little kids,

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 and little kids have no concept

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 of what could happen to them.

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.700
 And so early on,

00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.839
 we just grab their hand,

00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.120
 as much as they hate it,

00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:16.380
 and we walk to the store.

00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:20.700
 Or we have this hand-or-hold philosophy.

00:17:21.260 --> 00:17:23.160
 That is, if you want to walk,

00:17:23.320 --> 00:17:24.260
 you'll take my hand.

00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:25.860
 If you don't, I'm going to hold you.

00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:27.120
 That's usually worse

00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:30.200
 because it's no freedom at all, right?

00:17:30.280 --> 00:17:31.160
 But there's safety.

00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.960
 And Cheryl and I know

00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.940
 that our responsibility

00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.840
 is to get them to that door safely.

00:17:37.060 --> 00:17:38.740
 And so if it means I'm holding your hand,

00:17:39.080 --> 00:17:40.620
 if it means I'm holding you close,

00:17:41.020 --> 00:17:41.980
 I'm taking you there,

00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.780
 and you're going to make it.

00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:45.080
 And that's what God is to us.

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.919
 We want that freedom,

00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:50.539
 but we don't see the death,

00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.439
 the destruction, the heartache,

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:55.019
 the pain that comes from that.

00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:56.039
 God sees that,

00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.740
 so His answer might be no

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.179
 when we don't understand.

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:02.059
 But you can know

00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:05.159
 that God answers those requests

00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:07.179
 because He loves you,

00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:09.759
 not because He wants to control you

00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.159
 and keep you held back.

00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:11.299
 Thank you.

00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:18.720
 He wants to give us good things.

00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:21.359
 James 5.13 says,

00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:24.220
 If anyone among you is in trouble,

00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.159
 let them pray.

00:18:25.679 --> 00:18:28.259
 Psalms, or Proverbs 15.8,

00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:30.659
 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,

00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:33.399
 but the prayer of the upright pleases Him.

00:18:34.679 --> 00:18:36.179
 1 Peter 5.7,

00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.859
 Casting all your anxieties on Him

00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:40.279
 because He cares for you.

00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:42.579
 He wants to give us good things.

00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:44.279
 He wants to hear about our requests,

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:46.579
 and He wants to satisfy those requests

00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:49.480
 because He cares for His children.

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:53.599
 By children, I mean those who are Christians, right?

00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:56.839
 Those people who realize that we are sinners

00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:59.920
 and we cannot save ourselves.

00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:02.779
 In God's eyes, we're like children.

00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.399
 So when I say that to you this morning,

00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.680
 I'm not putting anybody down

00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.799
 by calling you a children.

00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:09.000
 But if you're a child of God,

00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.720
 then you're a children.

00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:13.059
 You're a child that God loves.

00:19:14.899 --> 00:19:16.119
 He loves you,

00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.859
 and He needs us to act like children

00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:22.639
 in order for that to work.

00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:24.819
 We can't be His child

00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:26.579
 and then live the way that we want.

00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:31.960
 But He loves you,

00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.819
 and He loves me,

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:35.319
 and He provided a way of salvation

00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:38.079
 through Jesus Christ, His Son.

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.659
 So we repent of our sins.

00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:44.199
 We believe in what Jesus did for us,

00:19:44.199 --> 00:19:47.099
 and we can be a child of God.

00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:48.119
 If you haven't done that,

00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:50.220
 you can be a child of God as well

00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.919
 by doing that same thing.

00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.599
 Jesus Christ came here,

00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.659
 lived a perfect life,

00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:57.360
 so He could die on a cross

00:19:57.360 --> 00:20:00.759
 to cover the sins that we committed

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:06.000
 because Almighty Holy God

00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:10.980
 required sins to be covered and paid for.

00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:14.100
 Since we couldn't do that,

00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:16.600
 He sent His perfect Son to do it for us.

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:19.600
 And so if we believe in Jesus

00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:21.640
 and what He did for us,

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:24.820
 we repent of those sins,

00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:27.460
 then we're able to be children of God.

00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.539
 It's that easy.

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.679
 But if we try to go around it

00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:32.220
 and do it a different way,

00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:36.359
 then we're our own God.

00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:39.359
 We're circumventing what God put in place

00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:41.200
 through His Son for us,

00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.339
 and we're telling Him,

00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.720
 that's nice,

00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:45.019
 but I got a better way.

00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:46.559
 I think this way will work.

00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:53.019
 Back to the parable.

00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:55.359
 We know that God cares for His children.

00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:59.099
 If you remember back when we were in chapter 12,

00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:02.179
 Jesus was telling us not to be anxious

00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:04.019
 about food and clothes,

00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.319
 the necessities of life.

00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.460
 He says,

00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:10.160
 how much more value are you than birds?

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.500
 How much more,

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.819
 talking about the grass,

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:18.019
 how much more do I clothe you

00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:21.039
 than the grass who passes away tomorrow?

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.259
 In Deuteronomy,

00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:26.799
 chapter 32, verse 10.

00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:29.180
 Now this is Old Testament,

00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:31.480
 before Jesus was born.

00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.680
 So it was back when God had chosen

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:35.600
 the Israelites as His people.

00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.980
 Moses wrote this,

00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.120
 He, God,

00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.100
 found them, the Israelites,

00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.299
 in a desert land,

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:45.779
 in the howling waste of the wilderness,

00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.060
 and He encircled them,

00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:48.100
 He cared for them,

00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:49.960
 and He kept them

00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.640
 as the apple of His eye.

00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:53.480
 So we get this picture

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:55.340
 from the beginning of God

00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:57.240
 choosing a people for Himself

00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.980
 and loving them,

00:21:59.100 --> 00:21:59.880
 protecting them,

00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.900
 and bringing them in.

00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:04.280
 God cares for His own.

00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:07.120
 And He wants us to pray to Him,

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.800
 and He wants to give us

00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:10.500
 everything that is good for us.

00:22:10.540 --> 00:22:11.120
 And like I said,

00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.180
 it's not everything.

00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.259
 Some things are harmful for us.

00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:17.519
 But God knows what will help.

00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.500
 God knows what will make us stronger.

00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:22.780
 Verse 8, it says,

00:22:23.320 --> 00:22:24.040
 I tell you,

00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:26.540
 He will give justice to them speedily.

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.780
 From our perspective,

00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.740
 when we pray,

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.579
 things don't seem to happen speedily.

00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:34.519
 If we're honest, right?

00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.599
 Sometimes they seem like

00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.400
 they take forever.

00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:41.720
 It may seem like God is too late,

00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.839
 or maybe He's not listening at all.

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.599
 But hear me,

00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:51.220
 and this is where verse 1 and verse 8

00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:53.359
 are so important for us to hold on to.

00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:59.359
 God's people are to pray and not lose heart.

00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:03.279
 Persistent prayer like the widow

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:05.740
 was persistent with the judge.

00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:08.379
 So when Jesus comes back,

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:11.759
 will He find those with faith on the earth?

00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:15.859
 Will those who say that they are Christians

00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.980
 be found praying?

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.279
 Praying for anything?

00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:20.819
 Salvation for loved ones?

00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.519
 Healness from a disease?

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:26.359
 Prayer for getting through rough days?

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:29.079
 Will He find His children

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.480
 praying for anything?

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:32.960
 Will there be faith?

00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:35.160
 Or will they have lost heart?

00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:40.160
 Galatians 6, 9 says,

00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:43.400
 Let us not grow weary while doing good,

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.460
 for in due season we shall reap

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:47.480
 if we do not lose heart.

00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:50.980
 How do we keep from losing heart?

00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:54.060
 Through prayer and faith.

00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:57.839
 John 16, 33,

00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.159
 Jesus says,

00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.240
 In this world you will have trouble,

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.200
 but take heart,

00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:04.039
 because I've overcome the world.

00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:07.000
 So if you grab on to those truths,

00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:09.059
 those promises that we get from God,

00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.399
 and you pray,

00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:14.419
 and you continue in your faith,

00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:16.740
 even through difficult times,

00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:18.759
 because you know God is with you,

00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:21.059
 has it, and will never leave you,

00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:24.139
 then you will remain strong in your faith

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.919
 until the end.

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.599
 Our prayer life,

00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:32.000
 by direct connection,

00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.000
 our faith life,

00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:34.799
 then should be continual.

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.639
 I know that was a little long

00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.940
 getting to the first point,

00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:41.579
 but continual is one of the aspects

00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:43.700
 that we want for our prayer

00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.940
 and for our faith life.

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:48.859
 The widow persisted in her coming to the judge,

00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:52.879
 and Jesus encourages us to continue also.

00:24:54.479 --> 00:24:56.639
 Verse 1 says that we ought always to pray

00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.619
 and not lose heart.

00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.719
 Our requests,

00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.359
 our struggles,

00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.079
 our needs,

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.359
 they're ongoing.

00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:04.439
 So while this parable only showed the widow

00:25:04.439 --> 00:25:05.639
 having one request,

00:25:05.939 --> 00:25:07.639
 our requests don't end,

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.240
 do they?

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.579
 Life doesn't end.

00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.959
 Our struggles don't end.

00:25:12.219 --> 00:25:14.119
 Our prayers should not end.

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:17.099
 Not this side of heaven.

00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:20.199
 We can't do it alone.

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.719
 We can't do it in our strength.

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.919
 It's not possible,

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.599
 and it's not how God designed it.

00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:29.740
 So do you deal with the struggles of life yourself,

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:32.119
 or do you take those to God in prayer?

00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:37.759
 Do you battle sin and temptation

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:40.019
 using your own strength,

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:42.319
 or do you pray to God

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:45.339
 for a godly, supernatural strength

00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.519
 that only He provides?

00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:52.119
 We are told that we ought always to pray.

00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.920
 Thessalonians 5.17 says,

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.139
 pray without ceasing.

00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.940
 Our prayer needs to be continual.

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:04.200
 Now, when I say that,

00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:06.759
 we're not talking about praying nonstop, right?

00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:09.680
 Continuing through time and space

00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:11.259
 without ever ceasing prayer.

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:15.859
 We do have things in life that we do.

00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:18.980
 We're talking about continual prayer

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:23.279
 in the way that it is recurring frequently,

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:26.500
 and especially at regular intervals.

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:32.000
 I didn't have an example of this until this morning.

00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:35.839
 It's funny how God brings these out,

00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.940
 but recently we got a puppy.

00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:41.019
 Cute little Australian shepherd.

00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:44.180
 He likes to eat.

00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:46.119
 He loves food.

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:48.059
 He's started small,

00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.099
 and he's getting bigger.

00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:51.420
 But his...

00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:55.160
 I can say that he eats all the time

00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:57.879
 because he eats three meals a day.

00:26:58.420 --> 00:27:00.920
 He has little puppy treats quite often,

00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:03.319
 and he licks up whatever food

00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.859
 is dropped from the table,

00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:08.779
 which at times can be plenty.

00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:14.979
 So I can say that he continually eats

00:27:14.979 --> 00:27:16.859
 or that he's always eating

00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:21.119
 when really it's on regular intervals.

00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:24.179
 Morning and lunch and dinner he eats.

00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:26.659
 Occasionally when he does something good,

00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.939
 he gets a treat.

00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.599
 And when he digs in,

00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:32.039
 like he sees the food falling onto the floor,

00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.959
 he goes after it.

00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:35.500
 What if our prayer life was like that?

00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.819
 What if we could say

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:40.259
 that our prayer life was continual?

00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:44.100
 Because at regular times in a day

00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:45.059
 or throughout the week,

00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.579
 we know we're praying.

00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:49.440
 The puppy needs food in the morning

00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.299
 when he gets up.

00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:53.160
 Before we go to our work,

00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.319
 we need prayer.

00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:57.440
 Come on, you guys know we need prayer.

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.779
 We can't do this on our own.

00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:02.720
 What if our prayer life was that way?

00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:04.360
 If it was continual,

00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:06.680
 so much that it was on a schedule.

00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.319
 And when we needed it,

00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.400
 we prayed more.

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:11.240
 When it was made available for us,

00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.920
 we took the opportunity,

00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:14.039
 if we could,

00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.059
 and we prayed more.

00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.600
 Because we need it.

00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.279
 Because it's what,

00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:22.100
 it's the strength for our faith.

00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.240
 faith.

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:28.699
 Jesus wants us to be continual in our prayers

00:28:28.699 --> 00:28:31.879
 so that our faith remains strong.

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:35.299
 Let's take a look at our next passage,

00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:37.339
 our next parable,

00:28:37.459 --> 00:28:38.539
 starting at verse 9.

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:42.859
 He also told this parable to some

00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:44.460
 who trusted in themselves

00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.500
 that they were righteous

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:47.259
 and treated others with contempt.

00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:49.799
 Two men went up to the temple to pray,

00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.740
 one a Pharisee

00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:52.079
 and the other a tax collector.

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.960
 The Pharisee, standing by himself,

00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.000
 prayed thus,

00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:58.599
 God, I thank you

00:28:58.599 --> 00:29:00.059
 that I am not like other men,

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.059
 extortioners,

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.720
 unjust,

00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.539
 adulterers,

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:05.160
 or even like this tax collector.

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.140
 I fast twice a week.

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.980
 I give tithes of all that I give,

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.099
 of all that I get.

00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.900
 But the tax collector,

00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.019
 standing afar off,

00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:15.019
 would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.720
 but beat his breath,

00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.039
 saying,

00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.579
 God, be merciful to me,

00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.059
 a sinner.

00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.319
 And I tell you,

00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:22.319
 this man went down to his house justified,

00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:24.000
 rather than the other.

00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:26.460
 For everyone who exalts himself

00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.279
 will be humbled,

00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:29.200
 but the one who humbles himself

00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.900
 will be exalted.

00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.420
 Like the first parable,

00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.720
 this one starts out

00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.819
 by giving us the point.

00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.160
 It is aimed for those

00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:42.240
 who trust in their own righteousness,

00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:46.160
 their own good deeds to save them.

00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:48.799
 We depend on ourself,

00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:50.500
 and we start this mindset

00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:52.539
 that we don't need God.

00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:55.500
 And everything starts to be done

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.559
 for our glory.

00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.859
 Our salvation starts to be

00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:00.839
 based on things that we do.

00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.399
 And after that,

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:06.279
 we start comparing ourselves to others,

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:08.259
 because I do all these things,

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.639
 and you don't.

00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.980
 Because I live this way,

00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.659
 and you don't.

00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:14.339
 Well, I am more righteous.

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.500
 God loves me more.

00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:19.299
 Thank you that I'm not like this guy.

00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:19.399
 Thank you.

00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:25.599
 So the second characteristic

00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:27.220
 we're going to look at this morning

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:29.980
 in our prayer of faith life

00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:33.399
 is to be contrite,

00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.399
 that is,

00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:36.740
 humble and repentant,

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:39.759
 to show remorse for sin

00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:42.079
 or for our shortcoming before God.

00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:48.159
 Like in the first parable,

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.220
 there are two people.

00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.500
 One is a Pharisee,

00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.679
 one's a tax collector.

00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:54.199
 The Pharisee boasting

00:30:54.199 --> 00:30:55.500
 of his own accomplishments,

00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.639
 while the tax collector

00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:59.839
 is confessing his sin

00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.819
 and asking God for mercy.

00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.159
 That's what we should be like

00:31:03.159 --> 00:31:04.399
 with our prayer.

00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:10.080
 The first prayer,

00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:12.380
 if you want to call it that,

00:31:12.820 --> 00:31:14.640
 was from the Pharisee.

00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:18.900
 Wasn't even two full verses,

00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.100
 and he's got it packed

00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:22.600
 with five I's.

00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:26.519
 I thank you

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:28.799
 that I am not like other men.

00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:32.139
 I fast twice a week.

00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:34.959
 I give tithes of all that I get.

00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:38.759
 He's praying with himself.

00:31:40.419 --> 00:31:40.899
 Right?

00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:42.819
 He's bragging of his own righteousness,

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:44.819
 of his own accomplishments.

00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:46.439
 This isn't prayer to God.

00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:48.399
 This isn't anything humbling

00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:49.399
 or confessing.

00:31:50.199 --> 00:31:51.199
 He's just telling God

00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.019
 how good he is.

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.279
 Now we compare that

00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.860
 to the posture

00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.519
 and the prayer

00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.640
 of the tax collector

00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.559
 in verse 13.

00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.940
 He stands far off.

00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.480
 He would not even lift up

00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.580
 his eyes to heaven,

00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:05.480
 but beat his breast.

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.440
 His posture is one

00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:09.480
 of humble unworthiness.

00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:10.640
 That's where we are.

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:13.180
 Before God,

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.220
 before an almighty,

00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.180
 perfect,

00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.140
 sovereign God,

00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:22.880
 we're just filthy sinners.

00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:25.220
 Sometimes that's hard to say,

00:32:25.280 --> 00:32:26.120
 but that's where we are.

00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:27.540
 We're just filthy sinners.

00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:32.200
 And so we come before him

00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:35.140
 knowing who and what we are.

00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:38.640
 Not bragging as if we're worth something.

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:47.460
 See, salvation happens

00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:50.000
 when we repent of our sins

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:51.640
 and put our trust in Jesus.

00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.860
 Again, knowing that we couldn't do it.

00:32:56.060 --> 00:32:58.020
 It took God

00:32:58.020 --> 00:32:59.460
 to send his perfect son

00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:01.200
 to make that even possible

00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:05.259
 because we're creatures

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:07.379
 made by God

00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.400
 and we're sinners

00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:10.099
 and he's holy

00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:11.059
 and we're not.

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:12.220
 And there's this chasm

00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:13.599
 like what Sean talked about

00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.119
 the other week.

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.799
 There's this fixed chasm

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.900
 that's there

00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:18.299
 between us and God.

00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.660
 And there's no way it crossed

00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.940
 except for

00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:22.440
 through the cross of Christ.

00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:25.420
 Any other way

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:27.200
 that we try to fix that chasm

00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:28.279
 and we fall short?

00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:42.799
 We look again

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:44.339
 at the prayer of the tax collector

00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.920
 in verse 13.

00:33:46.139 --> 00:33:46.359
 It says,

00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:49.160
 God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:52.240
 That's the humility we want

00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.740
 in our prayer life,

00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:55.980
 in our stance before God.

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:58.140
 Like we sang,

00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.900
 we do come boldly

00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:01.180
 to the throne of God,

00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:03.519
 but we boldly come humbly

00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:05.599
 knowing who we are

00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:06.640
 and who God is.

00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.860
 That's what it means

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.740
 to be contrite.

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:14.139
 Not looking down

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.860
 at other people,

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.619
 not boasting,

00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:17.039
 not judging,

00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.840
 not despising other people,

00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:20.780
 not making excuses,

00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:22.679
 just humbly bowing our hearts

00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.619
 before God

00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:25.420
 and asking for forgiveness.

00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:32.179
 Isaiah 66, 2 says,

00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.079
 All these things

00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.860
 my hand has made,

00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:37.579
 so all these things

00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.460
 came to be,

00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.440
 declares the Lord.

00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.960
 But this is the one

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.940
 to whom I look,

00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:44.219
 he who is humble

00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:45.619
 and contrite in spirit

00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:47.539
 and trembles at my word.

00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:51.259
 We look to Jesus

00:34:51.259 --> 00:34:52.239
 and what he did

00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:54.779
 and we say,

00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.639
 God, be merciful to me,

00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.119
 a sinner.

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.019
 We repent.

00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.460
 We get it right.

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.420
 That's how we fix

00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:02.340
 the relationship

00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.719
 between us and God

00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:08.400
 because I don't have to tell you,

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.699
 if we're honest with each other,

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:11.800
 we sin all the time.

00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:13.640
 Even when we don't think we sin,

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.700
 we sin.

00:35:15.620 --> 00:35:17.000
 And before a God

00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:18.480
 who has no sin

00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.280
 and is holy,

00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:21.420
 we're way more sinful

00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.480
 than we think we are.

00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:27.820
 So we approach God that way.

00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:32.940
 If we take a look

00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:34.120
 at Jesus' response

00:35:34.120 --> 00:35:35.200
 in verse 14,

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:37.200
 it's quite surprising.

00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.700
 At least it was

00:35:38.700 --> 00:35:40.400
 to the Pharisee

00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:42.000
 and to other religious people

00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.920
 who were standing around

00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:44.080
 listening to this parable.

00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:46.120
 See, Jesus justifies

00:35:46.120 --> 00:35:47.000
 the tax collector.

00:35:47.140 --> 00:35:48.340
 That's not what they expected.

00:35:49.100 --> 00:35:50.059
 They expected

00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:52.940
 that the good

00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:54.039
 and pious

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.000
 and the one

00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:56.380
 who does everything

00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:59.000
 like the Pharisee.

00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.039
 They expected

00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:02.320
 him to be

00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:03.360
 made righteous

00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:04.260
 and justified.

00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.519
 But that's not

00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.400
 what Jesus said.

00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:12.900
 Jesus instead

00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:14.700
 justifies the tax collector.

00:36:14.840 --> 00:36:15.240
 That is,

00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.619
 God grants

00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:18.000
 the tax collector,

00:36:18.160 --> 00:36:18.700
 the sinner

00:36:18.700 --> 00:36:19.820
 who comes humbly,

00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:21.640
 he grants him forgiveness

00:36:21.640 --> 00:36:23.780
 and he counts him

00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.300
 as righteous.

00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:26.019
 You know what that means?

00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.880
 That means the sins

00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:29.179
 that he has done.

00:36:30.139 --> 00:36:31.159
 God takes

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.780
 the righteousness

00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:33.639
 of Jesus

00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:35.639
 and puts him

00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.259
 in view

00:36:36.259 --> 00:36:37.019
 in front of

00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:38.119
 this sinful

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:39.300
 tax collector.

00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.599
 So that when he sees

00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.539
 the tax collector,

00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.159
 he sees

00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:44.820
 the holiness

00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:45.780
 and the righteousness

00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:46.780
 of his son,

00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:47.219
 Jesus.

00:36:48.259 --> 00:36:49.400
 And he does that

00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:49.980
 for each

00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:51.219
 and every one of us.

00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:54.519
 that's why the belief

00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:55.139
 and the faith

00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:55.899
 in Jesus Christ

00:36:55.899 --> 00:36:56.559
 is important

00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:58.239
 because it's the

00:36:58.239 --> 00:37:00.299
 perfect holiness

00:37:00.299 --> 00:37:01.500
 of Jesus,

00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:04.539
 the perfect righteousness

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:06.019
 that Jesus has

00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:07.619
 that God sees

00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:08.759
 us as.

00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:11.899
 If we stand out

00:37:11.899 --> 00:37:13.199
 from behind Jesus

00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:14.079
 because we think

00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:14.859
 we're good enough,

00:37:15.359 --> 00:37:17.079
 suddenly God doesn't

00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:18.659
 see a perfect

00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:20.119
 holy son,

00:37:20.119 --> 00:37:21.179
 he sees

00:37:21.179 --> 00:37:23.559
 a tarnished,

00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.799
 sinful person

00:37:24.799 --> 00:37:27.659
 who can't get it right

00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.159
 because

00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:30.539
 we're his

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.259
 creatures,

00:37:31.699 --> 00:37:32.739
 because we're sin,

00:37:32.839 --> 00:37:33.900
 because we have a nature

00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:35.239
 that has fallen.

00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:36.799
 And so

00:37:36.799 --> 00:37:37.880
 we repent

00:37:37.880 --> 00:37:39.000
 and we get back

00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.960
 behind Jesus

00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:41.079
 and his righteousness

00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:42.920
 and things are right

00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:43.900
 again between us

00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.420
 and God

00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:45.519
 because we get

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.759
 to go through

00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:47.660
 Jesus

00:37:47.660 --> 00:37:49.420
 and his righteousness.

00:37:56.420 --> 00:37:58.020
 So the last part

00:37:58.020 --> 00:37:58.620
 of that

00:37:58.620 --> 00:38:03.400
 in verse 14,

00:38:03.540 --> 00:38:04.040
 for everyone

00:38:04.040 --> 00:38:05.380
 who exalts himself

00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:06.740
 will be humbled.

00:38:07.120 --> 00:38:08.140
 The Pharisee

00:38:08.140 --> 00:38:09.340
 was humbled

00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:10.780
 because he came

00:38:10.780 --> 00:38:11.380
 exalted.

00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:12.800
 He brought himself

00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:13.400
 high and

00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:14.600
 puffed up,

00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:16.279
 but he was humbled

00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:17.819
 because Jesus

00:38:17.819 --> 00:38:19.480
 didn't justify him.

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:22.739
 And the tax collector

00:38:22.739 --> 00:38:24.519
 who came humbly,

00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:27.079
 Jesus exalted him

00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:28.059
 and counted

00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:28.880
 his righteousness.

00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:33.579
 How do you

00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:34.460
 approach God?

00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:37.339
 Do you come

00:38:37.339 --> 00:38:38.519
 humbly before him,

00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:39.440
 acknowledging

00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:40.339
 who you are?

00:38:40.339 --> 00:38:42.259
 Do you expect

00:38:42.259 --> 00:38:43.079
 to be justified

00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:44.119
 based on the works

00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:45.019
 that you've done?

00:38:47.659 --> 00:38:49.279
 The only justifying

00:38:49.279 --> 00:38:50.139
 work that truly

00:38:50.139 --> 00:38:51.319
 counts is the work

00:38:51.319 --> 00:38:52.000
 that was done

00:38:52.000 --> 00:38:53.019
 by Jesus Christ

00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.739
 on the cross

00:38:53.739 --> 00:38:54.840
 2,000 years ago.

00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:56.139
 So if you bring

00:38:56.139 --> 00:38:57.039
 some other work,

00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:59.380
 it isn't holy,

00:38:59.599 --> 00:39:00.440
 it isn't righteous,

00:39:00.920 --> 00:39:01.940
 and it will leave

00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:02.719
 you humbled.

00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.139
 So we're going to

00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:08.759
 look at the last

00:39:08.759 --> 00:39:09.460
 portion of our

00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:10.440
 passages this morning.

00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:12.300
 and it's a,

00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:13.400
 it isn't a parable

00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:14.519
 like the first two,

00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:15.780
 but rather it's,

00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.599
 it's a dialogue

00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.639
 between Jesus

00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.760
 and his disciples.

00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.099
 From it,

00:39:23.139 --> 00:39:24.220
 we will see the need

00:39:24.220 --> 00:39:25.639
 for our prayer

00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:26.619
 faith life

00:39:26.619 --> 00:39:27.639
 to be

00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.920
 childlike.

00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.800
 And that's our

00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:30.720
 third characteristic

00:39:30.720 --> 00:39:31.720
 that we're looking at.

00:39:33.780 --> 00:39:34.579
 There should be

00:39:34.579 --> 00:39:35.000
 an aspect

00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:35.860
 to our

00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:37.019
 prayer faith

00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:37.700
 life

00:39:37.700 --> 00:39:38.840
 that is like

00:39:38.840 --> 00:39:39.420
 a child.

00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:43.059
 Last two verses

00:39:43.059 --> 00:39:43.860
 of this section,

00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:44.200
 verses

00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:46.700
 15 through 17.

00:39:47.660 --> 00:39:48.340
 Now they were

00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:48.980
 bringing even

00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:50.000
 infants to him,

00:39:50.079 --> 00:39:50.600
 him Jesus,

00:39:50.780 --> 00:39:51.240
 that he might

00:39:51.240 --> 00:39:51.820
 touch them.

00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:52.820
 And when the

00:39:52.820 --> 00:39:53.640
 disciples saw it,

00:39:53.660 --> 00:39:54.480
 they rebuked them.

00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.920
 But Jesus called

00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:56.400
 to him,

00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:56.900
 saying,

00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:57.760
 let the children

00:39:57.760 --> 00:39:58.519
 come to me,

00:39:58.920 --> 00:39:59.519
 and do not hinder

00:39:59.519 --> 00:39:59.840
 them,

00:40:00.120 --> 00:40:00.820
 for to such

00:40:00.820 --> 00:40:01.740
 belongs the

00:40:01.740 --> 00:40:02.640
 kingdom of God.

00:40:03.320 --> 00:40:04.039
 Truly I say

00:40:04.039 --> 00:40:04.420
 to you,

00:40:04.700 --> 00:40:05.539
 whoever does not

00:40:05.539 --> 00:40:06.160
 receive

00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:07.839
 the kingdom

00:40:07.839 --> 00:40:08.379
 of God

00:40:08.379 --> 00:40:09.199
 like a child

00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:10.139
 shall not

00:40:10.139 --> 00:40:10.759
 enter it.

00:40:13.619 --> 00:40:14.500
 It was

00:40:14.500 --> 00:40:15.299
 customary

00:40:15.299 --> 00:40:16.039
 at this time,

00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:17.219
 kind of is

00:40:17.219 --> 00:40:17.920
 in certain ways

00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:18.239
 now,

00:40:18.339 --> 00:40:19.000
 for parents

00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:19.619
 to bring

00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:20.859
 their infants

00:40:20.859 --> 00:40:21.199
 or their

00:40:21.199 --> 00:40:22.139
 children to

00:40:22.139 --> 00:40:23.379
 a prominent

00:40:23.379 --> 00:40:24.059
 rabbi

00:40:24.059 --> 00:40:25.899
 for a blessing.

00:40:26.420 --> 00:40:26.779
 And that's

00:40:26.779 --> 00:40:27.219
 what we see

00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:27.859
 happening here.

00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:28.319
 Children are

00:40:28.319 --> 00:40:28.819
 being brought

00:40:28.819 --> 00:40:29.500
 to Jesus

00:40:29.500 --> 00:40:30.899
 so that Jesus

00:40:30.899 --> 00:40:31.519
 can bless

00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:31.859
 them.

00:40:31.860 --> 00:40:34.980
 His thoughts

00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:35.519
 to them

00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:37.120
 were very

00:40:37.120 --> 00:40:37.780
 different from

00:40:37.780 --> 00:40:38.380
 other leaders.

00:40:38.620 --> 00:40:38.700
 See,

00:40:38.740 --> 00:40:39.240
 at this time,

00:40:39.340 --> 00:40:39.820
 children were

00:40:39.820 --> 00:40:40.420
 looked on

00:40:40.420 --> 00:40:41.240
 as a bother

00:40:41.240 --> 00:40:42.940
 mainly because,

00:40:43.820 --> 00:40:43.960
 well,

00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:44.559
 they can't

00:40:44.559 --> 00:40:45.320
 help much.

00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:45.920
 They just

00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.460
 get in their

00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:46.700
 way.

00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:47.539
 They require

00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:48.440
 more work

00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:49.160
 than they

00:40:49.160 --> 00:40:49.559
 can put

00:40:49.559 --> 00:40:49.960
 out.

00:40:50.740 --> 00:40:51.000
 Right?

00:40:51.079 --> 00:40:51.300
 So it

00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:51.780
 wasn't until

00:40:51.780 --> 00:40:52.099
 a child

00:40:52.099 --> 00:40:52.780
 was older

00:40:52.780 --> 00:40:53.700
 and they

00:40:53.700 --> 00:40:54.980
 could contribute

00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:55.660
 more to

00:40:55.660 --> 00:40:56.180
 the day-to-day

00:40:56.180 --> 00:40:56.720
 life of their

00:40:56.720 --> 00:40:57.680
 family where

00:40:57.680 --> 00:40:58.000
 they were

00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.519
 looked on

00:40:58.519 --> 00:40:59.120
 more as a

00:40:59.120 --> 00:40:59.500
 person.

00:40:59.680 --> 00:41:00.039
 But that's

00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:00.480
 not how

00:41:00.480 --> 00:41:01.680
 Jesus looked

00:41:01.679 --> 00:41:02.159
 at them.

00:41:03.879 --> 00:41:04.319
 Children,

00:41:04.839 --> 00:41:05.299
 here even

00:41:05.299 --> 00:41:05.719
 infants,

00:41:05.819 --> 00:41:06.139
 were being

00:41:06.139 --> 00:41:06.639
 brought to

00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:07.079
 him so

00:41:07.079 --> 00:41:07.319
 that he

00:41:07.319 --> 00:41:07.799
 could touch

00:41:07.799 --> 00:41:08.059
 them.

00:41:08.379 --> 00:41:08.819
 That is,

00:41:09.099 --> 00:41:09.480
 he's put

00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:10.079
 his hands

00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:10.819
 on them,

00:41:12.139 --> 00:41:12.859
 maybe pray

00:41:12.859 --> 00:41:13.480
 for them,

00:41:14.419 --> 00:41:14.819
 tell him

00:41:14.819 --> 00:41:15.119
 that he

00:41:15.119 --> 00:41:15.699
 loves them

00:41:15.699 --> 00:41:16.039
 and that

00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:16.219
 they're

00:41:16.219 --> 00:41:17.079
 cared for.

00:41:21.899 --> 00:41:22.799
 How loving

00:41:22.799 --> 00:41:23.639
 and encouraging

00:41:23.639 --> 00:41:24.519
 is that?

00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:25.559
 For the

00:41:25.559 --> 00:41:26.159
 parents,

00:41:26.239 --> 00:41:26.659
 but also

00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:27.059
 for the

00:41:27.059 --> 00:41:27.460
 child,

00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:27.759
 if you

00:41:27.759 --> 00:41:28.279
 think about

00:41:28.279 --> 00:41:28.480
 it.

00:41:28.719 --> 00:41:29.119
 They may

00:41:29.119 --> 00:41:29.679
 not remember

00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:30.379
 it then,

00:41:30.380 --> 00:41:31.619
 if they

00:41:31.619 --> 00:41:32.140
 remember it

00:41:32.140 --> 00:41:32.579
 later in

00:41:32.579 --> 00:41:33.019
 life or

00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.559
 it's told

00:41:33.559 --> 00:41:33.900
 to them

00:41:33.900 --> 00:41:34.380
 what takes

00:41:34.380 --> 00:41:34.860
 place,

00:41:35.180 --> 00:41:35.960
 what encouragement

00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.480
 that would

00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:36.820
 be.

00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.860
 Jesus Christ

00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:40.440
 was here

00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:41.200
 on earth.

00:41:41.840 --> 00:41:42.539
 He's on

00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.180
 his way

00:41:43.180 --> 00:41:44.420
 to the

00:41:44.420 --> 00:41:45.099
 cross,

00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:46.440
 but he

00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:47.200
 takes time

00:41:47.200 --> 00:41:47.500
 to put

00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:48.039
 his hand

00:41:48.039 --> 00:41:48.559
 on me

00:41:48.559 --> 00:41:49.360
 and say,

00:41:49.680 --> 00:41:49.880
 you're

00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:50.420
 special.

00:41:52.640 --> 00:41:53.619
 God loves

00:41:53.619 --> 00:41:53.980
 you.

00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.440
 Before they've

00:41:55.440 --> 00:41:56.059
 done anything,

00:41:56.579 --> 00:41:57.000
 they're an

00:41:57.000 --> 00:41:57.420
 infant.

00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:58.420
 God loves

00:41:58.420 --> 00:41:58.680
 you.

00:42:00.840 --> 00:42:01.400
 That's the

00:42:01.400 --> 00:42:01.780
 kind of

00:42:01.780 --> 00:42:02.980
 love that

00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.559
 Jesus is

00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:03.880
 showing.

00:42:05.880 --> 00:42:06.320
 Now,

00:42:06.380 --> 00:42:06.619
 as the

00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:07.019
 children are

00:42:07.019 --> 00:42:07.320
 coming,

00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:07.860
 we see the

00:42:07.860 --> 00:42:08.800
 disciples are

00:42:08.800 --> 00:42:09.820
 stepping in

00:42:09.820 --> 00:42:10.079
 and they're

00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:10.280
 like,

00:42:10.340 --> 00:42:10.480
 oh,

00:42:10.680 --> 00:42:11.240
 back up.

00:42:12.420 --> 00:42:12.760
 Now,

00:42:13.079 --> 00:42:14.940
 it could be

00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.380
 that they

00:42:15.380 --> 00:42:16.019
 were just

00:42:16.019 --> 00:42:17.119
 acting insensitive

00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:18.740
 and not

00:42:18.740 --> 00:42:19.380
 wanting to be

00:42:19.380 --> 00:42:19.880
 bothered with

00:42:19.880 --> 00:42:20.159
 kids.

00:42:20.200 --> 00:42:20.619
 That's true.

00:42:20.760 --> 00:42:21.440
 I don't think

00:42:21.440 --> 00:42:21.900
 that's the

00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:22.460
 case because

00:42:22.460 --> 00:42:23.059
 they know

00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:23.480
 at this

00:42:23.480 --> 00:42:24.880
 point how

00:42:24.880 --> 00:42:26.099
 Jesus feels

00:42:26.099 --> 00:42:27.159
 towards people

00:42:27.159 --> 00:42:28.219
 and especially

00:42:28.219 --> 00:42:28.799
 children.

00:42:30.079 --> 00:42:30.980
 So I think

00:42:30.980 --> 00:42:31.759
 what probably

00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:32.339
 is taking

00:42:32.339 --> 00:42:33.179
 place is

00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:34.380
 the disciples

00:42:34.380 --> 00:42:34.759
 have in

00:42:34.759 --> 00:42:35.279
 their mind

00:42:35.279 --> 00:42:36.099
 Jesus is

00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:36.639
 starting to

00:42:36.639 --> 00:42:37.380
 become

00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:39.059
 burdened and

00:42:39.059 --> 00:42:39.579
 stressed

00:42:39.579 --> 00:42:40.420
 internally.

00:42:40.659 --> 00:42:41.360
 He's on

00:42:41.360 --> 00:42:42.079
 his way to

00:42:42.079 --> 00:42:42.659
 Jerusalem

00:42:42.659 --> 00:42:43.880
 where something

00:42:43.880 --> 00:42:44.500
 big is

00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:44.880
 happening.

00:42:45.199 --> 00:42:45.739
 We know

00:42:45.739 --> 00:42:46.179
 it was the

00:42:46.179 --> 00:42:46.880
 crucifixion.

00:42:47.159 --> 00:42:47.619
 They don't

00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:48.179
 get it yet.

00:42:48.319 --> 00:42:48.639
 They just

00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:49.380
 know something's

00:42:49.380 --> 00:42:49.819
 happening.

00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:53.299
 So in

00:42:53.299 --> 00:42:53.860
 order to

00:42:53.860 --> 00:42:55.000
 care for

00:42:55.000 --> 00:42:55.579
 Jesus and

00:42:55.579 --> 00:42:56.639
 help protect

00:42:56.639 --> 00:42:57.099
 Jesus,

00:42:57.880 --> 00:42:59.059
 they want

00:42:59.059 --> 00:42:59.800
 to pull

00:42:59.800 --> 00:43:00.440
 away any

00:43:00.440 --> 00:43:01.380
 extra stress

00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:01.719
 that could

00:43:01.719 --> 00:43:02.280
 be on him.

00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:03.000
 I think

00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:03.780
 of like

00:43:03.780 --> 00:43:04.659
 a father

00:43:04.659 --> 00:43:05.460
 who comes

00:43:05.460 --> 00:43:06.039
 home from

00:43:06.039 --> 00:43:06.659
 a stressed

00:43:06.659 --> 00:43:07.219
 day at

00:43:07.219 --> 00:43:07.539
 work.

00:43:08.059 --> 00:43:08.800
 Something bad

00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:09.460
 happened or

00:43:09.460 --> 00:43:09.920
 he's just

00:43:09.920 --> 00:43:10.760
 overly tired

00:43:10.760 --> 00:43:11.659
 and one of

00:43:11.659 --> 00:43:12.079
 his kids

00:43:12.079 --> 00:43:12.699
 runs in and

00:43:12.699 --> 00:43:13.059
 just wants

00:43:13.059 --> 00:43:14.019
 to talk to

00:43:14.019 --> 00:43:14.380
 daddy and

00:43:14.380 --> 00:43:14.719
 hug on

00:43:14.719 --> 00:43:15.360
 daddy and

00:43:15.360 --> 00:43:16.239
 mom or

00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:16.500
 the other

00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:16.699
 kids,

00:43:16.780 --> 00:43:16.940
 hey,

00:43:17.039 --> 00:43:17.519
 back up.

00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:18.280
 Dad's had

00:43:18.280 --> 00:43:18.599
 a tough

00:43:18.599 --> 00:43:18.900
 day.

00:43:19.599 --> 00:43:20.380
 Just give

00:43:20.380 --> 00:43:20.780
 him a few

00:43:20.780 --> 00:43:21.199
 minutes.

00:43:22.219 --> 00:43:22.539
 And that

00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:22.920
 could be what

00:43:22.920 --> 00:43:23.460
 the disciples

00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:23.920
 are doing

00:43:23.920 --> 00:43:24.199
 here.

00:43:24.199 --> 00:43:24.719
 Hey,

00:43:25.039 --> 00:43:26.559
 just give

00:43:26.559 --> 00:43:27.119
 Jesus some

00:43:27.119 --> 00:43:27.599
 space.

00:43:28.139 --> 00:43:28.779
 He's talking,

00:43:29.259 --> 00:43:29.859
 doesn't really

00:43:29.859 --> 00:43:30.460
 have time for

00:43:30.460 --> 00:43:31.059
 the kids.

00:43:32.399 --> 00:43:33.119
 That could

00:43:33.119 --> 00:43:33.359
 have been

00:43:33.359 --> 00:43:33.939
 their thought.

00:43:34.879 --> 00:43:35.239
 I'm going

00:43:35.239 --> 00:43:35.699
 to go with

00:43:35.699 --> 00:43:36.159
 that because

00:43:36.159 --> 00:43:37.239
 it's a good

00:43:37.239 --> 00:43:37.659
 thought to

00:43:37.659 --> 00:43:38.159
 have towards

00:43:38.159 --> 00:43:38.819
 the disciples.

00:43:40.059 --> 00:43:40.859
 But Jesus

00:43:40.859 --> 00:43:41.819
 didn't feel

00:43:41.819 --> 00:43:42.359
 that way.

00:43:42.879 --> 00:43:43.279
 He says,

00:43:43.399 --> 00:43:43.539
 no,

00:43:43.659 --> 00:43:43.739
 no,

00:43:43.739 --> 00:43:43.879
 no,

00:43:44.279 --> 00:43:45.359
 don't stop

00:43:45.359 --> 00:43:45.619
 them.

00:43:46.699 --> 00:43:47.579
 I want

00:43:47.579 --> 00:43:47.980
 them to

00:43:47.980 --> 00:43:48.379
 come to

00:43:48.379 --> 00:43:48.659
 me.

00:43:48.779 --> 00:43:49.399
 Verse 16,

00:43:49.519 --> 00:43:49.859
 let the

00:43:49.859 --> 00:43:50.399
 children come

00:43:50.399 --> 00:43:50.719
 to me.

00:43:51.039 --> 00:43:51.619
 Don't hinder

00:43:51.619 --> 00:43:51.980
 them.

00:43:52.579 --> 00:43:53.059
 For to

00:43:53.059 --> 00:43:53.919
 such belongs

00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:54.420
 the kingdom

00:43:54.420 --> 00:43:55.159
 of God.

00:43:56.200 --> 00:43:56.559
 Now,

00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:56.880
 he wasn't

00:43:56.880 --> 00:43:57.320
 saying that

00:43:57.320 --> 00:43:57.780
 the kingdom

00:43:57.780 --> 00:43:58.599
 of God

00:43:58.599 --> 00:43:59.700
 belonged to

00:43:59.700 --> 00:44:00.200
 children,

00:44:01.360 --> 00:44:01.860
 because he

00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:02.599
 clarifies that

00:44:02.599 --> 00:44:03.539
 in verse 17.

00:44:04.460 --> 00:44:04.720
 Truly,

00:44:04.900 --> 00:44:05.420
 I say to

00:44:05.420 --> 00:44:05.639
 you,

00:44:05.780 --> 00:44:06.420
 whoever does

00:44:06.420 --> 00:44:07.099
 not receive

00:44:07.099 --> 00:44:07.539
 the kingdom

00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:08.079
 of God

00:44:08.079 --> 00:44:08.559
 like a

00:44:08.559 --> 00:44:09.079
 child

00:44:09.079 --> 00:44:10.059
 shall not

00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:10.619
 enter it.

00:44:13.119 --> 00:44:13.780
 In order

00:44:13.780 --> 00:44:14.360
 to have

00:44:14.360 --> 00:44:15.559
 faith to

00:44:15.559 --> 00:44:15.940
 receive

00:44:15.940 --> 00:44:16.659
 salvation,

00:44:17.780 --> 00:44:18.519
 or he

00:44:18.519 --> 00:44:18.920
 says the

00:44:18.920 --> 00:44:19.440
 kingdom of

00:44:19.440 --> 00:44:19.840
 God,

00:44:19.840 --> 00:44:19.880
 God,

00:44:20.680 --> 00:44:21.720
 one needs

00:44:21.720 --> 00:44:22.200
 to be

00:44:22.200 --> 00:44:22.700
 like a

00:44:22.700 --> 00:44:23.140
 child.

00:44:23.500 --> 00:44:23.820
 What does

00:44:23.820 --> 00:44:24.220
 that mean,

00:44:24.320 --> 00:44:24.700
 be like

00:44:24.700 --> 00:44:25.180
 a child?

00:44:25.300 --> 00:44:25.980
 Be small?

00:44:26.300 --> 00:44:26.620
 Think

00:44:26.620 --> 00:44:27.100
 small?

00:44:28.320 --> 00:44:28.720
 There are

00:44:28.720 --> 00:44:29.539
 many aspects

00:44:29.539 --> 00:44:29.940
 of that

00:44:29.940 --> 00:44:30.720
 childlikeness

00:44:30.720 --> 00:44:31.039
 we could

00:44:31.039 --> 00:44:31.660
 talk about,

00:44:32.019 --> 00:44:32.579
 but really

00:44:32.579 --> 00:44:33.059
 there's just

00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:33.620
 one main

00:44:33.620 --> 00:44:34.000
 one we're

00:44:34.000 --> 00:44:34.180
 going to

00:44:34.180 --> 00:44:34.519
 look at

00:44:34.519 --> 00:44:34.880
 today,

00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:35.539
 and that

00:44:35.539 --> 00:44:36.220
 is a

00:44:36.220 --> 00:44:36.640
 child's

00:44:36.640 --> 00:44:37.340
 natural

00:44:37.340 --> 00:44:37.920
 tendency

00:44:37.920 --> 00:44:38.820
 to trust

00:44:38.820 --> 00:44:39.539
 and not

00:44:39.539 --> 00:44:40.120
 worry about

00:44:40.120 --> 00:44:40.640
 things.

00:44:42.000 --> 00:44:42.519
 Right?

00:44:42.579 --> 00:44:42.760
 If you

00:44:42.760 --> 00:44:43.160
 remember

00:44:43.160 --> 00:44:44.019
 growing up,

00:44:45.120 --> 00:44:45.960
 unless

00:44:45.960 --> 00:44:46.760
 something bad

00:44:46.760 --> 00:44:47.600
 happens early

00:44:47.599 --> 00:44:48.099
 on,

00:44:48.900 --> 00:44:49.679
 a child's

00:44:49.679 --> 00:44:50.099
 natural

00:44:50.099 --> 00:44:50.500
 tendency

00:44:50.500 --> 00:44:51.179
 to trust

00:44:51.179 --> 00:44:51.920
 their parents

00:44:51.920 --> 00:44:52.380
 to take

00:44:52.380 --> 00:44:52.880
 care of

00:44:52.880 --> 00:44:53.880
 them is

00:44:53.880 --> 00:44:54.219
 there.

00:44:54.819 --> 00:44:55.179
 You didn't

00:44:55.179 --> 00:44:55.860
 question when

00:44:55.860 --> 00:44:56.119
 you were

00:44:56.119 --> 00:44:56.579
 three years

00:44:56.579 --> 00:44:56.900
 old,

00:44:57.039 --> 00:44:57.759
 where's my

00:44:57.759 --> 00:44:58.299
 food coming

00:44:58.299 --> 00:44:58.619
 from?

00:44:58.679 --> 00:44:58.960
 You might

00:44:58.960 --> 00:44:59.199
 want to

00:44:59.199 --> 00:44:59.539
 know what

00:44:59.539 --> 00:44:59.679
 you're

00:44:59.679 --> 00:44:59.960
 eating,

00:45:00.139 --> 00:45:00.400
 but you

00:45:00.400 --> 00:45:00.599
 never

00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:01.000
 question

00:45:01.000 --> 00:45:01.440
 that it's

00:45:01.440 --> 00:45:01.659
 going to

00:45:01.659 --> 00:45:02.179
 be there.

00:45:02.920 --> 00:45:03.119
 Right?

00:45:03.299 --> 00:45:03.880
 If you

00:45:03.880 --> 00:45:04.639
 went to

00:45:04.639 --> 00:45:05.539
 some place,

00:45:05.860 --> 00:45:06.579
 an amusement

00:45:06.579 --> 00:45:07.119
 park,

00:45:07.279 --> 00:45:09.099
 or anything

00:45:09.099 --> 00:45:09.679
 like that,

00:45:09.719 --> 00:45:10.000
 you never

00:45:10.000 --> 00:45:10.719
 questioned how

00:45:10.719 --> 00:45:11.019
 you were

00:45:11.019 --> 00:45:11.279
 going to

00:45:11.279 --> 00:45:11.679
 get in,

00:45:11.920 --> 00:45:12.480
 your parents

00:45:12.480 --> 00:45:12.759
 were going

00:45:12.759 --> 00:45:13.079
 to take

00:45:13.079 --> 00:45:13.460
 care of

00:45:13.460 --> 00:45:13.619
 you.

00:45:15.099 --> 00:45:15.739
 You may

00:45:15.739 --> 00:45:16.039
 have been

00:45:16.039 --> 00:45:16.719
 nervous or

00:45:16.719 --> 00:45:17.219
 scared at

00:45:17.219 --> 00:45:17.859
 some time,

00:45:18.019 --> 00:45:18.839
 but you

00:45:18.839 --> 00:45:19.259
 knew that

00:45:19.259 --> 00:45:19.819
 your parents

00:45:19.819 --> 00:45:20.559
 were there

00:45:20.559 --> 00:45:20.899
 and you

00:45:20.899 --> 00:45:21.480
 could trust

00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:21.980
 in that.

00:45:22.079 --> 00:45:22.599
 That's that

00:45:22.599 --> 00:45:23.459
 childlike

00:45:23.459 --> 00:45:24.839
 faith and

00:45:24.839 --> 00:45:25.939
 trust that

00:45:25.939 --> 00:45:26.419
 Jesus is

00:45:26.419 --> 00:45:27.139
 talking about.

00:45:30.319 --> 00:45:31.000
 So that

00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:31.939
 third characteristic

00:45:31.939 --> 00:45:34.239
 is childlikeness.

00:45:35.119 --> 00:45:35.619
 There should be

00:45:35.619 --> 00:45:36.379
 an aspect of

00:45:36.379 --> 00:45:37.179
 our faith that

00:45:37.179 --> 00:45:38.299
 is childlike.

00:45:38.699 --> 00:45:39.299
 That is,

00:45:39.599 --> 00:45:40.419
 I can't do

00:45:40.419 --> 00:45:40.599
 it,

00:45:40.679 --> 00:45:40.959
 God.

00:45:43.139 --> 00:45:44.119
 You can do

00:45:44.119 --> 00:45:44.299
 it.

00:45:44.419 --> 00:45:45.199
 You got me.

00:45:45.199 --> 00:45:46.399
 And if

00:45:46.399 --> 00:45:47.119
 God calls

00:45:47.119 --> 00:45:47.539
 us to

00:45:47.539 --> 00:45:47.919
 something,

00:45:48.500 --> 00:45:48.879
 then we

00:45:48.879 --> 00:45:49.159
 ought to

00:45:49.159 --> 00:45:49.579
 know he's

00:45:49.579 --> 00:45:49.839
 going to

00:45:49.839 --> 00:45:50.159
 give us

00:45:50.159 --> 00:45:50.480
 what we

00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:51.019
 need for

00:45:51.019 --> 00:45:51.399
 that.

00:45:52.559 --> 00:45:53.219
 Not think

00:45:53.219 --> 00:45:53.539
 that we

00:45:53.539 --> 00:45:53.839
 have to

00:45:53.839 --> 00:45:54.219
 come up

00:45:54.219 --> 00:45:54.500
 with it

00:45:54.500 --> 00:45:54.819
 on our

00:45:54.819 --> 00:45:55.099
 own.

00:45:55.699 --> 00:45:56.219
 So it's

00:45:56.219 --> 00:45:56.399
 that

00:45:56.399 --> 00:45:57.000
 childlike

00:45:57.000 --> 00:45:57.399
 faith.

00:45:57.719 --> 00:45:58.000
 I don't

00:45:58.000 --> 00:45:58.419
 know how

00:45:58.419 --> 00:45:58.799
 this is

00:45:58.799 --> 00:45:59.159
 happening,

00:45:59.319 --> 00:45:59.599
 God,

00:46:00.059 --> 00:46:00.460
 but I

00:46:00.460 --> 00:46:01.179
 trust you.

00:46:02.419 --> 00:46:02.980
 You got

00:46:02.980 --> 00:46:03.379
 me.

00:46:03.639 --> 00:46:04.179
 So I'm

00:46:04.179 --> 00:46:04.519
 walking.

00:46:04.939 --> 00:46:05.259
 I don't

00:46:05.259 --> 00:46:05.579
 know how

00:46:05.579 --> 00:46:05.899
 this is

00:46:05.899 --> 00:46:06.099
 going to

00:46:06.099 --> 00:46:06.299
 work,

00:46:06.379 --> 00:46:06.639
 but I'm

00:46:06.639 --> 00:46:06.980
 walking

00:46:06.980 --> 00:46:09.039
 because my

00:46:09.039 --> 00:46:10.099
 God has

00:46:10.099 --> 00:46:10.679
 got me.

00:46:10.679 --> 00:46:12.399
 like a

00:46:12.399 --> 00:46:12.639
 child

00:46:12.639 --> 00:46:12.960
 through the

00:46:12.960 --> 00:46:13.259
 parking

00:46:13.259 --> 00:46:14.259
 lot when

00:46:14.259 --> 00:46:14.539
 they don't

00:46:14.539 --> 00:46:15.059
 even know

00:46:15.059 --> 00:46:15.839
 the dangers.

00:46:16.719 --> 00:46:17.119
 God's

00:46:17.119 --> 00:46:17.639
 got me.

00:46:19.399 --> 00:46:19.919
 Be

00:46:19.919 --> 00:46:20.559
 childlike

00:46:20.559 --> 00:46:20.899
 in your

00:46:20.899 --> 00:46:21.359
 faith.

00:46:21.960 --> 00:46:22.259
 Don't

00:46:22.259 --> 00:46:22.819
 rest in

00:46:22.819 --> 00:46:23.319
 your own

00:46:23.319 --> 00:46:24.379
 faith to

00:46:24.379 --> 00:46:24.819
 get you

00:46:24.819 --> 00:46:25.239
 there.

00:46:26.279 --> 00:46:26.619
 Let

00:46:26.619 --> 00:46:27.599
 things go

00:46:27.599 --> 00:46:28.579
 because God

00:46:28.579 --> 00:46:29.359
 has them.

00:46:29.359 --> 00:46:29.480
 Amen.

00:46:29.480 --> 00:46:29.859
 Amen.

00:46:29.859 --> 00:46:31.859
 Amen.

00:46:40.679 --> 00:46:42.919
 I

00:46:42.919 --> 00:46:43.339
 realize

00:46:43.339 --> 00:46:43.799
 that

00:46:43.799 --> 00:46:45.599
 with an

00:46:45.599 --> 00:46:45.960
 audience

00:46:45.960 --> 00:46:46.619
 this large,

00:46:46.719 --> 00:46:47.199
 there could

00:46:47.199 --> 00:46:47.699
 be a few

00:46:47.699 --> 00:46:48.480
 people here

00:46:48.480 --> 00:46:49.779
 that didn't

00:46:49.779 --> 00:46:50.339
 grow up

00:46:50.339 --> 00:46:51.000
 with that

00:46:51.000 --> 00:46:53.359
 foundational

00:46:53.359 --> 00:46:54.419
 example of

00:46:54.419 --> 00:46:54.919
 trust.

00:46:55.659 --> 00:46:56.099
 Maybe you

00:46:56.099 --> 00:46:56.559
 didn't have

00:46:56.559 --> 00:46:57.039
 parents.

00:46:58.159 --> 00:46:58.599
 Maybe you

00:46:58.599 --> 00:46:59.199
 had bad

00:46:59.199 --> 00:46:59.699
 parents.

00:47:01.500 --> 00:47:02.219
 But I

00:47:02.219 --> 00:47:02.639
 want you to

00:47:02.639 --> 00:47:03.179
 know this,

00:47:03.319 --> 00:47:04.919
 that God

00:47:04.919 --> 00:47:05.899
 can be,

00:47:06.000 --> 00:47:06.599
 if you let

00:47:06.599 --> 00:47:06.799
 him,

00:47:06.879 --> 00:47:07.419
 that perfect

00:47:07.419 --> 00:47:07.940
 loving

00:47:07.940 --> 00:47:09.980
 father that

00:47:09.980 --> 00:47:10.599
 you didn't

00:47:10.599 --> 00:47:11.119
 have.

00:47:11.920 --> 00:47:12.480
 Maybe you

00:47:12.480 --> 00:47:13.039
 had one,

00:47:13.119 --> 00:47:13.319
 but he

00:47:13.319 --> 00:47:13.779
 gave you

00:47:13.779 --> 00:47:14.199
 a bad

00:47:14.199 --> 00:47:15.019
 example of

00:47:15.019 --> 00:47:15.380
 one.

00:47:16.659 --> 00:47:17.159
 Don't

00:47:17.159 --> 00:47:17.719
 push God

00:47:17.719 --> 00:47:18.500
 away because

00:47:18.500 --> 00:47:19.119
 you're holding

00:47:19.119 --> 00:47:19.659
 on to a

00:47:19.659 --> 00:47:20.420
 bad example

00:47:20.420 --> 00:47:21.360
 of fatherhood

00:47:21.360 --> 00:47:22.500
 or motherhood

00:47:22.500 --> 00:47:23.279
 or lack

00:47:23.279 --> 00:47:23.960
 of trust.

00:47:26.339 --> 00:47:27.059
 Romans

00:47:27.059 --> 00:47:27.900
 8.15

00:47:27.900 --> 00:47:28.500
 says,

00:47:29.839 --> 00:47:30.219
 You have

00:47:30.219 --> 00:47:30.960
 received the

00:47:30.960 --> 00:47:31.440
 spirit of

00:47:31.440 --> 00:47:32.219
 adoption as

00:47:32.219 --> 00:47:32.619
 sons,

00:47:33.119 --> 00:47:34.059
 by whom we

00:47:34.059 --> 00:47:34.360
 cry,

00:47:34.539 --> 00:47:34.799
 Abba,

00:47:34.880 --> 00:47:35.179
 Father.

00:47:35.799 --> 00:47:36.440
 The spirit

00:47:36.440 --> 00:47:37.199
 himself bears

00:47:37.199 --> 00:47:37.860
 witness with

00:47:37.860 --> 00:47:38.460
 our spirit

00:47:38.460 --> 00:47:39.719
 that we are

00:47:39.719 --> 00:47:40.559
 children of

00:47:40.559 --> 00:47:41.039
 God.

00:47:43.079 --> 00:47:44.179
 2 Corinthians

00:47:44.179 --> 00:47:45.199
 6.18

00:47:45.199 --> 00:47:46.820
 I will be a

00:47:46.820 --> 00:47:47.340
 father to

00:47:47.340 --> 00:47:47.619
 you.

00:47:48.960 --> 00:47:49.440
 You shall

00:47:49.440 --> 00:47:50.179
 be sons and

00:47:50.179 --> 00:47:50.840
 daughters to

00:47:50.840 --> 00:47:51.559
 me, says

00:47:51.559 --> 00:47:52.400
 the Lord

00:47:52.400 --> 00:47:53.539
 Almighty.

00:47:56.759 --> 00:47:57.539
 So when

00:47:57.539 --> 00:47:58.139
 Jesus talks

00:47:58.139 --> 00:47:58.840
 about receiving

00:47:58.840 --> 00:47:59.480
 the kingdom

00:47:59.480 --> 00:48:00.619
 of God like

00:48:00.619 --> 00:48:01.199
 a child,

00:48:01.599 --> 00:48:02.119
 he's talking

00:48:02.119 --> 00:48:02.639
 about having

00:48:02.639 --> 00:48:03.719
 childlike faith

00:48:03.719 --> 00:48:04.320
 and trust.

00:48:05.079 --> 00:48:06.079
 We come to

00:48:06.079 --> 00:48:07.059
 him with

00:48:07.059 --> 00:48:07.799
 total faith,

00:48:07.880 --> 00:48:08.360
 with total

00:48:08.360 --> 00:48:09.019
 trust,

00:48:09.019 --> 00:48:10.380
 knowing he

00:48:10.380 --> 00:48:11.059
 is always

00:48:11.059 --> 00:48:11.719
 in control

00:48:11.719 --> 00:48:12.940
 and he

00:48:12.940 --> 00:48:13.420
 loves us.

00:48:13.480 --> 00:48:13.840
 He knows

00:48:13.840 --> 00:48:14.480
 what is

00:48:14.480 --> 00:48:15.039
 best for

00:48:15.039 --> 00:48:15.280
 us.

00:48:15.639 --> 00:48:16.000
 We aren't

00:48:16.000 --> 00:48:16.659
 in control.

00:48:17.579 --> 00:48:17.820
 We don't

00:48:17.820 --> 00:48:18.420
 come trusting

00:48:18.420 --> 00:48:19.139
 ourselves.

00:48:21.780 --> 00:48:22.420
 Because when

00:48:22.420 --> 00:48:22.759
 we do,

00:48:22.860 --> 00:48:23.039
 then we

00:48:23.039 --> 00:48:23.559
 don't need

00:48:23.559 --> 00:48:23.980
 Jesus.

00:48:24.400 --> 00:48:24.659
 We don't

00:48:24.659 --> 00:48:25.320
 need God

00:48:25.320 --> 00:48:26.539
 anymore in

00:48:26.539 --> 00:48:27.179
 our lives.

00:48:27.179 --> 00:48:29.179
 God is

00:48:29.179 --> 00:48:31.799
 teaching us

00:48:31.799 --> 00:48:33.019
 to be

00:48:33.019 --> 00:48:49.980
 continual in

00:48:49.980 --> 00:48:50.739
 our prayer

00:48:50.739 --> 00:48:51.559
 and our

00:48:51.559 --> 00:48:51.960
 faith,

00:48:52.319 --> 00:48:53.480
 to be

00:48:53.480 --> 00:48:54.279
 contrite and

00:48:54.279 --> 00:48:54.739
 humble

00:48:54.739 --> 00:48:56.419
 before God

00:48:56.419 --> 00:48:57.079
 and to

00:48:57.079 --> 00:48:57.439
 have a

00:48:57.439 --> 00:48:58.299
 faith that's

00:48:58.299 --> 00:48:58.979
 childlike.

00:49:00.500 --> 00:49:01.299
 So before

00:49:01.299 --> 00:49:01.939
 we end,

00:49:02.279 --> 00:49:02.599
 I just want

00:49:02.599 --> 00:49:03.139
 to go back

00:49:03.139 --> 00:49:03.759
 and ask our

00:49:03.759 --> 00:49:04.619
 original question.

00:49:05.899 --> 00:49:06.579
 How would

00:49:06.579 --> 00:49:07.019
 you characterize

00:49:07.019 --> 00:49:07.819
 your prayer

00:49:07.819 --> 00:49:08.219
 life?

00:49:09.719 --> 00:49:10.419
 How would

00:49:10.419 --> 00:49:10.979
 you characterize

00:49:10.979 --> 00:49:12.019
 your faith

00:49:12.019 --> 00:49:13.199
 in God?

00:49:17.239 --> 00:49:17.899
 Do you

00:49:17.899 --> 00:49:18.239
 pray at

00:49:18.239 --> 00:49:18.459
 all?

00:49:20.419 --> 00:49:20.939
 Well,

00:49:21.139 --> 00:49:22.279
 I believe

00:49:22.279 --> 00:49:22.699
 in God.

00:49:22.699 --> 00:49:25.439
 I have a

00:49:25.439 --> 00:49:25.739
 lot going

00:49:25.739 --> 00:49:25.919
 on.

00:49:25.980 --> 00:49:26.179
 I'm pretty

00:49:26.179 --> 00:49:26.460
 busy.

00:49:26.919 --> 00:49:27.219
 I don't

00:49:27.219 --> 00:49:28.019
 pray.

00:49:28.899 --> 00:49:29.419
 But I

00:49:29.419 --> 00:49:30.139
 believe in

00:49:30.139 --> 00:49:30.439
 God.

00:49:32.059 --> 00:49:32.619
 So I'm

00:49:32.619 --> 00:49:32.899
 good.

00:49:33.579 --> 00:49:33.919
 Really?

00:49:35.339 --> 00:49:36.119
 You have a

00:49:36.119 --> 00:49:36.699
 relationship

00:49:36.699 --> 00:49:37.639
 with God

00:49:37.639 --> 00:49:38.019
 and you

00:49:38.019 --> 00:49:38.779
 don't pray?

00:49:40.379 --> 00:49:40.899
 Do you

00:49:40.899 --> 00:49:41.500
 have a wife

00:49:41.500 --> 00:49:41.879
 or a

00:49:41.879 --> 00:49:42.659
 girlfriend and

00:49:42.659 --> 00:49:42.980
 you don't

00:49:42.980 --> 00:49:43.460
 talk to

00:49:43.460 --> 00:49:43.659
 them?

00:49:43.739 --> 00:49:44.019
 Tell me

00:49:44.019 --> 00:49:44.699
 what your

00:49:44.699 --> 00:49:45.319
 relationship

00:49:45.319 --> 00:49:45.879
 is like

00:49:45.879 --> 00:49:46.279
 with them.

00:49:48.219 --> 00:49:48.879
 I don't

00:49:48.879 --> 00:49:49.239
 think I

00:49:49.239 --> 00:49:49.659
 would call

00:49:49.659 --> 00:49:49.919
 it a

00:49:49.919 --> 00:49:50.480
 relationship.

00:49:51.099 --> 00:49:51.439
 So do

00:49:51.440 --> 00:49:52.119
 you pray

00:49:52.119 --> 00:49:52.920
 to the

00:49:52.920 --> 00:49:53.400
 God that

00:49:53.400 --> 00:49:53.840
 you have

00:49:53.840 --> 00:49:54.579
 faith in?

00:49:55.659 --> 00:49:56.179
 Or you

00:49:56.179 --> 00:49:56.700
 just hold

00:49:56.700 --> 00:49:57.159
 on to

00:49:57.159 --> 00:49:57.659
 that because

00:49:57.659 --> 00:49:58.159
 it feels

00:49:58.159 --> 00:49:58.740
 nice and

00:49:58.740 --> 00:49:59.099
 religious?

00:49:59.619 --> 00:50:00.019
 I believe

00:50:00.019 --> 00:50:00.380
 in God.

00:50:02.179 --> 00:50:03.019
 The demons

00:50:03.019 --> 00:50:03.659
 believe in

00:50:03.659 --> 00:50:04.019
 God.

00:50:05.220 --> 00:50:05.880
 It's got

00:50:05.880 --> 00:50:06.159
 to be

00:50:06.159 --> 00:50:06.880
 deeper than

00:50:06.880 --> 00:50:07.800
 belief in

00:50:07.800 --> 00:50:08.260
 God.

00:50:08.619 --> 00:50:09.039
 There's got

00:50:09.039 --> 00:50:09.940
 to be a

00:50:09.940 --> 00:50:11.059
 prayer, a

00:50:11.059 --> 00:50:11.679
 trust in

00:50:11.679 --> 00:50:12.079
 God that

00:50:12.079 --> 00:50:12.559
 the demons

00:50:12.559 --> 00:50:13.139
 don't have

00:50:13.139 --> 00:50:13.420
 or we're

00:50:13.420 --> 00:50:13.880
 not any

00:50:13.880 --> 00:50:14.260
 different.

00:50:16.500 --> 00:50:17.159
 And the

00:50:17.159 --> 00:50:17.619
 demons are

00:50:17.619 --> 00:50:18.480
 going hopefully

00:50:18.480 --> 00:50:19.019
 to a different

00:50:19.019 --> 00:50:19.539
 place than

00:50:19.539 --> 00:50:20.079
 we're going.

00:50:21.440 --> 00:50:21.780
 I don't

00:50:21.780 --> 00:50:22.000
 want to

00:50:22.000 --> 00:50:22.320
 go where

00:50:22.320 --> 00:50:22.519
 they're

00:50:22.519 --> 00:50:22.860
 going.

00:50:24.599 --> 00:50:25.340
 So do

00:50:25.340 --> 00:50:26.039
 you pray?

00:50:28.240 --> 00:50:28.840
 Now I

00:50:28.840 --> 00:50:29.220
 know we're

00:50:29.220 --> 00:50:29.500
 going to

00:50:29.500 --> 00:50:30.179
 struggle because

00:50:30.179 --> 00:50:31.700
 life gets

00:50:31.700 --> 00:50:32.159
 busy.

00:50:33.220 --> 00:50:33.960
 But fight

00:50:33.960 --> 00:50:34.559
 for your

00:50:34.559 --> 00:50:35.280
 relationship

00:50:35.280 --> 00:50:36.179
 with God

00:50:36.179 --> 00:50:37.240
 because your

00:50:37.240 --> 00:50:37.900
 faith in

00:50:37.900 --> 00:50:38.760
 God depends

00:50:38.760 --> 00:50:39.179
 on it.

00:50:40.840 --> 00:50:41.800
 You can't

00:50:41.800 --> 00:50:43.119
 tell me that

00:50:43.119 --> 00:50:43.599
 you have a

00:50:43.599 --> 00:50:44.440
 good relationship

00:50:44.440 --> 00:50:45.039
 with your

00:50:45.039 --> 00:50:46.639
 boss if you

00:50:46.639 --> 00:50:47.300
 never talk

00:50:47.300 --> 00:50:47.659
 to your

00:50:47.659 --> 00:50:48.099
 boss.

00:50:49.700 --> 00:50:50.519
 You have a

00:50:50.519 --> 00:50:51.159
 good relationship

00:50:51.159 --> 00:50:51.619
 with your

00:50:51.619 --> 00:50:52.519
 kids but

00:50:52.519 --> 00:50:52.860
 you never

00:50:52.860 --> 00:50:53.360
 talk to

00:50:53.360 --> 00:50:53.619
 them.

00:50:54.980 --> 00:50:55.699
 You never

00:50:55.699 --> 00:50:56.420
 interact.

00:50:57.320 --> 00:50:57.920
 You never

00:50:57.920 --> 00:50:58.519
 talk about

00:50:58.519 --> 00:50:59.159
 needs or

00:50:59.159 --> 00:51:00.500
 wants, how

00:51:00.500 --> 00:51:01.320
 life's going.

00:51:03.940 --> 00:51:04.719
 There's no

00:51:04.719 --> 00:51:05.340
 prayer.

00:51:05.800 --> 00:51:06.239
 How can

00:51:06.239 --> 00:51:06.519
 there be

00:51:06.519 --> 00:51:06.900
 faith?

00:51:07.000 --> 00:51:07.280
 How can

00:51:07.280 --> 00:51:07.739
 there be a

00:51:07.739 --> 00:51:08.320
 relationship?

00:51:08.940 --> 00:51:09.380
 So my

00:51:09.380 --> 00:51:09.980
 encouragement

00:51:09.980 --> 00:51:11.199
 for you this

00:51:11.199 --> 00:51:12.980
 morning is

00:51:12.980 --> 00:51:14.820
 how is your

00:51:14.820 --> 00:51:15.619
 prayer life?

00:51:17.019 --> 00:51:17.679
 How can we

00:51:17.679 --> 00:51:18.519
 fix that?

00:51:18.519 --> 00:51:18.639
 prayer?

00:51:19.639 --> 00:51:20.199
 Yes, I

00:51:20.199 --> 00:51:20.800
 realize some

00:51:20.800 --> 00:51:21.699
 of it is

00:51:21.699 --> 00:51:23.539
 a discipline.

00:51:23.940 --> 00:51:24.440
 We have to

00:51:24.440 --> 00:51:24.840
 discipline

00:51:24.840 --> 00:51:25.619
 ourselves to

00:51:25.619 --> 00:51:26.000
 pray.

00:51:27.759 --> 00:51:28.739
 But it's a

00:51:28.739 --> 00:51:29.800
 relationship with

00:51:29.800 --> 00:51:30.980
 Almighty God

00:51:30.980 --> 00:51:31.940
 that's made

00:51:31.940 --> 00:51:32.920
 available for

00:51:32.920 --> 00:51:33.380
 you.

00:51:34.219 --> 00:51:34.780
 And if we

00:51:34.780 --> 00:51:35.460
 don't pray,

00:51:35.659 --> 00:51:36.320
 then we can't

00:51:36.320 --> 00:51:36.940
 expect to have

00:51:36.940 --> 00:51:37.659
 faith in very

00:51:37.659 --> 00:51:38.639
 much from God

00:51:38.639 --> 00:51:39.420
 because it

00:51:39.420 --> 00:51:39.980
 doesn't work

00:51:39.980 --> 00:51:40.579
 that way.

00:51:42.119 --> 00:51:42.980
 Prayer is the

00:51:42.980 --> 00:51:44.139
 fuel that our

00:51:44.139 --> 00:51:45.579
 faith needs in

00:51:45.579 --> 00:51:46.320
 order to grow,

00:51:47.000 --> 00:51:47.619
 in order to

00:51:47.619 --> 00:51:48.139
 grow and

00:51:48.139 --> 00:51:49.099
 remain strong.

00:51:50.179 --> 00:51:50.619
 Our faith

00:51:50.619 --> 00:51:51.039
 needs our

00:51:51.039 --> 00:51:51.480
 prayers,

00:51:51.719 --> 00:51:52.179
 brothers and

00:51:52.179 --> 00:51:52.519
 sisters.

00:51:54.400 --> 00:51:55.139
 So what does

00:51:55.139 --> 00:51:55.639
 your prayer

00:51:55.639 --> 00:51:57.219
 life look

00:51:57.219 --> 00:51:57.579
 like?

00:51:57.579 --> 00:51:57.659
 Thank you.

00:51:57.659 --> 00:51:57.739
 Thank you.

00:51:57.739 --> 00:51:57.839
 Thank you.

00:51:57.839 --> 00:51:57.940
 Thank you.

00:51:57.940 --> 00:51:58.000
 Thank you.

00:51:58.000 --> 00:51:58.059
 Thank you.

00:51:58.059 --> 00:51:58.440
 Thank you.

00:51:58.440 --> 00:51:58.519
 Thank you.

00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.579
 Thank you.

00:51:58.579 --> 00:51:58.599
 Thank you.