WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.300 Good morning to all of you. 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:15.460 One of the most important things that we individuals, individually and collectively as a church do, 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:19.719 one of the things that the Lord has taught us to do is to pray. 00:00:20.780 --> 00:00:26.440 So because we want, as elders and spiritual leaders of this church, 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:33.060 because we want us all individually to become better prayer warriors, 00:00:33.539 --> 00:00:38.240 and because we want the church as a whole to become a better praying church, 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:45.840 we're going to spend the next several weeks looking at the subject of prayer from here, from the pulpit. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:52.500 And so this is where we're going to be heading in the next five, six, seven weeks. 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:59.820 I thought I would begin this week with what is probably the greatest prayer in all of the Bible, 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:04.420 the prayer that the Lord Jesus taught us, what we call the Lord's Prayer. 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:12.719 And you are familiar with the version in Matthew, but we're going to look again at the version in Luke. 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:18.079 So please take out and look at the back. 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:24.340 I wrote a fairly detailed outline to make sure that none of you get lost. 00:01:25.379 --> 00:01:30.980 And if you want to fill in the spaces, that's fine too. 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:37.159 If you want to fill them in Arabic, you need me to tutor you a little bit before you can do that. 00:01:38.099 --> 00:01:39.500 Or Greek for that matter. 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:43.780 So we're going to start with verse five. 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:50.140 But before we get to verse five, I want you to see what the quick context is. 00:01:50.799 --> 00:01:53.500 So chapter 11 in Luke, verse one. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:58.140 One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place. 00:01:59.420 --> 00:02:04.099 When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:09.360 Lord, teach us to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his disciples. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:12.780 He said to them, when you pray, say. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:16.080 So Jesus sets an example. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:20.159 The disciples want to follow his example. 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:22.340 And he teaches them to pray. 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:26.219 That's the background to what we're looking at. 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:31.979 What we're going to be looking at are two parables in relationship to prayer. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.719 Two parables that are designed to help us understand prayer. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:40.599 The first parable is about friends. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:44.680 The other parable, the next parable, is about teachers. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.039 I mean, parents. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:51.460 So let's start with the first parable, verses five through eight. 00:02:51.460 --> 00:02:54.960 In verse five. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:56.740 Then he said to them, suppose. 00:02:57.540 --> 00:03:03.040 I got to tell you, that's a long, complicated Greek sentence. 00:03:04.200 --> 00:03:07.960 You know, when you're reading it and you're trying to subordinate clauses, 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:10.140 it's like doing the maze. 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:12.100 And you don't know where you're going to come out. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:15.199 It's a complicated Greek sentence. 00:03:15.799 --> 00:03:21.319 So what I'm going to do is to divide it into smaller parts so you can manage it. 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:26.439 At the heart of this parable is the questions. 00:03:27.579 --> 00:03:28.560 And so let me ask you. 00:03:29.299 --> 00:03:31.419 Do friends act like this? 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:34.500 Okay, I need an answer. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:36.879 Do friends act like this? 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:39.979 Well, you ask me, act like what? 00:03:41.179 --> 00:03:46.099 You know, what kind of behavior about friends are you asking me about? 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:49.899 And Jesus says, do friends act like this? 00:03:50.399 --> 00:03:55.560 And then he describes how friends act or don't act. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:06.719 So to modernize the parable, to help you understand it, I'll update it and say there are three friends. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:11.099 Daniel, myself, and Mike. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:13.980 And the least of those is naturally myself. 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:16.939 So Daniel is traveling. 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:20.360 And he's been traveling all day long. 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:23.319 And he hasn't had a chance to eat anywhere. 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:25.920 And he arrives at my town. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:27.759 And it's almost midnight. 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:30.259 All the hotels are closed. 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:32.620 All the restaurants are closed. 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:35.439 You know, all the public parks are closed. 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:38.100 So he remembers that I live here. 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:41.879 So he comes to my house and knocks at my door and says, 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:44.680 Samir, can I stay in your house? 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:46.680 And I say, of course, Daniel. 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:47.420 You're my friend. 00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:47.899 Of course. 00:04:48.459 --> 00:04:49.219 You know, come in. 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:50.819 Stay in my house. 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:52.039 I'll take care of you. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:55.180 I know he hasn't eaten all day. 00:04:55.840 --> 00:04:58.920 So I go to the cupboard to fix him a meal. 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:02.819 And I find out that I don't have any food at all. 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:05.640 I haven't gone shopping anytime soon. 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:07.980 The cupboard is completely empty. 00:05:08.580 --> 00:05:10.640 And I can't fix him a meal. 00:05:11.320 --> 00:05:13.180 So what am I going to do? 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:19.379 I can't let my friend go to bed starving and tired. 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:21.160 I need to take care of him. 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:24.660 So I think, well, I got to get food from somewhere. 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:28.360 But I can't go to the stores because the stores are closed. 00:05:28.780 --> 00:05:29.980 So where am I going to go? 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.899 I remember that Mike and I are friends. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:35.540 So I go to Mike's house. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:37.040 It's midnight. 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:40.680 And I'm knocking very hard on the door. 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:43.220 And I keep saying, come on, Mike. 00:05:43.280 --> 00:05:43.800 Wake up. 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:44.180 Open. 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:44.760 Open. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:45.560 Come. 00:05:47.200 --> 00:05:52.300 And Mike, from the inside, says to me, you're making too much noise. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:54.500 You're going to wake up the whole kids. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:55.740 All the kids. 00:05:56.140 --> 00:05:57.800 You're going to wake up the whole neighborhood. 00:05:58.360 --> 00:05:59.300 You know, go back home. 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:00.060 Leave us alone. 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:03.759 Well, I happen to be rude. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.639 So I keep knocking at the door. 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:13.819 And then Mike eventually decides to get up. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:18.500 And this is the really important point. 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:26.220 So let's take a look at the text and find out what is Mike going to give me 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:28.579 and why is he going to give me. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:31.899 So let's do the simple one first. 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:34.500 What is Mike going to give me? 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:37.439 Verse 8. 00:06:38.039 --> 00:06:39.359 Look at verse 8 carefully. 00:06:41.039 --> 00:06:47.599 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him the bread because of his friendship 00:06:47.599 --> 00:06:51.399 or because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness, 00:06:51.599 --> 00:06:52.839 he will get up and give him. 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:56.439 Listen to the last part of that verse. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:07:01.579 He will get up and give him as much as he... 00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:03.959 What's your word there? 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:07.579 As much as he needs. 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:13.079 I really would like it to be as much as he wants. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:17.420 But he isn't going to give me what I want. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:20.100 He's going to give me what I need. 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.000 You know what I need? 00:07:22.340 --> 00:07:30.600 I need a car to get me from Kenosha to my job at Trinity. 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:32.700 That's what I need. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:34.540 You know what I want? 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:36.400 Lamborghini. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:41.439 I may be wrong. 00:07:41.859 --> 00:07:46.599 I saw the movie Back to the Future, and it was love at first sight. 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:56.439 And if I can't afford a Lamborghini, I want a Jaguar. 00:07:58.520 --> 00:08:00.820 What Jaguar is for cheap people? 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:04.160 Rolls Royce. 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:06.780 Facil Vega. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:09.340 Porsche. 00:08:09.339 --> 00:08:12.459 That's what I want. 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:17.419 But God doesn't give me what I want. 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:20.719 God gives me what I need. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:25.639 The problem between me and God is that we don't always agree 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:30.699 on whether it's I want or whether it's I need. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:36.679 I think what I need is essential. 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:38.480 He thinks it's want. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:42.919 And so he trims it and simplifies it. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:50.779 And I want to buy a, you know, $5,000 stereo equipment. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:53.679 And he says, go to Goodwill. 00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:55.700 There is one sitting there for $25. 00:08:55.700 --> 00:09:03.360 God will give us what we need. 00:09:04.020 --> 00:09:09.080 God does not commit himself to give us what we want. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:14.180 I did a simple experiment this weekend. 00:09:15.160 --> 00:09:19.440 Yesterday, I was visiting my granddaughter, who is five years old, 00:09:19.900 --> 00:09:23.379 and whose birthday is next week. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:26.259 So as a grandfather, I should have known better. 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:28.399 I did something very stupid. 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:31.799 I said, Grandpa loves you a lot. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.620 Your birthday is coming. 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:35.480 What do you want? 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:39.960 And then I said, honey, I'm not Rockefeller. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:42.360 You know, can we reduce the list? 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:44.700 You know, just one under $2. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:54.640 God will give us what we need, not what we want. 00:09:55.900 --> 00:10:00.240 But why will God give us what we need? 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:02.360 Look at that verse. 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:04.400 Verse 8. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:11.179 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend. 00:10:11.939 --> 00:10:13.759 So he's not motivated by friendship. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:16.120 He's motivated by something else. 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:21.039 Yet because of the man's, and then there is a word. 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:26.459 That word is very difficult to translate in Greek. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.559 Very difficult. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:36.959 There are approximately 3,960 words in the New Testament. 00:10:37.479 --> 00:10:41.479 They're used 138,000 times. 00:10:42.359 --> 00:10:48.779 There are 138,000 words in the New Testament, you know, based on these 4,000 words. 00:10:49.319 --> 00:10:51.979 Do you know how many times this word appears in the New Testament? 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:53.939 Once. 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:58.700 Only once is it used in the New Testament. 00:10:59.280 --> 00:11:00.360 Just once. 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:08.940 The word God is used 1,300 times. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:15.920 The word Lord is used 800 times. 00:11:16.920 --> 00:11:23.840 The word wisdom is used 52 times. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:28.680 This word is only used once. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:34.680 Because it's only used once, it's very hard to know what it means. 00:11:35.680 --> 00:11:41.280 So if you look at the English translations that came out right after World War II, 00:11:42.280 --> 00:11:46.560 in the end of the 40s and 50s and early 60s, 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:49.099 almost all the translators said, 00:11:49.099 --> 00:11:55.599 well, what is happening here is that I am standing outside and I am knocking at the door, 00:11:56.219 --> 00:12:00.739 and so Mike will give me food because I am persistent. 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:04.340 I don't get discouraged quickly. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.980 I don't give up right away. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.680 I keep knocking. 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.139 I stick with it. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:18.860 And so most older English translations translated because of his persistence. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.200 persistence. 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:23.919 I hate to tell you, it is not persistence. 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:29.620 So even though translators thought it meant persistence, it's not. 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:34.159 Since then, a lot of work has been done. 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:38.339 And if you want to find out what words mean, 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:42.199 you don't, you know, here I am shooting down my own colleagues. 00:12:42.839 --> 00:12:47.959 You don't ask some PhD who has a PhD in biblical studies 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:53.699 or in New Testament geography or in theology or in church history. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.159 You know who you need to ask? 00:12:55.159 --> 00:13:00.159 You need to ask people whose expertise are English. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:00.919 I'm sorry. 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.079 Well, English too. 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:05.360 But also Greek or Hebrew. 00:13:05.579 --> 00:13:09.159 You want people who are expert and specialist in classics. 00:13:11.219 --> 00:13:14.399 In case you're wondering where my training was, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:19.100 since I have multiple personalities, I decided to train in two areas. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:24.139 I'm a biblical theologian, but I'm also an expert in languages. 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:31.039 And so what you need is you go to someone whose specialty is languages 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:35.679 and you say, tell me, did Pythagoras ever use this word? 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.100 How about Aristotle? 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.699 How about Plato? 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:47.000 And so there has been a lot of shame, a lot of work done on this word. 00:13:47.699 --> 00:13:52.360 My mentor, my teacher, a very, very dear friend at Trinity 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:57.980 by the name of Walt Leifeld was a language expert 00:13:57.980 --> 00:14:01.019 rather than just New Testament theology expert 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:05.180 or New Testament history or New Testament customs. 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:12.300 I remember I was speaking on this passage 25 years ago at Trinity. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:16.680 And I went to him and I said, what do you think this word means? 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:18.559 And he said, shame. 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:21.299 And I said, nobody agrees with you. 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:22.419 He says, give them time. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.899 And guess what? 00:14:26.719 --> 00:14:30.099 All the modern translations realize 00:14:30.099 --> 00:14:34.879 that the correct translation is shame. 00:14:35.979 --> 00:14:36.599 Shame. 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:41.159 Not persistence, but shame. 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:44.519 So what does that mean? 00:14:44.959 --> 00:14:49.199 That even though he will not get up out of friendship, 00:14:49.339 --> 00:14:51.579 yet because of the man's shame, 00:14:52.579 --> 00:14:56.299 he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.120 What does that mean? 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:59.959 It can be interpreted in two ways. 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:03.539 And if you look at the ESV, it translates it one way, 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:06.000 and if you look at the NIV, it takes it the other way. 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.100 But it's the same word. 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:08.059 It's the word shame. 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:13.279 What it means is that what Mike is saying, 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.299 I'm going to get up, 00:15:14.619 --> 00:15:16.179 not because he is persisting, 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:17.459 not because I'm persisting. 00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:21.399 Mike is going to get up because my behavior is shameful. 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:23.519 I am being thoughtless. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.059 I am being inconsiderate. 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:29.099 All I think about is, you know, I need to get food. 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:31.699 I don't care whether his children get up or not. 00:15:31.979 --> 00:15:34.359 I don't care whether the neighborhood gets up or not. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:39.220 I don't care if I'm inconvenient anybody or not. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:42.620 All I'm interested is in what I need. 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:46.620 And so I am being selfish, inconsiderate. 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:50.899 So it may be like saying, 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:54.899 God, you know, Mike wants to shut me up. 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:59.340 So because of my shameful behavior that will not quit, 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:03.259 I am persisting in shameful behavior. 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:10.919 So he will get up and give me food just to shut me up and send me away. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:14.360 That is one way of looking at shame. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:18.939 The other way of looking at shame is to think about it this way. 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:25.480 If he doesn't give me food, I am humiliated. 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:28.380 I am disgraced. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:31.580 I myself am put to shame. 00:16:32.520 --> 00:16:38.580 Daniel will say, I came to Samir and he didn't bother to give me anything. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:43.580 So some translations translated, 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:49.639 in order not to damage one's good reputation. 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:57.200 So you can use shame negatively or shame positively. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:01.600 In either case, the question is, 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:04.160 if we have a need, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:07.100 does God just ignore us? 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:09.679 God will get up. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:13.439 He will get up for some reason. 00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:14.559 He will give us. 00:17:16.219 --> 00:17:17.919 Maybe because we are persistent. 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:21.559 Maybe because he doesn't want us to be disgraced in public. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:25.519 Maybe he wants to give us because we, 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:30.059 what we're doing is shameful and he needs to put an end to it. 00:17:30.459 --> 00:17:33.159 But God will get up and give us. 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:35.600 And the point of Jesus is, 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:40.960 if God will not allow us to be shamed in public, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:45.120 if friends will not allow us to be shamed in public, 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:48.660 will God allow us to be shamed in public? 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.200 Who is a better friend? 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:55.220 Daniel, Mike, or the Lord himself? 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.880 Who is a better friend? 00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:00.320 If you compare us, 00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:01.380 at us, 00:18:01.780 --> 00:18:02.680 we are sinners. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:06.260 We have bad temper. 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.360 We have bad days. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.860 We're grouchy. 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:15.220 But God is wonderful. 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:19.380 And if bad friends know how to be good, 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:22.100 how much more is a wonderful, 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:25.259 perfect, fantastic, great God? 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:29.660 How much better he is at being good than we are. 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:33.920 So, he is asked the question, 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.720 do friends act like this? 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.559 And the answer is no. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:40.880 Even evil friends don't disgrace their friends in public 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:42.319 and bring shame on them. 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:45.099 How much more so? 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.519 And then, 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:48.319 he asks another question, 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:51.480 do fathers act like this? 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.079 Look at verse 11. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:56.919 The same question that you saw in verse 5 00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:58.500 is being asked in verse 11. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.460 Which of you fathers, 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:03.740 if your son asks you for a fish, 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.319 will you give him a snake instead? 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.539 Or if you ask for an egg, 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.779 will he give him a scorpion? 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:14.839 If you then, 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:16.259 even though you are evil, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:19.200 know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:21.559 how much more so your heavenly father? 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:25.819 Do friends shame other friends in public? 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:26.399 No. 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:30.139 Do parents poison their children? 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.240 Do I have to worry 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:36.259 that my daughter is going to poison the cake 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:38.359 that my granddaughter is going to have for her birthday? 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.039 No. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.119 No. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.439 Not at all. 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:46.059 If you take your kids to a restaurant, 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:48.859 do you say to the cook, 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:51.099 here's an extra dosage of arsenic, 00:19:51.219 --> 00:19:51.819 please put it, 00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:52.719 you know. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:53.979 No, 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:55.259 we don't do these things. 00:19:55.259 --> 00:20:00.940 If fathers know how to take care of their kids, 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:06.140 and if friends know how to take care of their kids, 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:10.180 how much more so is our heavenly father? 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:13.820 It's a contrast between our limited goodness 00:20:13.820 --> 00:20:15.600 and his fantastic, 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:18.700 incredible goodness and perfection. 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.740 God is not like, 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:22.640 God is not like a bad friend. 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.860 God is not like a bad father. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:27.500 God is a lot better than that. 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.160 So, 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:32.039 if we can count on our friends to come and help us, 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:35.880 and if we can count on our parents to come and help us, 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:40.839 how much more so can we count on God to help us? 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.039 So, 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:47.259 it's a passage about have confidence in God when you knock, 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.980 when you seek. 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.420 However, 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:55.160 let's look at verse 11, 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.440 and there's a problem. 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:59.400 Let me summarize to you what we've done so far. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:02.559 We have looked at the Lord's Prayer very briefly. 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:04.600 We've looked at the first parable, 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:06.240 and looked at the second parable. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:10.019 The Lord's Prayer has our father, 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:13.080 so there is a father in the Lord's Prayer. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:15.420 In the parable about the friends, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:17.100 there is the father who's inside, 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:20.120 who doesn't want to get up because he'll wake up the kid. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.559 And in the question about fathers, 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.340 there is a question about fathers. 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.100 So, 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.939 there is father, 00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:25.980 father, 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.099 father, 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.679 father. 00:21:26.679 --> 00:21:29.359 There is asking, 00:21:29.939 --> 00:21:30.399 asking, 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.259 asking. 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:36.399 There is also food. 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:40.859 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:44.119 Give us today our sufficient bread. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:48.979 bread is another theme that appears in all these. 00:21:49.439 --> 00:21:49.839 Food. 00:21:51.739 --> 00:21:52.279 So, 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.679 I conclude 00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:56.619 that this parable is telling me 00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:58.279 when you need food, 00:21:58.739 --> 00:21:59.519 ask God, 00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:01.039 and God will provide for you, 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.419 like feeding the 5,000. 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:12.880 I think that's what's going on until I read verse 11 and following. 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:14.140 It throws me off. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:16.480 which of you fathers, 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:18.920 if your son asks for a fish, 00:22:20.060 --> 00:22:22.380 the father will give him a snake instead. 00:22:23.020 --> 00:22:24.840 Or if he asks for an egg, 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.780 he will give him a scorpion. 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:28.379 If you, 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:28.839 then, 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.399 though you are evil, 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:33.599 know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:37.220 how much more so will your father in heaven give? 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:40.279 I would have thought the word there should be food. 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.559 Or good gifts. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:43.059 But it is not. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.299 How many of you, 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:48.120 how many of you would do that? 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.980 If you, 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:52.900 then, 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:53.880 though you are evil, 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.980 know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:58.440 how much more will your father in heaven 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.980 give the Holy Spirit 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:02.000 to those who ask of him? 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.039 Holy Spirit? 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:06.620 Who said anything about the Holy Spirit so far? 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:09.160 The Holy Spirit hasn't even been mentioned. 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:12.120 Where did the Holy Spirit come from 00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:13.200 into this discussion? 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.839 We're talking about food. 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.519 I pray, 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.120 give us 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:19.539 today our daily bread. 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:22.460 I am knocking at Mike's door saying, 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:23.220 give me food 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.500 so I can give it 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.980 to Daniel. 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:29.940 And the children are asking their fathers for food. 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.460 They're not asking for the Holy Spirit. 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.720 How did that come? 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:35.880 Let me show you how inappropriate that sentence is. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:37.740 And then we'll try to fix it. 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.500 Suppose, 00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:42.840 suppose I have two brand new students 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:45.160 who want to start at Trinity. 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.780 They're incoming freshmen. 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:48.280 And they're thinking, 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.520 do I major in music 00:23:49.520 --> 00:23:51.540 or do I major in biblical study? 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:55.060 So I tell them all the good reasons 00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:57.060 to major in biblical studies. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.880 Brilliant professor like me. 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:04.320 They get automatically an A if they play soccer 00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:06.180 or if they play violin. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.840 Easy exams. 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.660 Easy to bribe. 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.360 You know. 00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:15.740 And then there is this other professor. 00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:17.260 And it's hard. 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.920 It's like a foreign language. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:21.880 Who can figure out harmony and counterpoint 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:23.480 and all of these big words. 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.860 So I say to him, 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:28.320 you really ought to major in big biblical studies. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.580 Let me summarize to you 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:31.660 what I've just said to you. 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:33.580 If you have to choose 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:36.700 between biblical studies and music, 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.560 eat cucumbers. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:45.299 What on earth does cucumbers have to do 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.299 with biblical studies? 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:49.460 And the answer is nothing. 00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:51.659 So, 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:54.099 what does the Holy Spirit have to do 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:57.039 with what we're looking at in this passage? 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.139 Nothing. 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:02.159 So what does that mean for Jesus 00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:03.980 to bring up the subject of the Holy Spirit? 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.740 Well, the answer is 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:09.079 we stopped halfway through the passage. 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:11.759 We're not finished yet. 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:14.880 So we shouldn't stop in the middle. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.180 We should keep going 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:18.039 and see what happens. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.480 So let's keep going. 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:23.440 And we're going to go 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:25.120 skip, you know, 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.920 the discussion about Beelzebub 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.720 casting out demons. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:33.120 There is a battle going on 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.339 between Jesus and Satan. 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:36.220 And Jesus has won. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:38.839 And so Satan has been defeated 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:41.359 and Jesus can plunder him. 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:44.019 To the victor belongs the spoils. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:47.279 And in this discussion, 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.140 look at Luke chapter 11. 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:53.539 Look at verse 20. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:57.559 Look at verse 20 carefully. 00:25:57.559 --> 00:26:00.899 If I drive out demons 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:02.720 by the finger of God, 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:05.299 then the kingdom of God 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:07.139 has come upon you. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.079 If there is a battle 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.799 between good and evil, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:13.059 light and darkness, 00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:14.980 the kingdom of God 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.619 and the kingdom of Satan, 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:18.000 and Jesus is winning, 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:20.759 that means the kingdom of God 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.899 has come upon us. 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:23.940 So it turns out that Jesus 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.820 is interested in the kingdom 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.800 of God. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:29.700 If I, by the finger of God, 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.860 cast out demons, 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:33.080 then the kingdom of God 00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:34.560 has come upon you. 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.580 Okay? 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:38.060 Go back to the Lord's Prayer. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.519 Is there any mention 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.580 of the kingdom of God 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.460 in the Lord's Prayer? 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.700 Father, 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:46.140 hallowed be thy name, 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:49.279 your kingdom come. 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:52.720 The passage begins with 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.579 your kingdom come 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:56.259 and ends with 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.980 the kingdom has come. 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.620 And it is coming 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:01.039 through the victory of Jesus. 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:03.279 So we're not talking about bread. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.680 We're talking about something 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:06.200 a lot more important than bread, 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.480 namely the coming 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:09.019 of the kingdom of God. 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:10.680 That is what's really at stake. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.779 So I'm excited here. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.180 I'm on the side of Jesus. 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.500 Jesus is winning. 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.259 They're losing. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:18.400 I want to celebrate victory. 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.420 So I say, 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.460 okay, Lord, 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.880 I want to bring about 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:22.440 this kingdom. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.140 I want to be involved 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:25.180 in bringing out 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.720 this kingdom. 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.900 There are two people 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.460 who are standing 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.259 in front of us 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.240 who are interested 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:31.000 in going to a certain place 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.720 to bring about 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:33.100 the kingdom of God. 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.660 We are interested 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.480 in bringing about 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.460 the kingdom of God 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.820 in Kenosha. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:39.620 So how do I do it? 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:41.179 How do I bring about 00:27:41.179 --> 00:27:42.219 the kingdom of God? 00:27:43.219 --> 00:27:45.699 Look at verse 20 again. 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.339 Verse 20. 00:27:52.719 --> 00:27:56.239 If I drive out demons 00:27:56.239 --> 00:27:58.839 by the finger of God, 00:27:59.179 --> 00:28:00.899 then the kingdom of God 00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:02.559 has come upon you. 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:05.239 If I drive out demons 00:28:05.239 --> 00:28:06.759 by the finger of God, 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.019 what does the finger 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.079 of God mean? 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.960 Well, believe it or not, 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:12.480 that is an expression 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:17.680 from the book of Exodus. 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:23.279 As Moses was producing 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:25.000 these plagues, 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.420 the magicians tried 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.240 to duplicate it. 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:27.799 They failed, 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.559 and they said, 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.220 this is by the finger of God. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:32.500 But let's also take a look 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:35.319 at Matthew 11, 28. 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:37.279 Matthew 11, 28 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:39.400 is the counterpart passage 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:41.180 to Luke 11. 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:46.299 Jesus says in Matthew 11, 28, 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:49.200 if I, 12, 28, 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:51.660 if I cast out demons 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.539 by what? 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:56.259 The Holy Spirit. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:59.700 The finger of God 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:01.440 is another expression 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:03.759 for the Holy Spirit. 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:07.839 So how do I bring about, 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.039 how do I participate 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.819 in the coming 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.940 of the kingdom of God? 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.720 Through the power 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:14.680 of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.980 Do you see it 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.440 in Matthew 11, 28, 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.480 the Holy Spirit? 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.259 You should... 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:24.039 I'm sorry, 12, 28. 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.139 12, 28, I'm sorry. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.319 12, 28. 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:28.220 If I, by the finger of God, 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:28.940 cast out demons, 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.700 then... 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.899 If I, by the Holy Spirit, 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.079 cast out demons, 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.980 then the kingdom of God 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.700 has come upon you. 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:35.099 12, 28. 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:37.059 So how do I do it? 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:38.299 By the power 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:39.180 of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.799 Go back to Luke. 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:44.579 If we, evil parents, 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.899 know how to give 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:47.960 good gifts, 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.500 how much more 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:52.819 will the Lord 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.639 give us what? 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.680 The Holy Spirit. 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:57.180 Why does he want 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.759 to give us 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.000 the Holy Spirit? 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:01.799 Because we are involved 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:04.440 in bringing about 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.819 the kingdom of God. 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:09.079 So what is this passage saying? 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.519 Number one, 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:12.159 be confident. 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.460 God is a better friend. 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:18.079 God is better parent 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.000 than anybody 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.059 you've ever experienced. 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.960 You can count on God. 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.960 God is winning. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.600 And secondly, 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:25.360 God is winning. 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:28.039 And God wants us 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.920 to participate 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:31.559 in bringing this victory 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.940 and in celebrating 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:34.180 his winning. 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.680 So it is a prayer 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:38.880 designed to encourage us 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.759 to pray. 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.860 It's a prayer 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:43.220 encouraging us 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.420 to put our confidence 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.079 in God 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:46.639 and ask ourselves 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:46.659 and ask ourselves, 00:30:47.439 --> 00:30:48.240 how, Lord, 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:50.039 can we bring about 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.639 the kingdom of God 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:53.639 that you are involved in? 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:55.019 It may have something 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:56.500 to do with food, 00:30:56.919 --> 00:30:58.679 but it is about 00:30:58.679 --> 00:30:59.899 the kingdom of God. 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:03.500 So we started 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.119 to look at prayer 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:06.619 and the next weeks 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.480 we will look at 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.059 more 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:10.399 on the subject 00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:10.939 of prayer. 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.400 Let's have a word 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.120 of prayer. 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.100 Lord, 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.500 Father, 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.440 thank you for 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.580 giving us 00:31:19.580 --> 00:31:20.279 the assurance 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.120 that you're a good 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.559 father 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.740 and that you're 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.519 a good friend, 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.200 that you will not 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:26.620 disgrace us 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:27.340 in public, 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.779 that you will not 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:31.539 shame us 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.220 in public, 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:34.400 and that you will 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.860 and has 00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:36.900 and will continue 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.320 to 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:39.759 completely wipe 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.559 out your enemies. 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:43.059 help us 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.980 to be godly 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.160 men and women 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:46.180 in this church. 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.380 Help us 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.080 as a church 00:31:49.080 --> 00:31:50.519 to be a godly church 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:52.360 known for our prayers 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.460 and devotion to you. 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:54.880 We ask it, 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.160 Father, 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:55.759 in Jesus' 00:31:56.080 --> 00:31:56.759 wonderful name. 00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:57.640 Amen.