The Parables: Part 10 When Persistence Pays Off

The Parables

Part 10 – When Persistence Pays Off

Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

When does persistence pay off in life?

• Persistence pays off in .
• Persistence pays off in .
• Persistence pays off in a .
• Persistence pays off in .
• Persistence pays off in .

What does the Bible teach about persistence?

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

God’s Word emphasizes at least three key areas where persistence pays off in our faith journey:

1) Persistence in pays off! (Hebrews 11)

2) Persistence in pays off.

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

3) Persistence in pays off!

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

What is the primary lesson here?

We must and not !

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Reasons we might give up praying:

1) with .

14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14.

2) that God will .

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:6-8

3) Waffling about .

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

If an uncaring, unfit, ungodly judge answers with justice in the end, how much more will a loving, merciful, gracious heavenly Father give to us what we desperately seek and need?

This parable makes clear that effective prayer requires and !

Today’s Song List:

House Of The Lord

I’ve Witnessed It

Forever YHWH

Ever Be