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Sermon Notes of Rev Dr Ivor J.W.Oakley (10-9-2000
Guisborough Evangelical Church)
Additional Reading Luke 11:1-13
This text is one of the well-known statements of the
Lord about prayer, containing a most gracious and comprehensive promise. Life is
full of uncertainties, but here is something which is certain, absolute and
dependable. It occurs twice in the Gospels, here in Matthew in the Sermon on the
Mount, and in Luke during the Lord’s teaching about prayer in answer to his
disciple’s request, near the Lord’s Prayer.
We noted earlier, differences
between accounts of Matthew and Luke about the Lord’s Prayer. Luke’s was
shorter (as seen in NIV where older manuscripts, not known in 1611, were being
used.) The parable of Luke 11:5-8, which is used to strengthen the Lord’s
argument, is not in Matthew at all. Instead of the Father in heaven giving good
gifts to those who ask him (Matthew 7:11), Luke has him giving the Holy
Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:13). No doubt the Lord said both many
times, and both are true.
We are going to consider this
gracious promise about prayer, but will be concentrating on only one aspect of
answered prayer. Need to see this against wider background of biblical teaching
on prayer. For example, we are taught elsewhere there must be nothing between us
and the Lord, because if we cherish iniquity, the Lord will not hear. Also there
must be an earnestness about the prayer life. Must ask in complete confidence
and faith that what God has promised, he is able to perform, and he only gives
us what is in his will. If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us
(1 John 5:14).
We must remember these things because prayer is not just a matter of asking for the first thing which comes into our head to please and satisfy, and expecting an immediate answer. We cannot pray effectively regardless of our spiritual condition. There are conditions laid down, and above all else it is God who will answer according to his will, when and where is best. His answer will be for his glory, not our comfort and self-importance.
Ask… seek… knock (Matthew
7:7). In Greek there are two ways of commanding: (a) once for all, as in Put
your sword away (John18:11), Aorist Imperatives bale ; (b) present imperative, as in [Keep on] being filled
with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) plhrousqe.
Here it is the present imperative that is being used aiteite,
zhteite, krouete. Furthermore it suggests growing intensity. If a child
wants mother when she is near and visible, he asks; if the mother is neither
near nor visible, he seeks; if she is inaccessible in her room, he knocks. In
Luke’s account, he tells the parable of the man who gets up at midnight. He
speaks of the man’s persistence and boldness anaideian.
There are many other examples. They should always pray and not give up (Luke
18:1). Think of the Lord in Gethsemane, praying the same thing three times.
Think of the time when Peter was in prison The church was earnestly praying
(without ceasing AV) to God for him (Acts 12:5). Epaphras who is always
wrestling in prayer for you (Colossians 4:12).
So the condition laid down here
is to persist, persevere, continue to do something, not give up if no immediate
answer. We have to be persistent, not because God is unwilling or so reluctant
that he has to be badgered, but as a test of our sincerity and reality. Many of
our prayers are mere passing desires, correct but empty statements, matter of
fact comments. Persistence is proof of our earnest and confidence in God. It
shows that we really want these things. Persistence means certain changes in us.
Not imposing our will on God, but aligning ourselves with his will. He waits
till we desire his will in the matter. Persistence gradually purifies our
motives and deepens our desires. Sometimes God’s answer is delayed because
other changes need to take place in our situation or that of others.
Bishop Hanley Moule’s book
“Secret Prayer” tells of a devoted Sunday School teacher who was the means
of bringing scholar after scholar with growing frequency to the feet of Jesus,
followed by new life of love and consistency. After her death, her simple diary
was found, containing the three following resolutions: (1) resolved to pray for
each scholar by name; (2) resolved to wrestle in prayer for each scholar by
name; (3) resolved to wrestle in prayer for each scholar by name, and to expect
an answer.
George Muller, once he was sure
God had a purpose of blessing for someone and in his will for him to pray,
continues year after year. Prayed for one man every day for 63 years 8 months.
The man was still unconverted at the time of Muller’s death, but came to the
Lord before Muller’s funeral.
We must keep on. Cannot come too
often to the Lord in prayer. We can never weary God. He never tires of hearing
us.
With each command comes a
promise. If we ask, we will receive; if we seek, we will find; if we knock, the
door will be opened. Everyone is promised this. There are no exceptions, no
restrictions. God will answer. The time and the manner are in his hands. Leave
it with him. It may be “no”, or “not yet”, if he has something better
for us. But there will be an answer. It may not be what we desire or expect. It
may not come till after we are dead. For example, John Newton’s godly mother
prayed for her son, but died when he was 7. Things got far worse over the years
before they got better, but eventually he was saved.
Even when refused, it will be an answer of love and wisdom of God. In ignorance we often ask for things which would be our ruin. Often we look back and thank God he did not give us what we wanted or at the time when we wanted it. Martin Lloyd Jones says “I thank God that he is not prepared to do anything I may chance to ask him…. I am profoundly grateful that he did not grant me certain things for which I asked, and that he shut doors in my face”. But an answer will come and it will glorify God and demonstrate his perfect love and wisdom, and it will be the best for us in long run, though we may not think so at the time.
Jesus uses this argument to encourage prayer and
strengthen resolve. He assures us of God’s goodness and goodwill towards us,
and that he is not going to mock us. He is better than the best father.
Therefore he gives us good things if we ask him. Argues from human fatherhood to
divine fatherhood. From lesser to greater. If son asks for bread, will give
him a stone…if asks for a fish, will give him a snake (Matthew 7:9-10).
The two things Jesus uses in each comparison have close resemblance in
appearance in Palestinian setting. Then Jesus strengthens his case still further
– If you, then, though you are evil (Note how he assumes human race is
fallen and sinful with our twisted nature and bias to evil and total depravity) 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). If we in sin are
kind to children, how much more will God give good things to those who keep on
asking tois aitousin
auton. If you, despite the person you are, do not give shabby substitute,
do not play mean trick on someone you love, how much more can you be sure your
loving heavenly Father is willing and able to give you the best.
What light this throws on God’s character. What
confidence this gives us. What strength to face the days and experiences we pass
through. Life is like a journey and it is full of perplexities and problems.
Like Abraham, we have to go out not knowing where we are going. Yet Abraham was
perfectly happy and at rest, because although he did not know where he was
going, he did know with whom he was going (said a 17th century
Puritan).
The Lord does not promise to remove all our trials, but
we can so know God and his love that whatever happens we need never be alarmed
or frightened. He is concerned about us and is watching over us. He has plans
and purposes for us which are good and gracious. He will never neglect or harm
us, never allow evil or hurtful things. He never makes a mistake. So we can face
each day knowing we are going to receive good things. It may not seem so to us
at the time. May appear uncomfortable and annoying. But God is constantly
working in our lives, maturing our character, drawing us closer to himself,
wooing us from worldliness and materialism, preparing us for future service,
because he sees the end from the beginning – unlike us!
To grasp this, as we face life and all that happens, transforms attitudes. It enables us to say, at every possibility and eventuality: In all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
Your Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who
ask him (Matthew 7:11). We are not entitled to ask for and expect anything
which may come into our mind. We can be sure of getting “good things”. What
are they? Obviously good things are things which God describes and sees as good.
What are these good things which God wishes us to have?
Luke’s account specifies the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).
He will give the Holy Spirit in full measure that we might experience rivers of
living water flowing from us. All Christians have the Holy Spirit but not all
Christians know his filling. All possess the Holy Spirit but not all are
possessed by the Holy Spirit. He seeks to take possession of us, to pour
his own life into us, giving us power for living the Christian life and for
service.
What other good things – there are the matters mentioned in the latter part of the Lord’s Prayer – not wealth or unclouded happiness but daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil. Also the good things mentioned in the Beatitudes – comfort, being filled with righteousness, seeing God, blessedness in persecution. Broaden all this into all God has promised to his people of both Old and New Testaments. Triumphant emphatic words: For the Lord is a sun and shield: the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good things does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless (Psalm 84:11).
Keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking. Your Father in heaven is the best of fathers. If you who are evil by God’s standards give good things, how much more will he. In the light of these promises, why are we what we are? Why is the quality of our Christian living so poor? We are entirely without excuse. All we need is offered us. All is promised us here in this comprehensive promise. Why are we not availing ourselves of it? Surely the answer to the problem is You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
