June 5, 2005

Intro: Luke 18:1-6- this parable is given to motivate God’s

Children to the great activity of persistent prayer.

1. The purpose of the parable: “men ought always to pray

and not to faint”-

Prayer times:

Morning-Psa.5:3    Night-Psa.119:62    Noon-Psa.55:17

  “faint” =ekkakein- yield to evil

see Heb.10:35

2. The content of the parable:   2 principal figures

widow and judge

1) The judge, as a figure of authority, represents God.

Jesus uses “unjust” judge in contrast with righteous God.

“fear not God, neither regarded man” and he boasts of

this in vs. 4

2) widow- Luke speaks positively of widows 6 times

3) Apparent failed justice is often only delayed justice.

3. The instruction of the Lord  vs.6 “hear what…”

“if unrelenting persistence can move an unjust judge

to act, how much more will persistent prayer move God.”

 “avenge” –rectify a wrong    “bear long”