Series: “Summer Stories”  Sermon: “Shameless Generosity”

Series: “Summer Stories”  Sermon: “Shameless Generosity”

Undying Faith is Constant Prayer

Constant Prayer is Undying Faith

Will this Faith be found in me?

A faith that never stops partnering with God by confessing His purpose in my day.

“If we don’t pray, we serve no purpose in God’s framework of eternity.” Charles Stanley

“Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child with God. Working hand in hand with God towards the realization of His redemptive purposes in the earth.”         Jack Hayford

Shameless  Generosity 

“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.”   Martin Luther

“Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!”    Andrew Murray

Luke 11:1-13  (ESV) “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’”

Teach us what you know about your Father that makes prayer such a value and priority in your life.

“And he said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

The Pattern 

1. Revelation Of God

2. With His Purpose In View

3. Confessing Him As Our Source

4. Embracing Forgiveness

5. Confidence In His Partnership 

The Parable

Western View:

1. The main character is the one doing the asking.

2. The results are directly linked to his impudence or persistence.

Eastern View:

1. The main character is the generous neighbour.

2. He will express shameless generosity as a matter of honour.

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves,  for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; …

Can you imagine … and the implied answer is of course not!!

Luke 14:5 “Can you imagine having a donkey fall into a pit and not immediately pulling it out, even on a Sabbath day?”

…and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?

(Who has heard of such a thing). Culture of hospitality!!!

…I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence (Avoidance of Shame) he will rise and give him whatever he needs.”

God doesn’t answer our prayers just to meet our needs or because we’re friends.

He doesn’t answer our prayers just because He loves us. (And He does)

His honour is at stake. He will hear you. He will answer you.

1 Samuel 12:22 “For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.”

Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

John 2:12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.”

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

The Promise:

Ask Seek Knock

God is shamelessly generous!!  Present (Continuous)   Imperative (Command)

Progression of intensity.

Four Ways God Answers: 1. Yes.  2. No   3. Grow    4. Flow

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Provision:

You are provided with the Person Of the Holy Spirit!

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”