Shall Not God Avenge His Own Elect
Partial sermon- FULL PDF HERE
Luke 18:1-8 (text v. 7)
This parable is commonly called “the parable of the unjust judge” (v. 6). Jesus asks a couple of questions in this parable (vs. 7-8). We see five important truths taught in this parable.
It teaches something about…
I. The COMING of Christ (v. 8).
A. The SETTING is Christ’s teaching about His second coming for Israel at the end of the tribulation period. [It is not about Christ’s rapture of the church.] The context is what it will be like before He returns to set up His Kingdom (cf. 17:22-37 cf. v. 8).
1. The ones being avenged are God’s “own ELECT” (v. 7). These are Jews in the Tribulation (Isa. 45:4; 65:9; Mt. 24:22).
2. Those who refuse to take the mark of the beast will be beheaded (Rev. 20:4). Their souls continually cry out to God to be avenged (Rev. 6:9-11). At the end of tribulation period Christ will return and avenge them speedily (Dt. 32:41-43 cf. Rev. 18:20; 19:2-3).
B. The SURENESS of His coming. Not “if” He comes, but “WHEN the Son of Man cometh…” Our lives should be lived accordingly.
C. The SEARCH at Christ’s coming (v. 8). Will He find faith when He returns? The implied answer is, “not much” (cf. 17:26-30). Eight people were saved in Noah’s day, and only four out of Sodom. Instead of faith, we have apostasy today (1 Tim. 4:1).
It teaches something about…
II. The CONTINUITY of prayer (v. 1).
A. Prayer keeps us from fainting spiritually. Someone who faints has stopped praying.
The word “faint” describes a believer who is about to give up. I remember a couple of times when I fainted. It is the most helpless feeling I have ever experienced. I could feel myself passing out, but I couldn’t do anything to stop it!
That’s what it is like “to faint” spiritually. You begin to get weaker until you eventually lose “spiritual consciousness.”
B. What did Jesus mean, “men ought always to pray?” It is similar to Paul’s exhortation to “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.” You ask, “How can I “always rejoice?” The answer is “always pray.” The more you pray, the more you will rejoice.
1. “Pray without ceasing” doesn’t mean to spend all your time on your knees or go around “saying” prayers.
2. It means maintain an attitude of prayer in everything you do.
3. Live constantly in an environment or atmosphere of prayer. Prayer should be as natural as breathing. Prayer is our spiritual breath. We breathe without thinking much about it. As we breathe without ceasing, so we pray without ceasing.
4. It is living in unbroken communion and fellowship with the Lord. It is having your mind stayed on God (Isa. 26:3), at your job, in school, doing your housework, mowing your lawn, driving in your car, etc.
5. “Continue in prayer” (Col. 4:2). Prayer is more than saying words. Prayer must come from the heart. In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah prayed without saying a word out loud.
HUMOR: A mother was tucking her four year old into bed. As the little girl said her “good night” prayers her voice became very soft and faint. Then she finally said, “Amen.” Her mother gave her a hug and said, “Sweetheart, I could not hear a word you prayed.” Her daughter answered, “That’s okay, Mama… I wasn’t talking to you.”
6. Communication is the “life blood” of any relationship. When the communication is restricted, like the flow of blood being restricted from a part of our body, it will become numb. We must keep the lines of communication open between us and God 24/7 .
So, take your choice: Pray or faint.
It teaches something about…
III. The CRUELTY of our adversary (vs. 2-5)
Partial sermon- FULL PDF HERE
