Pastor Nam Park.
Luke 11:5 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yetbecause of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 “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. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Pray for Big things but also for small things.
Luke 11:5 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;
- Ask "shamelessly" like a friend.
- The story is told supposing that YOU are the main participant (the asker).
- ie. Lucille Ball was that ridiculous friend in "I Love Lucy"
- Hospitality was looked highly upon in Gospel times, once a host receives you into his home, he will protect and serve you (food). Key: Coming at the wrong time.
- It's a "loan" with no intention of paying back.
- Implication that they are good friends. The request is just coming at the wrong time.
Luke 11:7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’
- Poorer families all sleep together, in one room. Key: Inconvenience.
- Importunate; Annoyingly repetitive.
- The petitioner has some gall, because he can (he's asking a friend).
- Likewise, we can ask HIM for BIG things and also for Daily Bread. You can aks the Lord and He has the right to say "No."
- We can be audacious when asking of our Lord.
- The Lord's choicest blessings are reserved for those who keep asking of Him.
- It's about the heart and the petitioner that continues to ask.
- If it's important to us, then it's important to God.
Luke 11:9 9 “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. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.
- There is a sort of promise of action on God's part.
- "you": "you all" [plural][present tense]
- Is God obligated to us? A: Somewhat yes. He obligated Himself to our good.
Luke 11:11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?
- The child is requesting something of need: fish/egg.
- Human parents are generally good to their kids.
- The point isn't deception/mistake but paternal care.
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
- The argument goes from the lesser to the greater.
- Romans 8:15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
- Why mention the HS here? A: The Holy Spirit is the highest gift. He is the hope that never fails.
