Louie Giglio - Always Pray And Never Give Up

May 31, 2026 | 27:29

Messages of hope and redemption from Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, with Louie Giglio.

#WordofGod #Dedication/Devotion #Prayer #Truth #Giving #Wisdom #FearoftheLord #Justice #Parable #PromisesofGod #Humility #LouieGiglio #GrantPartrick

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Passion with Louie Giglio | Louie Giglio - Always Pray And Never Give Up | May 31, 2026

♪ ♪
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>> luke 18 beginning
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>> luke 18 beginning in verse 1.
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In verse 1. if you've got it, say got it.
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If you've got it, say got it. okay, for the rest of you
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Okay, for the rest of you it'll be on screen.
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It'll be on screen. beginning in verse 1,
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Beginning in verse 1, this parable is called
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This parable is called the parable of
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The parable of the persistent widow.
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The persistent widow. verse 1, "then jesus told
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His disciples a parable
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His disciples a parable to show them that they should
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To show them that they should always pray and not give up.
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Always pray and not give up. he said in a certain town
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He said in a certain town there was a judge
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There was a judge who neither feared god
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Who neither feared god nor cared what people thought.
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Nor cared what people thought. and there was a widow
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And there was a widow in that town
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In that town who kept coming to him,
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Who kept coming to him, the judge, with the plea,
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The judge, with the plea, grant me justice
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Grant me justice against my adversary.
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Against my adversary. for some time he refused,
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For some time he refused, but finally he said to himself,
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But finally he said to himself, 'even though i don't fear god
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'even though i don't fear god or care what people think,
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Or care what people think, yet because this widow
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Yet because this widow keeps bothering me,
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Keeps bothering me, i will see that she gets justice
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I will see that she gets justice so that she won't eventually
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So that she won't eventually come and attack me.'
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Come and attack me.' and the lord said, 'listen
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And the lord said, 'listen to what the unjust judge says,
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To what the unjust judge says, and will not god bring about
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And will not god bring about justice for his chosen ones
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Justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him
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Who cry out to him day and night?
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Day and night? will he keep putting them off?
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Will he keep putting them off? i tell you, red letters,
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I tell you, red letters, he will see that they
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He will see that they get justice and quickly.
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Get justice and quickly. however, when the son
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However, when the son of man comes,
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Of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
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Will he find faith on earth?" these eight verses,
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This parable really breaks down
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This parable really breaks down into three clean sections.
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Into three clean sections. the first is in verse 1,
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The first is in verse 1, he gives us the purpose
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Of the parable.
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Of the parable. and then in verses 2 through 5,
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And then in verses 2 through 5, we see the picture
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We see the picture of the parable.
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Of the parable. and then in verses 6 through 8,
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And then in verses 6 through 8, we see the promise
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We see the promise in the parable.
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In the parable. so let's look at the first one.
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The purpose of
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The purpose of the parable in verse 1.
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The parable in verse 1. this is one of the few parables
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This is one of the few parables that jesus gives us that
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That jesus gives us that comes with an explanation
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Comes with an explanation in the introduction.
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In the introduction. so we don't have to have
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So we don't have to have a seminary degree
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A seminary degree to understand what jesus
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To understand what jesus is trying to tell us
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Is trying to tell us in this text.
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In this text. he tells us, here's why
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He tells us, here's why i'm telling you this.
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I'm telling you this. so this is not one of those,
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So this is not one of those, you know, "so, what does
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You know, "so, what does this verse mean to you?"
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This verse mean to you?" which just parenthetically,
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Which just parenthetically, don't do that.
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Don't do that. i've done that,
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I've done that, we've all done that.
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We've all done that. you've been in a group,
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You've been in a group, somebody reads a few verses,
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Somebody reads a few verses, and then the question is asked,
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And then the question is asked, "what does this verse
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"what does this verse mean to you?"
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Mean to you?" well it means the same thing
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Well it means the same thing to all of us,
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To all of us, it means whatever it means.
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It means whatever it means. it doesn't have
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It doesn't have a different meaning for you
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A different meaning for you than it has for your neighbor.
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Than it has for your neighbor. it means what it means.
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It means what it means. now it might have a different
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Now it might have a different application to you than it does
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Application to you than it does to your neighbor,
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To your neighbor, but the meaning is the same.
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But the meaning is the same. and in this text,
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And in this text, the meaning is clear in verse 1.
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The meaning is clear in verse 1. then jesus told his disciples
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A parable.
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A parable. why?
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Why? to show them that
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To show them that they should always
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They should always pray and not give up.
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Pray and not give up. so reason number one,
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We should always pray.
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We should always pray. this parable, again,
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This parable, again, is called the parable
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Is called the parable of the persistent widow.
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Of the persistent widow. now two words
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Now two words i would not use to describe
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I would not use to describe most of us today
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Most of us today are persistent or patient.
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Are persistent or patient. if you think you're
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If you think you're crushing it on those two,
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Crushing it on those two, just a quick show of hands.
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Just a quick show of hands. okay, great.
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Okay, great. i was gonna give you
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I was gonna give you a third one
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A third one which was gonna be humility,
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Which was gonna be humility, but we'll just park it there.
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But we'll just park it there. okay, we are not
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Okay, we are not a persistent people,
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A persistent people, and we are not
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And we are not a patient people.
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A patient people. over 50% of
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Over 50% of new gym memberships quit
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New gym memberships quit within the first six months.
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Within the first six months. guilty.
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Guilty. we are still making
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We are still making our charitable donation
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Our charitable donation to peloton monthly.
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To peloton monthly. overall as a people,
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Overall as a people, here's what's true.
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Here's what's true. we are enthusiastic.
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We are enthusiastic. that's why when you see
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That's why when you see something on scrolling
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Something on scrolling across your feed and you think,
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Across your feed and you think, "oh i'm gonna do that."
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"oh i'm gonna do that." five weeks to whatever whatever.
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Five weeks to whatever whatever. oh yeah, i'm gonna do that.
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Oh yeah, i'm gonna do that. you do great
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You do great for a day or two days.
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For a day or two days. we're enthusiastic,
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We're enthusiastic, but we don't have
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But we don't have a lot of endurance.
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A lot of endurance. we're passionate,
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We're passionate, but we don't have
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But we don't have a lot of persistence.
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A lot of persistence. i've noticed about myself,
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I've noticed about myself, seemingly the only thing
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Seemingly the only thing i'm good at persisting in
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I'm good at persisting in are passive activities.
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Are passive activities. activities that don't require
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Activities that don't require my focus and attention.
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My focus and attention. scrolling or binging
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Scrolling or binging television shows.
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Television shows. i'm good at, i'm good
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I'm good at, i'm good at persisting at both of those.
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At persisting at both of those. and yet, in the scripture,
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And yet, in the scripture, steady and consistent investment
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Steady and consistent investment over time is the way
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Over time is the way of the faithful.
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Of the faithful. we are called to be
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We are called to be persistent in prayer.
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Persistent in prayer. to persevere in prayer.
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To persevere in prayer. paul applauds epaphras
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In colossians 4:12.
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In colossians 4:12. he says he is always wrestling
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He says he is always wrestling or laboring in prayer.
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Or laboring in prayer. so, so why?
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So, so why? why persist in prayer?
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Why persist in prayer? well back to the purpose
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Well back to the purpose of the parable.
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Of the parable. jesus told him this parable
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Jesus told him this parable that they should always pray
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And, do you see it
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And, do you see it in the text?
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In the text? and what?
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And what? and not give up.
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And not give up. and not give up.
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And not give up. or esv,
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Or esv, and not lose heart.
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And not lose heart. or king james,
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Or king james, and not grow faint.
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And not grow faint. it's in cacao.
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It's in cacao. it's to lose
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It's to lose one's motivation
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One's motivation in continuing
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In continuing a desirable pattern
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A desirable pattern of conduct or activity.
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Of conduct or activity. it is to lose enthusiasm.
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It is to lose enthusiasm. or it is to grow discouraged.
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Or it is to grow discouraged. so we are to always pray
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So we are to always pray lest we lose heart.
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Lest we lose heart. we are to always pray
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We are to always pray so that we don't quit.
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So that we don't quit. we are to always pray
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We are to always pray and not give up.
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And not give up. we are to always pray
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We are to always pray and not be discouraged.
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And not be discouraged. in this verse, i love it,
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In this verse, i love it, and maybe this is just
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And maybe this is just for someone here
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For someone here that's walking through
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That's walking through a season of discouragement.
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A season of discouragement. in this verse we see
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In this verse we see that prayer is the antidote
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That prayer is the antidote to discouragement.
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To discouragement. we persist in prayer
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We persist in prayer because we are petitioning
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Because we are petitioning the god of the impossible.
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The god of the impossible. and when all hope seems lost,
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And when all hope seems lost, we remember that we serve
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We remember that we serve the god of all hope.
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The god of all hope. second, we see the picture
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Second, we see the picture of the parable.
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Of the parable. jesus is painting a picture.
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Jesus is painting a picture. he's giving us
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An illustration
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An illustration to see the point.
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To see the point. that's what a parable is.
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That's what a parable is. "you don't understand
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"you don't understand what i'm saying?
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What i'm saying? let me give you a picture
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Let me give you a picture that you will understand,
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That you will understand, and that will help you
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And that will help you understand what i'm saying."
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Understand what i'm saying." and in this parable,
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And in this parable, he gives us,
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He gives us, there's two characters.
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There's two characters. the unjust judge
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And the persistent widow.
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And the persistent widow. look what it says in verse 2.
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"in a certain town,
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"in a certain town, there was a judge
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There was a judge who neither feared god
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Who neither feared god nor cared what people thought.
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Nor cared what people thought. and there was a widow
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And there was a widow in that town
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In that town who kept coming to him
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Who kept coming to him with the plea,
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With the plea, 'grant me justice
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'grant me justice against my adversary.'"
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Against my adversary.'" now this is the worst kind
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Now this is the worst kind of judge you can have.
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This is actually the worst kind
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This is actually the worst kind of human being there can be.
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Of human being there can be. he's described by two things.
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He's described by two things. he doesn't fear god,
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He doesn't fear god, and he has no regard
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And he has no regard or respect for people.
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Or respect for people. you're like, "bro,
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You're like, "bro, i think you are
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I think you are in the wrong line of work."
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In the wrong line of work." right?
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Right? these should be
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These should be a given for a judge.
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A given for a judge. we talked about jehoshaphat
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We talked about jehoshaphat a few weeks ago
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A few weeks ago in this collection.
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In this collection. well, in 2nd chronicles 19:6,
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Well, in 2nd chronicles 19:6, when jehoshaphat is
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When jehoshaphat is appointing judges,
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Appointing judges, he tells them,
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He tells them, "consider what you are
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"consider what you are doing for you judge
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Doing for you judge not on behalf of human beings,
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Not on behalf of human beings, but on the lord's behalf."
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But on the lord's behalf." yet the unjust judge
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Yet the unjust judge represents the rebellious,
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Represents the rebellious, the heartless, shameless,
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The heartless, shameless, and dishonorable.
00:07:33.244 --> 00:07:33.744
And dishonorable. you've heard it said,
00:07:33.811 --> 00:07:35.446
You've heard it said, maybe, hopefully,
00:07:35.513 --> 00:07:36.213
Maybe, hopefully, unless you're an attorney
00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:37.081
Unless you're an attorney or a judge,
00:07:37.147 --> 00:07:37.615
Or a judge, that you haven't been
00:07:37.681 --> 00:07:38.148
That you haven't been in a lot of courtrooms.
00:07:38.215 --> 00:07:38.916
In a lot of courtrooms. but have you been or watched
00:07:38.983 --> 00:07:40.684
But have you been or watched some of these shows
00:07:40.751 --> 00:07:41.485
Some of these shows that we tend to binge watch.
00:07:41.552 --> 00:07:44.054
That we tend to binge watch. when a judge is introduced,
00:07:44.121 --> 00:07:44.989
When a judge is introduced, they're also,
00:07:45.055 --> 00:07:45.856
They're also, they're oftentimes introduced
00:07:45.923 --> 00:07:46.891
They're oftentimes introduced as the...
00:07:46.957 --> 00:07:48.092
As the... >> congregation: honorable.
00:07:48.158 --> 00:07:48.893
>> congregation: honorable. >> not so with this judge.
00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:50.694
>> not so with this judge. he's a dishonorable judge.
00:07:50.761 --> 00:07:52.930
He's a dishonorable judge. he's a corrupt judge.
00:07:52.997 --> 00:07:55.065
He's a corrupt judge. and then we're introduced
00:07:55.132 --> 00:07:56.734
And then we're introduced to this desperate,
00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:58.536
To this desperate, persistent widow.
00:07:58.602 --> 00:08:00.170
Persistent widow. verse 3, she keeps coming
00:08:00.237 --> 00:08:01.138
Verse 3, she keeps coming to this judge
00:08:01.205 --> 00:08:02.006
To this judge and pleading with him,
00:08:02.072 --> 00:08:03.007
And pleading with him, begging with him,
00:08:03.073 --> 00:08:04.041
Begging with him, pestering him,
00:08:04.108 --> 00:08:04.475
Pestering him, "grant me justice against
00:08:04.542 --> 00:08:05.409
"grant me justice against my adversary,"
00:08:05.476 --> 00:08:06.610
My adversary," asking for legal protection
00:08:06.677 --> 00:08:08.412
Asking for legal protection against her opponent.
00:08:08.479 --> 00:08:09.380
Against her opponent. that's what she's doing.
00:08:09.446 --> 00:08:10.714
That's what she's doing. she's been wronged in some way,
00:08:10.781 --> 00:08:13.183
She's been wronged in some way, and she's seeking justice.
00:08:13.250 --> 00:08:14.785
And she's seeking justice. that is rightfully hers.
00:08:14.852 --> 00:08:16.954
That is rightfully hers. we don't know
00:08:17.021 --> 00:08:17.354
We don't know how she's been wronged.
00:08:17.421 --> 00:08:18.322
How she's been wronged. likely, she's been
00:08:18.389 --> 00:08:19.156
Likely, she's been defrauded financially.
00:08:19.223 --> 00:08:21.525
Defrauded financially. she's destitute
00:08:21.592 --> 00:08:22.326
She's destitute in more ways than one.
00:08:22.393 --> 00:08:24.161
In more ways than one. she doesn't have anything
00:08:24.228 --> 00:08:25.362
She doesn't have anything to her name.
00:08:25.429 --> 00:08:26.297
To her name. that's why she's here
00:08:26.363 --> 00:08:27.364
That's why she's here pleading her case.
00:08:27.431 --> 00:08:29.233
Pleading her case. the fact that she continually
00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:32.536
The fact that she continually keeps coming shows us
00:08:32.603 --> 00:08:33.537
Keeps coming shows us how bad of a spot she's in.
00:08:33.604 --> 00:08:35.239
How bad of a spot she's in. but it's also meant
00:08:35.306 --> 00:08:36.473
But it's also meant to stick out to you and i
00:08:36.540 --> 00:08:37.708
To stick out to you and i that when she comes,
00:08:37.775 --> 00:08:38.943
That when she comes, she comes alone.
00:08:39.009 --> 00:08:41.912
She comes alone. this was very rare at the time.
00:08:41.979 --> 00:08:43.814
This was very rare at the time. the courts were for the men,
00:08:43.881 --> 00:08:45.849
The courts were for the men, almost exclusively.
00:08:45.916 --> 00:08:48.352
Almost exclusively. the only time a woman
00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:49.320
The only time a woman would come into the courts
00:08:49.386 --> 00:08:51.188
Would come into the courts is if there was no man
00:08:51.255 --> 00:08:52.856
Is if there was no man in her life to represent her
00:08:52.923 --> 00:08:56.160
In her life to represent her and plead her case.
00:08:56.226 --> 00:08:58.062
And plead her case. and this woman keeps
00:08:58.128 --> 00:08:59.396
And this woman keeps coming by herself.
00:08:59.463 --> 00:09:01.065
Coming by herself. she's got no man
00:09:01.131 --> 00:09:02.199
She's got no man in her family.
00:09:02.266 --> 00:09:02.900
In her family. she's a widow.
00:09:02.967 --> 00:09:03.500
She's a widow. we know she doesn't
00:09:03.567 --> 00:09:04.234
We know she doesn't have a husband,
00:09:04.301 --> 00:09:05.970
Have a husband, but she has no man
00:09:06.036 --> 00:09:06.737
But she has no man that can come
00:09:06.804 --> 00:09:07.671
That can come and plead her case.
00:09:07.738 --> 00:09:08.439
And plead her case. no father, apparently.
00:09:08.505 --> 00:09:10.708
No father, apparently. no son,
00:09:10.774 --> 00:09:12.443
No son, no brother,
00:09:12.509 --> 00:09:13.644
No brother, no brother-in-law,
00:09:13.711 --> 00:09:14.912
No brother-in-law, no nephew,
00:09:14.979 --> 00:09:16.013
No nephew, no cousin, nobody.
00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.282
No cousin, nobody. she is all alone.
00:09:18.349 --> 00:09:20.050
She is all alone. she is downtrodden,
00:09:20.117 --> 00:09:21.385
She is downtrodden, powerless, lonely,
00:09:21.452 --> 00:09:23.287
Powerless, lonely, neglected, abandoned.
00:09:23.354 --> 00:09:26.357
Neglected, abandoned. some might say desperate.
00:09:26.423 --> 00:09:30.127
Some might say desperate. and the only weapon
00:09:30.194 --> 00:09:31.495
And the only weapon she has in her arsenal
00:09:31.562 --> 00:09:35.432
She has in her arsenal is persistence.
00:09:35.499 --> 00:09:37.468
Is persistence. i'll keep showing up.
00:09:37.534 --> 00:09:39.003
I'll keep showing up. i'll keep showing up.
00:09:39.069 --> 00:09:39.937
I'll keep showing up. and somebody in this room,
00:09:40.004 --> 00:09:41.171
And somebody in this room, somebody online today,
00:09:41.238 --> 00:09:41.972
Somebody online today, you feel like
00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:42.573
You feel like that's all you have.
00:09:42.640 --> 00:09:44.308
That's all you have. i don't have a way
00:09:44.375 --> 00:09:45.342
I don't have a way to work out the solution.
00:09:45.409 --> 00:09:46.577
To work out the solution. i don't have anything
00:09:46.644 --> 00:09:47.811
I don't have anything to bring to the table.
00:09:47.878 --> 00:09:48.779
To bring to the table. i don't have any resources
00:09:48.846 --> 00:09:50.047
I don't have any resources to help this solution.
00:09:50.114 --> 00:09:51.015
To help this solution. i don't know
00:09:51.081 --> 00:09:51.749
I don't know how to move forward.
00:09:51.815 --> 00:09:52.416
How to move forward. all i have is the faith
00:09:52.483 --> 00:09:53.917
All i have is the faith to show up again tomorrow,
00:09:53.984 --> 00:09:55.219
To show up again tomorrow, to continue to be persistent.
00:09:55.285 --> 00:09:56.687
To continue to be persistent. and if i can just
00:09:56.754 --> 00:09:57.388
And if i can just encourage you today,
00:09:57.454 --> 00:09:58.589
Encourage you today, that'll probably be enough.
00:09:58.656 --> 00:10:00.958
That'll probably be enough. just your persistence
00:10:01.025 --> 00:10:02.026
Just your persistence to keep showing up
00:10:02.092 --> 00:10:03.494
To keep showing up and showing up
00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:04.228
And showing up and showing up
00:10:04.294 --> 00:10:05.396
And showing up and showing up.
00:10:05.462 --> 00:10:06.897
And showing up. in verse 4, it says,
00:10:06.964 --> 00:10:08.098
In verse 4, it says, "the judge for some time,
00:10:08.165 --> 00:10:10.267
"the judge for some time, as this woman came
00:10:10.334 --> 00:10:11.235
As this woman came and pleaded her case
00:10:11.301 --> 00:10:12.036
And pleaded her case for some time,
00:10:12.102 --> 00:10:12.770
For some time, it says the judge refused.
00:10:12.836 --> 00:10:14.571
It says the judge refused. and then he finally said
00:10:14.638 --> 00:10:15.906
And then he finally said to himself, 'even though
00:10:15.973 --> 00:10:16.540
To himself, 'even though i don't care about what god says
00:10:16.607 --> 00:10:18.208
I don't care about what god says and i don't care about
00:10:18.275 --> 00:10:19.043
And i don't care about what people think about me,
00:10:19.109 --> 00:10:20.010
What people think about me, because this woman
00:10:20.077 --> 00:10:21.945
Because this woman keeps bothering me,
00:10:22.012 --> 00:10:23.480
Keeps bothering me, keeps pestering me,
00:10:23.547 --> 00:10:25.416
Keeps pestering me, i guess i'll give her justice
00:10:25.482 --> 00:10:27.851
I guess i'll give her justice so that she won't
00:10:27.918 --> 00:10:28.485
So that she won't eventually come
00:10:28.552 --> 00:10:29.353
Eventually come and attack me."
00:10:29.420 --> 00:10:29.720
And attack me." verse 4, it says,
00:10:29.787 --> 00:10:30.954
Verse 4, it says, "he refused for some time."
00:10:31.021 --> 00:10:32.823
"he refused for some time." multiple times he dismissed her.
00:10:32.890 --> 00:10:35.225
Multiple times he dismissed her. "this case does nothing for me.
00:10:35.292 --> 00:10:38.028
"this case does nothing for me. it doesn't make my resume
00:10:38.095 --> 00:10:39.129
It doesn't make my resume more impressive.
00:10:39.196 --> 00:10:39.830
More impressive. there's nothing for me
00:10:39.897 --> 00:10:40.531
There's nothing for me to gain here.
00:10:40.597 --> 00:10:41.799
To gain here. it doesn't improve my resume
00:10:41.865 --> 00:10:43.534
It doesn't improve my resume and it doesn't line my pockets,
00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:45.636
And it doesn't line my pockets, so i'm uninterested."
00:10:45.703 --> 00:10:47.204
So i'm uninterested." but this woman is relentless.
00:10:47.271 --> 00:10:52.676
But this woman is relentless. she is persistent
00:10:52.743 --> 00:10:55.012
She is persistent in petitioning this judge
00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:56.880
In petitioning this judge for what she knows
00:10:56.947 --> 00:10:57.948
For what she knows is rightly hers.
00:10:58.015 --> 00:11:00.184
Is rightly hers. she will not let this go.
00:11:00.250 --> 00:11:01.985
She will not let this go. she is persistent,
00:11:02.052 --> 00:11:03.721
She is persistent, and he finally caves.
00:11:03.787 --> 00:11:06.390
And he finally caves. he finally gives in,
00:11:06.457 --> 00:11:08.125
He finally gives in, and so this woman
00:11:08.192 --> 00:11:08.826
And so this woman keeps bothering him,
00:11:08.892 --> 00:11:09.593
Keeps bothering him, keeps bothering him,
00:11:09.660 --> 00:11:10.527
Keeps bothering him, and finally
00:11:10.594 --> 00:11:10.828
And finally she's granted justice.
00:11:10.894 --> 00:11:11.862
She's granted justice. and the third thing
00:11:11.929 --> 00:11:13.130
And the third thing i want you to see
00:11:13.197 --> 00:11:13.931
I want you to see is the promise in the parable.
00:11:13.997 --> 00:11:15.432
Is the promise in the parable. what's the point?
00:11:15.499 --> 00:11:16.633
What's the point? what are we to take away
00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.367
What are we to take away from this parable?
00:11:17.434 --> 00:11:18.569
From this parable? and you see it beginning
00:11:18.635 --> 00:11:19.636
And you see it beginning in verse 6, "the lord said,
00:11:19.703 --> 00:11:20.771
'listen to what the unjust judge
00:11:20.871 --> 00:11:21.872
'listen to what the unjust judge says, and will not god
00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:24.007
Says, and will not god bring about justice
00:11:24.074 --> 00:11:24.975
Bring about justice for his chosen ones
00:11:25.042 --> 00:11:25.876
For his chosen ones who cry out to him
00:11:25.943 --> 00:11:26.543
Who cry out to him day and night?
00:11:26.610 --> 00:11:28.112
Day and night? will he keep delaying?
00:11:28.178 --> 00:11:29.480
Will he keep delaying? will he keep putting them off?
00:11:29.546 --> 00:11:31.415
Will he keep putting them off? i tell you, he will see that
00:11:31.482 --> 00:11:32.349
I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.
00:11:32.416 --> 00:11:33.617
They get justice, and quickly. however, when the son of man
00:11:33.684 --> 00:11:34.685
However, when the son of man comes, will he find
00:11:34.752 --> 00:11:36.420
Comes, will he find faith on earth?"
00:11:36.487 --> 00:11:37.855
Faith on earth?" now, i remember reading
00:11:37.921 --> 00:11:38.489
Now, i remember reading this parable for a while,
00:11:38.555 --> 00:11:40.390
And i would be
00:11:40.491 --> 00:11:41.125
And i would be a little bit confused,
00:11:41.191 --> 00:11:42.159
A little bit confused, because i'm like, wait,
00:11:42.226 --> 00:11:42.860
Because i'm like, wait, okay, jesus is giving us
00:11:42.926 --> 00:11:43.994
A picture of something
00:11:44.094 --> 00:11:44.762
A picture of something that's true,
00:11:44.828 --> 00:11:45.496
That's true, but it's of an unjust judge.
00:11:45.562 --> 00:11:46.463
But it's of an unjust judge. i don't think he's
00:11:46.530 --> 00:11:47.197
I don't think he's an unjust judge.
00:11:47.264 --> 00:11:48.065
An unjust judge. i think he's a just judge.
00:11:48.132 --> 00:11:48.866
I think he's a just judge. how are we to make sense
00:11:48.932 --> 00:11:49.666
How are we to make sense of all this?
00:11:49.733 --> 00:11:50.400
Of all this? well, this parable contains
00:11:50.467 --> 00:11:51.835
Well, this parable contains both a parable of contrast
00:11:51.902 --> 00:11:54.004
Both a parable of contrast and a parable of comparison.
00:11:54.071 --> 00:11:56.140
And a parable of comparison. there is nothing to compare
00:11:56.206 --> 00:11:57.608
There is nothing to compare about god and the unjust judge,
00:11:57.674 --> 00:12:00.110
Other than the fact that they
00:12:00.210 --> 00:12:01.211
Other than the fact that they both hold the office of judge.
00:12:01.278 --> 00:12:03.313
Both hold the office of judge. that's about it.
00:12:03.380 --> 00:12:04.214
That's about it. that's the only similarity
00:12:04.281 --> 00:12:05.582
That's the only similarity that they have.
00:12:05.649 --> 00:12:06.750
That they have. now, this earthly judge's domain
00:12:06.817 --> 00:12:08.952
Now, this earthly judge's domain is a particular city,
00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.620
Is a particular city, and he rules over it unfairly
00:12:09.686 --> 00:12:11.822
And he rules over it unfairly and unjustly and corruptly.
00:12:11.889 --> 00:12:13.957
And unjustly and corruptly. but god rules righteously
00:12:14.024 --> 00:12:16.527
But god rules righteously and perfectly over all creation.
00:12:16.593 --> 00:12:19.696
And perfectly over all creation. this is meant to be held
00:12:19.763 --> 00:12:20.931
This is meant to be held in contrast, right?
00:12:20.998 --> 00:12:22.299
In contrast, right? the widow appealed to a corrupt
00:12:22.366 --> 00:12:24.668
The widow appealed to a corrupt and cold-hearted judge.
00:12:24.735 --> 00:12:26.170
And cold-hearted judge. we appeal to a loving
00:12:26.236 --> 00:12:28.238
We appeal to a loving and merciful heavenly father.
00:12:28.305 --> 00:12:30.407
And merciful heavenly father. this widow approached the bench.
00:12:30.474 --> 00:12:32.209
This widow approached the bench. we approach the throne.
00:12:32.276 --> 00:12:34.311
We approach the throne. the judge was bothered
00:12:34.378 --> 00:12:35.813
The judge was bothered by her persistence.
00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:36.980
By her persistence. god demands that we pray
00:12:37.047 --> 00:12:39.049
God demands that we pray without ceasing, right?
00:12:39.116 --> 00:12:40.551
Without ceasing, right? tim keller says this,
00:12:40.617 --> 00:12:41.919
Tim keller says this, i love this quote.
00:12:41.985 --> 00:12:42.886
I love this quote. "the only person who dares
00:12:42.953 --> 00:12:44.755
"the only person who dares wake up a king at 3 a.m.
00:12:44.822 --> 00:12:46.390
Wake up a king at 3 a.m. for a glass of water
00:12:46.456 --> 00:12:48.225
For a glass of water is a child."
00:12:48.292 --> 00:12:50.093
Is a child." and we have that kind
00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:51.695
And we have that kind of access.
00:12:51.762 --> 00:12:52.996
Of access. somebody needs
00:12:53.063 --> 00:12:53.363
Somebody needs to hear that today.
00:12:53.430 --> 00:12:54.331
To hear that today. you are not bothering god
00:12:54.398 --> 00:12:56.333
You are not bothering god by showing up again today
00:12:56.400 --> 00:12:57.901
By showing up again today and asking him for
00:12:57.968 --> 00:12:59.002
And asking him for the same thing
00:12:59.069 --> 00:12:59.870
The same thing you asked him for yesterday.
00:12:59.937 --> 00:13:01.872
You asked him for yesterday. that is not a waste of his time.
00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.473
That is not a waste of his time. that expresses faith and trust
00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:05.742
That expresses faith and trust and confidence in him,
00:13:05.809 --> 00:13:07.110
And confidence in him, and he invites it.
00:13:07.177 --> 00:13:09.446
And he invites it. you're not a bother to him.
00:13:09.513 --> 00:13:11.148
You're not a bother to him. this persistent widow
00:13:11.215 --> 00:13:12.816
This persistent widow got justice.
00:13:12.883 --> 00:13:13.851
Got justice. we get mercy.
00:13:13.917 --> 00:13:16.153
We get mercy. so the point is,
00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:17.321
So the point is, if this unjust judge
00:13:17.387 --> 00:13:18.589
If this unjust judge who cares nothing at all
00:13:18.655 --> 00:13:19.823
Who cares nothing at all about this woman
00:13:19.890 --> 00:13:20.891
About this woman will grant her justice,
00:13:20.958 --> 00:13:22.192
Will grant her justice, then how much more will
00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:25.028
Then how much more will we receive from a loving god
00:13:25.095 --> 00:13:27.197
We receive from a loving god who is perfect
00:13:27.264 --> 00:13:27.998
Who is perfect and just and merciful
00:13:28.065 --> 00:13:29.333
And just and merciful towards his children?
00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.734
Towards his children? it's an argument from
00:13:30.801 --> 00:13:31.735
It's an argument from the lesser to the greater.
00:13:31.802 --> 00:13:33.103
The lesser to the greater. if this is true,
00:13:33.170 --> 00:13:34.271
If this is true, how much more true
00:13:34.338 --> 00:13:35.873
How much more true will it be for his children?
00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:38.575
Will it be for his children? and yet in it there is
00:13:38.642 --> 00:13:39.877
And yet in it there is a parable of comparison.
00:13:39.943 --> 00:13:41.511
A parable of comparison. the comparison in the text,
00:13:41.578 --> 00:13:44.214
The comparison in the text, though we don't often like
00:13:44.281 --> 00:13:45.515
Though we don't often like to hear it, is that
00:13:45.582 --> 00:13:47.818
To hear it, is that you and i are the widow.
00:13:47.885 --> 00:13:51.822
You and i are the widow. that that's who we are
00:13:51.889 --> 00:13:53.323
That that's who we are in the story.
00:13:53.390 --> 00:13:54.691
In the story. the woman has an adversary,
00:13:54.758 --> 00:13:57.694
The woman has an adversary, an enemy, an opponent,
00:13:57.761 --> 00:14:00.964
An enemy, an opponent, and she is helpless against him.
00:14:01.031 --> 00:14:04.935
And she is helpless against him. she is no match for him.
00:14:05.002 --> 00:14:07.204
She is no match for him. her only chance at justice
00:14:07.271 --> 00:14:09.306
Her only chance at justice is to solicit the help
00:14:09.373 --> 00:14:10.540
Is to solicit the help of an unjust judge.
00:14:10.607 --> 00:14:13.010
Of an unjust judge. and we too, you and me,
00:14:13.076 --> 00:14:16.446
And we too, you and me, have an enemy.
00:14:16.513 --> 00:14:18.081
Have an enemy. do you know that?
00:14:18.148 --> 00:14:19.583
Do you know that? john 10:10 tells us that
00:14:19.650 --> 00:14:22.152
John 10:10 tells us that our enemy came to steal
00:14:22.219 --> 00:14:24.021
Our enemy came to steal and to kill and to destroy us.
00:14:24.087 --> 00:14:26.823
And to kill and to destroy us. you need to be aware
00:14:26.890 --> 00:14:27.624
You need to be aware of that today.
00:14:27.691 --> 00:14:28.792
Of that today. many of us don't pray
00:14:28.859 --> 00:14:30.093
Many of us don't pray because we aren't aware
00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:31.028
Because we aren't aware of that reality.
00:14:31.094 --> 00:14:31.395
Of that reality. i love the way that john piper
00:14:31.461 --> 00:14:32.663
I love the way that john piper has said this.
00:14:32.729 --> 00:14:33.497
Has said this. until we believe
00:14:33.563 --> 00:14:34.498
Until we believe that life is war,
00:14:34.564 --> 00:14:36.033
That life is war, we will not know
00:14:36.099 --> 00:14:36.934
We will not know what prayer is for.
00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:40.270
What prayer is for. prayer is our weapon
00:14:40.337 --> 00:14:42.406
Prayer is our weapon against the darkness.
00:14:42.472 --> 00:14:44.207
Against the darkness. we have an enemy,
00:14:44.274 --> 00:14:45.108
We have an enemy, namely satan,
00:14:45.175 --> 00:14:46.176
Namely satan, and we are no match
00:14:46.243 --> 00:14:47.878
And we are no match for him on our own.
00:14:47.945 --> 00:14:49.680
For him on our own. but our hope lies
00:14:49.746 --> 00:14:50.681
But our hope lies not in an unjust judge,
00:14:50.747 --> 00:14:51.848
Not in an unjust judge, but in a righteous,
00:14:51.915 --> 00:14:53.216
But in a righteous, holy, sovereign, merciful,
00:14:53.283 --> 00:14:55.552
Holy, sovereign, merciful, and loving judge
00:14:55.619 --> 00:14:57.020
And loving judge who will crush his head
00:14:57.087 --> 00:14:58.522
Who will crush his head under his foot.
00:14:58.588 --> 00:15:00.791
Under his foot. and we have the privilege
00:15:00.857 --> 00:15:03.961
And we have the privilege of communing and communicating
00:15:04.027 --> 00:15:07.064
Of communing and communicating with this god through prayer.
00:15:07.130 --> 00:15:07.898
With this god through prayer. samuel chadwick
00:15:07.965 --> 00:15:08.899
Samuel chadwick said it this way,
00:15:08.966 --> 00:15:09.800
Said it this way, "satan dreads nothing
00:15:09.866 --> 00:15:11.702
"satan dreads nothing but prayer.
00:15:11.768 --> 00:15:13.470
But prayer. his one concern is
00:15:13.537 --> 00:15:15.238
His one concern is to keep the saints
00:15:15.305 --> 00:15:16.406
To keep the saints from praying."
00:15:16.473 --> 00:15:17.941
From praying." listen to this,
00:15:18.008 --> 00:15:19.242
Listen to this, "he fears nothing
00:15:19.309 --> 00:15:20.610
"he fears nothing from your prayerless studies,
00:15:20.677 --> 00:15:22.512
From your prayerless studies, prayerless work,
00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:24.314
Prayerless work, prayerless religion.
00:15:24.381 --> 00:15:25.949
Prayerless religion. he laughs at our toil,
00:15:26.016 --> 00:15:28.418
He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom,
00:15:28.485 --> 00:15:31.121
He mocks our wisdom, but oh how he trembles
00:15:31.188 --> 00:15:32.856
But oh how he trembles when we pray."
00:15:32.923 --> 00:15:36.760
When we pray." so what's the promise?
00:15:36.827 --> 00:15:38.795
So what's the promise? you're like, "man,
00:15:38.862 --> 00:15:39.596
You're like, "man, i'm on the edge of --
00:15:39.663 --> 00:15:40.497
I'm on the edge of -- this whole thing was
00:15:40.564 --> 00:15:41.565
This whole thing was so that we would always pray
00:15:41.631 --> 00:15:42.933
So that we would always pray and not lose heart.
00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.600
And not lose heart. there are many people
00:15:43.667 --> 00:15:44.534
There are many people in this room today,
00:15:44.601 --> 00:15:45.535
In this room today, many people online today,
00:15:45.602 --> 00:15:46.970
Many people online today, you're going, "i am on
00:15:47.037 --> 00:15:48.171
You're going, "i am on the verge of losing heart.
00:15:48.238 --> 00:15:49.673
The verge of losing heart. i am about to cash it in.
00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.841
I am about to cash it in. i'm about to give up hope.
00:15:50.907 --> 00:15:52.109
I'm about to give up hope. i'm right there.
00:15:52.175 --> 00:15:53.276
I'm right there. so give me a promise
00:15:53.343 --> 00:15:54.444
So give me a promise that i can hold on to."
00:15:54.511 --> 00:15:56.013
That i can hold on to." all week this week,
00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:56.880
All week this week, my heart has been so heavy
00:15:56.947 --> 00:15:58.548
My heart has been so heavy for parents who raised your kids
00:15:58.615 --> 00:16:02.019
For parents who raised your kids in the church.
00:16:02.085 --> 00:16:03.286
In the church. you've been in church,
00:16:03.353 --> 00:16:04.588
You've been in church, you've been praying for them,
00:16:04.654 --> 00:16:06.123
You've been praying for them, you've been depositing
00:16:06.189 --> 00:16:07.124
You've been depositing the truth of god in them.
00:16:07.190 --> 00:16:08.492
The truth of god in them. you sent them to camps,
00:16:08.558 --> 00:16:10.127
You sent them to camps, you did bible studies at night,
00:16:10.193 --> 00:16:12.596
You did bible studies at night, you prayed with them
00:16:12.662 --> 00:16:13.330
You prayed with them before bedtime,
00:16:13.397 --> 00:16:14.197
Before bedtime, and maybe you got one kid
00:16:14.264 --> 00:16:15.565
And maybe you got one kid that's following the lord
00:16:15.632 --> 00:16:16.833
That's following the lord and you got one that's
00:16:16.900 --> 00:16:17.701
And you got one that's very far away from him
00:16:17.768 --> 00:16:19.436
Very far away from him and has no interest in him.
00:16:19.503 --> 00:16:21.738
And has no interest in him. and honestly,
00:16:21.805 --> 00:16:23.206
And honestly, for a lot of years,
00:16:23.273 --> 00:16:24.274
For a lot of years, you pleaded with god
00:16:24.341 --> 00:16:25.609
You pleaded with god day after day,
00:16:25.675 --> 00:16:26.777
Day after day, morning after morning,
00:16:26.843 --> 00:16:28.545
Morning after morning, your tears became your food
00:16:28.612 --> 00:16:30.514
Your tears became your food and you pleaded with god,
00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:32.082
And you pleaded with god, "please would you intervene."
00:16:32.149 --> 00:16:35.786
"please would you intervene." and yet somewhere along the way,
00:16:35.852 --> 00:16:37.721
And yet somewhere along the way, day after day after day,
00:16:37.788 --> 00:16:40.757
Day after day after day, turned your heart calloused
00:16:40.824 --> 00:16:43.593
Turned your heart calloused and you just lost hope.
00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:47.564
And you just lost hope. there are people in this room
00:16:47.631 --> 00:16:48.532
There are people in this room today who for years have been
00:16:48.598 --> 00:16:50.700
Today who for years have been trying to have a child.
00:16:50.767 --> 00:16:54.004
Trying to have a child. and every time you
00:16:54.071 --> 00:16:56.106
And every time you take the test, you prayed,
00:16:56.173 --> 00:16:58.842
Take the test, you prayed, you believed, and somehow
00:16:58.909 --> 00:17:00.677
You believed, and somehow the results keep
00:17:00.744 --> 00:17:01.678
The results keep coming back negative.
00:17:01.745 --> 00:17:04.448
Coming back negative. what is the promise
00:17:04.514 --> 00:17:05.082
What is the promise in this text?
00:17:05.148 --> 00:17:06.883
In this text? for some of you,
00:17:06.950 --> 00:17:07.918
For some of you, you just have so much doubt.
00:17:07.984 --> 00:17:11.321
It's fogging
00:17:12.289 --> 00:17:12.689
It's fogging your whole worldview,
00:17:12.756 --> 00:17:14.124
Your whole worldview, it's fogging
00:17:14.191 --> 00:17:14.591
It's fogging your whole view of god.
00:17:14.658 --> 00:17:15.926
Your whole view of god. and you've been praying
00:17:15.992 --> 00:17:16.827
And you've been praying and praying and praying
00:17:16.893 --> 00:17:17.761
And praying and praying and praying.
00:17:17.828 --> 00:17:18.628
And praying. what's the promise
00:17:18.695 --> 00:17:19.396
What's the promise in this text?
00:17:19.463 --> 00:17:20.764
In this text? do you have health stuff
00:17:20.831 --> 00:17:21.531
Do you have health stuff going on?
00:17:21.598 --> 00:17:21.932
Going on? what's the promise
00:17:21.998 --> 00:17:22.999
What's the promise in this text?
00:17:23.066 --> 00:17:23.633
In this text? you got dreams
00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.568
You got dreams that seem to be dashed.
00:17:24.634 --> 00:17:27.571
That seem to be dashed. is the promise
00:17:27.637 --> 00:17:28.071
Is the promise that if we pray,
00:17:28.138 --> 00:17:29.039
That if we pray, is the point of the parable
00:17:29.106 --> 00:17:30.774
Is the point of the parable that if we pray
00:17:30.841 --> 00:17:32.309
That if we pray and we don't quit,
00:17:32.375 --> 00:17:33.510
And we don't quit, we will get what we want
00:17:33.577 --> 00:17:35.011
We will get what we want when we want it?
00:17:35.078 --> 00:17:37.414
When we want it? i wish.
00:17:37.481 --> 00:17:39.149
I wish. i wish i could tell you that.
00:17:39.216 --> 00:17:41.518
I wish i could tell you that. but no, it's not.
00:17:41.585 --> 00:17:42.886
But no, it's not. context is always critical
00:17:42.953 --> 00:17:44.254
Context is always critical when you read your scripture.
00:17:44.321 --> 00:17:46.056
When you read your scripture. and just before jesus
00:17:46.123 --> 00:17:47.257
And just before jesus gives us this parable,
00:17:47.324 --> 00:17:48.625
Gives us this parable, he's talking about
00:17:48.692 --> 00:17:49.292
He's talking about a second coming.
00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.660
A second coming. he says he's gonna
00:17:50.727 --> 00:17:51.161
He says he's gonna come like lightning
00:17:51.228 --> 00:17:52.028
Come like lightning and light up the sky.
00:17:52.095 --> 00:17:54.464
And light up the sky. isn't that awesome?
00:17:54.531 --> 00:17:56.032
Isn't that awesome? and into that picture,
00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:57.934
And into that picture, jesus drops this parable.
00:17:58.001 --> 00:17:59.736
Jesus drops this parable. here's the point.
00:17:59.803 --> 00:18:01.104
Here's the point. jesus is going to make
00:18:01.171 --> 00:18:04.207
Jesus is going to make all things right.
00:18:04.274 --> 00:18:08.211
All things right. he will bring about justice
00:18:08.278 --> 00:18:11.248
He will bring about justice for those he loves.
00:18:11.314 --> 00:18:15.218
For those he loves. revelation 21 says it this way,
00:18:15.285 --> 00:18:16.553
Revelation 21 says it this way, "he's gonna wipe away
00:18:16.620 --> 00:18:17.654
Every tear from their eyes.
00:18:17.754 --> 00:18:19.623
Every tear from their eyes. there will be no more death
00:18:19.689 --> 00:18:20.524
There will be no more death or mourning or crying
00:18:20.590 --> 00:18:21.558
Or mourning or crying or pain for the old order
00:18:21.625 --> 00:18:22.959
Or pain for the old order of things has passed away."
00:18:23.026 --> 00:18:24.461
Of things has passed away." so hear me when i say this,
00:18:24.528 --> 00:18:25.562
I don't know when,
00:18:25.662 --> 00:18:28.532
I don't know when, i don't know how.
00:18:28.598 --> 00:18:31.101
I don't know how. like if you're sick
00:18:31.168 --> 00:18:32.369
Like if you're sick and you're in this room today
00:18:32.435 --> 00:18:33.603
And you're in this room today and you're reading this text
00:18:33.670 --> 00:18:34.504
And you're reading this text and you're going, "okay,
00:18:34.571 --> 00:18:35.472
And you're going, "okay, if i pray and if i keep praying,
00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:37.574
If i pray and if i keep praying, i'm gonna get healed."
00:18:37.641 --> 00:18:38.942
I'm gonna get healed." and i would go, amen.
00:18:39.009 --> 00:18:41.077
And i would go, amen. i don't know
00:18:41.144 --> 00:18:41.711
I don't know when you're going
00:18:41.778 --> 00:18:42.212
When you're going to get healed.
00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.779
To get healed. i don't know if it's going
00:18:42.846 --> 00:18:43.513
I don't know if it's going to be on this side of heaven
00:18:43.580 --> 00:18:44.681
To be on this side of heaven or on that side of heaven.
00:18:44.748 --> 00:18:46.049
Or on that side of heaven. i don't know if it's today
00:18:46.116 --> 00:18:47.517
I don't know if it's today or if it's in eternity.
00:18:47.584 --> 00:18:48.685
Or if it's in eternity. i don't know if you're gonna
00:18:48.752 --> 00:18:50.820
I don't know if you're gonna lose your battle with cancer
00:18:50.887 --> 00:18:52.522
Lose your battle with cancer on this side of eternity
00:18:52.589 --> 00:18:53.990
On this side of eternity or whether cancer is gonna lose
00:18:54.057 --> 00:18:55.559
Or whether cancer is gonna lose its battle with you
00:18:55.625 --> 00:18:56.393
Its battle with you on its side of eternity.
00:18:56.459 --> 00:18:57.561
On its side of eternity. but what i do know is true
00:18:57.627 --> 00:18:59.062
But what i do know is true is your healings coming,
00:18:59.129 --> 00:19:01.565
Is your healings coming, your healings coming
00:19:01.631 --> 00:19:02.933
Your healings coming because you will,
00:19:02.999 --> 00:19:04.067
Because you will, for those who die in christ,
00:19:04.134 --> 00:19:05.735
For those who die in christ, what's the song we sing?
00:19:05.802 --> 00:19:06.803
What's the song we sing? death is just a doorway
00:19:06.870 --> 00:19:08.638
Death is just a doorway into everlasting life.
00:19:08.705 --> 00:19:12.842
Into everlasting life. so if you're praying
00:19:12.909 --> 00:19:13.577
So if you're praying for healing,
00:19:13.643 --> 00:19:14.110
For healing, don't give up hope.
00:19:14.177 --> 00:19:15.512
Don't give up hope. and don't forget the fact
00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.880
And don't forget the fact that god could take it away
00:19:16.947 --> 00:19:19.316
That god could take it away in an instant.
00:19:19.382 --> 00:19:21.651
In an instant. so pray and believe
00:19:21.718 --> 00:19:23.653
So pray and believe and trust and show up again
00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:26.089
And trust and show up again and plead with him again.
00:19:26.156 --> 00:19:27.557
And plead with him again. not as a negotiation,
00:19:27.624 --> 00:19:28.959
Not as a negotiation, not as a, "yeah, sure,
00:19:29.025 --> 00:19:30.260
Not as a, "yeah, sure, i'll show up
00:19:30.327 --> 00:19:30.894
I'll show up if you'll do this for me."
00:19:30.961 --> 00:19:31.995
If you'll do this for me." but no, because
00:19:32.062 --> 00:19:32.963
But no, because he's the only place
00:19:33.029 --> 00:19:33.797
He's the only place we can run.
00:19:33.863 --> 00:19:35.832
We can run. and you may show up
00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.800
And you may show up to him tomorrow.
00:19:36.866 --> 00:19:37.601
To him tomorrow. and you may pray for
00:19:37.667 --> 00:19:38.368
And you may pray for your son again tomorrow.
00:19:38.435 --> 00:19:39.502
Your son again tomorrow. you've been so weary.
00:19:39.569 --> 00:19:40.370
You've been so weary. maybe, maybe you just,
00:19:40.437 --> 00:19:42.038
Maybe, maybe you just, maybe you've just given up.
00:19:42.105 --> 00:19:42.706
Maybe you've just given up. you're like, i haven't
00:19:42.772 --> 00:19:43.306
You're like, i haven't prayed for him in five years.
00:19:43.373 --> 00:19:44.708
Prayed for him in five years. show up again and pray
00:19:44.774 --> 00:19:45.508
Show up again and pray for him tomorrow.
00:19:45.575 --> 00:19:46.376
For him tomorrow. does it mean he's gonna
00:19:46.443 --> 00:19:46.977
Does it mean he's gonna get saved tomorrow?
00:19:47.043 --> 00:19:47.444
Get saved tomorrow? no.
00:19:47.510 --> 00:19:48.011
No. but what it does mean
00:19:48.078 --> 00:19:48.912
But what it does mean is that you and god
00:19:48.979 --> 00:19:49.879
Is that you and god will be together
00:19:49.946 --> 00:19:50.714
Will be together in pursuit of him.
00:19:50.780 --> 00:19:52.415
In pursuit of him. what it does mean
00:19:52.482 --> 00:19:53.550
What it does mean is you trust god.
00:19:53.617 --> 00:19:54.985
Is you trust god. i believe in god.
00:19:55.051 --> 00:19:55.952
I believe in god. i know you're able, god.
00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.320
I know you're able, god. i know that one
00:19:57.387 --> 00:19:57.854
I know that one of your names is able.
00:19:57.921 --> 00:19:59.155
Of your names is able. so i will trust you
00:19:59.222 --> 00:20:00.790
So i will trust you until i can see with my eyes
00:20:00.857 --> 00:20:02.492
Until i can see with my eyes why you're choosing it
00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.426
Why you're choosing it to do a different way
00:20:03.493 --> 00:20:04.361
To do a different way than i'm asking you to.
00:20:04.427 --> 00:20:06.029
Than i'm asking you to. tim keller said this one time,
00:20:06.096 --> 00:20:07.664
Tim keller said this one time, "god will either give us
00:20:07.731 --> 00:20:09.165
"god will either give us what we ask for
00:20:09.232 --> 00:20:11.001
What we ask for or he will give us
00:20:11.067 --> 00:20:12.502
Or he will give us what we would have asked for
00:20:12.569 --> 00:20:14.037
What we would have asked for if we knew everything he knows."
00:20:14.104 --> 00:20:18.141
If we knew everything he knows." so can i just encourage you
00:20:18.208 --> 00:20:19.442
So can i just encourage you today, pray again.
00:20:19.509 --> 00:20:23.013
Today, pray again. somebody specifically
00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:24.748
Somebody specifically in this room,
00:20:24.814 --> 00:20:25.515
In this room, start praying for
00:20:25.582 --> 00:20:26.383
Start praying for your daughter again.
00:20:26.449 --> 00:20:28.585
Your daughter again. believe again.
00:20:28.652 --> 00:20:29.352
Believe again. maybe you feel like,
00:20:29.419 --> 00:20:29.986
Maybe you feel like, you know what,
00:20:30.053 --> 00:20:30.587
You know what, she just feels so far lost.
00:20:30.654 --> 00:20:32.088
She just feels so far lost. she feels so far gone.
00:20:32.155 --> 00:20:33.189
She feels so far gone. can i remind you,
00:20:33.256 --> 00:20:35.258
Can i remind you, she's no further gone
00:20:35.325 --> 00:20:36.426
She's no further gone than you were before
00:20:36.493 --> 00:20:37.294
Than you were before you met him.
00:20:37.360 --> 00:20:39.729
There's not degrees
00:20:39.829 --> 00:20:41.097
There's not degrees of distance from god.
00:20:41.164 --> 00:20:42.732
Of distance from god. you're either in christ
00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.833
You're either in christ or you're not.
00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:46.403
Or you're not. and regardless
00:20:46.469 --> 00:20:46.936
And regardless of how far away they seem,
00:20:47.003 --> 00:20:48.571
Of how far away they seem, jesus' arms are not
00:20:48.638 --> 00:20:49.406
Jesus' arms are not too short to say,
00:20:49.472 --> 00:20:50.407
Too short to say, start praying again.
00:20:50.473 --> 00:20:52.442
Start believing again.
00:20:52.542 --> 00:20:53.677
Start believing again. wake up and wage war
00:20:53.743 --> 00:20:55.845
Wake up and wage war with the weapon of prayer.
00:20:55.912 --> 00:20:59.816
With the weapon of prayer. spurgeon said it this way,
00:20:59.883 --> 00:21:00.984
Spurgeon said it this way, and i love it.
00:21:01.051 --> 00:21:02.285
And i love it. he said, "plead now.
00:21:02.352 --> 00:21:04.387
He said, "plead now. plead at noon.
00:21:04.454 --> 00:21:05.588
Plead at noon. plead again at night.
00:21:05.655 --> 00:21:07.324
Plead again at night. plead on with cries and tears.
00:21:07.390 --> 00:21:10.060
Plead on with cries and tears. spread out your case.
00:21:10.126 --> 00:21:11.828
Spread out your case. order your arguments.
00:21:11.895 --> 00:21:13.163
Order your arguments. back up your pleas
00:21:13.229 --> 00:21:14.030
Back up your pleas with reasons.
00:21:14.097 --> 00:21:15.098
With reasons. urge the precious blood
00:21:15.165 --> 00:21:16.533
Urge the precious blood of jesus.
00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.267
Of jesus. set the wounds of christ
00:21:17.334 --> 00:21:18.735
Set the wounds of christ before the father's eyes.
00:21:18.802 --> 00:21:20.136
Before the father's eyes. bring out the atoning sacrifice.
00:21:20.203 --> 00:21:22.072
Bring out the atoning sacrifice. point to calvary.
00:21:22.138 --> 00:21:23.440
Point to calvary. enlist the crown prince,
00:21:23.506 --> 00:21:25.108
Enlist the crown prince, the priest who stands
00:21:25.175 --> 00:21:26.643
The priest who stands at the right hand of god
00:21:26.710 --> 00:21:28.712
At the right hand of god and intercedes for
00:21:28.778 --> 00:21:29.713
And intercedes for those he loves."
00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.948
Those he loves." prayer is our opportunity
00:21:32.015 --> 00:21:34.918
Prayer is our opportunity to petition the god of heaven
00:21:34.984 --> 00:21:37.320
To petition the god of heaven as loved sons and daughters,
00:21:37.387 --> 00:21:39.889
As loved sons and daughters, while simultaneously
00:21:39.956 --> 00:21:40.857
While simultaneously positioning ourselves
00:21:40.924 --> 00:21:43.026
Positioning ourselves under his sovereign hand
00:21:43.093 --> 00:21:45.362
Under his sovereign hand and saying, "your will,
00:21:45.428 --> 00:21:48.264
And saying, "your will, not mine."
00:21:48.331 --> 00:21:50.633
Not mine." the parable ends with
00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.434
The parable ends with a piercing question
00:21:51.501 --> 00:21:52.268
A piercing question from jesus.
00:21:52.335 --> 00:21:53.737
From jesus. he says, "however,
00:21:53.803 --> 00:21:54.771
He says, "however, when the son of man comes,
00:21:54.838 --> 00:21:58.108
When the son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
00:21:58.174 --> 00:22:03.012
Will he find faith on earth?" will he find people
00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.713
Will he find people who still believe
00:22:03.780 --> 00:22:04.647
Who still believe or people that have given up?
00:22:04.714 --> 00:22:07.717
Or people that have given up? will he find a confident trust?
00:22:07.784 --> 00:22:11.621
Will he find a confident trust? or will he find people
00:22:11.688 --> 00:22:12.922
Or will he find people whose desperation moved him
00:22:12.989 --> 00:22:14.023
Whose desperation moved him to despair?
00:22:14.090 --> 00:22:15.558
To despair? i pray that he'll find
00:22:15.625 --> 00:22:16.493
I pray that he'll find faith in this house.
00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:18.595
Faith in this house. and for us, in the meantime,
00:22:18.661 --> 00:22:21.898
And for us, in the meantime, in our desperation,
00:22:21.965 --> 00:22:23.900
In our desperation, i pray that we wouldn't be
00:22:23.967 --> 00:22:24.634
I pray that we wouldn't be driven to despair,
00:22:24.701 --> 00:22:26.603
Driven to despair, but rather that we would
00:22:26.669 --> 00:22:27.637
But rather that we would be driven to prayer,
00:22:27.704 --> 00:22:29.539
Be driven to prayer, confident that god
00:22:29.606 --> 00:22:30.540
Confident that god will keep his promises.
00:22:30.607 --> 00:22:32.609
Will keep his promises. the second parable gives us
00:22:32.675 --> 00:22:34.377
The second parable gives us another description
00:22:34.444 --> 00:22:35.478
Another description of desperate face.
00:22:35.545 --> 00:22:37.247
Of desperate face. if there are two words today
00:22:37.313 --> 00:22:38.381
If there are two words today that mark desperate faith,
00:22:38.448 --> 00:22:39.783
That mark desperate faith, they are persistent and humble.
00:22:39.849 --> 00:22:43.219
They are persistent and humble. and in the second parable,
00:22:43.286 --> 00:22:44.220
And in the second parable, we see humility on display.
00:22:44.287 --> 00:22:46.823
We see humility on display. it's called the parable
00:22:46.890 --> 00:22:47.524
It's called the parable of the pharisee
00:22:47.590 --> 00:22:48.358
Of the pharisee and the tax collector.
00:22:48.425 --> 00:22:49.626
And the tax collector. let me read it for us.
00:22:49.692 --> 00:22:50.493
Let me read it for us. just a few verses
00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.494
Just a few verses and then we'll close.
00:22:51.561 --> 00:22:52.295
And then we'll close. we need this text right now
00:22:52.362 --> 00:22:54.230
We need this text right now as a people.
00:22:54.297 --> 00:22:56.065
"to some who were confident
00:22:56.166 --> 00:22:58.001
"to some who were confident of their own righteousness
00:22:58.067 --> 00:23:00.837
Of their own righteousness and looked down on
00:23:00.904 --> 00:23:01.538
And looked down on everyone else.
00:23:01.604 --> 00:23:03.006
Everyone else. jesus told this parable.
00:23:03.072 --> 00:23:05.608
Jesus told this parable. 'two men went up
00:23:05.675 --> 00:23:06.676
'two men went up to the temple to pray,
00:23:06.743 --> 00:23:08.511
To the temple to pray, one a pharisee
00:23:08.578 --> 00:23:09.579
One a pharisee and the other
00:23:09.646 --> 00:23:10.246
And the other a tax collector.
00:23:10.313 --> 00:23:11.848
A tax collector. the pharisee stood by himself
00:23:11.915 --> 00:23:13.283
The pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 'god, i thank you
00:23:13.349 --> 00:23:15.418
And prayed, 'god, i thank you that i am not like other people,
00:23:15.485 --> 00:23:17.187
That i am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers,
00:23:17.253 --> 00:23:19.522
Robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
00:23:19.589 --> 00:23:21.591
Or even like this tax collector. i fast twice a week
00:23:21.658 --> 00:23:23.593
I fast twice a week and i give a tenth
00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.461
And i give a tenth of all i get.'
00:23:24.527 --> 00:23:28.231
Of all i get.' but the tax collector
00:23:28.298 --> 00:23:29.399
But the tax collector stood at a distance.
00:23:29.466 --> 00:23:31.501
Stood at a distance. he would not even look up
00:23:31.568 --> 00:23:32.235
He would not even look up to heaven,
00:23:32.302 --> 00:23:33.903
To heaven, but he beat his breast
00:23:33.970 --> 00:23:34.971
But he beat his breast and he said, 'god,
00:23:35.038 --> 00:23:35.605
And he said, 'god, have mercy on me,
00:23:35.672 --> 00:23:37.340
Have mercy on me, a sinner.'
00:23:37.407 --> 00:23:38.541
A sinner.' and jesus says,
00:23:38.608 --> 00:23:39.742
And jesus says, 'i tell you that this man,
00:23:39.809 --> 00:23:41.177
'i tell you that this man, rather than the other,
00:23:41.244 --> 00:23:42.412
Rather than the other, went home justified before god.
00:23:42.479 --> 00:23:44.647
Went home justified before god. for all those who
00:23:44.714 --> 00:23:46.516
For all those who exalt themselves
00:23:46.583 --> 00:23:47.350
Exalt themselves will be humbled,
00:23:47.417 --> 00:23:48.451
Will be humbled, and those who humble themselves
00:23:48.518 --> 00:23:50.220
And those who humble themselves will be exalted."
00:23:50.286 --> 00:23:52.689
Will be exalted." two men showed up
00:23:52.755 --> 00:23:53.823
To the temple to pray,
00:23:53.923 --> 00:23:55.492
To the temple to pray, though one didn't
00:23:55.558 --> 00:23:56.226
Though one didn't really pray at all.
00:23:56.292 --> 00:23:57.727
Really pray at all. he just stood by himself
00:23:57.794 --> 00:23:59.195
He just stood by himself and boasted in his good deeds,
00:23:59.262 --> 00:24:01.231
And boasted in his good deeds, touted his resume.
00:24:01.297 --> 00:24:02.732
Touted his resume. "thank you, god, that i'm not
00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.900
"thank you, god, that i'm not as big of a mess up
00:24:03.967 --> 00:24:04.834
As big of a mess up as all these other jokers here."
00:24:04.901 --> 00:24:07.136
As all these other jokers here." anybody got multiple kids,
00:24:07.203 --> 00:24:09.339
Anybody got multiple kids, you trying to do
00:24:09.405 --> 00:24:09.973
You trying to do the prayer time thing at night?
00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.608
The prayer time thing at night? you know, it's always amazing.
00:24:11.674 --> 00:24:14.511
You know, it's always amazing. you got, we got three girls,
00:24:14.577 --> 00:24:15.979
You got, we got three girls, you know, and we asked them,
00:24:16.045 --> 00:24:17.647
You know, and we asked them, what are you thankful
00:24:17.714 --> 00:24:18.147
What are you thankful for today?
00:24:18.214 --> 00:24:18.815
For today? and inevitably,
00:24:18.882 --> 00:24:19.983
And inevitably, from time to time,
00:24:20.049 --> 00:24:20.717
From time to time, there's one like,
00:24:20.783 --> 00:24:21.551
There's one like, "i'm thankful that my sister
00:24:21.618 --> 00:24:23.186
"i'm thankful that my sister won't hit me again tomorrow.
00:24:23.253 --> 00:24:26.189
Won't hit me again tomorrow. and i'm thankful that even
00:24:26.256 --> 00:24:27.056
And i'm thankful that even though she didn't want to today,
00:24:27.123 --> 00:24:29.526
Though she didn't want to today, that tomorrow she'll share
00:24:29.592 --> 00:24:30.894
That tomorrow she'll share her toys with me."
00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.028
Her toys with me." you know, it's like, okay,
00:24:32.095 --> 00:24:32.762
You know, it's like, okay, we're gonna have to do
00:24:32.829 --> 00:24:33.530
We're gonna have to do some work on this.
00:24:33.596 --> 00:24:34.731
Some work on this. this is what's happening here.
00:24:34.797 --> 00:24:37.100
This is what's happening here. this pharisee's view
00:24:37.166 --> 00:24:39.836
This pharisee's view of his acceptance
00:24:39.903 --> 00:24:41.170
Of his acceptance before god comes
00:24:41.237 --> 00:24:42.105
Before god comes from his competition among men.
00:24:42.171 --> 00:24:44.974
From his competition among men. "i'm better than him,
00:24:45.041 --> 00:24:46.042
"i'm better than him, and i'm better than her,
00:24:46.109 --> 00:24:47.110
And i'm better than her, and i'm better than him,
00:24:47.176 --> 00:24:47.877
And i'm better than him, and i'm better than her,
00:24:47.944 --> 00:24:48.778
And i'm better than her, and i'm better than him.
00:24:48.845 --> 00:24:49.712
And i'm better than him. i'm doing pretty good.
00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.613
I'm doing pretty good. god, aren't you proud of me?
00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:53.983
God, aren't you proud of me? aren't you so happy
00:24:54.050 --> 00:24:54.984
Aren't you so happy i'm representing you?
00:24:55.051 --> 00:24:57.287
I'm representing you? you got me on your team.
00:24:57.353 --> 00:24:58.454
You got me on your team. that was a good draft pick."
00:24:58.521 --> 00:25:02.425
That was a good draft pick." and here's what
00:25:02.492 --> 00:25:03.960
And here's what i believe to be true.
00:25:04.027 --> 00:25:04.994
I believe to be true. here's what i think
00:25:05.061 --> 00:25:05.929
Here's what i think this parable teaches us.
00:25:05.995 --> 00:25:07.530
This parable teaches us. pridefulness always leads
00:25:07.597 --> 00:25:09.432
Pridefulness always leads to prayerlessness.
00:25:09.499 --> 00:25:12.869
To prayerlessness. pridefulness always leads
00:25:12.936 --> 00:25:14.671
Pridefulness always leads to prayerlessness.
00:25:14.737 --> 00:25:16.639
To prayerlessness. to be an expert on
00:25:16.706 --> 00:25:17.407
To be an expert on everyone else's sin
00:25:17.473 --> 00:25:18.474
Everyone else's sin while being oblivious
00:25:18.541 --> 00:25:19.542
While being oblivious to your own is foolishness
00:25:19.609 --> 00:25:23.079
To your own is foolishness of the worst kind.
00:25:23.146 --> 00:25:24.747
Of the worst kind. and yet as a people,
00:25:24.814 --> 00:25:25.548
And yet as a people, you see this happening
00:25:25.615 --> 00:25:26.482
You see this happening in the culture.
00:25:26.549 --> 00:25:28.351
In the culture. we would rather critique
00:25:28.418 --> 00:25:29.218
We would rather critique other people's sins
00:25:29.285 --> 00:25:30.353
Other people's sins than confess our own,
00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:32.121
Than confess our own, and it's crippling our faith.
00:25:32.188 --> 00:25:35.558
And it's crippling our faith. we're quick to post
00:25:35.625 --> 00:25:36.492
We're quick to post and slow to pray,
00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.795
And slow to pray, and yet the tax collector,
00:25:38.861 --> 00:25:41.331
And yet the tax collector, he was aware that
00:25:41.397 --> 00:25:42.498
He was aware that he needed help.
00:25:42.565 --> 00:25:44.701
He needed help. and i think the question
00:25:44.767 --> 00:25:46.102
And i think the question from the tax collector
00:25:46.169 --> 00:25:47.270
From the tax collector to all of us today is,
00:25:47.337 --> 00:25:48.371
To all of us today is, are you still sensitive
00:25:48.438 --> 00:25:49.606
Are you still sensitive to the sin in your life?
00:25:49.672 --> 00:25:54.978
To the sin in your life? or are you so concerned
00:25:55.044 --> 00:25:56.479
Or are you so concerned by everybody else's life
00:25:56.546 --> 00:25:58.414
By everybody else's life that you've grown callous
00:25:58.481 --> 00:26:00.283
That you've grown callous to the sin in your own life?
00:26:00.350 --> 00:26:03.720
To the sin in your own life? are we more worried about
00:26:03.786 --> 00:26:04.921
Are we more worried about comparing ourselves
00:26:04.988 --> 00:26:05.822
Comparing ourselves to everyone else
00:26:05.888 --> 00:26:06.956
To everyone else or being conformed
00:26:07.023 --> 00:26:07.824
Or being conformed into the image of the son?
00:26:07.890 --> 00:26:10.293
Into the image of the son? heaven's standard is perfection.
00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:13.997
Heaven's standard is perfection. heaven doesn't grade on a curve.
00:26:14.063 --> 00:26:16.399
Heaven doesn't grade on a curve. you won't get there because
00:26:16.466 --> 00:26:17.100
You won't get there because you were better than
00:26:17.166 --> 00:26:17.834
You were better than your neighbor.
00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.068
Your neighbor. you will get there because
00:26:19.135 --> 00:26:20.036
You will get there because you were saved by christ,
00:26:20.103 --> 00:26:21.537
You were saved by christ, because you cried out for mercy
00:26:21.604 --> 00:26:23.473
Because you cried out for mercy and god met you there.
00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:26.809
And god met you there. one exalted himself
00:26:26.876 --> 00:26:28.911
One exalted himself and was humbled by god,
00:26:28.978 --> 00:26:31.147
And was humbled by god, and the other humbled himself
00:26:31.214 --> 00:26:32.982
And the other humbled himself and therefore was
00:26:33.049 --> 00:26:33.816
And therefore was exalted by god.
00:26:33.883 --> 00:26:35.385
Exalted by god. one came in with his nose up
00:26:35.451 --> 00:26:37.620
One came in with his nose up and one came in
00:26:37.687 --> 00:26:38.721
And one came in with his head down.
00:26:38.788 --> 00:26:40.156
With his head down. and you and i, as we approach
00:26:40.223 --> 00:26:41.658
And you and i, as we approach the throne of grace,
00:26:41.724 --> 00:26:42.692
The throne of grace, yes, we are meant to approach
00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.360
Yes, we are meant to approach the throne of grace
00:26:44.427 --> 00:26:45.028
The throne of grace with confidence,
00:26:45.094 --> 00:26:46.129
With confidence, but not a self-confidence
00:26:46.195 --> 00:26:47.530
But not a self-confidence in our own resume,
00:26:47.597 --> 00:26:48.831
In our own resume, in a god-confidence
00:26:48.898 --> 00:26:50.099
In a god-confidence blown away by his mercy
00:26:50.166 --> 00:26:51.801
Blown away by his mercy and grace on display
00:26:51.868 --> 00:26:53.236
And grace on display in our lives.
00:26:53.302 --> 00:26:54.437
In our lives. this is the kind
00:26:54.504 --> 00:26:55.571
This is the kind of desperate faith
00:26:55.638 --> 00:26:56.806
Of desperate faith that pleases god.
00:26:56.873 --> 00:26:59.042
♪ ♪
00:26:59.475 --> 00:27:29.439

Louie Giglio - Always Pray And Never Give Up

May 31, 2026 | 27:29

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