Jesus Asked, “Is There Any Faith On Earth?”

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Sermon Notes

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Luke 18:1-8 ESV… And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.‘ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’‘“ 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?“

LOSING HOPE… WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH

• The people rejoiced when Jesus rode into Jerusalem because they had been waiting for the Messiah… Luke 19:37-38

• When Moses came with news of deliverance, the people wouldn't even listen… Exodus 6:6,9

• Sarah had waited so long, she became cynical… Genesis 18:10-15

• Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow to teach his disciples to not lose heart… Luke 18:1-8

A VERY PERSISTENT WIDOW

• The very first verse tells us the point of the parable… Luke 18:1

• Jesus didn’t know when he would return, but he knew the disciples could grow discouraged while waiting… Mark 13:32-33

• The persistent widow was relentless in pursuing this unjust judge… Luke 18:2-5

• If the unjust judge would do what was right, how much more will God do what is right for his children!… Luke 18:7

REASONS BELIEVERS BECOME DISCOURAGED & LOSE HEART

• One of the main reasons believers will grow faint is because of scoffers… 2 Peter 3:3-4

• Believers are called to live with a holy-obedient expectation… Titus 2:11-13

• The Scriptures speak often of not losing heart… 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 16; 2 Thessalonians 3:13

• We are to never be lacking in spiritual zeal… Romans 12:11

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. What are some reasons Christians might grow weary when waiting upon the LORD?

2. Why might Christians grow discouraged with God when they are called to wait?

3. Do you see scoffers mocking the return of Christ in the world today?

4. If the Lord were to return today, how would he find the state of your heart?