CERRO
GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
March 27,
2022
Don’t Give Up!
Luke 18:1-8
Jesus is
continuing to teach his disciples as the time gets closer to when the perfect
sacrifice will be made. This time we read Jesus is talking just to the disciples.
The teaching moments are soon going to end, and then the disciples will have to
stand on the their own. So here we see Jesus pointing out the most powerful
tool God has made available to his people. Prayer. Jesus gives a unique example of how they
should go about it. Actually, first of all, this example was given to the
disciples, but from the time this teaching moment was written down to today, it
is available to all believers. Jesus is, in some ways, comparing God to the
judge in this story. Obviously with a couple of big differences. First, Jesus
said the judge in this parable did not fear God. Then he said the judge also did
not care about what people were going through. Clearly, the exact opposite of
the loving God we believe in.
In Jesus’
story there is a woman who apparently had been treated unfairly by someone. For
the woman to bring it before a judge would seem to indicate it was definitely a
legitimate complaint. The judge, to begin with, ignored the woman’s request for
justice because as Jesus said the judge really did not care. In fact, it seems
he was irritated that she was bothering him with the problem. Apparently, day
after day, week after week, the woman came to the judge for help. Time after
time the judge ignored her request. Finally, the judge said to himself, “The
only way to get this woman to stop taking up my time is to agree to solve her
problem.” So that is what the judge finally did.
Now in the 6th
verse Jesus tells how God the Father will listen and meet the needs of his
people. Jesus is basically saying that if this uncaring, godless judge will
rule in the favor of someone who keeps asking for help, how much more will our
Heavenly Father meet the needs of his children? After all, God purposely created
us because he wanted to have fellowship with us. Jesus then gave an important
tip, if you will, of how we should make our request known to God in the 7th
verse. Jesus says God will bring justice to his “chosen ones” when they cry out
to him day and night. Do you want to see God move in your life? Do you want to
see prayers answered for yourself and loved ones? Do not make it a one and done
request. Pray to God in the morning. Pray to God in the afternoon. Pray to God
in the evening. Pray until you get an answer from God. Do not just pray once a
day, once a week, once a month. Stay persistent until you undeniably hear from
God. How many of us are that persistent? I also want to say what scripture also
tells us; be specific. Do not offer generalized prayers. If there is a health
problem, name the problem. If it is relationship problems, pour it out on God
what exactly the problem is and how you think it can be resolved. Whatever the
problem or concern is, be specific. And do not give up. I cannot say it enough.
Jesus is giving us the green light to keep the pressure up on God. I wish I
could honestly say I have done this in every situation I have faced or a loved
one has faced that I was concerned about. Jesus is making it clear. You want to
see God move in your life in this world, pray and do not give up.
Jesus closes
out these verses with a promise and a question. The promise is if you are
persistent in prayer, you will see results. The question Jesus presents to the
disciples and to us today, however, is very sobering. When the Son of Man
comes, will he find faith on the earth? Jesus asked this question because he
knew if you are going to be persistent in prayer, that will show God you have
faith that your prayers will be answered. Otherwise, you may say a one-time
prayer and be done because you do not have faith that God will answer.
We are now 3
weeks from Easter, the single most important event that has ever happened on
earth took place on the cross 2000 years ago. Do we have faith that it really
happened as the Bible says? And do we believe it changed the direction of
mankind forever? These are some of the questions you and I must answer for
ourselves. I believe everything changed when Jesus died on the cross for my
sins, for our sins. I believe Jesus gave the disciples valuable lessons that
stayed with them the rest of their lives. The disciples clearly used the power
of prayer to transform their lives and the lives of so many others. Clearly the
majority of the disciples did not give up. I believe those of you here today
and those joining us on Facebook also have not given up. My only question for
you and, yes, for me is, are we using all the tools God has given us? Are we
like the persistent widow? As we see things happening in this world that are oftentimes
troubling, are we flooding heaven every morning, afternoon, and evening with
our concerns? That is what Jesus is saying we have every right to do. Let us
change our families, our community and our world by being persistent in prayer.
Do not give up! The victory has already been won!
Pastor Larry
Announcements:
Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday
March 30 11:30 Women’s Fellowship luncheon and meeting;
Bring a covered dish; meat & drink provided; a
time of visiting and reconnecting
April 10 – 17 Holy Week
April 13 Executive Committee
April 16 Food Bank Distribution at Kirby Medical Group, Cerro Gordo, 9:30 – 10:30
a.m.
Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank
you for your continued giving!
Donation Box: Camp Emmanuel
First Sundays: food donations for food banks
Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362
To
keep up on Church of the Brethren news:
Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign
up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.
District:
iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook
Our
pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, &
calendar) and on facebook
Keep
in Your Prayers
Oren Wright; Devon
Wright; Leah Flory; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron Petersen;
Anna Gentry Thompson; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie
Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Sonna Hall; Tina Wilhelm; Baby Gemma; Baby Tate; Bryce
Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy
Gorrell’s niece); Carl and Wilma Cable; Marge Starr; Mike and Carol
Seidenstricker; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug
Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson;
Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty
Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests;
Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of those
who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; school teachers,
staff, and students; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home
residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine
Military and Other
Services and their families
Brethren Volunteer
Service workers; Disaster project workers
District Prayer
Calendar: Pray for the Canton congregation and their ministry in Fulton County.
Also pray for Andrea Garnett, the district’s administrative assistant.
Church
of the Brethren vision statement:
Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately
live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ
through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will
develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative,
adaptable, and fearless.
Our
Mission Statement:
Love
God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.