Keys to the Kingdom
PARABLES OF JESUS
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
CHAPTER FOUR
PARABLES OF
PRAYER
Lesson
Friend at Midnight Luke 11:5-13 4-1
Persistent Widow and Unjust Judge Luke 18:1-8 4-2
Pharisee and the Publican Luke 18:9-14 4-3
Lesson 4-1
Parable of the
Friend at Midnight
Luke 11:5-13
I. The Setting.
After giving the Lord’s Prayer (v.2-4) as a pattern for effective prayer, Jesus taught about the importance of persistent prayer. It is not enough to pray and forget. We need to pray and persist.
I Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray without ceasing.” But not like some religions, that chant meaningless words over and over again. Real prayer is designed to express real needs.
After a request to learn how to pray, the Lord Jesus emphasized prayer to the Father, as an important part of His life. Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
II. The Story. “A friend comes in his journey.”
In order to drive home the importance of persistent prayer, Jesus gives us the story of the arrival of a guest at a sleeping neighbor’s home.
A. The community.
In the Middle East, when a guest arrived, the whole village is responsible for entertaining him. To fail to provide for a guest would bring great shame, not only to the house which the guest came to, but also the entire village. The Jews listening to Jesus’ story would have been embarrassed by the lack of hospitality. To say “Trouble me not”, would be a serious violation of the social code.
B. The home.
Try and picture what the average home looked like. It was one room with one small window. The room was divided into two parts. Two-thirds of it was on ground floor, with one third slightly raised. On the raised part, the fire burned all night. Families were large and they would sleep on mats, close together for warmth. It was often customary to bring in livestock: chickens and goats, all in the house. So now you can visualize how crowded the room was.
Then a knock at the door. You have to step over your family and move the animals out of the way to answer the door.
III. A Need Expressed, v.5-6.
Prayer cannot be answered if not prayed.
A. An unexpected need after hours.
Three loaves of bread (physical needs). Usually bread was made fresh daily. It went bad quickly. It gives us a better understanding of “Give us this day our daily bread” v.3.
B. An inconvenient hour midnight.
Midnight. Most of our problems come at an inconvenient hour, such as breaking a shoe lace or running out of gas. Life is made up of surprises.
IV. A Need Denied, v.7.
A. Too late. “Trouble me not.”
Ever notice how no one wants your troubles? If a good friend will help when inconvenienced, how much more will God answer our needs.
B. Too inconvenient. “I cannot rise”.
Others do not like to be inconvenienced. Rather, “I will not rise”. Yet, the obligation of friendship will not be denied.
Hebrews 4:15-16 promises “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.
Through Christ we have access to the Father about our needs, desires, and fears.
V. A Need Fulfilled, v.8-10.
A. Persistence pays. God honors commitment to prayer.
Keep praying for your needs, your lost loved ones, family, and friends. Once a man dreamed he was hammering on a rock, yet nothing seemed to happen. Full of dust and sweat, he was discouraged and was ready to give up. He complained to God and expressed his frustration. God told him to try again. This time the rock shattered into many pieces.
B. Duty Triumphs over inconvenience.
People often do their duty even when inconvenienced. God has a duty toward you. When you become God’s child, you become his property.
“Importunate prayer never faints or grows weary; it is never discouraging; it never yields to cowardice, but is buoyed up and sustained by a hope that knows no despair, and faith which will not let go.” E. M. Bounds
VI. A Lesson in How to Pray. v.9-10.
A. Ask.
The word used here means continually. We need to ask God. God can’t answer non-existent prayer.
B. Seek.
1. We need to look for God’s answer.
2. God expects us to do what we can. This man went to his neighbor.
C. Knock.
Keep knocking until God answers. We need to persist.
Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
VII. An Assurance of God, v.11-13.
A. We have a secure relationship based on love, v.11-12.
B. God specializes in giving good things, v.13. Don’t be afraid to pray. God doesn’t drop pianos on people’s heads. God loves you too much to harm you and is too wise to make a mistake.
C. If we, being evil, give good gifts to our children, how much more will God give us good gifts?
Don’t ever be afraid to pray to God. He knows you and loves you. He has good things for you. Just keep asking and don’t give up.
Lesson 4-1
Application
1. Do you pray?
2. Do you have a regular personal prayer time?
3. Do you expect God to answer?
4. Why should you pray?
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
No study of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ is complete without an understanding of the parables he taught.
Most books that cover parables generally cover the better-known ones. They avoid the difficult, challenging, and obscure.
Art Zacher and Doug Peterson break that tradition in this book, covering dozens of the parables spoken by Jesus. When Jesus shared these parables with individuals and groups, He challenged them to live a godly life—and that challenge is still relevant today.
Each parable is set in its historic setting, with previous and following events noted. The authors reveal where Jesus spoke each parable, who His audience was, and what each one means. Each parable is classified with other parables on the same topic for easy reference.
Get detailed insights on what Jewish people were thinking as they waited for their Messiah along with insights on the practical applications of Jesus’ teachings today with the lessons in Keys to the Kingdom.
About the Author
Art Zacher
Art Zacher was pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Fairfield, California from 1999 to 2022. His interest in seeing others come to Christ led him to help others start churches in Connecticut and New York. After graduating from seminary, he started Victory Baptist Church in Thomaston, Connecticut. He has been a teacher and principal in various Christian schools.
Brother Art graduated from Illinois State University in 1978 with a B.S. in Business Administration, and a minor in Speech Communication. He received his Master of Divinity from Temple Baptist Theological Seminary in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1982.
Pastor Zacher, with his wife Melodie, have been socially active in their community, meeting the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs through outreach. In January 2022, they moved to Greenville, SC, to be with their grandchildren. They have three grown daughters and eight grandchildren.
He can be contacted at artzacher@sbcglobal.net, and is available for speaking engagements.
Doug Peterson
Doug Peterson is a retired Coast Guard officer and combat veteran, who served for 27 years. While in the military, he led many Bible study groups and classes, at various military commands where there was no chaplain.
Brother Doug graduated with honors from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1985. After his retirement, he served at the California Maritime Academy as their historical archivist, helping to preserve the history and documents of that school.
Mr. Peterson is an ordained Baptist Deacon, minister, and Bible teacher. He has served in many churches, being involved in various duties and responsibilities. Doug Peterson and Art Zacher worked together for many years at Art’s church, as a teacher and assistant to the Pastor, and now on this book.
Doug and his wife Roberta are now retired in Kentucky, with three successful sons and their families, including fourteen grandchildren.