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Luke 11:5
Verse
Context
Ask, Seek, Knock
4And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’”5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,6because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
at midnight . . . for a friend is come--The heat in warm countries makes evening preferable to-day for travelling; but "midnight" is everywhere a most unseasonable hour of call, and for that very reason it is here selected.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For a friend of mine in his journey,.... Or "out of the way"; having lost his way, being benighted; and has rambled about for some time, and at length, is come to me; for lodging and entertainment: and I have nothing to set before him; to refresh him with, after such a fatigue, before he goes to bed, which was very requisite and proper.
Luke 11:5
Ask, Seek, Knock
4And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’”5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,6because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Principle of Prayer
By Adrian Rogers11K34:26PrayerMAT 7:7LUK 11:5In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of persistent prayer. He uses the story of a man who goes to his friend's house at midnight to ask for three loaves of bread. Despite his friend initially refusing to help, the man persists and eventually receives what he needs. The preacher emphasizes that this story teaches us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer until we receive an answer from God. He also highlights that God desires to give good things to those who ask Him, and encourages believers to trust in the power of prayer.
Fast for Prayer in the Square – Day 3
By Carter Conlon2.2K1:12:03FastingEXO 12:29PSA 107:1PSA 107:7PSA 107:9MAT 6:33LUK 10:12LUK 11:5ACT 27:27The video shown in the sermon is a two-minute preview of what God is expected to do in the future. The pastors will distribute this video to their congregations to give them an idea of what to expect. The congregation is encouraged to join in prayer, as every voice counts. The video emphasizes the importance of seeking God, crying out for the needs of others, and lifting up voices for those who do not know they need a Savior.
(South West Baptist Church 2008) Task Oriented Prayer
By Gerhard Du Toit97247:41PrayerLUK 11:1LUK 11:5In this sermon, the preacher discusses the role of the law and the spirit in the lives of believers. He explains that the law, represented by the law of gravity, cannot save us from sin and death. However, through Jesus Christ, God has provided a way for us to be set free from the law of sin and death. The preacher encourages the audience to memorize God's word and allow it to become a part of their relationship with God. He also emphasizes the importance of being hungry for God's word and allowing it to wash through our lives.
Prevailing Prayer
By John R. Rice74348:40PrayerGEN 32:28LUK 11:5In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of having the power of God to witness for Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the need to both work diligently in witnessing and to continue praying for the Holy Spirit's power. The preacher uses the example of Jacob in the Bible, who initially agreed to go on a journey but then became burdened and desired to return home. He encourages the audience to have a similar desire to go back to their spiritual "home" and have a personal encounter with God, which will then make witnessing to others easier. The preacher also highlights the importance of faith and the desire to see miracles in one's own life.
Prayer & Warfare
By Robert B. Thompson6701:18:00PSA 2:8LUK 11:5EPH 6:11In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of always being alert and on guard, drawing parallels to the behavior of a sentinel during war. He shares personal experiences from his time in the Marine Corps, highlighting the need for constant vigilance. The speaker also discusses the concept of divine love, stating that human love is merely a shadow of God's love. He encourages listeners to prioritize prayer and reorganize their lives to make time for spiritual practices, rather than being consumed by worldly distractions.
How God's Word and Jesus Teach Us to Pray
By Zac Poonen53527:30LUK 11:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of aligning our prayer life with the Word of God, focusing on persistent prayer, listening to God, and seeking His guidance. It highlights the need to pray without ceasing, persistently bringing our requests before God, and learning from the example of Jesus who prayed in solitude, listened to God, and sought His will before making important decisions.
Intercession: Which of You Shall Have a Friend? (God Gives You a Hard Job: To Wait Upon the lord.)
By Hans R. Waldvogel0Persistence in PrayerIntercessionLUK 11:5Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the vital role of persistent prayer and intercession in a Christian's life, illustrating that true friendship with God requires a heartfelt approach and unwavering faith. He draws from the parable of the friend at midnight to highlight that our needs should drive us to seek God, who is always ready to respond to our requests. Waldvogel encourages believers to wait upon the Lord, asserting that strength and power come from this divine connection, and that prayer is essential for spiritual vitality. He reminds us that without God, we can do nothing, and that our prayers should be persistent and filled with faith, as demonstrated by biblical figures like Elijah. Ultimately, Waldvogel calls for a life dedicated to prayer, emphasizing that it is through this commitment that we can truly experience God's presence and power.
Always Praying and Not Fainting
By R.A. Torrey0Persistence in PrayerFaithLUK 11:5R.A. Torrey emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer in his sermon 'Always Praying and Not Fainting,' drawing from two parables in the Gospel of Luke. He illustrates that God desires us to approach Him with shameless boldness, demonstrating unwavering faith even in the face of delays or refusals. Torrey argues that true submission to God's will is not giving up after a few prayers, but rather continuing to seek until we receive an answer or are clearly guided otherwise. He encourages believers to embody the spirit of perseverance in prayer, likening it to the determination of a strong man of action. Ultimately, Torrey calls for a revival of fervent prayer among Christians, urging them to pray through until they see God's hand at work.
Because of His Importunity
By Andrew Murray0Intercessory PrayerFriendship with GodLUK 11:5Andrew Murray emphasizes the power of importunate prayer, using the parable of a friend at midnight to illustrate the importance of intercession for others. He teaches that true friendship with God involves being a friend to the needy and that boldness in prayer is both lawful and pleasing to God. Murray highlights that prayer is not only for personal strength but also for the benefit of others, and that perseverance in prayer reveals our faith and dependence on God. He encourages believers to approach God as their Friend, confident in His willingness to respond to their needs and the needs of others. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper understanding of the relationship between prayer, friendship, and the blessings that come from God.
This Is My Beloved, and This Is My Friend
By A.B. Simpson0Intimacy With GodFriendship with GodPSA 25:14PRO 18:24ISA 41:8MAT 7:7LUK 11:5JHN 15:15PHP 4:6JAS 2:23A.B. Simpson emphasizes the profound significance of God as our friend, inviting us to reflect on the deep bonds of friendship we have experienced in our lives. He encourages us to recognize that God is not only a friend but infinitely more, being personally invested in our lives and offering unwavering support and love. Simpson highlights the importance of prayer as a means to connect with our heavenly Friend, who is always ready to assist us in our times of need. By recalling the acts of love from our earthly friends, we can better appreciate the depth of God's friendship and His promises to us. Ultimately, God desires an intimate fellowship with each of us, making Him our most trusted companion.
Keep Praying Until God Answers
By R.A. Torrey0Persistence in PrayerFaith in God's TimingLUK 11:5R.A. Torrey emphasizes the necessity of persistent prayer in his sermon 'Keep Praying Until God Answers.' He illustrates this through the parables in Luke, highlighting that true prayer requires shameless determination and faith, as demonstrated by the Syrophenician woman and the persistent widow. Torrey encourages believers to continue praying even when answers seem delayed, asserting that God desires to train us in faith through our perseverance. He shares personal testimonies of answered prayers after years of faithful intercession, urging the congregation to never give up on their requests to God.
Prayer and Importunity (Continued)
By E.M. Bounds0Importunity in PrayerPersistence in FaithLUK 11:5E.M. Bounds emphasizes the necessity of earnest and persistent prayer, illustrating that true prayer requires energy, courage, and unwavering determination. He uses the parable of a man seeking bread at midnight to demonstrate that importunity in prayer can lead to success where ordinary requests fail. Bounds argues that laxity and impatience can hinder our prayers, while importunate praying reflects a deep inward movement toward God, demanding our full spiritual engagement. He cites biblical examples, such as the persistent cries of Bartimaeus and Moses' intercession for Israel, to highlight that true prayer must be characterized by intensity and perseverance. Ultimately, Bounds encourages believers to approach God with unwavering faith and relentless pursuit until their prayers are answered.
Eighth Lesson. ‘Because of His Importunity;’ Or, the Boldness of God’s Friends
By Andrew Murray0Boldness in PrayerIntercessionLUK 11:5Andrew Murray emphasizes the importance of boldness in prayer, using the parable of the friend at midnight to illustrate how God's friends should intercede for others with persistence and confidence. He teaches that true friendship with God involves being a friend to the needy and that our prayers should reflect a desire to help others. Murray highlights that while God is our Father, approaching Him as a friend allows for a deeper understanding of His willingness to respond to our needs. The sermon encourages believers to persevere in prayer, trusting that God delights in giving to those who ask with importunity. Ultimately, it is through this relationship of friendship and intercession that we can experience the fullness of God's blessings.
The Life With God
By Harris Franklin Rall0MAT 5:3MRK 10:15MRK 11:22LUK 11:5Harris Franklin Rall preaches about Jesus' conception of religion, emphasizing fellowship with God in the service of men. Jesus taught a righteousness that was inner, social, and ethical, focusing on the heart rather than outward actions. He highlighted the importance of sonship, humility, and a whole-hearted surrender to God, demanding a life of singleness and sincerity. Jesus warned against the perils of wealth and the love or fear of the world, stressing trust in God alone. He encouraged prayer as a natural expression of trust, teaching the disciples the power of faith and fellowship in prayer.
The Importunity of Prayer
By Samuel Chadwick0LUK 11:5Samuel Chadwick delves into the profound yet simple act of prayer, emphasizing the importance of addressing God as Father and the need for sincerity and simplicity in our prayers. He explores the concepts of importunity, persistence, supplication, and wrestling in prayer, drawing examples from the teachings of Jesus and the experiences of biblical figures. Chadwick highlights the paradox of prayer, showcasing its apparent contradictions of being both easy and profound, natural and strenuous. He discusses the cost of prayer, emphasizing the discipline, education, and intensity required in our communication with God.
The Kingdom of Heaven Suffereth Violence
By Elvin Martin0JOB 1:5PRO 22:6MAT 11:12MRK 9:24LUK 11:5Elvin Martin preaches on the urgency and desperation needed to seek God's kingdom, emphasizing the need to actively pursue spiritual revival like the people in the Bible who were desperate for God. He challenges the congregation to choose Jesus over self daily, acknowledging past failures and the importance of putting on the mind of Christ consistently. Martin highlights the Doctrine of the Desperate, urging parents to fervently pray and seek God's intervention for the salvation of their children, emphasizing the seriousness of raising children in the ways of the Lord to avoid eternal consequences.
Jesus Teaches About Prayer Luke 11:1-13
By David Servant0MAT 7:7LUK 11:5LUK 11:13ACT 1:8ROM 8:26David Servant preaches on the importance of boldness in prayer, emphasizing the need to have faith and persistence when making requests to God. He highlights Jesus' teaching on prayer, using the illustration of a man who shamelessly asked his friend for bread late at night, showcasing the boldness and faith required in prayer. Jesus encourages believers to expect much from God, boldly asking for what they need and not settling for less. Additionally, Jesus teaches that believers, even those who are born again and have the Holy Spirit, should shamelessly ask God for the Holy Spirit to empower them for service and witnessing.
Epistle 148
By George Fox0PSA 88:1ISA 63:9MRK 13:33LUK 11:5LUK 18:1LUK 18:10ACT 9:4EPH 6:18PHP 4:11TH 3:81TI 2:8JAS 1:6George Fox preaches about the importance of sincere and persistent prayer to the Lord, emphasizing that God hears the cries of His people and is present in their afflictions, oppressions, and sufferings. He encourages believers to maintain a simple and modest lifestyle, avoiding the vain fashions of the world, and to be faithful and chaste in all aspects of life. Fox also highlights the power of prayer, urging individuals to pray with faith, perseverance, and without doubt, as Christ promises that whatever is asked in His name will be given. He stresses the need to pray in the spirit, in unwavering faith, and in alignment with God's will.
Human Insufficiency
By Zac Poonen0LUK 11:51CO 2:31CO 7:402CO 10:12CO 12:10Zac Poonen emphasizes the essence of Spirit-filled service, highlighting the importance of being conscious of human insufficiency. He delves into the humility of the Apostle Paul, who despite his physical shortcomings and fears, was instrumental in establishing a church in Corinth through his preaching. Poonen cautions against those who claim to be God's mouthpiece with certainty, as true servants of God are often unaware when God speaks through them. He underscores the concept that Spirit-filled service is rooted in acknowledging weakness and continually seeking God's strength, echoing Paul's words that in weakness, true strength is found.
The Intercessory Prayers of Christians
By T.M. Anderson0LUK 11:5JHN 15:262CO 3:5COL 4:121TH 1:8T.M. Anderson preaches on the ministry of prayer and preaching, emphasizing the integral role they play in the plan of salvation. Through the teachings of Jesus, it is revealed that praying and preaching are ways of communication between God and man, appealing to each other's will. The Epistles highlight the power of intercessory prayer, showing how fervent prayers can lead believers to stand perfect in God's will. The responsibility to pray for others is crucial, as seen in the parable of the man seeking three loaves for a weary traveler, symbolizing our duty to intercede for those lost in the darkness of sin.
Aggressive Toward God
By Richard E. Bieber0MAT 7:11LUK 11:5JHN 12:24JHN 14:12JHN 15:7JHN 16:23Richard E. Bieber emphasizes the importance of believers imparting the reality of God to those in need, highlighting that the true test is not in the appearance or sophistication of churches but in the ability to touch others with God's presence, forgiveness, healing, and life. He challenges listeners to consider how they respond to people with needs, sins, bondage, and pain, urging them to seek God's presence for the strength to help others effectively. Bieber stresses the need for believers to be aggressive in prayer, persistently seeking God's provision and intervention, even when faced with apparent refusals or closed doors.
Friends
By Richard E. Bieber0MAT 18:18LUK 11:5JHN 15:12EPH 4:321JN 4:7Richard E. Bieber preaches on the importance of seeing Jesus not only as our Lord but also as our Friend, emphasizing the need to cultivate a deep friendship with God, Jesus, and our fellow believers. He highlights the transformation that occurs when we view God as a loving friend who desires to give us more than we can ask or think. Bieber challenges listeners to embrace forgiveness, unity, and love towards one another, reflecting the friendship we have with Jesus. He urges the congregation to break down walls of isolation and self-righteousness, reaching out to those who are still outside the Kingdom as friends, just as Jesus did with tax collectors and sinners.
The Parables of Jesus
By Zac Poonen0MAT 7:24MAT 9:16MAT 13:24MAT 13:31MAT 13:33MAT 13:44MAT 13:47MAT 18:23MAT 20:1MAT 21:28MAT 21:33MAT 22:2MAT 24:45MAT 25:1MAT 25:14MAT 25:31MRK 4:3MRK 4:26LUK 6:39LUK 7:31LUK 7:41LUK 10:30LUK 11:5LUK 11:11LUK 12:16LUK 13:6LUK 14:7LUK 14:28LUK 14:31LUK 15:3LUK 15:8LUK 15:11LUK 16:1LUK 17:7LUK 18:1LUK 18:9LUK 19:12LUK 21:29Zac Poonen preaches on various aspects of entering God's Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of good soil for spiritual growth, the need to be properly clothed with Christ's righteousness, and the significance of building our lives on a solid foundation of obedience. He also delves into the concept of paying the price in following Christ, highlighting the effortless growth that comes from following the Spirit's laws and the necessity of valuing Jesus above all else. Poonen addresses the themes of loving God and man, the danger of legalism, the different types of backsliders, spiritual pride, watching and praying, and being faithful with God's gifts.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
at midnight . . . for a friend is come--The heat in warm countries makes evening preferable to-day for travelling; but "midnight" is everywhere a most unseasonable hour of call, and for that very reason it is here selected.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For a friend of mine in his journey,.... Or "out of the way"; having lost his way, being benighted; and has rambled about for some time, and at length, is come to me; for lodging and entertainment: and I have nothing to set before him; to refresh him with, after such a fatigue, before he goes to bed, which was very requisite and proper.