Luke 18:1-8: The Parable of Perseverance

I. Text: Luke 18:1-8

II. Understanding Text
   A. Luke gives purpose of parable (v. 1)
   B. Basic narrative easy to understand
   C. Applying parable to reality
      1. Resist urge to make direct application-- God is not like 
         the judge! (Acts 17:30-31)
      2. Parable a story of extremes to make a point
      3. If an unrighteous judge is this way, how will the Son of 
         Man be?
   D. The point: keep trying
      1. We should not easily give up on people
      2. We should invite people often, not just once
      3. We should show patience often (Galatians 5:22)
   E. Persistence is key
      1. What if the widow was not diligent in making her appeal?
      2. Matthew 5:13-16
      3. Ephesians 6:10-18
      4. When we stumble before others, it is hard to make up 
         lost ground
      5. 1 Peter 3:1-2

III. Jesus' Question
   A. Let us ask the question of Jesus: if He returns today, 
      will He find faith?
      1. He will return-- Matthew 25, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
      2. Are we standing firm?
      3. Are we making our petitions to the Judge 
         (1 Thessalonians 5:17)?
      4. Will He find faith in us?

IV. Invitation