Luke 18:1–8
HOMI675: Preaching from the New Testament
June 22, 2023
Make sure sermon ideas are clear and
well worded.
Plan with the dynamics of oral
communication.
Design the presentation to follow the
text.
Design the presentation to engage the
audience.
Balance development for the whole man.
Plan for the audience and the occasion.
This exercise involves planning the design of your sermon for an oral presentation. This form
follows the motivated sequence outline combined with the traditional introduction-body-
conclusion format.
Introduction Attention
As a child, my grandmother was the most righteous person I have ever met.
She has attended Church since I was born and served on the ministry board
as a Deaconess for years. My grandmother exemplifies what it means to be a
Christian in more ways than one. Besides serving in the Church and teaching
the word of God to others, praying was the most significant task she
conducted throughout the day. She prayed at any time and everywhere. She
prayed when she woke up in the morning, at work, before every meal, and
before she went to sleep. Today's sermon will discuss how consistency can
help you achieve anything your heart desires. The scripture I will apply this
topic to is Luke 18:1-8. This passage is a Parable of the Persistent Widow.
Need
In past sermons, I have mentioned how important discipline can be to your
Christian journey. While this is true, it is also important to understand that
discipline is achieved through consistency. To be consistent, you must
develop a habit in an activity the same way over time. As a Christian, this
could mean going to Bible study every Wednesday, going to the men’s
shelter every Saturday, and attending church service every Sunday. In Luke
18:1-8, the widow showed consistency by constantly going to the judge to
receive justice from her adversaries. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)states, “And let us
not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not
give up.” We can not give up our belief in Christ regardless of how long we
think we have called him.
BRIDGING SENTENCES
Luke 18: 1-8 shows us that God will always follow through with any
statement he makes to us. Our job is not to tell Christ when to help us, but we
can make it known that his guidance is needed multiple times a day.
[Subject: Consistency Modifier:] Achievement
Textual Idea:
We must consistently seek Christ in our lives.
Sermon Idea:
This passage brings us to the days when people stood around Jesus Christ to
hear his message. Christ, unlike many other teachers of the past, taught in
parables. A parable is a story Jesus Christ used to illustrate a moral and spiritual
lesson. Most people hear about the mustard seed parable, but Luke 18: 1-8 is a
parable about consistency.
Interrogative:
How does your consistency in Christ help advance the kingdom of God?
Transition:
Jesus told stories in Parables because he knew people are more prone to
absorbing knowledge if he used metaphors and similies to articulate his
purpose.
Body Satisfaction
The widow possessed a characteristic many of us can tap into daily. Let's use
the power of consistency to obtain all God has in store for us.
DIVISION 1 STATEMENT
Consistency comes naturally when we believe that God is with us.
Explanation
Like the widow, we must believe in God so strongly that others obey to rid
themselves of his power. We are lucky to have the Holy Spirit's presence
because we will know that God's power always covers us.
Illustration
Belief is the initial ingredient a believer must possess to receive the blessings
Christ has in store for us. Believing allows us to visualize what’s to come for
us in the future, although we may not know when it is coming.
Argumentation
It is important to remember that Jesus spoke in parables because parables were
an effective method to teach other believers. Intellectually Jesus was ahead of
his time, so he had to teach people using stories he knew people could relate to
during that period.
Application
To accomplish anything in life, we must first believe it is possible. God
wants us to believe in him so that we understand his all-knowing power.
Although God could have easily fixed the widow's issue the first time she
complained, God has a variety of methods to assist us.
Transition (Div. 1 to Div. 2)
In Luke 18, the persistence that the woman displayed shows that she values
her worth and is aware that she is in the presence of God.
DIVISION 2 STATEMENT
People may not always like who you are and what you believe in life, but those
same people may value your tenacity.
Explanation
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to explain the importance of prayer and
consistency. In the town, there was a judge who did not fear God or care about
the opinions of others. And a widow in that town kept coming to him to seek
justice against her adversary. Although the judge did not care about her
complaints, he noticed that she would never give up seeking justice, which she
valued.
Illustration
Many people hated Jesus Christ because his knowledge and wisdom went
against the status quo during that time. Many people were initially
skeptical about Jesus and his teachings because they weren’t normal. His
ability to accept others and serve others was completely foreign to them.
What converted many believers of that time was that he continued to do
his work every day regardless of the consequences.
Argumentation
When telling the parables to his disciples, Jesus knew that without proper
articulation, the disciples would value what he had to say. Jesus also knew
that he must teach in a manner that people can accept and teach to others.
Application
In Luke 18: 4-5, it states, “4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said
to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet
because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so
that she won’t eventually come and attack me!” An old saying states that
the squeaky mouse gets the cheese. The widow understood the value of
speaking things into existence. No matter how often she was denied, she
knew that her requests would get answered with God.
Transition (Div. 2 to Div. 3)
Jesus taught his disciple the value of consistency. Jesus also taught them that
they must be patience to receive their blessings.
DIVISION 3 STATEMENT
Patience is one of the most important virtues to see effective change.
Explanation
Patience is one of those trait that we must develop overtime. Maturity is
the key component in our ability to become patient. Christ was a patient
person not only with his disciples and other believers, but he was patient
with himself. Many of us forget that Jesus was in his 30 by the time he
became world renown. During his upcoming Jesus received teachings that
he passed down to his disciples. God blessed Jesus with the ability to
remain patient until he was ready to fulfill his message.
Illustration
The widow exercised patience by never giving up on what was right. She
knew that she deserved respect from her adversaries. Depending on how
you look at it, the judge was also patient. Judges are impatient, short
tempted, and heavy on punishments. His ability to listen to multiple
requests without retaliation shows that he could be patient.
Argumentation
Some may believe that you are either patient or not patient. Some may also
believe that patience can not be developed, but they are completely wrong.
Patience, like all virtues, are lessons taught to us to better our well-being.
Application
Once you accept Jesus into your life, you should expect to see a difference in
your life, but do not expect all of youor problems to go away magically.
Problems and issues will always become apart of our lives. This is why it’s
important to strengthen our relationship with God to have someone on our
side when we encounter crisis.
Transition (Div 3 to Div 4)
The best part about patience is that it lets you know when to pursue your
goal.
DIVISION 4 STATEMENT
Having patience increases the effectiveness of our actions.
Explanation
The previous service I mentioned that the most important resource for any
church to survive is the “people.” While that statement I made is true, let me
take it one step further. The survival rate of a church is based on the people's
actions. The church flourishes when the church partake in actions that are
pleasing to God. When the people act wickedly, the church spirals into
destruction.
Illustration
Imagine a world where we took our time to make precise and righteous
decisions? We would be far ahead of our time. Whether we're discussing the
military, sports, or business, our execution is the what’s required to complete
any task we desire to accomplish. Imagine if the disciples if the received the
Great Commandment from Jesus but did not act afterwards? Well, for
starters, they probably would have eventually been replaced. Second, our
love for Christ probably wouldn’t be the same.
Argumentation
Many people are content with just praying. We pray to before we eat, sleep,
and make significant decisions. For many, prayer is where it stop. God wants
us to know that action is also an important ingredient in conjunction to
prayer. James 2:7 states, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied by action, is dead.” The widow knew that her request would
never become fulfilled if she did not consistently act on what she believed
was right.
Application
This world has become what it is due to our actions Romans 8:4 states, “in
order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us,
who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” I
mentioned this verses because we must constantly assess our actions to
ensure that we are living according to God’s standards.
Transition (Div. 4 to Div. 5)
Our actions must influence others to do good.
DIVISION 5 STATEMENT
Jesus took the time to teach his disciples so that they would spread his
teachings throughout the world.
Explanation
They are many names we could call Jesus Christ. We all know that he was
the Messiah. Many also called him a savior. Caregiver, leader, and more
importantly, a teacher. Jesus can articulate messages in a way everyone
could understand without discrediting others with different beliefs. Jesus
parables were genius because they allowed those who listened to interpret
the message without Jesus stating the context of the topic blatantly.
Illustration
Imagine a world where everyone accepted Jesus's teachings. Imagine if
those who accepted Christ’s teaching spread the message to others? Well,
that is exactly what happened. People of that period were blessed with
Christ's lesson and spread that knowledge to others. 1 Peter 2:2-3 states,
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may
grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
Argumentation
Some people do not understand how vital it can be to the wisdom produced
in others. Whether referring to the widow, judge, Jesus, or the disciples,
they all had to take the time to reflect on the best course of action in their
lives.
Application
Today, we are blessed to have the Book of life, The “Holy Bible” at our
disposal everyday. We can access this book at any time in our lives. The
book is on the internet, television, radio, and all major stores. The Holy Bible
was not always this accessible. In the past, only the religious leaders had
access to the word. So it is more important than ever to give yourself a deep
dive into what the word of God has in store for us.
Transition (Div. 5 to Concl.)
When we accept Christ into our lives, we will accept the wisdom he gained
throughout his lifetime. This is not to say that we will become God by
knowing his word, but we will become renewed in the intellect and spirit.
Conclusion Visualization
In the book of Luke, he wanted the world to know Jesus Christ from his
perspective. Luke was blessed to know and learn from Jesus. Although we
could not see Jesus the way the disciple did in that period, we too can learn
from him every day.
Reiteration
We must consistently seek Christ in our lives.
Action
We must consistently seek knowledge and live in a manner pleasing to Christ is
mandatory.
Introduction
Interest
Analogy
Personal
Need
Element
Historical
Context
Textual Idea
Sermon Idea
Interrogative
As a child, my grandmother was the most righteous person I have ever
met. She has attended Church since I was born and served on the
ministry board as a Deaconess for years. My grandmother exemplifies
what it means to be a Christian in more ways than one. Besides serving
in the Church and teaching the word of God to others, praying was the
most significant task she conducted throughout the day. She prayed at
any time and everywhere. She prayed when she woke up in the morning,
at work, before every meal, and before she went to sleep. Today's
sermon will discuss how consistency can help you achieve anything
your heart desires. The scripture I will apply this topic to is Luke 18:1-8.
This passage is a Parable of the Persistent Widow.
In past sermons, I have mentioned how important discipline can be to
your Christian journey. While this is true, it is also important to
understand that discipline is achieved through consistency. To be
consistent, you must develop a habit in an activity the same way over
time. As a Christian, this could mean going to Bible study every
Wednesday, going to the men’s shelter every Saturday, and attending
church service every Sunday. In Luke 18:1-8, the widow showed
consistency by constantly going to the judge to receive justice from her
adversaries. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)states, “And let us not grow weary of
doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” We
can not give up our belief in Christ regardless of how long we think we
have called him.
We must consistently seek Christ in our lives.
This passage brings us to the days when people stood around Jesus
Christ to hear his message. Christ, unlike many other teachers of the
past, taught in parables. A parable is a story Jesus Christ used to
illustrate a moral and spiritual lesson. Most people hear about the
mustard seed parable, but Luke 18: 1-8 is a parable about consistency.
How does your consistency in Christ help advance the kingdom of God?
Attentio
n
divisions
Transition
Main
Stated here
Jesus told stories in Parables because he knew people are more prone to
absorbing knowledge if he used metaphors and similies to articulate his
purpose.
The widow possessed a characteristic many of us can tap into daily. Let's
use the power of consistency to obtain all God has in store for us.
Body Division # 1 Consistency comes naturally when we believe that God is
with us.
Explanation Luke 18:1-3
Historical
Cultural
Principle
Like the widow, we must believe in God so strongly that others obey
to rid themselves of his power. We are lucky to have the Holy
Spirit's presence because we will know that God's power always
covers us. Luke 18: 1-3 states, “Then Jesus told his disciples a
parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God
nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town
who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my
adversary.” For the widow to have the confidence to approach the
judge requesting justice from a person with a reputation of injustice,
she must know God was on her side.
Illustration
Analogy - Opinion
Belief is the initial ingredient a believer must possess to receive the
blessings Christ has in store for us. Believing allows us to visualize
what’s to come for us in the future, although we may not know
when it is coming. Growing up, I believed that with hard work, I
could accomplish anything, but later I learned that through God I
can accomplish anything. God gave me a specific set of gifts that
took years to figure out. Once I figured out my gifts such as
leadership, public speaking, and counseling, I could tap into levels I
did not know existed with God.
Argumentation
Cross-reference
Reason
It is important to remember that Jesus spoke in parables because
parables were an effective method to teach other believers.
Intellectually Jesus was ahead of his time, so he had to teach people
using stories he knew people could relate to during that period.
Application
Descriptive
To accomplish anything in life, we must first believe it is possible. God
wants us to believe in him so that we understand his all-knowing power.
Although God could have easily fixed the widow's issue the first time
she complained, God has a variety of methods to assist us.
Consistency comes naturally when we believe that God is with us.
Restatemen
t
Transition In Luke 18, the persistence that the woman displayed shows that she
values her worth and is aware that she is in the presence of God.
Division # 2 People may not always like who you are and what you believe in
life, but those same people may value your tenacity.
Explanation
Luke 18: 4-5
Historical Cultural
Principle
Returning to the passage, Jesus told his disciples a parable
explaining the importance of prayer and consistency. In the town,
there was a judge who did not fear God or care about the opinions of
others. And a widow in that town kept coming to him to seek justice
against her adversary. Although the judge did not care about her
complaints, he noticed that she would never give up seeking justice,
which she valued. Luke 18:4-5 states, “For some time he refused.
But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care
what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I
will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and
attack me!’”
Illustration
Analogy – Personal
When reading the Bible, I was aware that some people hated Jesus
Christ because his knowledge and wisdom went against the status
quo. Many people were initially skeptical about Jesus and his
teachings because they weren’t normal. His ability to accept others
and serve others was completely foreign to them. What converted
many believers of that time was that he continued to do his work
every day regardless of the consequences. I am sure there have been
times when people disliked you because you interrupted the status
quo in a group, organization, or community. Like Jesus, you must
show grace towards people, not only because it is the right thing to
do. Some people do not know any better and need knowledge.
Argumentation
Cross-reference
Matthew13:
31-32
When telling the parables to his disciples, Jesus knew that without
proper articulation, the disciples would value what he had to say.
Jesus also knew that he must teach in a manner that people can
accept and teach to others. Matthew 13:31-32 states, “He told them
another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed,
which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest
of all seeds, when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and
becomes a tree, so the birds come and perch in its branches.” This is
another example of how Jesus describes both spirirtual and physical
growth. For anything to grow in the world, it takes consistent effort.
Application
Descriptive
Restatement
An old saying states that the squeaky mouse gets the cheese. The
widow understood the value of speaking things into existence. No
matter how often she was denied, she knew that her requests would
get answered by God. It is safe to say that anything of value will not
come easy. We have to continue striving for the things we need.
Only through consistent effort will our request become valued.
Transition Jesus taught his disciple the value of consistency. Jesus also taught
them that they must be patient to receive their blessings.
Division # 3 Patience is one of the most important virtues one must possess to
see effective change.
Explanation
Luke 18: 6-8
Historical Cultural
Principle
Luke 18: 6-8 states, “And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust
judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones,
who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I
tell you, he will see that they get justice quickly. However, when the
Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Patience is one of
those trait that we must develop overtime. Maturity is the key
component in our ability to become patient. Christ was a patient person
not only with his disciples and other believers, but he was patient with
himself. Many of us forget that Jesus was in his 30 by the time he
become world renown. During his upcoming Jesus received teachings
that he passed down to his disciples. God blessed Jesus with the ability
to remain patient until he was ready to fulfill his message.
Illustration
Analogy –personal
The widow exercised patience by never giving up on what is right.
She knew that she deserved respect her adversaries. Depending on
how you look at it, the judge ws also patient. Judges are impatient,
short tempted, and heavy on punishments. His ability to listen to
multiple requests without retaliation shows that he could be patient.
Argument
Cross-reference
James 5:8
Some may believe that you either patient or impatient. Some may
also believe that patience can not be developed, but they are
completely wrong. Patience, like all virtues are lessons taught to us
to better our well-being. James 5:8 states,“You also must be patient.
Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord’s coming is near.”
Application
Descriptive
Prescriptive
Once you accept Jesus into your life, you should expect to see a
difference in your life, but do not expect all of your problems to
magically go away. Problems and issues will always become apart
of our lives. This is why it’s important to strengthen our relationship
with God to have someone on our side when we encounter crises.
Transition
Conclusion
Visualization
Reiteration
Action
Transition (Div. 3 to Concl.)
The best part about patience is that it lets you know when to pursue your
goal.
Imagine a world where we took our time to make precise and
righteous decisions? We would be far ahead of our time whether
were discussing the military, sports, or business. Our execution is
the what’s required to complete any task we desire to accomplish.
Imagine if the disciples if receive the Great Commandment from
Jesus but did not act afterwards? Well, for starters, they probably
would have eventually been replaced. Second, our love for Christ
probably wouldn’t be the same.
We must consistently seek Christ in our lives.
We must consistently seek knowledge and live in a manner pleasing
to Christ is mandatory.
Appeal
As we continue our life’s journey, we shall always place God first.
