Persevering Prayer for Vindication #1 (Lk 17:20-18:8)

Luke 17:20-18:8 Return of Jesus in N.T. Belief & Experience

In 'Persevering Prayer for Vindication #1,' Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Luke 17:20-18:8, arguing that the certainty and delay of Christ's second coming should motivate believers to a life of persevering and believing prayer for the ultimate vindication of God's people. He contrasts the unrighteous judge, who responds to persistence out of self-interest, with God, who, being infinitely righteous and loving, will surely and speedily avenge His elect who cry to Him day and night. Martin warns against a pagan view of prayer that seeks to 'wear out' a reluctant God, emphasizing that true perseverance in prayer is rooted in confidence in God's character and promises.

3 illustrations in this sermon

Introduction: The Certainty and Delay of Christ's Return

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Preacher's Questions on Christ's Return

The point: Live constantly in the light of the Lord's return, not as a detached conviction but as a pressing reality.

A preacher asks his congregation if they believe Christ will return, then if he might come today, tomorrow, or this week. The lack of response to the latter questions highlights the disconnect between theological conviction and living in constant expectation of Christ's imminent return.

The story is told, and I can't verify the accuracy of it, but it could be told in many places, that a preacher looked out into the faces of his people on one Lord's Day and asked them this question, Do you believe? Do you believe that the Lord Jesus will return again in power and in glory at the end of the age? To which his people responded, whether by a corporate amen or a raised hand or a nodding head, Yes, they did, without exception, believe that the Lord Jesus would come again in glory and in power at the end of the age. Then he asked a second question, Do you believe, not that he will, b...

5:41 - 6:37 Read in full sermon

The Characters Introduced: The Wicked Judge and the Oppressed Widow

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Wife's Lung Collapse and Medical Care

In this part of the sermon: Martin details the two main characters: the 'wicked judge' who neither feared God nor regarded man, and the 'oppressed widow' who was destitute and unjustly wronged. He highlights…

Martin recounts his wife's lung collapsing and the immediate, genuine concern shown by medical professionals, even if they didn't fear God. This illustrates the concept of common grace, where people show regard for others despite lacking the fear of God, contrasting with the wicked judge.

Now, there are many people who don't fear God, but at least in common grace, they have a regard for their fellow men and they genuinely seek to do them good. How we've seen that since Wednesday when we had this emergency with my wife's lung collapsing and all of a sudden we need the surgeon to take a tube in her lung and medical care to give her infusions of blood. They descended on her like bees on flowers full of nectar. They were genuinely concerned for her.

28:31 - 29:05 Read in full sermon

The Interaction Described: Persistent Petition and Selfish Response

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Kids Saying 'Get Off My Case'

In this part of the sermon: The widow continually and aggressively petitioned the judge for justice against her adversary. Initially unwilling, the judge eventually granted her request, not out of justice or…

Martin uses the common phrase 'get off my case' from children to parents to illustrate the widow's persistent troubling of the judge, who wants her to stop bothering him. This helps convey the judge's irritation and desire for ease.

Outside my door, outside the door. He said, lest she wear me out. She's hassling me. She's on my case.

38:46 - 38:53 Read in full sermon

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