Date: 04/27/2025
Sermon: An Identity Crisis
Text: Luke.11.1-13 NLT
Theme: “Next Door – Sharing Christ with Your Neighbor
Cultural Context:
Social Customs from Antiquity
Philanthropy is a virtue
a. Plato cataloged philanthropy into three categories. In addition to (a) offering greetings or (b) hosting dinners, philanthropy was also expressed (c) through offering benefactions, especially in times of trouble
b. Luke 10.30-36 - Parable of the good SamaritanSocial Custom of Hospitality
a. The constant social context in ancient hospitality scenes appears to be travel. Hospitality was a highly valued and presumably widely practiced custom among pagans, Jews, and Christians. Hosts were expected to provide food, shelter, amenities, and protection to these traveling strangers, who sometimes turned out to be gods incognito
b. Luke 10.38-41 - Martha & MarySocial Custom of Friendship
a. In the Greco-Roman world, “friendship” was a very broad idea that covered “largely utilitarian relations of self-interest and advancement as well as those bonds which spring from family ties or social relations of true affection and commonality of character” (Fiore 1997, 73). Greco-Roman friendships tended to be based on the concept of reciprocity, which was expressed by such things as gift giving, loyalty, honor, and political support (Garnsey and Saller 1987, 154; Stambaugh and Balch 1986, 63–64). Friends were expected both to provide help during times of need and to publicly acknowledge any help they had received from other friends.
b. Luke 11.1-13 - Teach us to pray
Luke 11:1–13 NLT
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Luke 11:1 NLT
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
Principles of
Prayer
Luke 11:2–4 NLT
Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.
Principle #1 - God is close and desires a relationship
Principle #2 - Do we desire God to rule
Principle #3 - God’s provision is for today
Principle #4 - Deal with our own faults first
Principle #5 - Be quick to forgive
Principle #6 - Pray for strength
In order to pray this way we need to have the proper understanding of the character and nature of God.
The
We Have In Jesus
Luke 11:5–10 NLT
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
The Love of a
Luke 11:11–13 NLT
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Next Steps:
1) Commit to Daily, Honest Prayer
Challenge: Set a recurring alarm as a daily reminder to pray (morning, lunch, or evening).
2) Reflect on How You View God
“Our Father…” (Luke 11:2); “How much more will your Father…” (Luke 11:13)
How do you see God—as distant, angry, indifferent, or loving?
Ask the Spirit to reshape your understanding of God’s character based on Jesus’ words.
Reflection: Write down one way God has been a good Father to you recently.
3) Forgive Someone—Even If They Don’t Ask
“…as we forgive those who sin against us…” (Luke 11:4)
Is there someone you’ve been holding a grudge against?
Practice gospel-shaped forgiveness—letting go of bitterness and choosing peace.
You don’t need to feel it to obey—start by praying for that person today.
Challenge: Write their name and commit to praying for them every day this week.
4) Pray for Strength Over Your Struggles
“Don’t let us yield to temptation.” (Luke 11:4)
What area of life are you tempted to quit, indulge, or react sinfully?
Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of it—pray before temptation comes.
Ask others to pray for you (James 5:16).
Life Group Questions:
Get to know you question (optional):
Share a time when you felt your prayers were particularly powerful or meaningful. What made that experience stand out?
Read Luke 11.1-13 (prior to life group): When you read through the scripture take note of anything interesting, unique, or questions that come to mind when reading.
1) How has your understanding of God as Father influenced your prayer life? Has it been positive or challenging?
2) The sermon mentions six principles of powerful prayer. Which one resonates with you the most and why?
3) The sermon suggests that we often think of others who need to hear a message instead of looking inward. How can we cultivate a more self-reflective approach to spiritual growth?