PRAYER IS USELESS and USEFUL

PRAYER IS USELESS and USEFUL

LUKE 16:19, 22-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. PRAYER IS USELESS

1. WHEN IT IS MADE AT THE WRONG TIME (v. 22-24) v. 25 “thy lifetime”, Is. 59:2

2. WHEN IT IS MADE TO THE WRONG PERSON (v. 24, 27) Abraham, Confucius, Buddha, Mary, Joseph Smith, saints, Angels, etc. - are all useless when it comes to prayer (I Tm. 2:5) 1 Kings 18:26 - sincerity doesn’t help

3. WHEN IT GOES AGAINST GOD’S WORD (v. 24-26, Heb. 9:27, 4:16, 10:28) (judgment not mercy for lost after death)

4. WHEN IT IS FOR THE WRONG MEANS (v. 27-29) Religious experience over revelation Is. 55:8, Ez. 18:25, 29

5. WHEN IT IS FROM THE WRONG MINDSET (v. 30-31) “I’M RIGHT, God’s wrong” Ps. 66:18, James 4:3

II. PRAYER IS USEFUL

1. When Made at the Right Time [Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near]

2. When Made to the Right Person [Jer. 33:3-4]

3. When it Agrees with God’s Word [1 John 5:14-15]

4. When it is for the Right Means [Luke 11:2]

5. When it is from the Right Mindset [1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.]