THE POWERLESS PRAYER

LUKE 16:19, 22-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

PRAYER IS POWERLESS:

1. WHEN IT IS MADE AT THE WRONG TIME

[v. 22-24, v. 25 “thy lifetime”, Is. 59:2]

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

 

2. WHEN IT IS MADE TO THE WRONG PERSON [

v. 24, 27, 1 Tm. 2:5, 1 Kings 18:26]

Abraham, Confucius, Buddha, Mary, Joseph Smith, saints, Angels, etc. - are all useless when it comes to prayer - sincerity doesn’t help

-For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

-And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

 

3. WHEN IT GOES AGAINST GOD’S WORD

[v. 24-26, Heb. 9:27, 4:16, 10:28]

-And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [judgment not mercy for lost after death]

-Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

-He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

 

4. WHEN IT IS FOR THE WRONG MEANS

[v. 27-29, Is. 55:8, Ez. 18:25]

Religious experience over revelation

- For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

- Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

 

5. WHEN IT IS FROM THE WRONG MINDSET

[v. 30-31, Ps. 66:18, Jm. 4:3]

“I’M RIGHT, God’s wrong”

- If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

- Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.