Luke 18

None at all.

Luke 18.

And don't say, because this is Old Testament still, that they didn't do water baptism.

They did water baptism.

What do you think? Jesus did baptize some.

And John the Baptist surely did.

Look at Luke 18.

A tax collector cries out, God be merciful to me, a sinner.

But God is ever faithful to his word.

In Luke 18, 27, the Bible says, and it said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

From this day, whatever men have said is impossible, God will give you a testimony after now.

Shout it loud, amen.

Luke 18, 9-30 Devotional Focus Verse But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Luke 18, 16-17 A week or two ago, my grandchildren and I went out for a stroll in our neighborhood.

The early summer evening was warm and inviting, and many of our neighbors were out enjoying it too.

We passed several young parents pushing strollers, people walking their dogs, and a number of folks working in their yards.

Let us continue to walk as trustful children, for we are children, God's children.

Background Information In this text, Jesus continued his instructions to the people regarding the criteria for entering the kingdom of God.

Having taught about God's part in answering persistent prayer in the preceding parable, in Luke 18, 1-8, Jesus taught about man's part in the first segment of today's text, verses 9-14.

In the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus illustrates the power of relent- relentless prayer.

Uh, Luke 18:1-8 states, "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart." The widow's continual pleas to the unjust judge eventually lead to her receiving justice, symbolizing how persistent prayer can lead to divine intervention.

Another key passage is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus encourages his followers to be persistent in their request to God, which is Matthew 7:7-8, which we just, we just read.

This passage emphasizes the active and ongoing nature of prayer, suggesting that persistence is rewarded by God.

Then the last one is build your life on the teachings of Christ, ensuring a solid foundation for all circumstances.

And then some, uh, additional scriptures that connect, we have judgment and hypocrisy.

Romans 2:1, "Therefore, have no excuses, oh man, every one of you who judges, for in passing judgment on a- on another, you condemn yourself because you, the judge, practice the very same things." And then, uh, persistence in prayer, Luke 18:1.

"Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart." Uh, next is the- the Golden Rule, Luke 6:31.

These are common things that people are trusting in.

It reminds me of the story found in Luke 18 that Jesus tells of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

So Jesus described this situation where a Pharisee and a tax collector, they go into the temple to worship.

And as they go to pray, The Pharisee, Jesus said, the Pharisee was praying like this about himself.

Remember, Jesus teaches that we should always pray and not give up.

Luke 18 verse 1.

But because his faith is cruciform, Jesus can also say, yet not my will, but yours be done.

You see, that is surrender.

We'll start in verse 9.

And he goes on and it says this in Luke chapter 18 and verse 9, talking about that self-righteous pride, and it says this, and Jesus Christ is going to speak here, and he spoke this parable in verse 9 of Luke 18, and he spoke this parable in the certain, which what? Trusted in themselves.

There it is.

That's the pride.

The Pharisee said, I thank you I'm not like other men.

Luke 18, I'm thanking you I'm not immoral.

I thank you that I'm not a thief.

I thank you that I'm not like them dogs out there.