Luke 11

The Lord's Prayer

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

A disciple learns from the master. They had followed John the Baptist first, and learned to pray from him. How should we pray as we follow Jesus? Remember, Jesus was not with his Father, he was in the form of a man. Some say that he taught us to pray to the Father, not to him. Now Jesus is with the Father, I believe that together they hear our prayers. Here is his prayer example; it is not meant to replace our prayers or to have special power, but it is a guide to prayer.

Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Our Father, through receiving Jesus as Lord and savior, God becomes our Father. He is above, in the Holy place for he is hallowed, Holy, separated high above all in perfection of all good things. He is perfect in wisdom, power, love, justice, he is more than all we can say of Him.

Thy kingdom come; come now, the kingdom now is Spiritual, in His Spirit, increase your Spirit in our life Lord, increase your kingdom in and through me so that we may fellowship with you and do your works here on earth. As in heaven may you be manifested here, on earth through your disciples.

Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

We trust you each day to meet our needs for food, shelter, health. Thank you for this day and may I use it for your purposes.

Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

We must forgive others to be forgiven. If we hold a grudge, a hurt, we are hindered in our Spiritual service. Cleanse our hearts Lord, remove that which does not belong. We want to be vessels cleansed, fit for your use. We love you and we love all men, but we do hate evil and the evil spirits that war against you. Lead us not into temptations, testings to prove us. We wish to serve you willingly with a whole heart. Amen

Ask

Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

You can go to a friend at midnight, when in need.

Prov 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Luke 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

We sometimes would rather not be bothered.

Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

Because of his bothersome persistance, his boldness to continue asking, the man gave him his request, just to shut him up. The friend was a nuisance, but he got what he had requested. Think of Jesus as our best friend.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

God is not seeing us as a nuisance. God is not asleep and if we are his friend he will hear our request, we need not continue begging him. Ask in faith based on your relationship to him through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, his things and you shall find; knock, inquire of God and he shall open up the blessings of God to you; now, that is a true friend.

Luke 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Jesus is speaking to everyone chosen of the Father.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Ask on the basis of your relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, he is our best friend and our Lord. Has he not promised?

More of the Holy Spirit

Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

A natural father should meet the needs of a child when asked. A good father will try to give the child good things. How much more will our heavenly Father give us good things when we ask Him in faith?

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

What do we need most to be spiritual children of God? We need more of His Holy Spirit. Some refer to this as the way to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Hear the words of John the Baptist.

John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

We are not His without having the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit is necessary for salvation. By grace are we saved by faith, it is the work of God.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Some teach that when we are become children of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, that we receive all of the Holy Spirit. There is one Spirit and many fillings. Are you completely filled with His Spirit, lacking nothing in truth and the power of God in your life? If not? Pray, as Jesus has spoken in this verse.

How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

One final thought. This was spoken to Jews under the old covenant. Jesus had not yet finished his purpose for coming. He had not yet made the way for our redemption through his shed blood and His resurrection from the dead.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) At Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit came and we are sealed by His Spirit.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted (Jesus), after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

It is praying through the Holy Spirit that we are connected to our heavenly Father. A spiritual experience cannot replace your need to hear God's word and to communicate in prayer. If you are not sure you are saved, for sure you need to pray asking for the Holy Spirit in your life. If you want more evidence, including knowledge of His gifts for you? Pray, ask for more of His Spirit of truth.

Finger of God

Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

A dumb devil, interesting.

Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

A kingdom divided cannot stand, words to apply also to our nation, that appears to be divided over the name of Jesus and the ten commandments written by the finger of God.

What purpose would it be to cast out through the authority of the devil? Beelzebub, It is probably the same as Baalzebub ( q.v.), the god of Ekron, meaning "the lord of flies," or, as others think, "the lord of dung," or "the dung-god." (Easton's)

Luke 11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

Let your own son's speak to you of your error.

Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

Jesus, with the finger of God, casting out devils, no doubt this was the presence of God's kingdom authority. This was the finger of God that was with Moses before the King of Egypt.

Exo 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

This was the same authority that met with Moses on Mt. Sinai and delivered the law.

Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

The Jewish leaders hearts were as Pharaohs heart, resisting the Lord. You can resist God and bring destruction or glorify him and be blessed. The power of God is at hand. His finger is pointed at you. Receive his power, by receiving Jesus, and a new life in Him.

Strongman

Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
Luke 11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Jesus is greater than the strongman; the devil.

Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

No fence walking, you are either with Jesus or you are against him. All must decide who they will trust. Hear the words of Joshua.

Josh 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Josh 24:16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Casting out spirits

Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
Luke 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
Luke 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Can a Christian have an unclean spirit, a demon? Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we are posessed by demons, we are either owned by satan or we belong to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Christ we are given power to cast out demons. We must use this power with discernment. For example, we may cast demons out of a person, but we must be sure they receive Jesus and the Holy Spirit to fill the empty room of the heart. If not, seven other spirits more wicked then the one cast out may come in. Remember the Gadarenes man? He had a legion of demons and Jesus cast them out into a herd of swine. Afterwards the man was saved and wished to follow Jesus, a good desire.

Mark 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. Can demons posess a Christian? No, we either are of Christ or we are of satan. Can demons cause problems, yes but we have God's power to resist them.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. We can invite devils to influence us if we are into sin.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

One way satan can torment you as a Christian, is to believe his lies. What we believe will control us. Learn of who you are in Christ Jesus, do not listen to condemning words and words of sorrow. In the Lord Jesus Christ we have victory, walk in the Spirit of God and be all that you were created to be. A child of the most high God.

Greater than Jonah

Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

The woman wished to honor Jesus by giving honor to his mother. On mother's day we honor mothers, but Jesus was more like the image of His Father, God, than of his mother. Mary was blessed, but still a sinner.

Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

He came to bring the word of he Father. His word is eternal and holy. Blessed are they that hear the word and keep it.

Luke 11:29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
Luke 11:30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

Some do not accept the story of Jonah, calling it a myth. Jesus affirms the story as an illustration of his death, being in the grave three days, and his resurrection witness. When the Ninevites heard Jonah they repented and were saved from God's wrath. In the same manner, those who repent and receive the witness of Jesus are saved with eternal salvation.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Luke 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Your Light

Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

What good is it to light a candle and hide it? Are you ashamed of your candle? It's purpose is to give out light, let it shine.

Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

What is meant by a single eye? It refers to focusing on one thing, and we know that is God. We keep our eyes on the things of God, his Bible, his purpose, to be the light and truth reaching out to others. If we look at evil things, soon our thoughts will be in darkness. We must keep our minds on God's word.

Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

Isn't that what God wants for us? It is what I want to.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus is the light of truth

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Let your light shine in a sin darkened world, so others may come to Jesus.

All things are clean unto you

Luke 11:37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

The Pharisee observed many ceremonial laws and expected Jesus to do likewise. Jesus never broke God's law.

Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Luke 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

Picture a cup that is very clean on the outside, but on the inside is filthy. This is as the Pharisees. They loved to be seen and admired by others wearing their long religious robes, observing their laws to be seen of men.

1 Sam 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Jesus knew the heart of the Pharisee who accused him. Jesus has a pure heart, He is God come in a man. God the Son, whose spirit came in the form of a man, Jesus. The world likes to accuse those of Christ, they first accused Him of sinning. Jesus turns the thoughts back around to the accuser. Accusers seldom are perfect, they are hiding their own sins by being aggressive.

Luke 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

Give alms, share your abundance with the poor and behold all things are clean unto you. Jesus spoke of the new thing, the New Covenant in his blood. No longer will the dietary laws be in affect, all things shall be made clean to eat. This was revealed to Peter in the book of acts.

Acts 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
Acts 11:6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Acts 11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
Acts 11:8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
Acts 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Acts 11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. This was a new thing to the Jews. This also meant that God had cleansed the non-Jews, the Gentiles through faith in Jesus.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Woe, woe, woe

Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Woe, an expression of grief, regret or distress. Woe unto you Pharisees, Jewish religious leaders who observed their own traditions and also the law of God. You tythe, giving ten percent of your increase even of herbs, that is fine; but ignore the weightier matters of God's law: judgment, knowing right from wrong and the love of God, which is your supreme duty and command.

Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

They loved the praise of people more than of God. They strutted around as peacocks, thinking they were above others, loving the power over them and their own advantage. Shepherd, do you fleece the flock? Are you using your position to Lord it over others and to gain wealth? Woe unto you, you must give an accounting to God.

John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

Inwardly they were as dead men. Outwardly they appeared as regal men of God.

Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Jesus was not intimidated by his accusers. He let them know what God thought of them, for he was the Son of God.

Lawyer's burdens

Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

No man is able to keep all of God's laws. To not keep one of the laws places you under the curse of the law.

Deu 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

To break one law is to be in sin and separated from God. The Lawyers were the experts at interpreting the law of Moses. Because of their interpretations of the law, they added minute details and burdens to the law. They used the scriptures to impose religious bondage on the people. Jesus came to remove those burdens, for the Lawyers would not do so.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Faith in Jesus results in the grace of God. Jesus in you has kept all the laws, so we walk in freedom by His Spirit of truth. We no longer suffer, trying in the flesh to please God by laws and works. Christ Jesus has given us His Spirit and freedom to walk by faith, it is the work of God in us and by us; His grace through faith.

Blood guilty

Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

A sepulchre is a memorial burial place, honoring a dead person, calling attention to their existence and departure. The Jewish father's did not honor the prophets, not wanting to hear God through them, for He convicted them of sin. Often the men of God were killed and later memorialized.

Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Jesus speaking prophetically from God judges this generation. Why was he upset with them? Because He came as their promised Messiah, their deliverer, Emmanuel, God with them, and they resisted his words and deeds. They wished to trap him with some offense for an excuse to kill him.

Mat 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mat 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
Mat 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Mat 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

By their interpretations of the laws, they removed the key to knowledge; faith. They entered not in to the Spiritual understanding of God's word and those who were understanding, they hindered. This is going on today in some places. Those who are close in the Spirit to understanding are hindered by those in authority who trust in traditions and the teachings of men, over the revelation of God's word through His Spirit.

1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Can we be blood guilty? Have we shared Jesus with others? Who will tell them? He has removed our guilt through His blood, let us share the good news.

Laying wait

Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

They could wait forever and never find a real fault with the words Jesus spoke; He spoke his Father's words. One thing we can learn from this is that with much speaking error can come from our lips, so we need to speak the word of God, especially to those laying wait to find reasons to accuse us. The devil is as a lion, laying wait for us to sin or say something foolish.

1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

The devil is a liar, so finding nothing wrong with Jesus, false witnesses were brought in to accuse him.

Mat 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

People who reject Jesus will reject his witnesses. They are foolish, playing the devils fool and sealing their damnation. Do not be afraid of them, instead, pray for them.

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