THREE LOAVES OF BREAD
By Pastor CSJ Claassen

Our Bible Reading: Luke 11:5-13

Text verse:5

"Then He (Yeshua - Jesus) said to them: Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says: Friend, lend me three loaves of bread."

This parable is concerned with the power of persistent prayer. We often hear Preachers talk about the power of Prayer but Friend I want to remind you that the power does not lie in prayer - Prayer only moves the Hand of God - It is God that changes things and events not Prayer!

Prayer is what moves the hand of God!!!

It is midnight in the Parable, BUT it is also midnight in our world, and the darkness is so deep that we can hardly see which way to turn. The deep darkness of midnight is interrupted by the sound of a knock.

On the Door of the Church millions of people knock. They come and knock seeking a little bread to tide them over. I want to remind you that the Church is not a building - You and I together are the Church, The Body of Messiah - The world is knocking at the door of our hearts.

The friend in our parable asks for three loaves of bread. When the man in the parable knocked on his friend's door and asked for three loaves of
bread, he received the impatient retort: Do not bother me, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.

How often have men experienced a similar disappointment when at midnight they knock on the door of the Church. At our Door, and at your Door? What are people seeking at the Door of the Church when they knock at our door?

THE BREAD OF FAITH

Many people knock at the Door of the Church and ask: What is Faith? Where can I find Faith? Someone once said: "When fear knocks at the door of the heart, send faith to open it, and you will find that there is no one there." Faith is what drives fear away!

Because of Fear in their lives - they come knocking at our Door and ask: Where can I find faith?

Three boys once gave their definition of faith.

One said: Faith is taking hold of God.

The Second said: Faith is holding on to God.

A Third said: Faith is not letting go.

Three different answers, and yet each boy was right! What is faith? I want to share with you a true illustration:

During World War 2, some escaped prisoners of war hid for some time in a cellar in Cologne, Germany. They wrote on the wall this inscription:

I believe in the sun, even when it is not shinning.
I believe in love, even when feeling it not.
I believe in God, even when He is silent.

It may be midnight in your life and perhaps you are in need of the Bread of Faith. Friend don't stop knocking - Faith will open the Door if you just continue knocking. Keep on knocking!!! Faith will help you endure the darkness of midnight.

We need to tell those knocking at the Door of the Church for the Bread of Faith to Hold on to God and not let go - Yeshua, Jesus is the only One who can help us when it is midnight and darkness has settled over our World.

THE BREAD OF HOPE

Perhaps it is midnight and darkness has settled over your life and you need the Bread of Hope to survive the night. It has been said that man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, and about eight minutes without air - but only one second without hope.

Friend, at midnight, when the darkness of sickness and problems has descended over our world it is only the Bread of Hope that can help and sustain us.

The knowledge that: "Yeshua Messiah - Jesus the Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

The knowledge that: Yeshua, Jesus replied: "What is impossible with men is possible with God" Luke 18:27

This is the Bread of Hope that we in this Church have to offer those knocking at our Door. When the doctors no-longer can help you. When the Bank Manager no-longer will help you. When friends desert you.

Remember there is still the BREAD OF HOPE and HIS name is YESHUA, JESUS!!!

THE BREAD OF LOVE

It is midnight and in the darkness you need the reassurance of a piece of the Bread of Love. Leslie Weatherhead shared this story of a boy who lived in Leeds.

"Following his Father's death, his mother was compelled to go to work. The boy was a problem, not too dependable. One day his mother warned him not to play near some new construction. He disobeyed, and was seriously injured. In the hospital, he heard an indiscreet nurse tell his mother he would never walk again. When the boy's mother entered his room, he plaintively asked: Mother, do you love me? Yes, of course, I love you. Then everything is all right. I know that I will never walk again for I heard the nurse, but if you forgive me and love me, I can stand the rest."

No matter who you are - No matter what you have done, I want to share with you the Bread of Love!

The knowledge that: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Even through I walk through the valley of the shaddow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me, Psalm 23:4. And because God has said: Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. We have confidence! Hebrews 13:5-6

So again we say with confidence, The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

This is the Bread of Love that we have to share with you.

MY CONCULSION

In the parable we notice that after the man initial disappointment, he continued to knock on his friend's door. Because of his importunity - his persistence - he finally persuaded his friend to open the door. The dawn will come. Disappointment, sorrow and despair are born at midnight, but morning follows.

... Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

But in closing I want you to notice something very important! Because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him. Luke 11:6 - He did not knock at the Door of his friend for himself but he wanted three loaves of Bread for a friend in need who had called on him. One friend calls on another friend for a friend in need ! Have you knocked at the Door of this Church tonight because you need the: Bread of Faith - Bread of Hope - Bread of Love?

Then take courage for the Bible says: "...The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

We have a Friend and His name is Yeshua, Jesus and He is able to help you or your friend who is in need! And we will knock at His Door in prayer, this very hour for you. AMEN!!!

God Bless You All,
Pastor CSJ Claassen
Goldfields Revival Centre
PO Box 99
Welkom
9460 SOUTH AFRICA
e-mail:claassen@intekom.co.za

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