Persistence is the Prerequisite: The “Unprofitable” Servant, and The Widow and the Mean Judge

Parables: The Unprofitable Servant, The Persistent Widow, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Presented at Harbor Church, Los Angeles, California

May 22, 1983

Scripture: Luke 17:3-10; Luke 18:1-17

“Strive to enter at the straight gate. For straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth into life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13

One of the better-known quotes from Dallas Willard is, “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” In today’s episode, Dallas is teaching on the persistent effort that is required if we expect to grow in our faith. Dallas says, “Faith is a matter of knowing how to speak the creative word of God with God. That's faith. Faith is seeing things to be so, which are in the will and vision and purpose of God, so that you are joined with God in speaking the creative words.”

This is the eleventh session of a 12-part series Dallas called “The Parabolic Teaching About Christ’s Kingdom by Christ Himself.” This series is the foundation for Dallas’s book, The Scandal of the Kingdom. https://dwillard.org/resources/books/the-scandal-of-the-kingdom Join us next time as Dallas wraps up the series with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Visit https://DWillard.org for a wide variety of resources and opportunities that can serve as a means to help you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Dallas Willard Ministries exists to proclaim, teach and manifest the love, truth and transforming power of Christ and the Kingdom of God. We invite you to partner with us by praying for our ministry team, praying for the students in the School of Kingdom Living, sharing your talents as a volunteer, or contributing financial gifts. Visit https://dwillard.org/donate if you’d like to help us increase the availability of Dallas’s teaching to help people become more like Jesus.

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The contents of this recording are © Willard Family Trust. Used by permission. For permission to reproduce any of this content, please contact Dallas Willard Publicatio...

14. Persistence is the Prerequisite: The “Unprofitable” Servant, and The Widow and the Mean Judge (1983)

The Dallas Willard Podcast