July 27, 2025

“Blessed Persistence”

”Blessed Persistence” A sermon based on Genesis 18:20-32 and Luke 11:1-13 delivered on Sunday, July 27, 2025 by the Rev. Alison Andrea Young at the First Congregational UCC of Onekama, Michigan.

And Jesus said to them, ”Suppose one of you has a friend and you go to him at midnight and say
to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set
before him.’… I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is a friend,
at least because of his persistence, he will get up and give him whatever he needs.” And in Genesis,
when Abraham brokers with God for the fate of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, we can see that he
was VERY persistent. It is almost comical the way Abraham barters with God to save the lives of the
people of those fated towns. At each step of the bargaining process, Abraham says things like “Let me
take it upon myself to speak to the Lord,” and “‘Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more
. . .”
Persistence, Jesus says, is what makes the difference, not friendship. . . .

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