"ASK, SEEK, KNOCK"
Intro.
A. The text for our lesson is Matt. 7:7-11. Chart #1 - Matt.
7:7-11 (See Charts below).
B. These are cheering and comforting words from our Lord.
1. This is a gracious promise for us in this present life.
C. Life is a journey full of problems and tribulations, but the
child of God has a helper on whom he can call.
1. It is illustrated in the example of Abraham. Heb. 11:8
a. He went out not knowing where he went, but he knew
with whom he went.
2. It is also illustrated in the life of Jesus. John 16:32-33
D. God does not promise to cut out all the thorns and give us only
roses, but He does assure us that He will provide for us and
protect us. Heb. 13:5-6; Psalm 55:22
E. In view of God's promise, several questions arise in the hearts
of many:
1. Why is our standard of living so poor?
2. Why are our lives filled with turmoil and unhappiness?
3. Why are there so many hardships, difficulties, and
tribulations?
I. WE MUST DO OUR PART - ASK, SEEK, KNOCK. Matt. 7:7-8
A. Chart #2 - In The Greek
1. Aorist imperative (issues a definite command).
Example: "Shut the door behind you."
2. Present imperative (issues a command that one should
always do something, or should go on doing something.
Example: "Always shut the door behind you."
a. Thus, in verses 7 and 8 Jesus is saying, "Go on asking,
go on seeking, go on knocking" or "continue to ask,
continue to seek, continue to knock."
B. Chart #3 - Persistence Is Stressed (Jesus is stressing
persistence, perseverence, importunity).
1. Continue to Ask - Asking, pleading, petitioning.
a. This presupposes belief in a personal God.
b. In spite of all the millions on earth, God hears me and
cares about me. He is my own personal Father who
loves me and cares for me.
2. Continue to Seek - Asking, plus acting.
a. This involves actively endeavoring to obtain one's
needs.
b. For example, we pray for our daily bread, but we also
labor to obtain it.
(1) We pray that we might get well from our
sicknesses, but we seek treatment that will help.
(2) We pray for knowledge of God's word, but we
diligently search and examine the Scriptures.
3. Continue to Knock - Asking, plus acting, plus persevering.
a. This involves continual knocking at the palace door of
the king.
b. We see the progression in asking, seeking, and
knocking.
(1) Suppose one is trying to find a certain address.
First he is asking for the address, and, next, he's
out seeking to find it and, then, he is knocking on
the door.
(2) The Lord is emphasizing this same diligence in our
prayers.
4. Jesus stressed persistence and perseverence in His parables.
Luke 11:5-8
a. Notice that Jesus followed with the same words as
given in Matthew. Luke 11:9-13
II. GOD WILL ALWAYS DO HIS PART.
A. Chart #4 - Promise Fulfilled When The Command Is Obeyed
1. Verse 7 - Ask - - - - - Given
Seek - - - - Find
Knock - - - Opened
2. Verse 8 - Asks - - - - - Receives
Seeks - - - - Finds
Knocks - - - Opened
3. For "everyone" who asks receives.
a. Thus, all of those who obey the command will receive.
Not a single one will be ignored or brushed aside.
b. In the parable of the "Unjust Judge" Jesus stressed
persistence, but he added, "Shall God not avenge His
own elect who cry out day and night to Him...?" Luke
18:1-8
(1) In other words, if an unjust judge would avenge a
widow (whom he doesn't care about) because of
her persistence, surely God would avenge His own
elect (those whom He has called and especially
cares about) because of their persistence.
(2) That God answers the prayers of His people is a
fundamental principle taught throughout the Bible.
James 5:16; John 16:23
III. CONSIDER THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD. Matt. 7:9-11
A. Chart #5 - Matt. 7:9-10
1. Generally speaking, this is true. Jesus was talking to His
disciples here, and it would be true regarding them.
a. It is not true of some evil people. Rom. 1:31
(1) Found only in Rom. 1:31 and 2 Tim. 3:3 -
"Unloving" (NKJV) "Without natural affection"
(JKV) "inhuman" (RSV); literally, "to cherish
affectionately," but with the negative.
(2) Isa. 49:15
b. Earthly fathers often make mistakes, thinking they know
what's best, but they don't always know.
2. God always knows what's best. He never gives us evil nor
leads us astray.
a. Although God would never give His children evil, some
are apt to think so when something terrible has
happened to them.
B. The Fatherhood of God is taught in verse 11. Chart #5 - Matt.
7:11
1. Jesus gives a lesson from the lesser to the greater.
a. We must be children of God to receive this marvelous
care. John 1:9-13; 9:30
b. We must be faithful children of God. John 15:6-7; 1
John 3:22
2. Consider the phrase "how much more."
a. Jesus is showing what the God to whom we are praying
is like - He genuinely cares; He abundantly provides.
b. He is not a grudging God out of whom every gift must
be squeezed.
(1) Even of the evil Jews, God has kind thoughts
toward them. Jer. 29:10-14
c. God is more than ready to bless those who seek Him
with all their hearts.
3. "Give good things."
a. God will not always give us everything we ask. He will
not give us anything that is bad for us.
b. Bill Curry of south Boston worked most of his life as a
cafeteria cook for the Merit Food Company on a modest
income by which he managed to provide for his wife,
son, and daughter. When Bill Curry won the state
lottery, 3.6 million dollars, his first thought was to
buy a Dalmatian puppy for the youngsters. That was the
extent of the celebration, but when the parasites
converged -- the lawyers, investment advisers,
accountants, and financial analysts -- he was
overwhelmed by them, and by people wanting handouts
for all manner of charities. He returned to his job in
the cafeteria, but even there financial advisers were
everywhere. His nearest relative says there's no doubt
about it, in the weeks since he won the lottery, it was
not the money that caused his stress, but it was all of
those people who wanted to deal themselves in. Bill
Curry died of a heart attack at age 37. (Associated
Press, 9-25-90).
(1) Consider the wisdom of the humble prayer in
Prov. 30:8-9.
c. Luke's account shows us what some of those "good
things" are. Luke 11:13
(1) The Holy Spirit has given us all things that pertain
to life and godliness. 2 Pet. 1:3
(2) He has given us the true spiritual fruit that flows
from Him. Gal. 5:22
4. "To those who ask Him."
a. The Father loves his children and cares for them, but He
wants them to ask for the things they need. Prov. 15:8;
Psalm 86:5
b. His commands reveal what He wants from us. Rom.
12:12; Eph. 5:20; 6:18; Col. 4:2-4; 1 Thess. 5:17
Concl.
A. Let us do our part - continue to ask, seek, and knock.
B. Jesus said, "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" and "how much
more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to
those who ask Him!"
1. This is the promise of what our loving, caring, heavenly
Father will do for us when we pray.
2. Let us ever take advantage of this great blessing.
Chart #1
7 "Ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find; knock, and
it will be opened to you.
8 "For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be
opened.
9 "Or what man is there among
you who, if his son asks for bread,
will give him a stone?
10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he
give him a serpent?
11 "If you then, being evil, know
how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your
Father who is in heaven give good
things to those who ask Him!
Chart #2 - In The Greek:
Aorist imperative - Issues a definite command.
Example: "Shut the door behind you."
Present imperative - Issues a command that one should always do
something or should go on doing something.
Example: "Always shut the door behind you."
Chart #3 - Persistence Is Stressed:
Continue to Ask - Asking, pleading, petitioning.
(This presupposes belief in a personal God).
Continue to Seek - Asking, puss acting.
(This involves actively endeavoring to obtain one's needs).
Continue to Knock - Asking, plus acting, plus persevering.
(This involves continual knocking at the palace door of the king).
Chart #4 - Promise Fulfilled When Command Is Obeyed:
Verse 7: Ask - - - - - Given
Seek - - - - Find
Knock - - - Opened
Verse 8: Asks - - - - - Receives
Seeks - - - - Finds
Knocks - - - Opened
"For everyone who asks receives"
Chart #5
9 "Or what man is there among you
who, if his son asks for bread, will
give him a stone?
10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he
give him a serpent?
Chart #6
11 "If you then, being evil, know
how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your
Father who is in heaven give good
things to those who ask Him!
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