Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway To Divine Encounter" Series

Title: “Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway to Divine Encounter"

Text: (Matthew 7:7-12) “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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are 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!12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Introduction: In our text, Jesus imparts several profound lessons that are referred to as the "Ask, Seek, Knock" passage, encapsulate fundamental principles that transcend time and culture.

"Seek with the fervor of the seeker, knock with the persistence of the seeker, and ask with the humility of the seeker, for in these actions, we unlock the door to divine revelation and encounter."

Jesus Teaches Us Four Important Lessons in Our Text:

1. The Power of Persistent Prayer: In v7, Jesus instructs his disciples, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." [INSERT #1] This verse underscores the importance of persistence in prayer. Jesus encourages his followers to approach God confidently, knowing that He is both willing and able to respond to their requests. * However, this does not imply a transactional relationship with God, but rather a relationship built on trust, faith, and communion. *Through persistent prayer, believers demonstrate their reliance on God's providence and their willingness to align their desires with His will.

“Backsliding Atheists” by Pete Greig, Seventy-one percent of Americans pray regularly. Even atheists backslide from time to time. I read somewhere (but I find it hard to believe) that a whopping 20 percent of agnostics and atheists sheepishly admit to praying daily! Take Henry, a sixty-four-year-old who describes himself as being “at the skeptical end of agnosticism.” In 2018 he told British pollsters ComRes, “I certainly wouldn’t classify myself as religious,” before describing a nightly routine of kneeling down by his bed to recite the Lord’s Prayer and pray for his loved ones.

Have you ever wondered, “Why Pray if God Already Knows What Will Happen?” What a great question. Prayer is counterintuitive. In what other situation do you ask for something or plead with someone when you know for certain their mind is already made up about what they will do?

Psalm 115:3 (NIV) even tells us, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.”

To understand all this, we need to think about what Christians call “the sovereignty of God.” What do you say if your 10 year old wants to drive the car? It’s your sovereign wisdom that knows best… He knows when the bridge is out.

It’s true that God already knows everything that will happen for the rest of eternity. He knows the big events and the small moments of each of our lives, and nothing is beyond His control. So it’s a mistake to think of prayer as the way we change God’s mind or alter His direction in a situation.

Prayer is a process through which we learn to trust God. He listens to us patiently. He takes our requests seriously. Then He considers everything in the context of the bigger picture only He can see. Prayer build our faith, and speeds God’s will along.

2. The Promise of Divine Provision: In v8, Jesus assures his disciples, "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Here, Jesus emphasizes the faithfulness of God to provide for the needs of His children. * While the timing and manner of God's response may not always align with our expectations, we can trust in His perfect wisdom and sovereignty. This promise of divine provision reminds believers to approach God with confidence, knowing that He is a loving Father who delights in meeting the needs of His children.

“Come boldly to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16) “Fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)

3. The Principle of Reciprocity: In verses 9-11, Jesus employs a rhetorical device to drive home a profound truth: "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Through this analogy, Jesus illustrates the principle of reciprocity within the context of human relationships. Just as earthly parents desire to provide good gifts for their children, our heavenly Father desires to bless His children abundantly. This comparison serves as a reminder of God's goodness, generosity, and unwavering love towards His creation.