Mathew Seven-Seven People Part One (Asking)

Mathew Seven-Seven People part one (asking)

Matthew 7:7-8 (King James Version) Pastor Ken Crow

7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened

This morning I am convinced more than ever that God is looking for people who will ask him.

This morning I am convinced more than ever that God is looking for people who will seek him.

This morning I am convinced more than ever that God is looking for people who will knock on the door of opportunity in Jesus Christ.

In verse eight Jesus says “everyone that asketh receiveth”.

Notice he says everyone.

Sometimes we have no trouble giving. We love to give. There is no feeling like giving to help someone in need. We love to give for a good cause or to give gifts.

But sometimes when it comes to asking we are hesitant. Even in asking God.

We are hesitant maybe sometimes because we just do not believe that God will give us what we are asking for.

Many of us have been taught not to ask in life. Let us draw our attention to someone in the Word of God that ask.

Important point: In a time of need we will ask of those who are closest to us.

We could go a lot of places this morning in the Bible but I can think of no better than 1st Samuel chapter 1.

Let’s start in verse 5.

5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

6And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

Hannah wanted a child more than anything else. It was her cause. Do we have a cause today? Is our cause so dear to us that we will go before the Lord to ask with passion.

In other words, how bad do we want it?

Hannah believed the one she was asking was able to provide this child.

Do we believe that God is able? Of course we do but Hannah also believed he was not only able but also that God was willing.

A key to asking and receiving : Is this going to bring glory to God in someway?

Remember what James told us.

James 4:3 (King James Version)

3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Hannah made sure and from her heart that this child would belong to God.

I believe without fail that anything we ask God for that will be his instead of ours he will put into our hand! It does not matter how big or how impossible as long as this request is going to be his and to glorify him.

The answer :

1 Samuel 1:15-20 (King James Version)

15And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.