Matt 7:7-11
We are sorry to announce the passing of Mrs. Prayer Meeting. She died recently at the First Neglected Church on Ho-Hum Avenue. Born many years ago in the midst of a great revival, she was strong and healthy as a child, fed largely on testimony and Bible study she grew into world-wide prominence and was one of the most influential members of the Church family.
However, in recent years Sister Prayer Meeting has been failing in health, gradually wasting away until rendered helpless by stiffness of the knees, cooling of the heart, lack of spiritual sensitivity and the concern for spiritual things. Her last whispered words were inquiring about the strange absence of her loved ones, now so busy in the market place and places of worldly amusement on Wednesday evenings!
Experts, including Dr. Good Works, Dr. Socializing and Dr. Unconcerned disagree as to the fatal cause of her final illness. They all administered large doses of excuses even ordered a last minute motivational bypass, all to no avail. A post-mortem examination showed that a deficiency of regular spiritual food, a lack of prayer and Christian fellowship, all contributed to her untimely demise.
We are continuing the subject of prayer this morning with the thought of Praying with Persistence. We have covered how we pray with the example given with the Lord’s Prayer. We can follow that example, but there are times we need to get really serious and let God know we really mean business.
Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mt 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mt 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mt 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Pulling for my text vs 7.
Jesus teaching on what is perhaps the most fundamental teaching on prayer in all of the Bible – the assurance that prayer will be heard and answered.
1. Prayerfully Asking
2. Properly Seeking
3. Persistently Knocking
1. Prayerfully Asking
a. Webster’s – inquire of or demand
b. Fernando Cabrera - says on Asking To ask ,for something, is to say I have a need of help. In order to ask for something, you need first to go to a person who has the power and resources to help you. When you approach that person, you need to be specific and definite about what you need. That is why Paul said, “…Let your request be known to God” (Philippians 4:6). James 4:3 says, “You do not have because you do not ask”. When you go before God, you must approach and admit your helplessness. Be specific as to what you are requesting. This word “ask” is often used with respect to a petition which by an inferior is addressed to a superior.
a. Barnes - It is implied, also, that we ask the things which it may be consistent for God to give--that is, things which he has promised to give, and which would be best for us and his kingdom, 1Jn 5:14
b. If you ever watch a child ask for something, they normally ask for something they desperately want. They always have multiple excuses as to why they should have it. Us as parents look to them and normally know what is good or bad for them and are seeking out for their good.
c. With us praying to God for something, we need to make sure we are asking in the correct attitude, making sure it is in his will
d. David Flowers explains the typical Christians prayer as, ““God please be with so and so. You know this situation, God, and I don’t. You know what’s troubling this person and I don’t, but I know you can fix what’s going on. Give this person strength and patience to get through this difficult time in Jesus name, Amen.” I believe we all have to agree, we are living in such a fast pace society in which with us just taking out time to pray is a big deal and the prayer which was just read would satisfy most of us.
With asking for something from God we need to have the proper spirit in seeking
2. Properly Seeking
e. Barnes - seek with a proper spirit
f. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV)
g. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
h. Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
i. Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
j. John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
k. Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
l. The key is - when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And we have to be obedient
m. 1John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
n. 1John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
o. You have to seek diligently. As Webster say’s ….Hard work.
While we have the right attitude….it may take some work to let God know we are serious about it.
3. Persistently Knocking
4. A fisherman who was out of fellowship with the Lord was at sea with his godless companions when a storm came up and threatened to sink their ship. His friends begged him to pray; but he demurred, saying, "It’s been a long time since I’ve done that or even entered a church." At their insistence, however, he finally cried out, "O Lord, I haven’t asked anything of You in 15 years, and if You help us now and bring us safely to land, I promise I won’t bother You again for another 15!" This story at first seems a little comical but, it is sobering to realize that prayer is often an escape mechanism rather than a way of life. This may be true even of believers who call on God only when they’ve reached the end of their rope and there seems to be no other way to solve their problems.
5. God wants to answer our prayers, he is just as a parent who enjoys satisfying our desires.
Barnes – go to God with humility, sincerity, and perseverance.
A well-known insurance salesman was asked how many times he will call on a prospect before giving up. His answer was: “It depends on which of us dies first!”
Mt 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mt 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Barnes - No parent turns away his child with that which would be unsatisfactory or injurious. He would not give him a stone instead of bread, nor a serpent instead of a fish. God is better and kinder than the most tender earthly parents; and with what confidence, therefore, may we come as his children, and ask what we need!
I am not saying this is the name it claim it type of mentality, but what I am saying is God wants to give to us what we desire, it just has to be in his will and we have to show we are in obedience with him and show him we are truly wanting it.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
John Newton had received from the Lord some almost unbelievable answers to his petitions, and so he often engaged in "large asking." In support of this practice he would frequently tell the story of a man who asked Alexander the Great to give him a huge sum of money in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The ruler consented and told him to request of his treasurer whatever he wanted. So he went and asked for an enormous amount. The keeper to the funds was startled and said he couldn’t give him that much without a direct order. Going to Alexander, the treasurer argued that even a small fraction of the money requested would more than serve the purpose. "No," replied Alexander, "let him have it all. I like that fellow. He does me honor. He treats me like a king and proves by what he asks that he believes me to be both rich and generous." Newton concluded the story by saying, "In the same way, we should go to the throne of God’s grace and present petitions that express honorable views of the love, riches, and bounty of our King!"
What is it your asking for, or wanting for your Christian walk? The church is looking to several things.
A PA system
A new church
Trying to continue to unite together. Do you really want to see the lost won to Christ, and see more attendance, more fellowship with believers, more of God’s spirit? Let’s go to him and seek him with earnestness. ……We can go boldly before the throne.
