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.
20Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
There are four very important things here we need to notice.
1. Eli agreed with Hannah in her request.
Find someone to agree. Do not pray with someone about your request who doubts that God will do it!
Eli decreed that Hannah’s request would be granted by the God of Israel.
Find a positive minded person to not only help but will speak this with you.
Two very important scriptures here:
Amos 3:3 (King James Version)
3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Matthew 18:19 (King James Version)
19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
2. The second key is found in verse 19..
19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD,
Hannah did not wait until she physically conceived this child to worship God. In fact she was expecting in her spirit from the time the prayer went up in the temple and Eli agreed with her.
Sometimes we get a word from the Lord through someone and we go out wondering if it really will come to pass or not and talk ourselves out of the thing we have been asking for.
Hannah was already picking out baby clothes on her way home from the temple!
3. The third thing is also found in verse 19.
Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
Hannah took steps in the direction of the answer.
We must take steps in our life to compliment what God is trying to do.
We cannot just sit down and wait upon everything to be dropped upon us.
God has given me a vision for a new sanctuary and a new children’s center here at Church at the Well . I must take the steps along with God in order for this to come to pass.
I must walk in the direction of the answer to my prayer.
4. Hannah did not forget God after the answer to her prayer.
Verse 20
20Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
God knew Hannah would not forget her promise to him .
This is very important. What are we going to do with that which we receive?
Jesus Christ wants this morning to open up the windows of Heaven to you and to me.
In fact the choice is ours. What are we doing with what he has already blessed us with?
Is it his? Or is it ours? It all starts with our life. Have we given our life to him? We can do that this morning.
All we have to do is ask. Amen
