A.S.K.
Text: Matthew 7:7
Remember: The devil doesn’t appose:
-what you want to do…
-what you’d like to do…
-But, what you are called (by God) to do.
The struggle is a wrestling match between:
-the vision given and the vision fulfilled…
-the promise and the provision…
-the asking and the receiving…
-the seeking and the finding…
-the knocking and the entering…
I look at asking, seeking, and knocking, that is, the start and the finish of faith to receiving from God; much like the great rockets of the old NASA space programs like that of the Mercury and Apollo missions.
Those mammoth rocket ships were made up of not only the command modules the astronauts were in, but also the gigantic multi-staged rocket boosters that propelled those great ships into space.
STAGE ONE: ASK!
The first stage of the rocket is the biggest, because it has the biggest "job". From ground zero this stage of the rocket has to get the entire vessel moving upward. It is fighting gravity at it’s strongest point: the ground.
It takes a big leap of faith to move from believing God’s Word is true, to believing God’s Word is true FOR YOU. Theres much fighting against your faith; not only the enemy of our souls (who doesn’t want you to even get started!), but others unbelief, as well as our own flesh (doubts & fears).
Jesus taught in Luke 18 “…ought to pray, and not lose heart (or give up!).”
The Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 told the church to “Pray without ceasing.”
Matthew 6:7 Vain Repetitions
“But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
The reference to ‘vain repetitions’ also can be understood as ‘meaningless, hastily spoken words’. This scripture also refers to 1Kings 18 when prophets of baal called all day on a false god who couldn’t hear them.
Luke 18:6 Continual Petitions
It is clear that Jesus is teaching about the need to ask, and to keep asking. The asking is that first stage which propels you toward the goal...the answer to your prayers. Yet you cannot achieve success on asking alone, just as the space ship could never reach outer space on the first stage rocket alone. There must be something more involved to achieve victory.
STAGE TWO: SEEK!
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened."
The "job’ of the second stage of the rocket is build upon the momentum of the first stage. The resistance of gravity is reduced, but friction of the middle atmosphere is a problem.
I believe the greatest prayers are those that declare the greatness of God and include what God’s Word says. In seeking it is important for the believer to search out scriptures that deal with the object of your faith’s desire.
-Is it healing?
-Is it deliverance?
-Is it power to accomplish God’s will?
-Is it direction?
You must seek out from both the Old and the New Testaments verses that firmly support what you are believing for. DON’T GIVE UP SEEKING UNTIL YOU FIND! You will be able to assimilate these Bible verses into your prayer petitions and declarations of faith. These scriptures will build upon your faith momentum to continue you on course.
STAGE THREE: KNOCK!
The third stage of the rocket moves the command module past the outer atmospheres and into deep space. The tremendous boosters of the first
and second stages has moved the spacecraft directly toward the desired target. At this level much smaller, and yet extremely important rockets are used to fine-tune the navagation of the ship, making slight changes to keep on target.
Knocking for the believer is the continual fine-tuning of our faith by:
-consistently believing God...
-consistently quoting the Scriptures...
-passionate, intimate worship...
-And involving other people of faith to stand with you.
No one knocking on a door raps only once (not if you are wanting to be heard!). You knock, AND KEEP KNOCKING!
Ask…and keep asking
Seek…and keep seeking
Knock…and keep knocking
Just as in the history of space travel, there is a danger of getting completely off course, or worse: having the mission fail.
The Problem With Receiving:
James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
This verse does not say you are asking for the wrong things, but asking for the wrong reasons. Many times people want God to go ahead and bless them anyway, regardless of their spiritual heart condition. It’s as if they expect God to cut them a special “deal".
God NEVER blesses disobedience!
1 Samuel 15:2 “The Lord says, I will punish what Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him on the way when he came up from Egypt, Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have and do not spare them.”
Saul partially obeyed God’s Word. Then Prophet Samuel asked Saul “Why didn’t you obey the voice of the Lord?” Saul replied “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag, king of Amalek….”
Do you see Saul’s folly?
-He clearly heard and understood the word of the Lord…
-He partially completed God’s will…
-Then declared he had completely obeyed.
-Saul wanted God to bless his rebellion.
Trying to do God’s will your own way voids every effort, and will account for nothing… or worse, be accounted as disobedience!
-God’s word says He won’t bless unforgiveness…
-God’s word says He won’t bless rebellion…
-God’s word says He rejects the proud…
He just won’t do it, so quit trying to get Him to do what He states emphatically HE WON’T DO!
Relinquishing my control on things over to the Lord’s control, moves me to a place where I can ask…and receive!
So get your heart right THEN:
Ask…and keep asking!
Seek…and keep seeking!
Knock…and keep knocking!
Until when?
Until you receive!
Until you find!
Until you have entry!
(Conclusion)
The ultimate desire of God is for you to:
-Walk in victory
-To receive the blessing
-To be an example of how God blesses His people & honors His Word.
Remember: Abraham called God "JEHOVAH-JIREH" which not only means "God my provider" or "God provides" but Jehovah-jireh literally means "God’s provision shall be seen".
There’s going to be a payday…some day. God’s track record of the past, supports His promises for the future!
So: A.sk S.eek K.nock.
(End)
