Ask Seek & Knock
Me I am pretty good at seeking not always asking, or knocking. I do ask for something good to come. I ask God to fix it when it’s wrong, He reminded me that I need to do all of these things. I need to Ask Him but I also need to continue to seek. I need to Keep knocking
My daughter had two Kids (brothers) that she took care of named Zeek and Knox. We were discussing things that we are dealing with and I asked her if she remembered them. I wonder if the parents know to ask seek and knock?
I often do one or two but not all when it comes to an especially difficult time. But lately I am reminded of something that Jesus put in His word
We (Includes ME) We will see God meeting our Hurts and exceeding our Hopes when we understand what Jesus said here, and how He lived it out. We can truly learn to ask with boldness. We can be comforted by the prince of peace in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
A boy was trying to put his bicycle in the back f the car, He told his dad it’s too hard. Dad said you are not using all your strength. He tried more and different way the front tire first it turned and then fell out on to the ground the boy said Dad this is too hard it’s too heavy, I can’t. Dad said son you are not using all your strength. But I am using all my strength. Dad said I know that you are not using all your strength because you haven’t asked me to help yet. -unknown
Aren’t we sometimes like this boy with things? We just don’t do these 3 things, we don’t ask seek and knock, we may try one repeatedly and then not seek, or go searching and knocking but fail to ask our Father as we struggle?
Understand, Submit, and Apply. Your spirit to speak to hearts.
Matt 7 7-14
7-11 Reminds us not to quit: to keep asking seeking and knocking.
Vs 11 Makes a shift Just as a dad almost cannot help himself from assisting. Jesus says you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your father who is heaven, give good things to those who ask Him!!
Vs 12 Therefore what-ever you want someone to do for or to you, DO this for them it sums up all the law and the prophets.
Vs 13 and 14 also follow, It’s not the norm, it’s not the easiest, narrow is the gate that leads to life and there are few that find it.
Paul talking with Timothy as his son in the ministry shared similar advice and it is recorded for us!
2 Timothy 2 1-7
? Be strong (use all your strength Spiritual strength found in Jesus)
? The Things you learned from me and others pass on to others that can pass it on
? Vs 3 Times will be hard once in a while
? 4 5 6 say the same as Jesus did This is not easy in fact Paul refers to it as warfare and He says no one engaged in war is concerned with this life.
? 5 athletes are not crowned unless they play by the rules
? 6 The hard working farmer gets to take of the crops
? Vs 7 says to think on these things, The Lord will give you understanding in all things
God 1 John 2 Last night I heard about a discussion one of our church members had with a co worker. She simply told them that your past can be forgotten. “You don’t have to be that person.” “You can become a new person.”
1st John 2 1-7 John gives a similar message to you and I
? John writes do not sin but if anyone does we have an advocate Jesus.
? Ask Him, Seek Him, then do something (knocking not breaking down the door or forcing a solution)
? 3 WE Know that we know him when we keep his commands
? 4 If we don’t keep them then we don’t know Him
? 6 Anyone who claims to live in Him must live as Jesus Did
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Speaking of Loving the world and asking seeking and knocking..
A wealthy man riding on a fine horse sees Bill out under a tree head bowed thanking God for his meal
He rides up and asks what are you doing? Eating lunch thanking God
The Rich man scoffs I wouldn’t eat that joking about the poor man food.
He starts to ride off
Bill stops him.. You know in a dream I had God told me that the richest man in this city will die tonight. With that the man rides off
Not long after that the rich man feels short of breath, he wonders if he has something wrong so he Seeks out a doctor in town, it’s getting late so he goes to the Doctor’s house and Knocks on the door.
Then the rich man asks the Doctor what is wrong he even shares the odd meeting with Bill
The doctor said you will be fine, you are as healthy as a horse.
The next Morning the rich Man wakes up and feels great!
As he goes about the day he learns that Bill passed away last night.
- The richest man did die just as God promised
-adapted from story by Karel Smith
You Who or what are you seeking?
Are you asking God and then Doing as He directs you?
Not to please You please Christ
? Imagine if we all did these things…love our neighbor, Sought ways to be a blessing. Treated others as we want them to treat us?
? What do you need your Father’s help with?
? Who needs to learn from you, the lessons you learned from God?
We Hebrews 4: 14-16.“ 4 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
ASK SONG LEADERS…
God does not get tired of hearing from us.
Doing good, especially doing something for someone else imitates our Lord
The world will drive you insane without the comfort of our Father’s Peace (Lady buying 4 pack of TP instead of a cart full)
Benediction… Always invite, call to accept Christ.
