Go! And Seek the Kingdom Matthew 7:7-8
Introduction
Good morning, dear brothers and sisters! It is such a blessing to gather together in the presence of our Lord to worship, learn, and grow in His Word. Today, we will focus on the powerful and encouraging words of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-8. These verses are part of His Sermon on the Mount, a momentous teaching where Jesus reveals the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let us read these verses together: "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)
Today’s message is titled "Go! And Seek the Kingdom". These verses are a call to action for us as believers—a call to pursue God, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to trust His promises.
1. Go! And Ask with Faith (Matthew 7:7)
The first step in Jesus' instruction is to "ask." The Greek word for "ask" is aiteo, which implies a deep, humble, and earnest request. Jesus invites us to come to the Father in prayer with the confidence of children approaching a loving parent.
In James 4:2-3, we read:
"Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure."
Here, James reminds us that asking must be accompanied by the right heart attitude. When we ask with faith and a desire to align our will with God’s, we position ourselves to receive His blessings.
Are we asking God for His will to be done in our lives? Are our prayers shaped by faith, trust, and submission? Let us be bold in our prayers, trusting that our Father knows what is best for us.
Imagine a child asking their parent for something they truly need. The parent is eager to provide, not because of obligation, but out of love. How much more will our Heavenly Father respond to our prayers?
John Piper says, "Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that He will provide the help we need."
2. Go! And Seek the Kingdom (Matthew 7:7)
The next instruction is to "seek." The Greek word zeteo means to strive after, to search diligently. Seeking implies action, effort, and persistence. Jesus calls us to seek God’s Kingdom above all else.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says: "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
Seeking God’s Kingdom means prioritising His rule and reign in every area of our lives. It means pursuing His purposes, His righteousness, and His glory.
In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, seeking involves living out the principles Jesus teaches—humility, mercy, purity, and love. It is an active pursuit that transforms our character and aligns us with God’s will.
What are we seeking in our daily lives? Are we pursuing temporary, worldly things, or are we seeking the eternal treasure of God’s Kingdom? Let us redirect our focus and strive after the things that truly matter.
Consider the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44. A man finds a treasure hidden in a field and sells everything he has to buy that field. The treasure represents the Kingdom of God—worth giving up everything to gain.
As A.W. Tozer said, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One."
3. Go! And Knock with Persistence (Matthew 7:7-8)
Finally, Jesus tells us to "knock." The Greek word krouo suggests continual action. Knocking implies perseverance and determination. It is not a casual tap but a persistent effort to gain access.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus shares the parable of the persistent widow who keeps pleading with a judge until he grants her justice. Jesus uses this story to teach us the importance of persistent prayer:
"But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?" (Luke 18:8, NLT)
Knocking requires faith that God will open the door in His perfect timing. It also requires patience and trust in His plan.
Are we persistent in our prayers, or do we give up too easily? Let us be encouraged to keep knocking, knowing that God hears us and will respond according to His wisdom and love.
Imagine standing outside a friend’s home, knocking on the door because you know they are inside. You knock persistently, trusting they will answer. In the same way, we can trust that God will open the door at the right moment.
The Promise of God’s Faithfulness (Matthew 7:8)
Jesus concludes with a promise: "For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." This assurance is rooted in God’s character. He is faithful, loving, and generous.
In Lamentations 3:22-23, we are reminded: "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
God’s faithfulness means we can trust Him completely. When we ask, seek, and knock, we do so with confidence in His goodness and grace.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. If you may have everything by asking in His name, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how vital prayer is."
Communion: Remembering the Ultimate Answer
As we prepare for communion, let us remember that Jesus is the ultimate answer to our prayers. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He opened the door to salvation, reconciled us to the Father, and secured our place in His Kingdom.
In John 14:6, Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
Communion is a time to reflect on His finished work and to renew our commitment to ask, seek, and knock with faith.
Conclusion and Call to Action:
As we leave today, let us go and ask boldly, seek diligently, and knock persistently. Let us pursue God with all our hearts, trusting in His promises and His faithfulness.
If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to do so today. He stands at the door and knocks, waiting for you to open your heart to Him.
Let us pray together: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and Your promises. Help us to be a people who ask, seek, and knock with faith, trusting in Your perfect will. May we live lives that glorify You and reflect Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
