The Big Ask

Introduction

Matthew 7:7–11 ESV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Notes

Not connected to context in Matthew but in Luke surrounded by prayer context.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 33A: Matthew 1–13 Form/Structure/Setting

C. The passage readily divides into two major sections: (1) three exhortations and complementary assertions of God’s faithfulness, vv 7–8; (2) two examples of human faithfulness, followed by an a minori ad maius argument concerning the faithfulness of God to those who call upon him, vv 9–11.

The key verbs are to ask and to give.

Compare with other texts in Luke and John.

Three verbs for asking followed by two parables or examples.

Ask Anything

James where it says you have not because you asked not.

Scripture where it says ask anything in Jesus name

; ;

Notes

Persistence in prayer ; .

God’s faithfulness versus human faithfulness.

The present tenses are extremely important to this passage. A persistence, continual asking.

From asking them to knocking, the action becomes more pronounced and emphasized with each new verb.

Asking for a fish and getting a snake, the two are similar in form, but one is dangerous and poisonous. Parents are not deceptive in their giving and neither is God.

Asking according to God’s promises that he has promised us. What he has promised to give is ours.

Parents being evil is where the idea of imperfect or unable to give everything the child asks. It is not me (until motives are automatically evil or wicked.

Seek Always

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12 ESV

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

:13

Scriptures about seeking the Lord. Your face will I seek

The widow who searched for her missing money (Scripture)

Notes

Knock Again

Research knocking in the Bible.

Jesus knocks on the door of our heart somewhere in Revelation.

Notes

To knock and the door to gain entrance into the room. The more of the idea of entering God’s throne room and presents to ask for things.

Conclusion