Persistant Prayer

Knocking, Asking,and Seeking

Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Mt 7:7-11)

INTRODUCTION

1. In Mt 7:1-12, we are examining the "righteousness of the kingdom" in respect to MAN'S RELATIONSHIP TO MAN...

1. One of these subjects discussed by Jesus in this section is Asking, Seeking, Knocking- Mt 7:7-11

Matthew 7:7–11 (KJV 1900) 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

[What is Jesus teaching us in this section on "Asking, Seeking, and Knocking"...?]

1. THE PRINCIPLE BEING TAUGHT IS THAT OF "PERSEVERANCE" (7-8)

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

1. IMPLIED IN THE "CONTINUOUS ACTION" OF THE GREEK PRESENT TENSE -- Literally, Jesus is saying:

1. "keep on asking" and it will be given to you

2. "keep on seeking" and you will find

3. "keep on knocking" and it will be opened to you

2. JESUS OFTEN APPLIED THIS PRINCIPLE OF PERSEVERANCE TO "PRAYER"

1. In the parable of "The Persistent Friend" - Lk 11:5-8

Luke 11:5–8 (KJV 1900) 5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

2. In the parable of "The Persistent Widow" - Lk 18:1-8

Luke 18:1–8 (KJV 1900) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

3. THIS PRINCIPLE OF PERSEVERANCE CAN ALSO BE APPLIED IN OTHER AREAS

1. Such as "Bible Study"

1. Many people give up too soon in their Bible studies

2. But those who persevere in their studies are the ones who benefit from the blessings God's Word provides - cf. Ps 1:1-3; 119:97-104

Psalm 1:1–3 (KJV 1900) 1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 119:97–104 (KJV 1900) 97 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they areever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep thy precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might keep thy word. 102 I have not departed from thy judgments: For thou hast taught me. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding:

2. Or "Evangelism"

1. Many do not bear fruit because they give up too soon

2. But we reap what we sow; the more persistent we are in sowing, the more we will eventually reap.

2. A MOTIVE FOR PERSEVERING, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO PRAYER (9-11)

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

1. GOD DELIGHTS TO GIVE GOOD THINGS TO HIS CHILDREN...

1. To illustrate, Jesus gives a simple argument (from the LESSER to the GREATER)

2. I.e., men give good gifts to their children who ask

3. How much more so, will our Father in heaven!

2. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN REGARDS TO PRAYER!

1. As Jesus promised to His disciples in Jn 14:13-14; 15:7

John 14:13–14 (KJV 1900) 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 15:7 (KJV 1900) 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

2. As the apostle John wrote in 1Jn 5:14-15

1 John 5:14–15 (KJV 1900) 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

3. And as James wrote in Jm 4:3

James 4:3 (KJV 1900) 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

CONCLUSION

1. So, in all things, let us persistently look to God for the help we need!

We must pray and continue in prayer and let our needs be known.

Philippians 4:6 (KJV 1900) 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.