July 28, 2019
Morning Service

As we closed out chapter 6 we were again reminded to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”  This really is the answer to all the worry and stress in our lives.  God is in control and He promises that if we are faithful to put Him first in everything, He will take care of the rest.  This is easily said and understood, but it really takes faith to put it into action in our lives.  We want to fix everything on our own without anyone’s help, but in reality we all know that it is impossible to do so.  Surrendering totally to God begins as a decision then grows into a lifestyle.  The good news is the more you put it into practice the easier it is.  Sunday night we began chapter 7 looking at Jesus’ command “Judge not that you be not judged.”  We are all guilty of judging others according to their actions and even just by their appearance and that should not be done.  Jesus is the only One qualified to judge others because He lived the perfect life; we are all in the same boat sinners saved by grace alone.  We are to first of all look in the mirror and work on getting ourselves in order (removing the plank) before we begin to turn our sights to others.  Our job is not to judge others, but to simply love them and point them to the Savior of the world and it is the Holy Spirit that will convict them of their sin and draw them to repentance.  Jesus speaks on how we are to be discerning with those around us.

Mat 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

            Pigs were considered “unclean” animals and anyone touching one would became “ceremonially unclean” and could not enter the temple or be included in worship until a time of cleansing was fulfilled.  Jesus is using this as an example that there are people around us that will not be receptive to our testimony or our invitations to church.  In fact, they will become very belligerent about it and even lash out at you (tear you in pieces).  We are being instructed here not to judge them, but to discern that this person is either not ready for gospel message yet or that it is not we that are to present it to them.  We don’t need to feel obligated to put ourselves in the situation to be “trampled” time after time.  We simply turn them over to God and continue to pray that He soften their heart or send someone else that can reach them and love them as opportunities arise.  Jesus now continues His teaching and just picture Him saying these words to you face to face.

 

Mat 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  (8)  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  (9)  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  (10)  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  (11)  If you then, being 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!

            Jesus returns to His teaching that there is effort and action involved in our walk with Him.  We are to continually be persistent in pursuing God (diligently seeking Him).  Many people give a halfhearted attempt at knowing who God really is and then simply just give up trying.  A deep spiritual “knowing” of God comes with faith, focus and follow through.  I am reminded of the song we had in our old hymnal that was one of our favorites; “I would not be denied.”  It mentions Jacob as he wrestled with the Lord and would not let go until he was blessed.

            Here Jesus instructs us to ask, seek and knock.  To ask is to acknowledge that we have a need in our lives.  Earlier in this teaching, Jesus told us that God knows the needs we have even before we ask.  Asking then becomes an act of submission on our part as we humbly acknowledge a need to God that He already knows about.  Asking God to help with a need or situation is done in obedience.  It is more for our benefit than for His.  He may just be waiting for us to ask so He can spring into action.  Do you need wisdom for a decision that has to be made?  Ask.  Do you need a physical touch from the Lord?  Ask.  Are you struggling spiritually and need a touch from Him?  Ask and it shall be given. 

 

Joh 14:13-14 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  (14)  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

 

Jas 4:2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

 

1Jn 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  (15)  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

 

            To seek is showing great effort that you desire something.  If you have ever lost something of value (wallet or phone) you know exactly the effort, I am talking about.  By seeking we are putting our faith into action as we look to God to help us find what we are looking for in our particular situation.  Seek to have a better understanding the scriptures.  Seek to have the love for others that pleases God.  Seek His face and a closer relationship with Him.  Seek and you shall find.

 

Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

 

Jas 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

 

            To knock is also showing effort that you desire something.  I view knocking as being persistent in your effort; committed for the long run.  You know what you want is behind that door and you will knock until it is opened.  We so often get quickly discouraged when things don’t happen on our time schedule and sometimes quickly give up.  As long as there is hope we should never give up.  Keep praying and trust God that He hears you and will answer.  In Luke 18, Jesus give the parable of a widow who was quite persistent with the judge that he grants her “justice for me from my enemy.”  She was so persistent that the judge acted quickly to get her away from him.  Do you have a loved one who is unsaved?  Is there a deeper relationship you desire with your Savior?  Don’t give up; keep knocking and it will be opened to you.

 

Luke 18:7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

 

1Th 5:16-18 Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

Jesus closes this teaching with again encouraging us to trust God.  As an earthly father will not knowingly give something harmful to his child, our Heavenly Father who knows all certainly will not either.  Ask, seek and knock with faith knowing that your Father will answer you and you will receive what you ask for find what you are seeking and the door you knock on will be opened for you. 

 

Heavenly Father thank You for being there when we call and for loving us more than we can comprehend.