Seeking Answers

Seeking Answers

Matthew chapter 7:7-7:12

Introduction-

Please turn to Matthew 7:7-12

Usually, I set up the text before we read it, but this morning I am going to let it speak for itself.

Matthew chapter 7:7-7:12

That sounds good, right? But here is a perfect example of why scripture taken out of context is dangerous and why people can make it say whatever they want it to say.

If you read this without reading what was said before, you can come away from this scripture with the idea that anything you want God to do, all you have to do is ask.

Ask and it will be given

Seek and you shall find.

Knock and the door will be opened unto you.

Like God is this genie in a bottle, and all you have to do is rub the lamp and say the right things and God is obligated to answer your prayer weather it lines up with the word of God or not.

The words here are in red- which means that these are the recorded words of Jesus Himself. For 2 chapters before Jesus words are also recorded as He deals with adultery, murder, divorce, un-forgiveness, storing up treasures on earth as well as storing up treasures in heaven. We sometimes forget about how he talks harshly about judging others, taking the plank out of our own eye before going after a speck in someone’s else’s eye.

We would love to serve a God that always answers our prayers and always did what we thought was the right thing.

Do you realize the mess we would be in if God answered everyone of our prayer request in the way that you asked them?

My goodness, in a fit of anger, neighbors would be dropping dead, our garages would be so full of things that we do not need anymore and our emotions would be more twisted and confused than ever before.

Not to mention some praying for rain and some praying for it to be sunny.

Jesus teaches us about kingdom principals that fall within the parameters of God’s Word.

It would not be good for us to get a free pass on anything we pray for and want.

He ties this to something we can get our heads around;

(9) “Which of you, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asked for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven have good gifts to those that ask Him?”

(12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.”

2 thoughts to think about;

The relationship between our heavenly Father and us- we must realize that God has our best interest concerning things in our life. Just like we would not allow our children something that would harm them. Sometimes the Lord will withhold things from us that we should not have.

2. We should treat others like we would want to be treated. Not necessarily treat someone nice who is nice to us, and mean to those that are mean to us.

Addressing the first one-

The relationship between you and the heavenly Father is… He is the Father and you are the child. He does not do what you order Him to do, He does what He deems right that falls within the parameters of His word.

We are expected to pray for the promises of God.

Knowing God’s word and standing on His promises that he has given us.

Heaven is real

Jesus paid the price for mankind

We have the victory through Jesus Christ.

God answers our prayers

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him that knocks, it will be opened.”

2 certainties when we pray

He hears our prayers

He will answer

The misconception is that we feel God has to say yes to every prayer. No! is also an answer, so is not yet, and wait.

Sometimes God gives us what we need, and not what we ask for. Amen to that!

There are many sincere prayers I have prayed and glad that God did not answer the way I had wanted Him too.

“Oh what man is there among you who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone, or if he ask for a fish, will give him a serpent.”

Everyone who prays wants to know to what kind of God they are praying too.

Are we praying to a grudging God who every gift has to be squeezed out and begged for?

Are we praying to a God who’s gift have a double-edged sword?