Ask Seek Knock | Greg Ford | ONE CHURCH

Ask Seek Knock | Greg Ford | ONE CHURCH

ICEBREAKER:

How did you see God move this last week?

Summary:

This sermon focuses on Matthew 7:7-11, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of prayer through the metaphors of asking, seeking, and knocking. This passage reveals God's willingness to respond to our needs and desires when we approach Him with faith and persistence. It also encourages believers to align their prayers with God's will and character, trusting in His goodness and provision.

Key Points:

  1. The Invitation to Pray: Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7). This threefold encouragement emphasizes the importance of being proactive in our relationship with God.

  2. God's Faithfulness: God promises that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and to those who knock, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:8). This highlights His faithfulness and readiness to answer our prayers.

  3. Understanding God's Nature: Jesus contrasts earthly parents' care for their children with God's perfect goodness (Matthew 7:9-11). This comparison reassures us that God knows what is best for us and will provide accordingly.

  4. Aligning Our Requests with God's Will: While God is willing to give good gifts, the focus of our requests should be on seeking His wisdom and purposes rather than solely our desires (James 4:3).

  5. The Three Levels of Engagement: Asking (for help), seeking (for understanding), and knocking (for access) illustrate the depth of engagement in our prayer life.

    Scripture References:

    • Matthew 7:7-11

    • James 4:2-3

    • 1 John 5:14-15

Conclusion:

Matthew 7:7-11 calls believers to a deeper relationship with God through persistent and faithful prayer. It emphasizes God's readiness to respond and encourages us to align our requests with His good and perfect will. As we learn to ask, seek, and knock, we grow in our faith and understanding of God's nature.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean for you to "ask, seek, and knock" in your personal prayer life?

  2. How can understanding God's nature as a loving Father affect the way we pray?

  3. How do you discern whether your prayers align with God's will?

  4. Can you share an experience where you felt God answered your prayers in a surprising way?

  5. In what ways can we encourage one another to be persistent in prayer?

Guided Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the invitation to approach You in prayer. Help us to be bold in asking, diligent in seeking, and persistent in knocking. Grant us the wisdom to align our desires with Your will and to trust in Your perfect plans for our lives. May we remember Your goodness and faithfulness as we come before You. Strengthen our faith and help us to encourage one another in our prayer journeys. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

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