ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK (16 OF 20)
by Tim Melton
Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11
This content is part of a series.
Ask, Seek and Knock (16 of 20)
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Tim Melton
Matthew 7:7-11
7 ''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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 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!
As we look at these verses and think about the full counsel of scripture it seems to bring some problems. Jesus is telling His listeners to ask and seek and knock but how is that even possible. Romans 3 tells us that all of us are under sin. No one is righteous. No one understands. No one seeks God. In Ephesians 2 the Apostle Paul tells us that we are spiritually dead. James 4:4 tells us that all who are without Christ are enemies of God. So how can someone who is not good, who is spiritually dead and is an enemy of God seek God? How is that even possible? Our answer is found in John 6:44.
In John 6:44 Jesus Christ tells us that ''No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.'' How can a spiritually dead person seek Christ? God begins to draw them to Himself. It is the work of God, not the work of man. That takes many different forms. Some were raised in Christian homes that taught the Bible, lived the Gospel and attended church on a weekly basis. Through this process God drew them to Himself. Others were raised in a religious home that lacked biblical understanding and a true relationship with Jesus Christ. But somehow, through life circumstances or relationships God drew them to Himself. Others came from a totally godless background but through crisis, need or various other means God drew them to Himself. It is at this point of drawing us to Himself that Matt ...
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Tim Melton
Matthew 7:7-11
7 ''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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 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!
As we look at these verses and think about the full counsel of scripture it seems to bring some problems. Jesus is telling His listeners to ask and seek and knock but how is that even possible. Romans 3 tells us that all of us are under sin. No one is righteous. No one understands. No one seeks God. In Ephesians 2 the Apostle Paul tells us that we are spiritually dead. James 4:4 tells us that all who are without Christ are enemies of God. So how can someone who is not good, who is spiritually dead and is an enemy of God seek God? How is that even possible? Our answer is found in John 6:44.
In John 6:44 Jesus Christ tells us that ''No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.'' How can a spiritually dead person seek Christ? God begins to draw them to Himself. It is the work of God, not the work of man. That takes many different forms. Some were raised in Christian homes that taught the Bible, lived the Gospel and attended church on a weekly basis. Through this process God drew them to Himself. Others were raised in a religious home that lacked biblical understanding and a true relationship with Jesus Christ. But somehow, through life circumstances or relationships God drew them to Himself. Others came from a totally godless background but through crisis, need or various other means God drew them to Himself. It is at this point of drawing us to Himself that Matt ...
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