Asking for Supernatural Help

 

MATTHEW 7:7-12

 

THEME:  When we reject a fake righteousness, it will enable us to reject a false system of judgment also.

RELEVANCE:  The Lord wants us to exercise wise judgment regarding ourselves, other people, and the Lord himself.

INTRODUCTION: “They have a right to censure that have a heart to help.” -- William Penn

1. This is a final illustration of Pharisee’s practices pertaining to judging. The Pharisees were then judging Christ and finding Him to be inadequate. He was not offering the kind of kingdom they anticipated or asking for the kind of righteousness they were exhibiting. So, they rejected Him. Jesus therefore warned them against hypocritical judging.

2. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of exercising a false judgment about themselves, other people, and even the Lord. Their false righteousness helped to encourage this false judgment. This explains why our Lord closed this important sermon with a discussion of judgment. In it He discussed four different aspects of judgment: discernment, dynamics, discretion, and discipline.

MESSAGE: 

I.               Dynamics: Ask God for the Ability to Judge Righteously (Matt. 7:7-12).

God gives us the dynamic resources we need to live and treat people fairly and wisely. Why did our Lord discuss prayer at this point in His message? These verses seem to be an interruption, but they are not. You and I are human and fallible; we make mistakes. Only God can judge perfectly. Therefore, we must pray and seek His wisdom and direction. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5).

Young King Solomon knew that he lacked the needed wisdom to judge Israel, so he prayed to God; and the Lord graciously answered (1 Kings 3:3ff). If we are to have spiritual discernment, we must keep on asking God, keep on seeking His will, keep on knocking at the door that leads to greater ministry. God meets the needs of His children.

a.    The Command is to Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking (Matt. 7:7).

                                                    i.     Righteous Discernment Requires Supernatural Help.

a.      If we think that we can live out the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount by our own strength, we have failed to realize the supernatural character of the life to which the Savior calls us. The wisdom or power for such a life must be given to us from above. 

b.     How to treat the lost people of this world is a great challenge facing a child of God.

                                                                                                                i.     Every day we rub shoulders with princes and paupers, gentlemen and scoundrels, true and false professors.

                                                                                                              ii.     Some folk need our friendship and help, and we need them, and we ought to pull them to our hearts.

                                                                                                            iii.     Others are rascals and will bring great harm or even destroy us, and we need to push them from us.

                                                                                                            iv.     How are we to know? To ask, seek, and knock definitely is the Christian’s answer to this problem.  

c.      You would be surprised at how many times I have been fooled by people.

                                                                                                                i.     I tend to have a more trusting than suspicious nature. Sometimes this is a great benefit, but other times it can get me into trouble.

                                                                                                              ii.     Isn’t it interesting that Peter, in the early church, knew Ananias and Sapphira were lying (Acts 5:1–11)? I can’t always tell when someone is lying. This is why it is important to make discernment a matter of prayer. 

d.     When you meet new friends, do you ever ask God to make it clear to you how to treat them? I have found out that it is a good idea to do this. 

                                                  ii.     Righteous Discernment Requires Persistent Prayer.

a.      So here we have an invitation to ask and keep on asking; to seek and keep on seeking; to knock and keep on knocking.

b.     Wisdom and power for the Christian life will be given to every believer who earnestly and persistently prays for it.

                                                                                                                i.     “Ask with confidence and humility. Seek with care and application. Knock with earnestness and perseverance.”  ---Adam Clarke's Commentary 

                                                                                                              ii.     “Jesus encourages his followers to ask, seek, and knock, that their deficiencies may be met from the divine supply. The three imperatives … suggest not only perserverance but frequent prayer for any and all needs.” ---The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

b.    The Promise is God Will Give You All You Need to Live With Discernment (Matt. 7:8).

                                                    i.     Be Assured of God’s Answer to Your Requests.

a.      When the conditions for prayer are met, the Christian can have utter confidence that God will hear and answer. This assurance is based on the character of God, our Father.

b.     “Ask God, and he'll answer! Believers should never hesitate to seek God's richest blessings (7:7-8), for God's generosity toward his children far exceeds our human understanding of generosity (7:9-11).” ---Harold Willmington

                                                  ii.     Be Sure You Honor God’s Conditions for Prayer.

a.      Taken out of context, verses 7 and 8 might seem like a blank check for believers, i.e., we can get anything we ask for. But this is simply not true.

b.     The verses must be understood in their immediate context and in light of the whole Bible’s teaching on prayer.

c.      Therefore, what seems like unqualified promises here are actually restricted by other passages.

                                                                                                                i.     For example, from Psalm 66:18 we learn that the person praying must have no unconfessed sin in his life.

1.     Psalm 66:18, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 

                                                                                                              ii.     The Christian must pray in faith (Jas. 1:6–8).

1.     James 1:6-8, But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

                                                                                                            iii.     And in conformity with the will of God (1 Jn. 5:14).

1.     1 John 5:14, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

                                                                                                            iv.     Prayer must be offered persistently (Luke 18:1–8).

1.     Does prayer ever feel as though you are talking to an empty room when nobody's listening? Do you wonder if your requests are an exercise in auto-suggestion? Is prayer a waste of time because God has more important things to do?

2.     Jesus used the ‘how much more’ argument to demonstrate that God is not indifferent or inattentive. Do not attribute those qualities to him. God hears your prayers eagerly and compassionately. God acts on your behalf and for your best. God cares about you personally.

3.     When you pray, remember God's promise to hear your prayer.  If an unjust judge will respond to constant pressure, how much more will a great and loving God respond to his people? We know he loves us; we can believe he will hear our cries for help. We can trust that one day God will bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night. We know as we persist in prayer (Luke 18:1) as we seek to be obedient in this sinful world, can know that God will not keep putting us off. It may seem for a time that our cries go unheard. But one day, God will see that we get justice, and quickly. 

                                                                                                              v.     And prayer must be offered sincerely (Heb. 10:22a).

1.     Hebrews 10:22, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

c.     The Reason is God Delights in Giving Beneficial Resources to His Praying People (Matt.7: 9-11).

                                                    i.     On the Human Level.

a.      We know that if a son asks for bread, his father will not give him a stone. Neither would he give him a serpent if he had asked for a fish.

b.     An earthly father would neither deceive his hungry son nor give him anything that might inflict pain or be harmful to him.

c.      His natural love and desire to provide for his own would guide him to meet the needs of his child.

                                                  ii.     On the Divine Level.

a.      The Lord argues us to realize that if human parents reward their children’s requests with what is best for them, how much more will our Father who is in heaven do so.

b.     Beloved, God is not a deadbeat dad! He provides for his children!

d.    The Principle is to Treat People With Love and Kindness in Matters of Judging (Matt. 7:12).

                                                    i.     Imitate Your Heavenly Father by Showing Kindness to Others.

a.      The immediate connection of verse 12 with the preceding seems to be this: since our Father is a giver of good things to us, we should imitate Him in showing kindness to others.

                                                  ii.     Test Your Actions By Following the “Golden Rule.”

a.      The way to test whether an action is beneficial to others is whether we would want to receive it ourselves.

                                                                                                                i.     The “Golden Rule” point to the fact that Christianity is not simply a matter of abstinence from sin; it is positive goodness.

                                                                                                              ii.     It may be easy to refrain from harming others, but it is much more difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them.  The Golden Rule is the foundation of active goodness and mercy -- the kind of love God shows to us every day.      

b.     This is Our Moral Duty to Others.

                                                                                                                i.     That which is pleasing to your self is likely to be pleasing to others.

1.     This is recognized as a good assumption to start with; but it is not always appropriate. Perhaps it would if the “pleasing” was not a matter of self-indulgence. Clearly we should try to please others.

2.     The standard to begin with is what would be pleasing to us; but this will be adjusted as we get to know them better.

                                                                                                              ii.     That which is right for your self is likely to be right for others. But we make at least two mistakes with this.

1.     We claim rights and privileges which we are not prepared to give equally to others. 

2.     We give ourselves freedoms and liberties which we consistently deny to others. This is completely unfair.

3.     My rights should also be afforded to my spouse or brother equally; and my freedoms and liberties are my brother's due also.

4.     What is good for the goose is also good for the gander!  Fair treatment to all regardless of position, station, race, or gender.

                                                                                                            iii.     That which we expect from others we may reasonably expect others to claim from us.

1.     This may appear to fail in recognizing the various relations of classes in society.

2.     But it is based on what is the true equality of mankind. Equality of ability, place, opportunity, education, influence, even of character, there can never be.

3.     But equality in service, mutual service, there can be. The master serves the servant; the servant serves the master. Then Christ's Law clearly applies.

4.     The service I seek is the service I should give. 

                                                iii.     Live in Love to Be Obedient to What the Word Requires (Matt. 7:12).

a.      Not only does this rule describe briefly the behavior expected of Jesus' followers, it also sums up the Law and the Prophets.

                                                                                                                i.     This principle by Jesus is a summary of the moral teachings of the Word. The righteousness demanded by the OT is fulfilled in converted believers who thus walk according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:4). If this verse were universally obeyed, it would transform all areas of international relationships, national politics, family life, and church life.

                                                                                                              ii.     This guiding principle is one of the most misunderstood statements in the Bible. This statement is not the sum total of Christian truth, nor is it God’s plan of redemption. We should no more build our theology on the Golden Rule than we should build our astronomy on “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” 

b.     This great truth is a principle that ought to govern our attitudes toward others.

                                                                                                                i.     It only applies to believers, and it must be practiced in every area of life. The person who practices the Golden Rule refuses to say or do anything that would harm himself or others. If our judging of others is not governed by this principle, we will become proud and critical, and our own spiritual character will degenerate.

                                                                                                              ii.     Practicing the Golden Rule releases the love of God in our lives and enables us to help others, even those who want to hurt us. 

c.      But remember that practicing the Golden Rule means paying a price.

                                                                                                                i.     If we want God’s best for ourselves and others, but others resist God’s will, then they will oppose us.

                                                                                                              ii.     We are salt, and salt stings the open wound. We are light, and light exposes dirt.

 CONCLUSION:

When we reject phony righteousness, we become able to eliminate false systems or sanctimonious standards of judgment also. Our Lord invites us to exercise wise, loving, sensitive, compassionate discernment towards ourselves and other people. Will you accept his generous invitation?

How shall we test our profession of faith? By popularity? No, for there are many on the broad road to destruction. And there are many who are depending on words, saying “Lord, Lord”—but this is no assurance of salvation. Even religious activities in a church organization are no assurance. 

So then...the Cross points to the fact that Jesus is the Savior! As the little chorus goes, “He paid a debt He did not owe, we owed a debt we could not pay.” We have one hope: Salvation through Jesus Christ. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Substitute, Redemption, and Forgiveness of sin.

This is exactly what Paul outlines in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” We must believe that the Son of God died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day for our justification. It is crucial that we place our faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel! This is the power of God that saves us (Rom. 1:14-17).

Christ’s suffering at Calvary was God providing payment for our sins. At Calvary sin was paid for in full. Now sinners can be saved—born again to enter a relationship with God. We cannot save ourselves no matter how good, sincere, or diligent we are. Being born again means we become a part of a new family; God is our Father who shares with us His very own divine nature.

Turn then from your unbelief, rejection of God, freestyle living, and self-willfulness and trust Christ the Savior. Turn from your wicked ways and turn to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord today. He promised to save whoever will repent and believe on Him (John 3; Rom. 10:8-13). He is God, who came to earth and became a man to die in our place for our sins. Because of that, we can know God and be with Him forever. How wonderful!  

Why Seeking God is Important

Isaiah 55:6; Psalm 78:31-41

Theme: This is important because God should be the number one priority in our lives.

In the “Me” generation we struggle with doing anything if we cannot perceive what the immediate value is for ourselves.  What will I get out of it? Or what’s in it for me? These questions are commonly used like laser beams to shoot down anything not suiting our personal tastes. The truth is we need to get over ourselves and perceive Someone far more magnificent than we could ever be.

Why Should We Be Interested?

I.                 Because We are Commanded to Seek God

A.    Isaiah 55:6, Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

                                                              i.      It is important for us to seek the Lord and be wholly devoted to Him, but it is also important that we share this invitation with the world.

                                                            ii.      What is involved in “seeking the Lord”?

1.      For one thing, it means admitting that we are sinners and that we have offended the holy God of heaven.

2.      It means repenting (Isa. 55:7), changing one’s mind about sin, and turning away from sin and to the Lord.

3.      We must turn to God in faith and believe His promise that in mercy He will abundantly pardon. Repentance and faith go together: “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

                                                          iii.      But no one should delay in doing this!

1.      The phrase “while He may be found” suggests that, if we do not take His invitation seriously, the invitation may cease while we are delaying.

2.      In the Parable of the Great Supper, God closed the door on those who spurned His invitation (Luke 14:16–24; see Prov. 1:20–33).

3.      “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

B.     Matthew 7:7, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

                                                              i.      You and I are human and fallible; we make mistakes. Only God can judge the matters of life perfectly. Therefore, we must pray and seek His wisdom and direction. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5).

                                                            ii.      Young King Solomon knew that he lacked the needed wisdom to judge Israel, so he prayed to God; and the Lord graciously answered (1 Kings 3:3ff).

                                                          iii.      If we are to have spiritual discernment regarding the decisions of life, we must keep on asking God, keep on seeking His will, keep on knocking at the door that leads to greater knowledge of Him and ministry to others. God meets the needs of His children.

II.             Because Afflictions are Designed to Lead to Seeking God

A.    Psalm 78:33-34, Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. [34] When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

                                                              i.      After 9/11 many Americans sought God’s protection, justice, peace, help, care, and strength. Many wondered why would God let this kind of thing happen to our country?  God permits tragedy to prompt us to seek Him, not merely what He can do for us.  He is to be sought, not merely His blessings!

                                                            ii.      Despite all the proofs of His love, Israel’s hearts were still unfaithful.

1.      Nothing God did pleased them. The works of God are described as the crossing of the sea, the guidance of the cloud and the pillar of fire, the provision of water, manna, and quails. (Anders)

2.      Despite His miracles, they were compulsive grumblers.

                                                          iii.      So, from time to time Jehovah visited the nation with death and destruction.

1.      Whenever the Lord punished His people, they turned to Him as their Rock and Redeemer. They turned to the Lord, repented of their wickedness, and became earnest seekers.

2.      They realized what a refuge He had been to them, how He had redeemed them from the terrors of Egypt.

                                                          iv.      But soon again they were living a lie, speaking piously and acting perversely. They were fickle and disobedient.

1.      The Lord showed tremendous restraint. Because of His super-abounding compassion, He forgave their chronic backsliding and withheld the disaster they deserved.

2.      He remembered that they were mere men, here today and gone tomorrow (Ps. 78:10-41).

B.     Hosea 5:15, I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

                                                              i.      Looking upon idolatrous Israel, God says, “I will go and return to my place” (heaven), leaving His rebellious people to suffer for their sins.

1.      When destruction to Israel’s two kingdoms came, God allowed His people to suffer their well-deserved punishment! 

2.      Not merely to punish them, but to bring them to repentance—“till they acknowledge their offence” (Hos. 5:15).

3.      When in their affliction they sought God, He would be ready to come to their aid.

                                                            ii.      “In their affliction they will seek Me early”

1.      God does not only give us hope, that He would be present when we seek Him, but He promises that we will seek Him! He would give us His grace by which we could seek Him effectively. 

2.      Affliction alone can drive people to despair and stimulate greater rebellion and the complete rejection of God. Through the grace of God, “evil brings forth good; fear, love; chastisement, repentance.”

3.      With all diligence and earnestness, we should rise early to seek our God with the hope He will respond. (Anders)

III.         Because We are Properly Motivated to Seek God

A.    The Assurance That Seeking God Is Never in Vain, Useless, or Empty.

                                                              i.      Isaiah 45:19, I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

1.      God has not said, “Seek ye me,” without the anticipation of meeting with His people. No, He has promised the seeker and He will not fail to fulfill it, because He is the Lord speaking righteousness, declaring things that are right! He follows through with His purpose and plan of salvation, and His sincere desire for our good. 

2.      Firm assurance is dependence on God's promises.

a.       Exodus 4:17, And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

b.      Moses clung tightly to the shepherd's staff as he left for Egypt to face the greatest challenge of his life. The staff was his assurance of God's presence and power. When feeling uncertain, some people need something to stabilize and reassure them. For assurance when facing great trials, God has given promises from his Word and examples from great heroes of faith. Any Christian may cling tightly to these.

3.      Firm assurance is based on God's care for us. 

a.       Luke 21:14-15, Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: [15] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

b.      Jesus warned his followers of coming persecutions in which they would be betrayed by their family members and friends. Christians of every age have had to face this possibility. It is reassuring to know that even when we feel completely abandoned, the Holy Spirit stays with us. He will comfort us, protect us, and give us the words we need. This assurance can give us the courage and hope to stand firm for Christ no matter how difficult the situation.

                                                            ii.      Drawing neigh to God will not prove to be anticlimactic or a letdown or a disappointment!  He does not build Himself up to be something that He is not, nor does He make promises he cannot keep. Pursuing God is never a waste of life, energy or time!

B.     The Blessedness and Great Joy of Seeking God.

                                                              i.      Psalm 119:2, Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

                                                            ii.      Psalm 70:4, Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

                                                          iii.      Psalm 105:3, Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

C.    The Rewards for Diligently Seeking God by Faith.

                                                              i.      Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

                                                            ii.      Happiness, joy and pleasure are not illegitimate experiences in the Christian life; they are central to God's intentions. Most of us could be much happier than we are. So, step number one in the pursuit of God is to admit our longings.

Some of this may seem too good to be true or too grandiose to take seriously. So, let’s take a minute to state some things clearly to avoid misunderstandings. First, note that we will still have our share of troubles and difficulties; we are not exempt from pain. If there is anyone in the Bible who had a broad range of experiences and still knew the blessedness and true happiness that comes from a relationship with God, it would be David. He wrote Psalm 62:1–12, during the time of his son Absalom’s rebellion and conspiracy (2 Samuel 15–18). Even in this heartbreaking and seemingly hopeless situation, David knew God was in control. His hope can be detected by the various references he made of God and his personal intimate association with Him. He describes God as “my salvation,” “my rock,” “my glory,” “my strength,” “my defense,” and “my refuge.” He found true relief and happiness because he put his hope in God.

Secondly, even though we will have our share of hard times, we still have the Lord. Believing in God does not exempt us from life’s problems and pain. Instead, our faith in God gives us the courage and strength to face our trials. This psalm teaches us that the key to resolving problems is to depend on God for help and wisdom. Many Bible passages teach us about finding true happiness, consider Psalm 126:2–6; 145:17-19; Habakkuk 3:17–19; Philippians 4:11, 12; 1 Timothy 6:6–8.

Now consider these summary thoughts from Mr. Lucado....

The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to realize, is to feel ourselves to be home on earth. Since we are aliens, we cannot forget our true homeland.

Unhappiness on earth cultivates a hunger for heaven. By gracing us with a deep dissatisfaction, God holds our attention. The only tragedy, then, is to be satisfied prematurely. To settle for earth. To be content in a strange land.…

We are not happy here because we are not at home here. We are not happy here because we are not supposed to be completely happy here. We are like foreigners and strangers in this world (see 1 Pet. 2:11).

Take a fish and place him on the beach. Watch his gills gasp and scales dry. Is he happy? No! How do you make him happy? Do you cover him with a mountain of cash? Do you get a beach chair and sunglasses? Do you bring him a Playfish magazine and martini? Do you wardrobe him in double-breasted fins and people-skinned shoes?

Of course not. Then how do you make him happy? You put him back in his element. You put him back in the water. He will never be happy on the beach simply because he was not made for the beach.

And you will never be completely happy on earth simply because you were not made merely for earth. Oh, you will have moments of joy. You will catch glimpses of light. You will know moments or even days of peace. But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead.—When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado [modified]