Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7-12

Introduction.

  1. There are no stupid questions—only those unasked.

    1. The Lord, as any good teacher, encourages us to ask questions.

    2. We have begun a Q&A session earlier this year with our articles in the Rutherford Weekly. We received 19 questions in May, and I have yet to tally all the questions we received yesterday.

    3. We want everyone to have an opportunity to have their questions answered.

    4. This week, the question is concerning the name of God, asked by a JW. That is the first of two parts; the next one will come out on Oct 17.

    5. We want seekers, just as Christ was looking for them!

    6. Only those searching for Truth will come upon it.

    7. What they do with it is up to them.

  2. Preview: Asking (7:7-8), Receiving (7:9-11), Therefore (7:12).

    1. What is the nature of our asking and seeking?

    2. How will the Lord respond to our questions?

    3. How should we respond to others?

Body.

  1. Asking (7:7-8).

    1. When we ask, seek, and knock, we are asking of the Lord, seeking after Him, knocking on His door.

      1. The tense for all of these imperative verbs is present.

      2. Putting a tense on the imperative is odd for us in English, but it is very common in Greek.

      3. This implies that this could better be translated: “Keep on asking; keep on seeking; keep on knocking.”

      4. This is a continued action! Never cease in your prayers or in your search.

    2. Earlier, we are told what to seek: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

      1. Later, we are told about the narrow gate and the difficult way—things we should seek out! (7:13-14)

      2. We should also seek out the Father’s will, for only those who do His will shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (7:21).

      3. This will plant our feet on a sure footing, as the wise man who built his house on the rock (7:24-25).

    3. We should never be afraid to ask questions, seeking after truth.

      1. Solomon wrote that it was a God-given task to “seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven” (Eccl 1:13).

      2. Speaking from wisdom’s perspective, Solomon wrote: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me” (Prov 8:17) – i.e. if we seek after wisdom, we will find it!

      3. But keep mind these other wise words from Solomon: “A scoffer seeks after wisdom and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands” (Prov 14:6) – he wants an answer, but once he finds it, he disregards it.

    4. We should always ask according to His will.

      1. When we don’t, we ask amiss (James 4:1-3).

      2. They were trying all manner of ways to get what they want, never asking.

      3. When they did ask, their motives were carnal, not according to His will.

      4. If we do ask according to His will, we can be assured He is listening (1 John 5:14-15).

  2. Receiving (7:9-11).

    1. Jesus uses an example of the love of a parent to their child giving good gifts.

      1. These are not just gifts, but necessities.

      2. You wouldn’t give your child something useless or even harmful when they are in need, would you?

      3. No, and neither does our Lord.

    2. When you were a kid, did you ask your parents for things?

      1. Of course you did! What were their answers?

      2. Yes, no, maybe/we’ll see, later/when you’re older.

      3. You might even explain why, depending on the situation.

      4. If you have kids, didn’t you answer in a similar way?

    3. As parents, we know better than our kids what’s good for them.

      1. We will protect them from bad decisions that could harm them (socket covers; locks on cupboards).

        • God might say no to whatever we ask, because He knows it’s bad for us.

      2. We might allow them to make a bad decision in a controlled environment so they can learn why it’s not a good idea (eating too much candy).

        • God might give us what we ask in small doses to make us realize that’s not a good idea.

      3. We will teach them to protect themselves and make better decisions (walking on the side of the road).

        • That’s what the Scriptures do for us; along with assembling with the saints, asking those more knowledgeable than us.

      4. We won’t always be there to protect them, so they must learn.

        • God is always there, but He wants us to grow—that only happens with struggle.

    4. We are all evil in comparison to God (7:11).

      1. While we may not be evil compared to those in the world, compared to God we are.

      2. He wants what’s best for us, though it may feel lousy in the moment.

      3. Remember: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matt. 6:32b).

      4. Ultimately, we have to trust Him to know what He is doing.

      5. We should view each trial as a learning experience, to help us grow and be better.

      6. If we overcome and remain faithful, we will come out the other side stronger than before.

      7. We should still ask for things, but always say, “Your will be done!”

      8. Jesus prayed that very same prayer in the garden (Matt. 26:39, 42).

  3. Therefore (7:12).

    1. The Golden Rule: Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

      1. What is it there for?

      2. Recall: When we judge, judge in a manner you would want to be judged.

      3. Here we see that God does good to us, so we should do good to others!

      4. This shows God’s love to them.

    2. This is the Law and the Prophets!

      1. So this concept was taught in the O.T.

      2. What else do we read about the Law and the Prophets?

      3. Do we recall the two greatest commands?

      4. Jesus reiterates them later in Matt. 22:36-40.

      5. So what we read is that doing good to others is loving them!

      6. The whole O.T. is geared toward loving God and loving others.
        One rabbi said in the 1st Century b.c., “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.”

      7. We can see that expressed succinctly in passages like Micah 6:8.

Conclusion.

      1. Since God wants all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4), if you seek after Truth, you will find it!

      2. Since the church is described as a pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15), she props up truth and makes it easier to be found.

        1. Let us be a church that supports the Truth.

        2. Let us do so boldly, putting ourselves out there so the Truth may be easier for seekers to find!

      3. If you are seeking Truth this morning, you have come to the right place.

        1. Let us study with you to help you find that Truth you seek.

        2. As Nathanael told Philip in John 1:46, “Come and see.”

        3. Never stop asking, seeking, knocking!

      4. Let us never forget to treat our neighbors well since our Lord treats us so well.

      5. If you are ready to make your commitment to Christ, to do His will, we stand ready to help you do just that.