Second Sunday in Lent
SCRIPTURE Matthew 7:7-11
FROM TODAY’S MESSAGE : Believing is Asking
I.The seventh chapter of Matthew speaks specifically about the importance of asking of the Lord. There is a difference in asking and praying also. Notice Matthew 7:7, says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be open unto you. Did you notice the highlighted first letter of each first word? It spells ASK.
II. A. Ask is synonymous with inquire, request and praying
B. Seek is synonymous with inquire, request, and praying often
C. Knock is synonymous with inquire, request, and praying seriously and sincerely
III. The Bible says “Ask and it SHALL be given to you. It doesn’t say it might be given to you, but it says it SHALL be given to you. That’s a promise from the Lord. So what is the problem?
A. We don’t ask in faith. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 defines faith. Remember whatever is not worth asking for, is not worth having.
B. We don’t ask the right way. When we ask we must be specific, persistent, and concise. St. Luke 18:1-8.
C. We don’t ask in the right time. We must learn to ask when the time is right for us to receive. Many times we ask God for things that we are not even in a position to receive.
D. We don’t ask for the right things. We ask for carnal, crazy, and consumable things. The Bible tells us to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
IV. Believing is asking. Like a child who knows a loving parent wants to give good gifts to them… read the words of our Lord in Matthew 7:9-11 again…