Podcast Audio and Video:
Sermon on the Mount, Part 9 – YouTube
Show Notes:
– Ask: He who asks believing will receive.
Scripture tells us when we make petition to God and believe, we will receive what we are asking for. But we are in an unbelieving generation with multitudes of people claiming to practice Christianity, yet having no faith in God or the Word of God.
People in every religion and denomination pray, but no one expects answers. Maybe we aren’t receiving because we don’t have faith. Science, pride, human reasoning, lack of experience, unbelief, and false doctrine may be some reasons why prayer isn’t answered. When we get unbelief, offense, and unforgiveness out of us, we can receive the things of God.
– Seek: The diligent search of the Word of God.
God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Faith starts initially as a gift from God, and then is encouraged and built up when we diligently seek out the Word of God.
We don’t get gold, silver, and precious stones on the top of the ground. We have to dig for these things just like we have to dig for the riches of God’s treasure and seek Him out. You have to seek out the gold of your faith, the silver of your redemption, and the jewels of your heaven.
– Knock: Communion with God when we communicate face to face with Him.
There are so few who want to go in and commune with God and Him with us. But God wants His people to dwell in communion with Him. Whenever we really reach where God wants us to be, it is us knocking, wanting to see Him face to face.
If we could learn to laser focus without quitting, we would find the tenacity it takes to break through with God.
The epitome of the answered prayer is the presence of God. It’s not what we can get out of God, but it is God Himself.
– The Golden Rule
The summary of all we read in the old covenant – “Whatever you would that men would do to you, do also unto them.” If you are bold enough to ask God to help you, to seek Him, to knock for His presence, we need to have a godlike nature and character and begin to do for others what we ask Him to do for us.
The Old Testament law and prophets is easily transferred to a New Testament vision. It is what God was trying to get across all along. Love Him and let it pour out to others. The more you receive the love of God, the more you should reciprocate it to others. People ought to know God because they know you, because you are overflowing with the goodness of His presence.
If we have the audacity to ask, seek, and knock, then we should be willing to listen, give, and open up to those who are seeking it from us.