2. Show how Jesus words in Matthew 7:7 support the following principles:

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1 Sermon on the Mount Lesson 10 Matthew 7:7-12 Answer Sheet Ask, Seek, Knock 1. (a) Read Matthew 7:7-8. What are the three commands and what are the three promises? In Matthew 7:7-8, there are three commands and with each command is a promise. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (b) Describe how the three commands show a progressive boldness, urgency and persistency. With these three commands, there is a progressive boldness, urgency and persistency. Ask implies the simplicity of a request or inquiry. It is a present imperative; keep on asking. Seek implies looking for, probing, or pursuing. It is earnest, sincere and unprejudiced in its pursuit. Knocking implies a mixture of dependence and effort, indicating a progressive perseverance Show how Jesus words in Matthew 7:7 support the following principles: (a) Divine assistance accompanies Divine requirements. 2 This necessary assistance to meet the requirements of keeping the King s commands is to be sought prayerfully, believingly, diligently and persistently, and if it is sought in this way, it will not be in vain. 3 (b) Prayer is the channel for obtaining supplies of grace, including spiritual wisdom and strength, to obey God s word and engage in God s work. 4 Jesus encourages the exercise of prayer along with other ways of living a spiritual and supernatural life in this world (i.e. seeking first the kingdom, self-denial, putting on God s armor, persevering against the evil one, standing firm in the faith). 5 Right Asking 3. (a) God offered Divine assistance to King Solomon. From 1 Kings 3:5, what did God say to Solomon? King Solomon had firmly established his kingdom at the very young age of 20. He went to Gibeon and offered 1,000 burnt offerings to God. During the night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, Ask for whatever you want me to give you. (b) What did King Solomon ask of God and how does his request show his motive to obtain spiritual wisdom and strength? (For additional insight see 1 Chronicles 22:12.) Solomon s father, David, had expressed his desire to Solomon that the Lord give him discretion and understanding when [God] puts him in command over Israel. Solomon wisely asked God for a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. (c) How did God respond to his request and what were the results? God was pleased with Solomon s request and said, Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart so that there 1 A. Wetherell Johnson, Bible Study Fellowship Lesson Notes: The Discourse of Matthew, BSF International, 1973, Matthew Lesson 10, pp Arthur W. Pink, An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, Baker Book House, 1982, Grand Rapids, MI, p Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid., p.295 1

2 will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both riches and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. (d) PA: Give an example of how you use prayer as a channel for obtaining spiritual wisdom and strength to obey God s word and engage in God s work. Personal answers may vary. 4. (a) Fill in the words in the following verses and note what is said about asking. Psalm 66:18-19 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Cherished sin blocks prayers to God. Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law [God s commands], even his prayers are detestable. If anyone refuses to listen to or obey God s commands, God considers the prayers revolting to him. James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Just like cherished sin, wrong motives usually self-seeking motives will hinder requests. 1 John 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. A pure heart, a clear conscience and obedience to God s commands ensures confident requests and answers to prayer. 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him. Asking according to God s will means prayers are heard and will be answered. (b) PA: Which one of the above verses has encouraged you or convicted you? How has it changed your view of how or what you ask of God? Personal answers may vary. Passionate Seeking 5. (a) Read Deuteronomy 4:23-31 with Jeremiah 29:1, Write out Jeremiah 29:12-13, and explain had happened to the Israelites that would eventually cause them to act on the words of verses Jeremiah 29:12-13 says, Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. The Israelites did not heed the words in Deuteronomy and had sinned against God by worshipping other gods (idols). They were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and exiled to Babylon. Jeremiah, the prophet, sent a letter that promised a hope and a future to them back in the land of Jerusalem. There would come a time when the people would call on the name of the Lord and seek him and the fulfillment of his promise with all of their heart. (b) Compare Daniel s words in Daniel 9:1-23 with Jeremiah 29:13. How did Daniel demonstrate seeking God through Scripture and pursuing God s answer? What was the result? Daniel understood from Jeremiah s letter that the 70 years were coming to an end and it was time to 2

3 petition God for deliverance from captivity. He passionately prays to give ear, O God, and hear O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! O my God, do not delay invoked an immediate response. Gabriel came in swift flight as soon as Daniel began to pray, an answer was given. (c) PA: Give an example of how you have found prayer to be a channel for obtaining supplies of redeeming grace, and restorative hope. Personal answers may vary. 6. (a) Fill in the words in the following verses and note what is said about seeking. Psalm 119:57-58 You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 30:18b-20 Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God the Lord, the God of his fathers even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary. And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Amos 5:4 This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel: Seek me and live (b) PA: For what reason should you seek God with all your heart? Will you pursue him through reading, mediating, studying and memorizing his word? Personal answers may vary. Persistent Knocking 7. (a) From the following passages, briefly note the prayers Nehemiah expresses to the Lord in regard to the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1:1-11 (especially note verses 4, 6, 8, 11) Upon hearing the news that the surviving exiles are in great trouble and disgrace because the walls and gates are destroyed, Nehemiah himself is in great distress. He weeps, mourns, fasts, and prays to the Lord. He prays before God day and night for the people of Israel, confessing their sins. He says, Remember the instruction He asks for success and favor in the presence of the king. Nehemiah 2:4-6, Nehemiah prays quickly before he speaks to the king. He had already spent days and nights in prayer, so this is just a continuation of all that he had been preparing for at this opportunity. His prayer for favor from the king is answered. Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem. He has a plan, but does not share what God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. 3

4 Nehemiah 4:4-5 Nehemiah appeals to God to judge those who are against them. This is a common use of prayer as seen in the imprecatory psalms. (b) In Nehemiah 5:19; 6:14; 13:14, 22, 29 and 31b, what repeated word does Nehemiah persistently use as a reminder to God? Nehemiah persistently uses the word remember to remind God of those who are against him and his own persevering plea for favor in all the work that God has put in his heart to accomplish. (c) PA: Give an example of how you have found prayer to be the channel for obtaining persevering grace in times of great opposition to your work for the kingdom. Personal answers may vary. 8. (a) Fill in the words in the following verses and note what is said about knocking. Nehemiah 5:19 Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people. Nehemiah 13:22 Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love. Luke 11:8b Because of the man s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. Luke 18:5 Because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won t eventually wear me out with her coming! Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. (b) PA: Through your persistent knocking, what would you like God to remember? Personal answers may vary. Good Gifts 9. (a) Read Matthew 7:9-11 with Luke 11:11-13 and John 14: What promise is found in Luke and John that is not mentioned in Matthew? Luke mentions the gift of the Holy Spirit given by God, the Father, to those who ask. John describes the Holy Spirit as another Counselor and the Spirit of truth who lives in those who know Christ. (b) What do the following verses say about the impact or Divine assistance of this good gift in relation to obtaining supplies of grace, including spiritual wisdom and strength, to obey God s word and engage in God s work? Fill in the blanks for your answer. Acts 1:4b-5, 8 wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 4

5 Acts 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. Acts 13:2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Romans 8:15-16 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God s children. Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God s will. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man s judgment: For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 John 3:24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (c) PA: Have you asked God for his gift of the Holy Spirit? To receive the Holy Spirit is to receive Jesus Christ in your heart. Personal answers may vary. 10. Read Matthew 7:12 with Matthew 22:37-38 in light of Matthew 5 7:12. (a) List a few things that are included in the everything of Jesus command to the kingdom citizen. Some of the things that are included in the everything of Jesus command to the kingdom citizen in Matthew 7:12 might be going the extra mile, loving enemies, embracing secret deeds, resisting pride, properly directing devotion, casting off cares, judging not, and discerning what to give to those outside the kingdom. (b) Read Deuteronomy 6:5 with Romans 13:8-10 in light of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. How does love fulfill the law? Deuteronomy 6:5 says to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Romans 13:8-10 says that only the debt to love one another should remain for love is the fulfillment of the law. (c) Read Romans 5:5b. By whose love and by whose power is the kingdom citizen able to fulfill the command of Matthew 7:12? God s love and the power of the Holy Spirit enable the kingdom citizen to fulfill the command of Matthew 7:12. 5

6 (d) PA: Have you received the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ who fulfilled the law by his death? See Romans 5:1-5, 8:9-11. Personal answers may vary. God s love is revealed by the Holy Spirit and objectively demonstrated in the death of Christ. Upon belief in Christ, the Holy Spirit pours out God s love in the believer s heart and his love continues to dwell in the believer. All true believers have the gift of the Holy Spirit. 6 6 Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 2002, Grand Rapids, MI, p. 152, Note on Romans 5:5 6