Sermons on Matthew 7:9-11
The various sermons below interpret Matthew 7:9-11 by focusing on the continuous and progressive nature of the actions of asking, seeking, and knocking. Both sermons emphasize the present tense imperative used in the passage, which suggests that these actions are meant to be ongoing and persistent. This persistence is likened to a parent searching for a lost child or a child asking a parent for gifts, illustrating the urgency and sincerity with which believers should approach God in prayer. Despite acknowledging human imperfection, both sermons highlight that even flawed humans understand the importance of giving good gifts, which serves to underscore the greater goodness and generosity of God.
While both sermons share common themes, they also present distinct theological nuances. One sermon emphasizes that God's giving is contingent upon our readiness to receive, suggesting that prayer is an expression of total dependence on God and that He waits for us to recognize our need and turn to Him in humility. In contrast, another sermon focuses on the theme of God's perfect fatherhood, contrasting it with human imperfection and emphasizing that God's answers to prayers, while not always aligning with human expectations, are always for the believer's ultimate good.
Matthew 7:9-11 Interpretation:
Living in Grace: The Power of Prayer and Relationship (Arrows Church) interprets Matthew 7:9-11 by emphasizing the increasing urgency in the commands to ask, seek, and knock. The sermon highlights that these actions are written in the present tense imperative, indicating a continuous action. The analogy of a parent searching for a lost child is used to illustrate the urgency and persistence Jesus encourages in prayer. The sermon also notes that Jesus acknowledges human nature as inherently sinful, yet even flawed humans understand the importance of giving good gifts, which underscores the greater goodness of God’s gifts.
Trusting God: The Power of Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Living Word Church Corpus Christi) interprets Matthew 7:9-11 by emphasizing the progressive nature of asking, seeking, and knocking. The sermon highlights that these actions are not one-time events but continuous processes that reflect a persistent relationship with God. The speaker uses the analogy of a child asking a parent for gifts to illustrate the simplicity and sincerity with which believers should approach God. The sermon also notes that the Greek present imperative tense used in the passage suggests ongoing action, reinforcing the idea of persistence in prayer.
Matthew 7:9-11 Theological Themes:
Living in Grace: The Power of Prayer and Relationship (Arrows Church) presents the theme that God's giving depends on our readiness to receive, rather than His ignorance or reluctance. The sermon suggests that prayer is a method for expressing total dependence on God, and that God does not spoil His children but waits for them to recognize their need and turn to Him in humility.
Trusting God: The Power of Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Living Word Church Corpus Christi) presents the theme of God's perfect fatherhood, contrasting it with human imperfection. The sermon emphasizes that while earthly parents may fail, God, as the perfect Father, knows how to give good gifts to His children. This theme is expanded by discussing how God's answers to prayers may not align with human expectations but are always for the believer's ultimate good.
Matthew 7:9-11 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Daily Bread: Trusting God's Provision and Grace (Rise Church Shine) provides historical context by referencing the cultural practice of fathers being responsible for providing for their children, which is mirrored in God's provision for His children. The sermon also discusses the historical context of Jesus' teaching, noting that it was consistent with Old Testament teachings and the cultural understanding of God as a provider.
Trusting God: The Power of Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Living Word Church Corpus Christi) provides insight into the cultural context of Jesus' time, explaining that bread and fish were common staples in the diet of the people. The sermon highlights that Jesus used these everyday items to make His teaching relatable and understandable to His audience, emphasizing the absurdity of a parent giving a stone or a snake instead.
Matthew 7:9-11 Cross-References in the Bible:
Daily Bread: Trusting God's Provision and Grace (Rise Church Shine) references Matthew 7:9-11 in connection with the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing the consistency of God's character as a provider. The sermon also references the story of David receiving consecrated bread and the Passover meal as examples of God's provision, drawing parallels to the provision of daily bread.
Living in Grace: The Power of Prayer and Relationship (Arrows Church) references Ephesians 2 to explain the concept of human nature as inherently sinful and the need for salvation through Jesus. The sermon uses this to highlight the contrast between human and divine goodness, reinforcing the message of Matthew 7:9-11.
Building Community: Navigating Relationships with Grace (Impact Church FXBG) references 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 to expand on the concept of judgment within the church. The passage is used to clarify that while believers are not to judge those outside the church, they are called to hold each other accountable within the community of faith. This supports the idea in Matthew 7:9-11 that God, as the ultimate judge, provides good gifts and guidance to those who seek Him.
Matthew 7:9-11 Christian References outside the Bible:
Grace-Filled Parenting: Reflecting God's Love and Guidance (Seneca Creek Community Church) references Tim Kimmel's book "Grace-Based Parenting" to discuss different parenting styles influenced by one's understanding of God. The sermon uses this to illustrate how a grace-based approach aligns with the message of Matthew 7:9-11, emphasizing the importance of being a grace giver as a parent.
Trusting God: The Power of Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Living Word Church Corpus Christi) references Eric Metaxas, a Christian author and speaker, to highlight the importance of understanding God's character and promises. Although not directly related to Matthew 7:9-11, the mention of Metaxas serves to underscore the broader theme of trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness.
Matthew 7:9-11 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Living in Grace: The Power of Prayer and Relationship (Arrows Church) uses a personal story of a lost child in a church building to illustrate the urgency and persistence in prayer that Jesus describes in Matthew 7:9-11. The story serves as a metaphor for the increasing intensity of asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer.
Trusting God: The Power of Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Living Word Church Corpus Christi) uses the character Sheldon Cooper from the TV show "The Big Bang Theory" to illustrate the awkwardness some people feel when receiving gifts. This analogy is used to highlight the discomfort that can arise from not understanding the nature of God's gifts, contrasting it with the assurance that God's gifts are always good and perfect.