Persistent Prayer: Seeking God's Kingdom Together
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Matthew 7:7, where Jesus instructs us to ask, seek, and knock. This passage has profoundly impacted my prayer life and walk with God. The essence of the message is persistence in our relationship with God. Just as a child persistently asks their parents, we are encouraged to continually ask, seek, and knock. This persistence is not about nagging God but about deepening our relationship with Him and aligning our hearts with His will.
I shared my personal journey of wrestling with this scripture, initially thinking it was about asking for discernment. However, through persistent prayer and seeking, I realized it’s about much more. It’s about continually seeking God’s presence and His kingdom. The Greek translation suggests a continuous action: keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. This persistence leads to a deeper understanding and a closer relationship with God.
We also discussed the importance of asking with the right motives. When our hearts are fully surrendered to God, our requests align with His will, and He delights in giving us good gifts. The journey of asking, seeking, and knocking is transformative. It changes us, prepares us, and aligns us with God’s purposes. The ultimate goal is to seek the kingdom of heaven and live out its principles, such as loving our enemies and doing unto others as we would have them do unto us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Persistence in Prayer: Jesus teaches us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. This persistence is not about nagging God but about deepening our relationship with Him. It’s about continually seeking His presence and aligning our hearts with His will. This persistent prayer life leads to a transformative relationship with God. [38:10]
2. Right Motives in Asking: When we ask with pure motives, aligned with God’s will, He delights in giving us good gifts. Our requests should come from a heart fully surrendered to God. This alignment ensures that what we ask for is in line with His purposes, leading to true fulfillment and spiritual growth. [43:50]
3. The Journey of Seeking: The process of seeking God is transformative. It prepares us and aligns us with His purposes. As we seek, we find the door, and when we knock, it opens to the very things we asked for. This journey strengthens us and brings us closer to God’s heart. [47:55]
4. Loving Our Enemies: One of the principles of the kingdom of heaven is to love our enemies. This is not something we can do on our own; we need to continually ask God for help. As we persist in this prayer, God strengthens us and removes the barriers of unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment. [01:01:24]
5. The Kingdom of Heaven: Ultimately, what we are asking, seeking, and knocking for is the kingdom of heaven. This is the treasure hidden in a field that we should be willing to give up everything to obtain. Living out the principles of the kingdom, such as loving our enemies and doing unto others as we would have them do unto us, is the true fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching. [01:05:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:10] - God’s Mighty Work in Our Church
[27:07] - Commitment to Seek God
[28:26] - Understanding Ask, Seek, Knock
[30:02] - Righteous Judgment vs. Hypocritical Judgment
[31:28] - Misinterpretation of Prosperity Gospel
[33:46] - The True Meaning of Asking
[35:19] - Persistent Prayer Journey
[38:10] - Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
[43:50] - Pure Motives in Prayer
[47:55] - The Transformative Journey of Seeking
[49:54] - Removing Critical Spirit
[52:09] - Bold Prayers and Persistence
[55:29] - Healing and Faith
[57:37] - The Kingdom of Heaven
[01:05:13] - Living Out Kingdom Principles
[01:07:02] - Communion and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV): "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
- James 4:3 (NIV): "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
- Colossians 1:9 (NIV): "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three actions Jesus instructs us to take in Matthew 7:7? How are these actions described in the sermon? [27:07]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the continuous action implied in the Greek translation of Matthew 7:7? [38:10]
3. What does James 4:3 say about the motives behind our requests? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on asking with pure motives? [43:50]
4. How does the pastor describe his personal experience of persistent prayer from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.? What did he learn from this experience? [37:39]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize persistence in asking, seeking, and knocking? How does this persistence deepen our relationship with God? [38:10]
2. How can asking with the right motives change the nature of our prayers and the outcomes we experience? Reflect on James 4:3 in your answer. [43:50]
3. What does the pastor mean when he says that the journey of seeking God is transformative? How does this journey prepare us and align us with God’s purposes? [47:55]
4. How does loving our enemies fit into the broader context of seeking the kingdom of heaven? Why is this principle significant in the sermon? [01:01:24]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you persistently asked God for something. How did this persistence affect your relationship with Him? What did you learn from the experience? [38:10]
2. Are there areas in your life where you need to align your motives with God’s will? How can you ensure that your requests come from a heart fully surrendered to God? [43:50]
3. Think about a specific situation where you need to seek God’s presence more diligently. What steps can you take this week to deepen your seeking and knocking? [47:55]
4. Is there someone in your life whom you find difficult to love? How can you start asking God to help you love this person as He loves them? [01:01:24]
5. The pastor shared his experience of praying continuously for four hours. How can you incorporate more persistent prayer into your daily routine? What specific time or method might work for you? [37:39]
6. Reflect on the concept of the kingdom of heaven as a treasure hidden in a field. What are you willing to give up to obtain this treasure? How can you live out the principles of the kingdom in your daily life? [57:37]
7. How can you apply the principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you in a specific relationship or situation this week? [01:05:13]
Devotional
### Day 1: Persistent Prayer Deepens Our Relationship with God
Description: Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:7 emphasizes the importance of persistence in prayer. This persistence is not about nagging God but about continually seeking His presence and aligning our hearts with His will. Just as a child persistently asks their parents, we are encouraged to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. This continuous action leads to a transformative relationship with God, where our desires and requests become more aligned with His purposes. Persistent prayer is a journey that deepens our understanding and brings us closer to God's heart. [38:10]
Bible Passage: "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary."'” (Luke 18:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you have been hesitant to persist in prayer. How can you commit to continually seeking God's presence and aligning your heart with His will in this situation today?
### Day 2: Asking with Pure Motives
Description: When we ask God for something, it is crucial to do so with pure motives. Our requests should come from a heart fully surrendered to God, ensuring that what we ask for aligns with His will. When our hearts are aligned with God's purposes, He delights in giving us good gifts. This alignment leads to true fulfillment and spiritual growth, as our desires become more in tune with what God wants for us. Asking with the right motives transforms our prayer life and brings us closer to God's heart. [43:50]
Bible Passage: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent prayer request you made. Were your motives aligned with God's will? How can you ensure that your future requests come from a heart fully surrendered to God?
### Day 3: The Transformative Journey of Seeking God
Description: The process of seeking God is transformative. It prepares us and aligns us with His purposes. As we seek, we find the door, and when we knock, it opens to the very things we asked for. This journey of seeking God strengthens us and brings us closer to His heart. It is not just about finding answers but about the transformation that occurs within us as we persistently seek His presence and His kingdom. This journey changes us, making us more like Christ and aligning our lives with His purposes. [47:55]
Bible Passage: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you need to seek God more diligently. What steps can you take today to begin this transformative journey of seeking His presence and aligning with His purposes?
### Day 4: Loving Our Enemies Through Persistent Prayer
Description: One of the principles of the kingdom of heaven is to love our enemies. This is not something we can do on our own; we need to continually ask God for help. As we persist in this prayer, God strengthens us and removes the barriers of unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment. Loving our enemies is a profound expression of God's love and grace, and it requires us to rely on His strength and guidance. Persistent prayer in this area transforms our hearts and enables us to live out the principles of the kingdom of heaven. [01:01:24]
Bible Passage: "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either." (Luke 6:27-29, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life whom you find difficult to love. How can you begin to pray persistently for God's help to love this person as He loves them?
### Day 5: Seeking the Kingdom of Heaven
Description: Ultimately, what we are asking, seeking, and knocking for is the kingdom of heaven. This is the treasure hidden in a field that we should be willing to give up everything to obtain. Living out the principles of the kingdom, such as loving our enemies and doing unto others as we would have them do unto us, is the true fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching. The journey of seeking the kingdom of heaven transforms us and aligns our lives with God's purposes, leading to true spiritual fulfillment and growth. [01:05:13]
Bible Passage: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." (Matthew 13:44, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on what it means to seek the kingdom of heaven in your daily life. What is one practical step you can take today to live out the principles of the kingdom, such as loving your enemies and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Listen, you do not get on God's nerves. The creator of the world, you understand that? Like, he wants you to keep asking. He wants you to keep seeking. He wants you to keep knocking on the door. And this is what I ask of you before you ever get here. Or I should say it this way. What I ask of you right here, listen to me, be here every Sunday. Just make a commitment that I'm going to be here every Sunday." [27:07] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Ask and what? Keep on asking and it will be given to you. Seek and keep on seeking and you will find. Knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened. I read that about 9.55 on Wednesday night. My first conviction was I've kept asking everyone I've been in contact with about this verse. Pause. Man, I haven't asked God yet. Everybody right here. Whatever you keep asking everybody else about on what you should do with your life or whatever you're struggling with or insert illustration that you have going on in your life, stop for one moment and start asking God." [38:10] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I'm telling you, if you just keep asking God, you keep seeking God, the answer is on the other side of the door and he has strengthened you to receive that answer. Wednesday night, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Gosh, what a journey. I feel like I've experienced about everything the world has to offer. I would not trade anything in my life for what I experienced in those four hours. And I just thought like, gosh, I should just spend every morning just asking, just seeking, just knocking every afternoon, asking, seeking, knocking every evening, just doing the same thing." [56:37] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, right? How do you find something? Best believe you're seeking after it. When he found it, what I'm teaching you, he found it on the other side of the door. What'd he do? Man, he hid it again. See, there was this awesome journey. He asked God for something, he seeked after it, he found it, and he hid it again. Now look what the scripture says. The scripture says, then he went and sold everything that he had, anything that had to do with the world, and he bought that field because all he wanted to do was experience that." [57:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has been pleased. He's pleased. Keep asking. He's pleased to give you the kingdom. Back up here. We're going through this Sermon on the Mount. We've been going through this together, Matthew 5 through Matthew 7. Where I see that we're at in the scripture, and I'll give you something in just a second to show what I'm saying, is it's kind of like two bookends of the sermon. Jesus is ending it. He's winding the sermon down. And where we're at in this verse where we just started ask, seek, and knock, basically what has happened up until this point, he's laying out, this is what it looks like to live in the kingdom of God." [58:40] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I believe that I have searched Him diligently many times before. When the Scripture became alive to me this week, this Sunday, when the Scripture became alive to me this week that we're studying today, don't miss this, it radically changed my prayer life. I'm talking about radically changed my prayer life. It radically changed my walk. It radically changed my life with them. At this moment, I do not know what God is going to do in our church next, but boy, I'm excited to be on the journey with Him." [25:10] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus was not teaching against judgment. Jesus was teaching against hypocritical judgment. He was advocating for righteous judgment. You remember the teaching is take the log out of your eye before you go to remove the speck out of your brother's eye. My mindset was awesome. I want people in my life to righteously judge my life because I do not want stuff in my eyes, whether it is a log or whether it is a speck. I want to see Jesus, clearly then if I could see Jesus clearly is it's awesome. I will be able to righteously judge everyone and everyone will be able to see Jesus clearly." [30:02] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I prayed for myself. I prayed for my family. I prayed for all of you. I could not stop praying for you. I just kept asking God. I kept asking and I kept asking and I kept asking and I kept asking. And that is the key to the teaching here. That is the key that unlocked my understanding for this scripture. People who studied the Greek more than I do teach that this verse, Jesus is actually, it should actually say it like this. It's not just ask, seek, and knock. I got a slide for you. This is the way the verse should read." [37:39] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If God Almighty has all of your heart, then the things that you ask him for will start to change. See, if God does not have our whole heart or our motives are impure, we're definitely not asking for the right things and praise God that he protects us by not giving them to us because we will mess it up. So now I'm just like imploring God, will you show me the truth of this scripture? I know that there is freedom in your words. I'm not seeking it so that people think I'm smart. I'm not seeking it so that somebody tells me, Ben, that was a good sermon afterwards. I'm seeking it, God, because I want freedom." [44:28] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I asked him about three or four weeks ago to put lost people in my life so I could share the gospel with you. What do you think? God's going to answer that? Of course he did. Bam, right there was the door this week. All kinds of lost people in front of me. I had the opportunity. What am I going to do? Right, this is what I asked for. Here they are. Shut her back. Go back to the other side of the door and say, well, God bless you. Come to church sometime. Or share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the freedom that there is in the gospel." [01:03:12] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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