Unlocking God's Promises Through Diligent Seeking
Summary
In today's gathering, we find ourselves in the presence of royalty, lifting up the name of Jesus and celebrating the fortified place that is Zion. It's a blessing to be in the house of the Lord, and we are grateful for the simple yet profound gift of life that God has granted us. As we delve into the Word, we focus on the theme of "Unlocking God's Promises: Ask, Seek, Knock." This message is rooted in Matthew 7:7-8, which encourages us to ask, seek, and knock as a way to align our hearts with God's will, demonstrate our faith, and strengthen our relationship with Him.
The act of seeking is not passive; it requires diligence, direction, and devotion. Diligence means being consistent and focused, putting in the time and effort to truly pursue what God has laid out for us. Direction involves seeking God's guidance and instruction, trusting Him to lead us on the right path. Devotion is about being fully committed to God, demonstrating loyalty, love, reverence, and service. These elements are essential as we seek to deepen our relationship with the Lord.
The journey of seeking is not just about finding something tangible but about discovering the wisdom and peace that come from a deeper relationship with God. It's about realizing that God has been with us all along, waiting for us to seek Him with all our hearts. As we seek, we find that the true treasure is not in the finding but in the seeking itself, as it transforms our perspective and draws us closer to God.
In this new year, let us commit to seeking God with diligence, direction, and devotion. Let us be diligent in prayer and studying His Word, seek His guidance in all our decisions, and remain devoted to Him in our worship and obedience. As we do so, we will unlock the promises of God and experience the fullness of His presence in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Diligence in Seeking God: Seeking God requires diligence, which means being consistent and focused in our pursuit of Him. It involves putting in the time and effort to truly understand His will and align our hearts with His purpose. Diligence is about being persistent and committed, ensuring that we are attentive to the details of our spiritual journey. [18:49]
2. Direction from God: Seeking God involves asking for His guidance and direction in our lives. We must trust Him to lead us on the right path, acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. By seeking His direction, we can avoid the pitfalls of relying on our own understanding and instead follow the path He has set before us. [20:51]
3. Devotion to God: Devotion is about being fully committed to God, demonstrating loyalty, love, reverence, and service. It means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else and seeking to deepen our connection through worship, obedience, and prayer. Devotion is a reflection of our love for God and our desire to honor Him in all that we do. [35:39]
4. The Treasure of Seeking: The true treasure in seeking God is not in the finding but in the seeking itself. As we seek Him with all our hearts, we discover wisdom and peace that cannot be bought or seen. This journey transforms our perspective and draws us closer to God, revealing that He has been with us all along. [39:25]
5. Unlocking God's Promises: By asking, seeking, and knocking, we unlock the promises of God in our lives. This process strengthens our faith, aligns our hearts with His will, and deepens our relationship with Him. As we commit to this journey, we experience the fullness of His presence and the blessings He has in store for us. [16:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:51] - Introduction and Praise
- [13:04] - Reflecting on God's Goodness
- [14:47] - The Power of Love and Gratitude
- [16:22] - Unlocking God's Promises: Ask, Seek, Knock
- [17:27] - The Importance of Seeking
- [18:49] - Diligence in Seeking
- [20:51] - Direction from God
- [35:39] - Devotion to God
- [39:25] - The Treasure of Seeking
- [39:25] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
- [39:25] - Announcements and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three actions mentioned in Matthew 7:7-8, and what are their promised outcomes?
2. According to the sermon, what does the act of seeking involve, and how is it different from simply asking? [17:27]
3. How does the pastor describe the importance of diligence in seeking God? [18:49]
4. What analogy does the pastor use to explain the concept of seeking, and what lesson does it convey? [35:39]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the pastor interpret the act of seeking in relation to our spiritual journey and relationship with God? [17:27]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that seeking God requires more than just a passive approach? [18:49]
3. How does the pastor relate the concept of direction from God to our daily decision-making? [20:51]
4. What does the pastor mean by saying that the true treasure is in the seeking itself, and how does this perspective change our understanding of spiritual growth? [35:39]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you diligently sought something in your life. How can you apply that same diligence to your spiritual journey with God? [18:49]
2. What specific steps can you take this week to seek God's direction in a decision you are currently facing? [20:51]
3. How can you demonstrate devotion to God in your daily routine, and what changes might you need to make to prioritize this devotion? [35:39]
4. Identify an area in your life where you feel you have been passively waiting for God's promises. How can you actively seek His guidance and presence in that area?
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of prayer and studying the Word as tools for seeking God. What is one practical way you can incorporate these practices into your daily life?
6. Consider the story of the old man seeking treasure. How can you shift your focus from finding tangible results to embracing the journey of seeking God with all your heart? [35:39]
7. How can you encourage someone else in your life to seek God with diligence, direction, and devotion? What role can you play in supporting their spiritual journey?
Devotional
Day 1: The Pursuit of Diligence
Diligence in seeking God is about being consistent and focused in our pursuit of Him. It involves putting in the time and effort to truly understand His will and align our hearts with His purpose. This means being persistent and committed, ensuring that we are attentive to the details of our spiritual journey. Diligence is not just about doing more but about being intentional in our relationship with God, making time for prayer, study, and reflection. As we diligently seek Him, we open ourselves to the transformative work He desires to do in our lives. [18:49]
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to be more diligent in your pursuit of God, and how can you ensure that this becomes a consistent part of your daily routine?
Day 2: Trusting in Divine Direction
Seeking God's direction involves asking for His guidance and trusting Him to lead us on the right path. It requires acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours and that He knows what is best for us. By seeking His direction, we can avoid the pitfalls of relying on our own understanding and instead follow the path He has set before us. This means being open to His leading, even when it challenges our plans or expectations. Trusting in God's direction is about surrendering our will to His and believing that He will guide us in His perfect timing. [20:51]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to seek God's direction today, and how can you actively listen for His guidance in this situation?
Day 3: A Heart of Devotion
Devotion to God is about being fully committed to Him, demonstrating loyalty, love, reverence, and service. It means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else and seeking to deepen our connection through worship, obedience, and prayer. Devotion is a reflection of our love for God and our desire to honor Him in all that we do. It calls us to live a life that is centered on Him, where our actions and decisions are guided by our commitment to His will. As we cultivate a heart of devotion, we find that our relationship with God becomes the foundation of our lives. [35:39]
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your devotion to God in a tangible way today, and what changes might you need to make to ensure that He remains the priority in your life?
Day 4: The Journey of Seeking
The true treasure in seeking God is not in the finding but in the seeking itself. As we seek Him with all our hearts, we discover wisdom and peace that cannot be bought or seen. This journey transforms our perspective and draws us closer to God, revealing that He has been with us all along. The act of seeking is about developing a deeper relationship with God, where we learn to trust Him more fully and rely on His presence in our lives. It is a journey that requires patience and perseverance, but one that ultimately leads to a richer understanding of who God is and who we are in Him. [39:25]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: What does it mean for you to seek God with all your heart, and how can you embrace the journey of seeking Him in your daily life?
Day 5: Unlocking the Promises of God
By asking, seeking, and knocking, we unlock the promises of God in our lives. This process strengthens our faith, aligns our hearts with His will, and deepens our relationship with Him. As we commit to this journey, we experience the fullness of His presence and the blessings He has in store for us. Unlocking God's promises is about being proactive in our faith, where we actively engage with Him and trust in His promises. It is a journey that requires faith and perseverance, but one that leads to a deeper understanding of God's love and purpose for our lives. [16:22]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: What promise of God are you seeking to unlock in your life today, and how can you actively engage with Him to see this promise fulfilled?
Quotes
It's based on our scripture thing for the year. And by the way, you recited that so well last week. I think we're going to do great with scripture memorization this year. But we suggest that in prayer, a few things that we thought might be helpful as believers, that asking in prayer aligns our hearts with God's. Will that is what God wants. [00:16:28] (24 seconds)
And it strengthens our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And folks always tell you it's about your relationship. My relationship may not be like your relationship, but it's good to say yes, it is personal, but it's great. To have one, but it's not enough just to ask and we could stop there. We must take some action. And we must seek. [00:17:00] (25 seconds)
Here's what I found out that when we seek after something, we kind of search for it. We look for it. We hunt for it. We pursue it. We explore it. We probe it. We track it down. We go after it. Right? Uh -huh. What are you seeking today? Have you put your fingers on it yet? Now? Let's go ahead. [00:17:27] (23 seconds)
And so we're always seeking, seeking understanding. And you know, the word talks about in a parable and a parable is a earthly story with spiritual and heavenly meeting about the woman who lost the coin. And she had 10, but she lost one. And she cleaned the house back and forth until she found that one coin. And then when she found it, she said, hey, there's a party at my place. [00:18:19] (30 seconds)
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. Call upon him. Why he is near seek, seek, seek. Jeremiah 2913. And Jeremiah says, you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart that takes that takes some. Determination that you don't go after the seeking haphazardly. Well, if I, if I get it, I get it. I don't mind coming in second place. [00:20:51] (35 seconds)
Anybody feels that way. You know, you, you just got to go for. I, I'm trying to win. I put my best effort in. And when it comes to my approaching, uh, the Lord of Lords and the Kings of Kings, I want to put something into it. I want to be diligent Lord. It's me. And you told me to ask, but you say, in addition to asking, what are you and I doing? [00:21:25] (24 seconds)
seek him through studying his word and these are the tools these are the tools that we need not some philosophy on what you heard someone say but isn't it great that god gives us the word the bible lets us know that all scripture is inspired by god and is profitable for reproof for correction for training in righteousness so all of us might be spiritually what built up and ready for good works [00:22:55] (29 seconds)
this word has a way so be diligent with the word but not just that and now seeking but direction seek and you will find your direction refers to a course a path that we should follow and now we have google maps and we have uh you know gps uh things that will take us places but many of us you know you know that if you stop on the corner and say hey i'm trying to find mr john's store [00:23:35] (35 seconds)
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