Matthew 7 Part 2

Ask and You Will Receive   - January 27, 2013 by Pastor Jay Meyer

We are coming back to the Sermon on the Mount. Remember in this message, Jesus is challenging the conventional wisdom of who has God’s blessing or favor. He is also challenging the conventional wisdom or the kind of behavior displayed in the lives of those who live in God’s Kingdom.

Remember the message begins with what we know as the Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Remember in the beginning of the message is about recognizing our need for God. We don’t bring any righteousness of our own to the table. We can’t make it into the Kingdom on our own.

Then Jesus goes on to give us pictures of what life in the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. This life goes way beyond the law of Moses.

People with more wisdom than me have suggested that if you want power and blessing in your life, go straight to the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus covers so much of life - personal relationships; anger; lust; divorce; giving your word; retaliation; loving our neighbors and enemies; giving; prayer; fasting; laying up treasures; worry; and not judging others…

Self-examination

There are times in life when we must take a look at our life. Many times at the start of a new year we pause and reflect on life. Where am I with God? I am called to live life as Jesus did and to do the things that He did. Am I getting there? Self-awareness is a very valuable commodity. It takes being in real relationships with people to get it.

Do you see a higher level to attain and don’t know how to get there?

That is what Jesus is up to in this message. He’s showing us a life that is higher, a way that is better. It is His way. It is His life. Jesus is showing us what life in the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. We may find that we don’t measure up very well to what Jesus says…

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!