Matthew 7:7-12

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

“Ask, Seek, and Knock” and “The Golden Rule”

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God expects believers to ask, and seek, and knock.

  2. God expects believers to obey the Golden Rule.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s practice the Law and the Prophets.

QUESTIONS

  1. The Sermon on the Mount was given to Jews who were preparing for the kingdom of God. Does it have any benefit for believers today?

  2. If an unbeliever asked you what one chapter of the Bible they should read, should you point them to the Sermon on the Mount?

  3. A believer may claim he is “asking, seeking, and knocking” and God is not answering his request. Give three reasons his requests may not be answered.

  4. How did Jesus put a positive spin on the Golden Rule?

  5. What are the Law and the Prophets?

ANSWERS

  1. Yes, the moral standards presented in the Sermon on the Mount still apply today. As part of the Word of God, it is profitable for believers. Refer to 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

  2. No, the Sermon on the Mount does not present the way of salvation (instead they should read John 3). The Sermon on the Mount teaches believers the way of righteous living.

  3. 1) His request may be a selfish request – James 4:3. 2) His request may be outside the will of God – 1 John 5:14-15. 3) God knows what is best for us; He will not give us things that would harm us.

  4. The Golden Rule is recorded in Jewish rabbinical literature, but always as a negative command: “Don’t do to others, what you don’t want them to do to you.” Jesus changed this to a positive command, showing we should take the extra step to be kind to others.

  5. The Old Testament scriptures. When we practice the Golden Rule, we fulfill the righteous requirement of the Law.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Are you overwhelmed when you think of God’s commands in the Sermon on the Mount? Remember, the moral standards for the way of righteous living are impossible to keep in our own strength. Do you know people who try to live righteously in their own strength? They cannot succeed! Praise the Lord today that you have been given the Holy Spirit, who enables you to follow God’s will. Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

  2. You can know God’s will for your life! Ninety percent of God’s will is found in His Word. Discuss some standards God reveals in the Bible. These things are God’s will for all believers. The more specific aspects of God’s will for your life can be found by walking with the Lord, using your God-given common sense, and seeking godly counsel

CHALLENGE

  1. The Golden Rule does not say, “Do nice things for others if they do nice things for you.” Do you practice the Golden Rule toward others, or do you only want them to practice it toward you?

KEY VERSES

  • “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” Matthew 7:7

  • “…how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

  • “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” Matthew 7:12



Matthew, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsMatthew 7:7-12