Whatever You Wish...

Please turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 7.

Matthew 7 · chapter mention

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Take one with you.

There's one here in the front.

Thank you.

Connor, you did a fantastic job with your announcements.

Matthew is the first book in the New Testament,

which is about the last fourth of the entire Bible.

The first book in the New Testament, before Mark.

We're in Matthew chapter 7, verses 7 to 12 this morning.

Matthew 7:7–12

We need to pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

Father, there are many things we can learn and store up in our minds.

Lord, we need you to move those truths so that what we know and believe to be true transforms our lives.

So that our faith does not remain theoretical, but functions day to day.

And Lord, that's what we desire this morning.

That our faith in you as our Heavenly Father would become more real, more functional.

Every day of our lives.

And that the good news of Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection,

which has given us, your people, the right to be called the children of God,

might be more real in our hearts this morning.

So please do that work by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

If you're able, please stand so we can honor God as we read from His Word.

Matthew chapter 7, verse 7 to 12.

Matthew 7:7–12

All of you have left for us.

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.

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?

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?

So, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.

For this is the law and the prophets.

This is God's holy and authoritative Word.

Please be seated.

Sometimes, nailing down what Christianity is all about can seem elusive to us.

After all, there are thousands of Christian denominations.

Who can say, truly, that this is what Christianity really is all about?

Certainly not me.

There's only one person who has the authority to tell us definitively what being a Christian is all about.

And that's Jesus.

The Christ.

The Messiah.

After whom all Christians are named.

And this morning, we're in Matthew 7, 7-12, which is nearing the close of Jesus' most famous sermon,

often called the Sermon on the Mount.

And in this passage, Jesus sums up His entire sermon.

And, in fact, He sums up more than His entire sermon.

We can say, it's not far-fetched to say, that the entirety of the Christian life is summed up in this passage.

What does it mean to be a Christian?

What does it look like to be a faithful Christian?

A mature Christian?

According to verses 7-11, it involves relating to God as our Heavenly Father.

And according to verse 12, it involves treating our neighbors the way we like to be treated.

Christian maturity, defined in this way, looks like this.

Becoming more childlike in our relation to God.

And becoming more Christ-like in our relation to man.

That's my main point for this morning, and I'm going to talk about it in two parts.

First, whatever you wish, ask God.

And second, whatever you wish, do to others.

First, this passage is the second-to-last teaching block of the Sermon on the Mount,

before Jesus concludes His entire sermon with the importance of obedience.

And leading up to this passage, for those of you who need a refresher,

and those of you who are just joining us for the first time,

Jesus taught us not to judge our fellow Christians with hypercritical, arrogant, and hypocritical judgment.

If we do that, then we are irrigating for ourselves the divine seed of judge and lawgiver,

by harping on the small sins of others, while we give a pass to our big sins in our own lives.

He also taught us not to be anxious about life, about the needs of our lives,

what we'll eat, what we'll drink, what we'll wear,

because our Heavenly Father feeds us and takes care of us and provides for us.

It is pointless to worry about tomorrow,

for worrying about tomorrow does nothing to help us for tomorrow.

It accomplishes nothing.

Instead, it just preoccupies us when there is already enough for us to be occupied with today.

So instead, we should concern ourselves with seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness.

Before that, Jesus taught us to not store up treasures here on earth.

Since earthly wealth is fleeting by nature and do not last beyond this life,

every form of earthly wealth has an expiration date.

Instead, Jesus taught us to store up our treasures in heaven,

seeking His purposes and His priorities,

because when we do that, those rewards that we pile up for ourselves in heaven will never perish.

Those who love and serve money can never love and serve God.

Jesus also taught us not to practice our righteousness before men,

to be seen by others and to be praised by them,

because if we do that, that kind of self-centered and self-exalting righteousness

is no righteousness at all.

Instead, we should pray in secret, fast in secret,

do our righteous deeds to be seen by God and not to be seen by others.

And as if those things weren't hard enough already,

Jesus also taught us not to retaliate against evildoers.

He told us to love not only our families and friends and neighbors,

but also to love our enemies.

Pray for those who harm us and persecute us.

Jesus taught us not to swear falsely or to take oaths.

Instead, He taught us to be so truthful that everything we say,

yes or no, can be taken at face value and is as good as an oath.

He taught us that adultery is evil,

but not only that, He taught us that lusting after someone,

just lusting after someone with our eyes and in our own hearts

is tantamount to adultery of the heart.

He taught us that murder is evil.

And not only that, murder in the heart,

when we harbor sinful anger towards someone,

and bitterness against someone,

and unforgiveness towards someone,

that that's tantamount murder of the heart.

When we look at God's law and all that Jesus taught us,

it corrects our delusion that we can keep God's law on our own,

in our own strength.

We have all of us fallen short of all of these commandments

that God gives us through Jesus.

It's relatively easy to look good on the outside.

It's relatively easy to act apart,

convince people around us that we're pretty good people,

or even maybe mature Christians.

It's harder to convince God who sees inside our hearts.

So Jesus in this sermon in the mouth chisels away

at all of our pretensions, our outward pretensions,

and He drills down to the very core of our heart.

He tells us, stop looking good on the outside,

and actually be good on the inside.

But how can we do that?

Who is sufficient for these things?

There's so much evil and selfishness in our hearts.

Jesus knows that if we actually pay attention to His words,

we will be driven to despair.

Last week was a pretty busy week,

and I got desperate.

So I asked my four-year-old daughter

to go to the grocery store to pick up something for me.

I was joking with her, of course.

It was fun to interact with her in that way.

She misunderstood my question at first,

because she was like,

there's no way that's what he's asking me.

And she's like, you mean this?

And I'm like, no, no, no, that's not what I mean.

This is what I mean.

And then when she realized what I was saying,

she like half laughed and half snorted.

I can't do that.

You do that.

That's exactly what she said.

That's the effect that discernment amount is meant to have on us.

As children of God who are weak,

who are poor,

we ought to cry out to God,

our Heavenly Father,

and say,

I can't do that.

You do that.

Our spiritual need is meant to drive us to our knees in prayer.

Our spiritual poverty is meant to drive us to prayer to God,

asking God for what we do not have.

And that's why the Sermon on the Mount,

Matthew chapters 5 to 7,

Matthew 5 · chapter mention

is deliberately structured to bring the focus and attention

on what is at the very center of the sermon,

the Lord's Prayer.

The prayer that our Lord taught us,

taught God's children to pray.

The prayer of God's children.

This is also why Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount

with this passage.

Right before He concludes at the end,

very end,

with the importance of obedience,

before He tells us and hammers us

with the importance of obedience,

He tells us here how we can obey.

How we can have the strength and the power to obey.

How we can receive the grace from Jesus Christ to obey.

How we can receive the power from His Spirit

to obey what He tells us to do.

So in verses 7 and 8,

Jesus encourages us to pray,

and with it He gives us some shocking promises

that seem way too good to be true.

Jesus says,

Ask, and it will be given to you.

Seek, and you will find it.

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.

Jesus' promise is simple, but powerful.

If only we took Jesus at His word,

it would completely transform our prayer lives.

We give all kinds of excuses for why we don't pray, don't we?

As much as we should.

We're so busy.

We have so many responsibilities.

There's not enough time in life.

But don't we make time for things that we deem truly important?

And necessary.

We still make time to eat.

We still make time for sleep.

We still make time for work.

We still make time for vacation.

So then, the real reason, underneath all of our excuses,

for why we don't pray as much as we should,

is that we don't really think that prayer is all that important.

We don't really think that prayer really works.

How many times have we told people,

I'll keep you in my prayers.

I'll lift you up in prayer.

And I forgot all about it.

Why do we never get around to it?

Because we don't think prayer really makes a difference.

As Christians, we believe sometimes that prayer is important in theory,

but too often not in practice.

In 2 Kings 5, we're told the story of Naaman,

who's the commander of the Syrian army.

Even though he occupies such a high rank and position in society,

he suffers from a debilitating skin disease called leprosy,

where his skin begins to decay and fall out, fall apart.

Very shameful disease.

A stigmatized disease.

But one day he hears that there is a prophet in the land of Israel,

named Elijah, who does many miracles and wonders

and can actually heal him of his leprosy.

So he makes a long journey with his retinue,

with heaps of gold for payment for this important prophet.

And finally, when Naaman arrives at the door of Elijah,

Elijah doesn't even deign to come out to meet him.

He sends his messenger to Naaman,

to tell Naaman,

wash in the Jordan River seven times,

which is the river in Israel,

so that you can be cured.

And then Naaman turns around in a rage

and leaves huffing and puffing.

Who does this prophet think he is?

I'm a very important person.

I came a long way to see him.

And he wants me to wash in the Jordan River?

There are scores of rivers that are way better and cleaner

and more beautiful than this river in Syria.

Why do I have to wash in this stuff?

And as he's turning around in a rage,

his servants, who are much wiser and faith-filled than he is,

tell him,

But, but sir, did the prophet really tell you,

go wash and be cured?

If so, isn't that an amazing thing?

He said, if you wash there, you will be cured.

Why not do it?

So Naaman humbles himself.

He washes in the Jordan River seven times,

and he's cleansed of his leprosy

and becomes the convert.

What is the difference

between the posture of Naaman

and the posture of his servants?

The difference is faith.

Naaman believed the word.

Naaman did not believe the word of the prophet,

at least initially.

Naaman's servants believed the word of the prophet.

That is what happened, as he said.

If you hear the word of the prophet with faith,

then you realize what an amazing promise that is.

Do you hear the promise that Jesus is making here?

Ask, and you will receive.

Seek, and you will find.

Knock, and the door will be opened.

What an incredible promise that is.

If you see it with the eyes of faith,

you mean all I need to do is ask?

You really mean that all I need to do is seek?

It says in James chapter four, verse two,

you do not have because you do not ask.

Why are our Christian lives so impoverished?

Why do we not obey Jesus' teachings

in the Sermon on the Mount more perfectly?

Because we do not pray,

your kingdom comes,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

God, make your rule and kingship

evident and apparent in my life and in my heart.

Why are we wrapped with anxiety

and know not how to receive

and to rest in the provision of God

for his children?

Because we do not pray,

give us this day our daily bread.

Why are we harassed by

and fall to temptation so often?

Because we do not pray,

lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

19th century Christian pastor J.C. Ryle,

an ancient pastor once said,

what is the reason that some believers

are so much brighter and holier than others?

I believe the difference in 19 cases out of 20

arises from different habits about prayer,

private prayer.

I believe that those who are not eminently holy

pray little,

and those who are eminently holy pray much.

It seems too easy, doesn't it?

It seems too good to be true.

I think even now,

the enemy is sowing seeds of doubt

and skepticism in your mind.

But what if?

It really is as simple as that.

You do not have

because you do not ask.

Then we're left without excuse.

God Almighty has offered His hand to help us,

and all we need to is avail ourselves of that.

But does this mean that anyone

can ask God for anything,

and He will give it to them?

Like a free vending machine?

Is God like a cosmic genie

that gives us unlimited wishes,

not just three?

Let's look at the passage a little bit more closely.

It says in verse 8,

that everyone who asks receives.

But who is?

Everyone.

We get an answer in verse 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?

Everyone means every one of God's children.

Since only children can call upon God as Father.

Who then are the children of God?

All people,

Christians and non-Christians,

can in one sense be called offspring of God.

In the general sense that we are His creatures,

we are created by Him.

Acts 17, 28, 29,

Paul addresses non-Christians in such a way.

He says,

We are indeed His offspring.

But the Greek word that is translated there

as offspring is genos,

where we get the word generation.

It's kind of a generic word.

It's an impersonal word that refers to a generation,

or a kind.

It's saying that all humankind

are created in the image of God.

We share in some part His resemblance,

His likeness.

It's not a word that means children

that's used here in our passage.

That word,

that's used here in Matthew 7,

is never used to refer to unbelievers,

or to non-Christians.

So here in our passage,

Jesus is referring to the spiritual children of God.

Those who belong to God.

They're the ones that 17 times,

throughout a certain amount,

that is addressed to,

that can address God as our Father.

Now,

Jesus is addressing believers,

Christians,

those who have been adopted by God,

and therefore can call upon Him,

Allah, Father.

But what exactly does it mean to be children of God?

In Luke 18, 15 and 17,

Jesus welcomes the children,

even infants,

into His midst,

so that He might bless them.

He says,

Let the children come to Me,

and do not hinder them,

for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Truly I say to you,

whoever does not receive the kingdom of God,

like a child,

shall not enter it.

But what does it mean,

to receive the kingdom of God,

like a child?

Jesus doesn't explain any further,

because,

in the immediately preceding passage,

in Luke 18, 9 to 14,

He had told us exactly what it means,

to receive the kingdom like a child.

And that's the parable of the Pharisee,

and the tax collector.

In that parable,

as many of you know,

the Pharisee,

the self-righteous Pharisee,

and this poor,

humble tax collector,

they both go to God to pray,

in the temple.

The self-righteous Pharisee,

just barges in,

to the middle,

and goes right into the center.

And then he's looking up to God,

boldly in heaven,

knowing that God is happy with him,

and smiling upon him.

And he says to God,

thank you,

for making me,

not like that tax collector.

I give 10% of all my income,

to you.

I fast,

not once,

twice a week.

But in stark contrast,

the tax collector stands far off,

because he does not feel worthy,

to approach God.

He does not look up to heaven,

he's looking down,

because,

how can he,

a sinner such as he,

dare to look upon God?

And as he looks down,

he beats his chest.

God,

be merciful to me,

a sinner.

And Jesus,

in his kindness,

teaches that it's not,

the Pharisee,

the self-righteous Pharisee,

but the tax collector,

that goes home,

justified by God.

It's the tax collector,

that's humble and poor,

before God,

that God declares,

righteous,

and fit,

to enter into kingdom,

and enter into his presence.

It means,

that the kingdom of God,

belongs to,

people like children.

It means,

that the kingdom of God,

belongs to those,

who humbly acknowledge,

their spiritual poverty,

their neediness,

and their dependence,

upon God.

And so that means,

if you think,

right now,

here this morning,

that you're a pretty good person,

oh,

I'm a pretty good person.

I think I deserve,

to get into heaven.

I think,

I've done better,

than most people.

I think God,

should let me in.

You're exactly,

the kind of person,

that's not fit,

to enter the kingdom of heaven.

But if you're here,

this morning,

thinking,

I am a sinner,

in need of a savior,

I am not worthy,

to be in the presence of God,

I have sinned against him,

rebelled against him,

who can save me?

And you're turning,

from your sin,

and God says,

you are the one,

who can enter,

into the kingdom of God.

That's what it means,

to be children of God,

those who have been humbled,

before God,

dependent on him.

How is it,

that sinners are justified,

before God?

John 1, 12, 13 tells us,

but to all,

who did receive Jesus Christ,

who believed in his name,

he gave the right,

to become children of God,

who were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will,

or the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

Only those,

who believe in Jesus Christ,

for salvation,

are given the right,

to become children of God.

Ed briefly mentioned this,

when he was leading us,

through the worship,

we haven't coordinated that,

I think that's the spirit,

prompting us.

This is vividly illustrated,

in the example,

of Barnabas,

not Barnabas,

sorry,

Barabbas,

at Jesus' crucifixion.

In Matthew 27,

the Pilate,

the Roman governor,

at the time,

gives the Jewish crowd,

a choice.

At every Passover,

the highest Jewish holiday,

the Pilate released,

one Jewish criminal,

to extend amnesty,

and to let them go free,

without any punishment.

And he offers to the crowd,

two options.

One,

Jesus,

who was framed,

and charged falsely,

by the envious Jewish leaders,

the Son of God,

the Messiah,

the Savior of the world,

and on the other,

Barabbas,

a dangerous insurrectionist,

and murderer,

who is on death row.

But the Jews,

who are stirred up,

by their envious leaders,

choose Barabbas.

They choose Barabbas,

to go free,

so that Jesus can be crucified.

And Barabbas,

his name in Aramaic,

means,

Son of the Father.

Jesus,

the Son of God,

literally takes the place,

of this Son of the Father,

so that he is saved.

Jesus serves,

as the substitute.

The innocent Son,

takes the place,

of the guilty Son,

so that he might be justified,

free,

and saved.

That's the picture,

of what God is accomplishing,

for his people,

at large.

Since God,

refers to his people,

repeatedly throughout the Bible,

as his Son,

collectively.

We see this,

in Exodus 4,

22-23.

God threatens Pharaoh,

who is the king,

of the Egyptians,

who are enslaving,

his people Israel.

And he threatens him,

with these words.

He says,

Israel,

my people,

Israel is my firstborn son.

Let my son go,

that they may serve me.

If you refuse,

to let him go,

behold,

I will kill your firstborn son.

On the night,

of the Passover,

God sends,

a destroying angel,

who goes through,

all the homes,

and kills,

all the firstborn males,

of the Greek family,

in Egypt.

Except,

the households,

that have listened,

to God's instructions,

and have sacrificed,

the Passover lamb,

and daubed,

its blood,

on the door.

So that when,

the destroying angel,

goes through the town,

and sees on the door,

the blood,

of the Passover lamb,

the destroying angel,

passes over,

and spares,

that son.

Is it no wonder then,

that in the New Testament,

Jesus is called,

our Passover lamb.

That he is called,

the lamb of God,

who takes away,

the sin of the world.

Do you think,

it's a coincidence,

that this substitutionary,

exchange between Jesus,

and Moravus,

took place,

on Passover?

Do you think,

it's coincidence,

that Jesus died,

he was crucified,

on the cross,

on Passover?

In order to save,

God's son,

which is us,

the people of God,

God's only son,

Jesus,

had to take,

our place.

Do you want,

to become a child,

of God?

Then humble yourself,

before him,

acknowledge that,

you are a sinner,

in need of a savior,

and receive him,

and believe in his name,

that he died,

for your sins,

and was raised to life,

raised from the dead,

on the third day.

Then God,

the father,

will give you,

the right,

to become,

children of God.

And it's only,

the children,

who have,

the right,

to ask the father,

to pray,

expecting,

to receive.

Imagine,

if,

you go out,

on the street,

walking around the mall,

and a random kid,

comes up to you,

and pulls your sleeves,

says,

hey,

can you buy me,

those pair of shoes?

I think most,

normal people,

would not,

at that moment,

be like,

oh yeah,

sure.

Yeah.

No,

you would look around,

like,

hey kid,

where's your parent?

Right?

Because it's weird,

that this stranger,

this random kid,

is asking you,

to buy him something,

that his parents,

should be buying for him.

Do you have a parent?

And if he didn't have,

a parent now,

you'd be,

rightly concerned,

then you should probably,

call the police,

connect him,

so he can,

find his parents.

It's only the children,

who get to ask,

their father,

for things.

In this way,

the fatherhood of God,

is the linchpin,

of Jesus' exhortation,

for us to pray to him.

Pray to God.

So Jesus continues,

that analogy of fatherhood,

in verses 9 to 11,

he says,

or which one of you,

if his son asks him for bread,

will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish,

will give him a serpent?

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 gifts,

good things,

to those who ask him?

Jesus is not denying,

that there are cruel,

neglectful,

abusive parents.

There are.

Jesus knows,

that better than anyone else.

He says in verse 11,

if you then,

who are evil,

know how to give,

good gifts to your children.

Jesus states,

plainly here,

that all earthly parents,

are evil.

That they are sinners.

Without exception,

every single parent in the world.

But even so,

most earthly parents,

will provide for their children's basic needs,

won't they?

A stone superficially resembles bread.

A snake superficially resembles,

the most common type of catfish,

that you would have found,

in the Lake of Galilee.

In Jesus' times.

So,

giving your child,

a stone instead of bread,

this snake,

instead of a fish,

is a very cynical,

and sadistic thing to do.

Oh, you want bread?

Here,

this stone.

It looks like bread.

But what,

what parent,

does that?

give a stone instead of bread,

a stone that will break,

your child's teeth,

a serpent that will bite,

your child.

We expect any parent,

with basic decency,

and even a minimal sense of responsibility,

to give the child bread,

and fish,

when they ask for bread,

and fish.

How much more,

than will our Father,

who is in heaven,

who is not evil,

like us,

but good,

good through and through.

Give good things,

to those who ask.

I'm using several analogies,

examples from parenting,

this morning,

because it's relevant,

to this passage,

because that's exactly,

what Jesus does.

God intends,

for our parental relationship,

earthly parental relationships,

to resemble,

to be modeled,

after our relationship,

with our Heavenly Father.

My children,

often ask me,

if they can eat something,

it's not because,

we don't give them,

stuff to eat.

It's because,

they usually want a snack,

some kind of junk food.

When they come to me,

slightly after dinner,

and they're like,

Dad,

can I have something?

It's like,

what do you mean?

I know exactly,

what they want.

Before they come,

it's like,

oh dad,

I'm hungry.

I mean,

my older kids,

they're not going through,

the same,

or my little one does.

But dad,

I'm hungry.

What do you mean?

You just ate.

It's like,

oh do you want some more rice?

He's like,

no,

no,

I'm hungry.

Sure,

I know exactly,

what you're hungry for.

So they ask me,

it's some kind of candy,

or some kind of junk food,

that they want,

it's because we ration it out,

so they get to have one candy.

So my youngest one,

always comes,

can I have my candy,

candy of the day?

It's her,

it's her Halloween stash,

from last October,

with a few additions here and there,

that we have,

that she has been diligently consuming,

one at a time,

every single day.

I think she finally ran out this past week.

We control their diet,

and junk food,

why?

Because we want our children to have a healthy diet.

Because we want them to grow up healthy and strong.

That's why they ask me,

dad,

can I have this?

Dad,

can I eat this?

Usually the request is about junk food,

but occasionally,

they'll ask me if they can eat something healthy.

Like,

they'll take a piece of fruit,

and be like,

can I have this fruit?

And my answer to them usually,

unless it's like,

right before dinner or something,

I want to eat dinner first,

my answer to them usually is,

yeah,

you could eat as many as you want.

Because that's the Father's heart.

If they ask me for something that is good for them,

as long as it's within my power,

and means to provide it for them,

I'm going to give it to them.

If I don't have enough money to get them what they need,

I'll sacrifice my own needs,

so that they can have what they need.

And if I'm like that,

and I'm evil,

how much more will our Heavenly Father do so much more for us?

Our Father who is in Heaven

gives good things to us when we ask Him.

Isn't that a wonderful promise?

That He gives good things

to those who ask Him.

Parents don't give their children

whatever they ask for, do they?

That's because children don't always know

what's good for them.

They ask for all kinds of things

that are bad for them,

and that's why they need parents.

They need guardians.

A parent who grants everything

that their kid wants

will spoil them rotten.

That's a very unloving thing to do.

Likewise, our Heavenly Father,

He hears and answers

all of the prayers of His children.

But like any good father,

sometimes His answer to our prayers

is no.

It says in James 4, verse 3,

James 4:3

you ask and do not receive

because you ask wrongly

to spend it on your passions.

God is not going to answer our prayers

for things that fuel our pride

and sinful passions

because God knows better.

Because He loves us.

You might have been praying faithfully every day

that you might win the jackpot.

But God's not going to answer that prayer

because He says in His Word

that the deceitfulness of riches

choke the Word of God in our hearts

so that it doesn't grow

and it leads to our eternal perdition.

He says in 1 John 3, 22,

whatever we ask,

we receive from Him.

In 1 John 5, 14 and 15,

and this is the confidence

that we have toward Him,

that if we ask anything

according to His will,

He hears us.

And if we know that He hears us

in whatever we ask,

we know that we have

the requests

that we have asked of Him.

So our loving Father

does not give us

everything we ask for.

He gives us

every good thing

we ask for.

How much more will your Father

who is in heaven

give good things

to those who ask Him?

So what is it then

that we should ask for?

What is it that we should seek?

Ask and it will be given to you.

Seek and you will find.

Jesus told us exactly

what we should seek

earlier in Matthew 6, 31 to 33.

Therefore do not be anxious,

saying,

what shall we eat?

Or what shall we drink?

Or what shall we wear?

For the Gentiles seek

after these things

and your Heavenly Father

knows that you need them all.

But seek first

the kingdom of God

and His righteousness

and all these things

will be added to you.

We are to seek

God's kingdom first.

We are to seek

His righteousness first.

We are to seek

the purposes

and the priorities

of God first

in our lives.

And when we do that

and our purposes

are aligned with His,

God says,

ask anything you wish.

I'll give it.

I'll give it.

This is the meaning

of Psalm 37,

Psalms 37:3–4

verses 3 to 4.

Trust in the Lord

and do good.

Dwell in the land

and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself

in the Lord

and He will give you

the desires

of your heart.

Not whatever sinful desire

you have,

but when you delight yourself

in the Lord,

when you trust in Him

and befriend faithfulness,

when your desires

and what you seek

in life

is aligned

with His desires.

Because you delight in Him,

God says,

I will give you

all that your heart

desires.

It's an amazing promise.

Our earthly fathers

are finite.

They have limited knowledge.

Even the best of them

can only do

what seems best

to them.

And sometimes

they make mistakes.

And what they think

is best

is not actually

what is best.

But in contrast,

our Heavenly Father

knows what is best

for us.

He always gives us

what is good

that we may share

His holiness,

it says in Hebrews 12,

Hebrews 12:10

verse 10.

Our earthly fathers

can only see

a few consequences

or steps ahead.

But our Heavenly Father

sees all.

He knows all.

In the past,

the present,

and the future.

And this truth

is such an encouragement

toward prayer.

It's an invitation

to explore

the extent

of God's grace

and generosity.

Assured of the fact

that our good,

loving Heavenly Father

will only give

good things to us.

So I want to ask you,

have there been

some bitter pills

that you'll have

to swallow in life?

You can rest assured

that even those things

are for your good.

Because God's promises

in His Word

that for those

who love God,

all things work

together for good.

Romans 8, 28.

Are there things

in life that you're

hesitant to pray for

because you're not sure

whether it's a good

thing or not?

Just ask away.

Because our Heavenly Father

will only give you

what is good.

Our earthly fathers

have finite resources.

Even the wealthiest

of them have limits

of what they can

actually afford

for their children.

But our Heavenly Father

has no such limits.

And every loving parent

knows the pain

of wanting to give

what is the very best

for their child

and being unable to

because of their limitations.

Our Father in Heaven

has no limitations

like that.

Psalm 89, 11.

It says,

The heavens are yours.

The earth

also is yours.

The world

and all that is in it,

you have founded them.

Our Heavenly Father

has both

the wealth

and the will

to give

good things

to His children.

Beloved child

of God,

do you

relate to God

as your loving

Father?

Do you know

that He cares

for you?

Do you know

that He takes

an interest

in you?

That He's concerned

about you?

Do you know

that He provides

for you?

That He is

zealously protected

over you?

Do you know

that your Heavenly Father

has good plans

and good purposes

for you?

Do you know

that your Heavenly Father

has great hopes

and dreams

for you?

Do you know

that He is more eager

to bless you

than you are eager

to receive blessings

from Him?

It grieves

our Heavenly Father

so much

that many of us

entertain

these harsh

and critical

thoughts

of Him.

We imagine

that God

is this severe

and stingy

and stringent

Father

who is aloof

and distant

from us,

too busy

for us

and annoyed

of us.

This grieves

our Heavenly Father

because not only

is it false,

but because that

false view of God

alienates us

from Him.

It separates us

and distances us

from our Heavenly Father.

But it makes us

reluctant to approach

Him in prayer.

But we must know

God truly

in the way

that He has actually

revealed Himself

to us.

Our Heavenly Father

is extravagant

in His generosity

toward us.

He delights

in us.

Zephaniah 3.17

says that

our Father

rejoices over us

with gladness.

He criets us

with love.

He exalts

over us

with loud singing.

That's how

our Heavenly Father

loves His

precious children.

We must remember

this truth

about our Father.

John Oman

writes in his book

Communion with God

that if we did this,

if we remember this,

he says,

then we would not

be able to bear

one hour's absence

from Him.

Instead,

we find it difficult

to spend

even one hour

with Him.

Let then this

be the first thought

that we have

of the Father,

that He's full

of eternal love

to us.

I've been reading

some news articles

lately that with

the rise of AI

that these criminals

have gotten

an upgrade

and instead

of kidnapping

kids,

they will just

generate AI voices

of these kids

and then call

the parents

when the kids

are not unable

to pick up

their phone

and then mimic

their voices

and basically

use them as ransom

to extort money

from these parents.

And I'm reading

these articles

that have how

many parents

are being extorted

to giving away

thousands and tens

of thousands

of dollars

to these criminals.

And most of the time

these parents

are not dumb.

they suspect

that this is

a criminal enterprise

and that what

they're saying

is false.

But nevertheless,

they send

the money.

They wire

the money.

Why?

Why?

Because if there's

even just a

one percent chance

that what

those criminals

are saying

is true,

their child

is there

and it's just

money

that stands

between the life

and freedom

of their child,

the heart

of the parent

and the heart

of the father

is take my money.

Take my life savings.

Take my life savings.

Do you feel like

that prophecy

that Lauren shared

that you're worth

nothing,

you're trash,

disposable good

thrown out

on the river?

No,

you are the treasure.

God says

in Exodus 19,

5

that his people

are his treasured

possession.

I want to share

a quote from

Paul Miller's book

of Praying Life.

It's a little longer

but it's worth

quoting in full.

Just follow on with me

and I'll project

it to you on the screen.

Let's do a quick

analysis on how

little children ask.

What do they ask

for?

Everything

and anything.

If they hear

about Disneyland,

they want to go

there tomorrow.

How often

do little children

ask?

Repeatedly,

over and over again.

They wear us out.

Sometimes we give in

just to shut them up.

How do little children

ask?

Without guile.

They just say

what is on their minds.

They have no awareness

of what is appropriate

or inappropriate.

Jesus tells us

to watch

little children

if we want to learn

how to ask

in prayer.

The second thing

we must do

in learning to pray

is believe

like a child.

Children are

supremely confident

in their parents'

love and power.

Instinctively,

they trust.

They believe

their parents

want to do them good.

If you know

your parent loves

and protects you,

it fills your world

with possibility.

So you just

chatter away

with what is

on your heart.

But as we get older,

we get less naive

and more cynical.

Disappointment

and broken promises

are the norm

instead of hoping

and dreaming.

Our childlike faith

dies a thousand

little deaths.

Jesus encourages us

to believe

like little children

by telling stories

about adults

who acted like children.

The parable

of the persistent widows

who won't take

no foreign answer

from an unjust judge.

And the parable

about a man

who badgers his neighbor

to lend him three loads

for a friend

who has come at midnight.

On the rare occasion

when Jesus encounters

an adult

who believes

like a child,

he stands

on a soapbox

and practically yells,

pay attention

to this person.

Look how he

or she

believes.

So be more

childlike

in your relationship

to God our Father.

Whatever you wish,

ask Him.

It is this kind

of relationship

with and our confidence

in our Heavenly Father

that enables us

then to obey

verse 12.

So whatever you wish

that others

would do to you,

do also to them

for this is the law

and the prophets.

Whatever you wish,

do to others.

I'll be brief

in my treatment

of this

because we're going

to come to it again

in Matthew chapter 22.

Matthew 22 · chapter mention

This is what is commonly

called the golden rule.

This moniker

is attributed

traditionally

to Roman Emperor

Alexander Severus

from the 3rd century.

He was not himself

a Christian

but because he was

so impressed

by the depth

and the comprehensiveness

of Jesus'

ethical principle

that it is said

that he inscribed

this saying,

this verse,

this teaching,

in gold

in his bedroom chamber.

And henceforth,

people came to call it

the golden rule.

It's what Jesus

later says

in Matthew 22,

37, 40,

as to love your neighbor

as yourself.

Which is taken

from Leviticus 19, 18.

Paul calls this

in Romans 13,

love is the fulfillment

of the law.

Galatians 5, 14,

the whole law

is fulfilled

in this one saying,

you are to love

your neighbor

as yourself.

They're all echoing

what Jesus says

here in this verse.

This command

is so comprehensive

that if you obeyed it,

you would literally

be obeying

the fullness

of God's commands

in all of his scriptures.

That's why Jesus says,

this is the law

and the prophets.

How is this so?

Because this command

gets at the very root

of all the sin

and wickedness

and evil

in our world.

This is as it says

in James 4,

1 to 3,

what causes quarrels

and what causes fights

among you?

Is it not this,

that your passions

are at war within you?

You desire

and do not have,

so you murder.

You covet and cannot obtain,

so you fight and quarrel.

You do not have

because you do not ask.

You ask and do not receive

because you ask wrongly

to spend it on your passions.

It's because we covet

and we desire

what belongs

to someone else

because our desires

are at odds

with each other's desires

that we fight

and quarrel

and make war.

Why is there war

in Ukraine?

Why is there war

in Gaza?

Why is there discord

with you and your

family members,

your housemates,

your friends?

It's because of

our desires,

sinful desires

that are at odds

with each other.

Why do we murder?

Why do people murder?

Because to get

what they want.

Why do people

commit adultery?

Because they desire

someone else's wife

or someone else's husband.

Why do they steal?

Because they want,

they desire

someone else's things.

why do they lie

so that they can

protect themselves

and keep what they want?

It's at the root

of every sin.

Sinful desires.

And the golden rule

commends us

to stop thinking

about our self,

the self,

and to start thinking

about others.

It turns our selfishness

on its head

due to others

what you would have them

do to you

and in doing so

it solves

the very root

of our problem.

It's a sin

at its very heart.

We find variations

of the golden rule

throughout many cultures

and centuries.

For example,

Jewish Rabbi Hillel

of the first century

famously summarized

the Old Testament law

this way,

Do not do to your neighbor

what is hateful to you.

This is the whole Torah.

The rest is commentary.

The first century

Greek philosopher

Philo writes,

Whatever things

anyone hates to suffer,

let him not do.

So,

remember,

the Chinese philosopher

Confucius

writes in Analects,

What you do not want

done to yourself

do not do to others.

It's kind of ubiquitous.

You find this rule,

a version of it

at least,

everywhere in the world.

But have you noticed

the consistent difference

between all of those things

by other teachers

and the saying of Jesus?

What is the difference?

All the other

so-called golden rules

are formulated negatively.

Don't do to others

what you don't want

them to do to you.

But Jesus' teaching

is formulated positively.

So,

whatever you wish

that others would do

to you,

do also to them.

For this is the law

and the prophets.

Instead of simply telling us

not to do what we don't

want others to do to us,

Jesus calls us

to be proactive

and be attentive

to the needs

of others

and to care for them.

We should treat others

the way we want

to be treated.

These variations

of the golden rule

that we find

in other cultures

and societies

are based on the idea

of equity

and reciprocity.

and at its very root,

actually,

it's selfish.

Do this for others

so you have a society

where others

do the same thing

to you.

Don't do this to others

so that they

don't do that

to you.

But what Jesus

is calling us to hear

is a selfish,

sacrificial love

that gives

even when it hurts.

it entails

foregoing

our own desires

and needs

to meet the needs

of others.

Considering others

more significant

than ourselves.

Looking out

for others' interests

not just our own.

If we obey

the negative formulation

of the golden rule

we will never

you know

sock our enemy

in the face

because we don't want

to be attacked

like that ourselves.

But we're not

going to go beyond

that

to love

our enemies

and to pray

for those

who persecute us

as Jesus

commands us

to do

in Matthew 5.44.

If we obey

the negative formulation

of the golden rule

we might never steal

from someone

because we don't

want to be stolen

from

but it's not

going to make us

go beyond that

to be generous

toward others

sacrificially.

Jesus' command

goes beyond

equity

and reciprocity

it goes to

sacrificial love

and this is a very

difficult thing

for us to do

because

it means loss

for ourselves.

If you're a parent

and then

you have to wake up

in the middle of the life

middle of your

sorry not middle of your life

middle of your

your sleep

to attend

to your crying child

you really want

to just sleep

but your spouse

is soundly asleep

and then you say

to yourself

well

I'm going to die

to myself

my selfish desire

and needs

because how I would

want to be treated

in a situation

is for my spouse

to go

so I'm going to do

that for her

I'm going to do

that for him

I'm going to go

attend to the child

and you know

what happens

when you do that

you're really

really tired

the next morning

you've lost sleep

when there's someone

that you meet

a neighbor

who is poor

and you must

share your money

with them

or you must

share your bread

with them

as Jesus commands us

to and you give it

to them

you know what

happens

you're that much

poorer

you're that much

hungrier

when

when you are

hurt by someone

you are wronged

by someone

and instead of

taking matters

into your hands

and seeking justice

taking vengeance

well that's only fair

that's only right

instead of doing that

you

you eat that

harm

you

bear the loss

yourself

you know what happens

that still

really really hurts

and it feels like

losing

how can you possibly

live like that

you can only

live like that

if you have

this unshakable

confidence

that you can ask

your father

whatever you wish

so that you can

do to others

whatever you wish

for yourself

that when you

give

and you give

and you give

and you give

and you have

less and less

and less

to trust

that no my

God

my father

is going to

provide for me

when you're

hurting

and hurting

and hurting

and wrong

and wrong

and wrong

you trust

oh but my

father sees

he's the king

he is the judge

there will be

justice in the end

and I will be

rewarded for all

that I have

done

it's only

when you

as a child

of God

can say

whatever

you wish

I'm going to

ask

and I will

receive

it's only

when you have

that confidence

you can go

to others

and do

for them

whatever you

wish

that's why

the greatest