Knock and It Shall Be Opened Unto You (Matthew 7:7-8)
Introduction:
1. In Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus gave His assurance that God will grant the requests made by His children. a. He made this point in vs.7, and He repeated it in vs.8 with emphasis. b. He continued in vs.9-11 by using the father-child relationship to illustrate His point. 2. According to vs.7-8, we have certain responsibilities as we request things from God. a. We are to "ask" [to make a request, indicating dependence upon God]. b. We are to "seek" [to search for something with the intention of finding it]. c. We are to "knock" [to endeavor to gain an entrance with persistence]. 3. We especially need to be mindful of these responsibilities as we search for a meeting place. 4. The last 2 Sundays we have studied the Lord's statements: a. "ask, and it shall be given you" b. "seek, and ye shall find." 5. Today we are concentrating on His statement, "knock, and it shall be opened unto you." 6. For our first point, let us observe how . . .
Discussion:
I. 2 PASSAGES ILLUSTRATE WHAT IS INVOLVED IN "KNOCKING"
A. In Luke 11:5-10 Jesus emphasized the need for persistence when we make our requests to God. B. In Acts 12:12-16 Peter had to continue knocking to go through the gate so he could enter Mary's home. C. After illustrating what is involved in "knocking," we need to point out that . . .
II. THE PURPOSE OF KNOCKING IS TO GAIN AN ENTRANCE THROUGH A "DOOR"
A. The Bible often uses "door" to refer to a God-given opportunity or blessing. 1. (Acts 14:27) Paul and Barnabas showed how God had opened a special "door" for them. 2. (1 Corinthians 16:7-9) A "great door" had been opened for Paul. 3. (Colossians 4:2-4) Paul asked for prayer that God would open a "door." B. Let us keep in mind that our purpose for knocking is to request a special opportunity from God. C. For our third point, we want to show how . . .
III. A SPECIAL DOORKEEPER IS INVOLVED WHEN WE KNOCK
A. In John 10, as Jesus talked about His relationship with His sheep, He identified Himself as "the door" (vs.7, 9). B. In His message to the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-8), the Lord showed how He controls the opening and closing of doors. 1. He had set an open door before this church, and no one could shut it. 2. He provided this blessing because the Christians in Philadelphia: a. possessed a measure of strength b. had kept the Lord's Word c. had not denied the Lord's name. C. Christ is still the keeper of doors of opportunity.
Conclusion:
1. Jesus gave His assurance that God will grant our requests when we ask, seek, and knock. 2. Notice how the roles are reversed in Revelation 3:20 concerning salvation. a. The Lord knocks at the door. b. We must open the door so He can enter. 3. Have you opened the door to Jesus so He can save you?
