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Additional Principles Relating to God's Gifts
(James 1:17)

Introduction:

        1.    According to James 1:17, God is the giver of every good and perfect gift.
        2.    This morning we pointed out 5 special blessings that God provides for His children: instruction,
               direction, assistance during times of trial, comfort in times of sorrow, and assurance that all things
               work together for good.
        3.    This evening we are considering several additional principles that relate to the gifts that God gives
               to His children.

Discussion:

I.                   WE  LEARN  FROM  ROMANS  8:32  THAT  GOD'S  GIFT  OF  HIS  SON  ASSURES  US 
                     THAT  HE  WILL  GIVE  HIS  CHILDREN  ALL  THINGS

        A.   This verse shows how God did not spare His own Son from dying on our behalf.
        B.   We understand from many passages that God sent Jesus to shed His blood because of His great
               love for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8).
        C.   The same love that led God to send Jesus to die for us also leads Him to freely give all things to
               His children.

II.                IN  MATTHEW  21:22  JESUS  TOLD  THE  APOSTLES  THAT  THEY  WOULD  RECEIVE  
                   ALL  THINGS  THEY  ASKED  FOR  THROUGH  PRAYER

        A.   This is interesting because Paul asked the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh, but the Lord did not
               grant his request (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
        B.   To avoid misunderstanding the Lord's statement, we must keep in mind that there are certain
               conditions that relate to prayer.
               1.    We must pray believing (Matthew 21:22).
               2.    We must ask in Jesus' name (John 16:23).
               3.    We must not pray with selfish motives (James 4:3).
               4.    We must be obedient to God (1 John 3:22).
               5.    We must ask according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15).
        C.   As we ask God for His blessings or when we ask Him to do something, let us comply with these
               conditions for acceptable prayer.

III.             IN  MATTHEW  7:7-11  JESUS  STATED  THAT  GOD  PROVIDES  GOOD  THINGS  TO 
                 HIS  CHILDREN  WHO  ASK,  SEEK,  AND  KNOCK

        A.   In making requests of God we are responsible for:
               1.    "asking" [making a request of someone greater -- Philippians 4:6]
               2.    "seeking" [looking or searching for something with the intention of finding it -- Matthew 13:45-46]
               3.    "knocking" [persistently trying to gain an entrance -- Acts 12:16].
        B.   If we ask, seek, and knock, Jesus said that God will give us what we ask, He will cause us to find
               what we seek, and He will open to us.
        C.   Jesus emphasized God's response to the requests of His children in vs.8.
        D.   (vs.9-11) Jesus illustrated His point.
               1.    (vs.9-10) He first asked 2 questions based on the father-son relationship.
                      a.    (vs.9) A man who loves his son will not give him a stone if he asks for bread.
                      b.    (vs.10) A man who loves his son will not give him a snake if he asks for a fish.
               2.    (vs.11) Jesus used this reasoning to show that God will give good things to His children who
                      make requests of Him.

Conclusion:

        1.    In our lessons we have shown how God gives good and perfect gifts to His children.
        2.    Let us adopt the statements made by David in:
               a.    Psalm 55:16-17
               b.    Psalm 145:17-19.