Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Foundation: Beatitudes. Kingdom ethic.
Result: Salt and Light, Kingdom fruit.
Examples: Spirit of the law, not the letter of the law. Kingdom principles.
RECAP THE SERMON
Here is what a Kingdom person looks like:
They’re living the beatitudes:
- Poor in Spirit
- They mourn
- They’re meek.
- Hunger and thirst for righteousness.
- Merciful!
- Pure in heart.
- Peacemakers.
- Consider themselves BLESSED when persecuted.
Who they are: Salt and Light
- They are the salt of the earth.
- They are the light of the world.
How they live: Examples of Law Interpreted
Live by the SPIRIT of the law, not the LETTER.
- They’re not angry with brothers and sisters
- They’re not out looking for revenge
- They love their enemies and pray for them
- They’re not lusting and corrupted in their heart
- They’re not devaluing marriage
- They are people of their word
Giving, Prayer, Fasting
- When it comes to giving, prayer, and fasting, they have the right heart.
- They put God first financially (Love God more than money)
Judgement
- A kingdom person doesn’t judge someone, but uses judgement.
Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
THE GIFT
Matthew 7:9-11
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Luke 11:9-13
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
2 Peter 1:3
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
James 5:14-16
14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.