Ask, Seek, Knock - Relying on a good God. 4/22/23

Weekly Memory Verse: "And this is the confidence we have towards Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. " - 1 John 5:14

Sermon Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:13-17

-THIS SUNDAY'S SERMON-

Dear River Family,

A major theme throughout Jesus' sermon on the mount is that we are to rely on the goodness of God. One of the ways Jesus teaches us to do so is through prayer. As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs us to "Ask", "Seek", and "Knock". Read Matthew 7:7-11. God is such a wonderful God; with each of these instructions comes a promise. "Ask, and it will be given to you." There is a reiteration in the next verse, "For everyone who asks receives...". Next, "...seek, and you will find." Again, there is a reiteration - "the one who seeks, finds." And finally, "...knock and it will be open, with the reiteration - "to the one who knocks it will be opened." What is so interesting is the context in which Jesus is speaking. He gives this instruction right after the call to remove the log from your own eye so that you may see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. To help understand the connection between ministering to a brother or sister in sin and prayer, read 1 John 5:13-17.

I am looking forward to growing in Christ and worshipping Him with you this Sunday.

Grace and Peace, Eric