Seeking God's Favor

Opening Prayer
Father God  we gather tonight to study Jesus words from the Sermon on The Mount. We ask that you impart to us that which you would have us learn from tonight’s study. We pray for your blessings on each one here, and that you share our blessing with those of our group who cannot be here tonight. Favor each of us with your presence tonight and throughout the coming week as we seek  to find your will in all that we do.
In Jesus name we pray Amen.

Seeking God’s Favor                                                                                                 Pg.1
Psa 90:17  May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.

Mat 7:7  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Mat 7:8  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
These two verses  contain three words which define a single concept. Ask, seek, and knock.

“Ask and it will be given to you”
This phrase represents your wants and needs presented before God, and a reference of  oneself to him for support and supply, according to his promise. “Ask God in prayer” as Jesus taught. But are there exceptions?
 (James 4:3), Such are those who seek the things of this world first and then hope to make sure of the world to come. Such are those who beg for mercy but refuse to forsake their sins      
(Proverbs 28:9), who seek salvation in a way of their own devising-by a more flesh-pleasing method than that of the holy Gospel; They "ask amiss" and receive not who make request for what God has not promised.
Consider Psalm 37:4, which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” We know that this verse doesn’t mean “if you pursue God you will get what you want” Rather, it means that when we delight ourselves in God, truly loving Him, and  when we are passionate to see His will and His work in this world, and we ask for the things that bring Him glory and increase our closeness to Him, He is eager and willing to give us anything we ask for, if we seek it through his will. (Isaiah 65:24)

Q.1 What picture comes to mind when reading “ask and it will be given to you”?

Q.2 When is it that one might ask God for something, or for something to happen?

Q.3 Who would most likely be given an answer to such a request?

Q.4  In what stage of life is one most likely to make requests of God?

Q.5 Is there a limit on what we ask of God? and on what response we will be afforded?

                                                                                                                                             Pg.2    
“Seek, and ye shall find.”
 One of the most compelling invitations and profound promises given by the Savior is found in this simple phrase
The pattern for seeking answers from God is simple. We are invited to study in our minds and ponder in our hearts those things that we most desire of Him. We are then instructed to present our thoughts and desires directly to our Heavenly Father in humble prayer with the promise that, if we ask Him in the name of Christ, if what we are seeking is right, and if we “ask with a sincere heart, he will manifest the truth of it unto us by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Q.1 What picture comes to mind when reading “seek and you will find”?

The scriptures teach us that we should seek earnestly the best gifts.  That we should seek wisdom and understanding and to pray for every needful thing. We are admonished to lose ourselves in the service of others  and to seek those things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” At the same time, we are cautioned not to seek the unclean things of the world.
Q.3 When is it that one would seek anything? A job, education, skill, expertise, something lost, great wealth, wisdom etc. ?

There is so much pressure to conform to the worlds idea of who we are.  And according to the American Psychological Association’s latest survey of stress in America, It is mainly over money, or the lack of it. Just as Adam and Eve were tricked by the serpent in the Garden of Eden to conclude that they could enjoy everything, have more, and be as wise as God. We today are given to believe that if we just had a bigger house, more money, more stuff, more expensive possessions, that it would be that much better for us in every way.  Do not throw your pearls to pigs. It is as a poison that will destroy you. Stay away from it.” (Amos 5:13)
Q.2 What does mankind most seek after in our world today?
Q.4 Why do we seem to wait until all else fails before we ask for God’s help? Or is that not a true statement?

In a very personal version of the invitation to seek and find, the Savior said, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me”. As we draw nearer to Him, we truly begin to find Him and to recognize Him as the Creator of the earth, the Redeemer of mankind, the Only Begotten of the Father, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace.
We find that He continues to beckon us to come and follow Him, that His teachings are certain and are as applicable today as they were throughout all previous generations of time. “Seek and Ye shall find”
Q.5 What are those things that we should seek? Philippians 4:8






                                                                                                                                            Pg.3
“Knock and the door will be opened to you.”
 As one that desires to enter into the house knocks at the door.” We would be admitted to converse with God, would be taken into his love, and favor, and kingdom; We ask that He manifest Himself in us and allow us to be one who is willing to serve Him on his terms, One needs much, to be able to sustain oneself throughout this life, some of which mankind has the ability to make happen, and to some that is all there is. But to the one who asks of God there is something else to0. There is the knowledge that no matter the attire, no matter the condition, no matter the unworthiness of our existence, there is rest for the repentant soul, the one willing to knock at God’s door  and ask for his forgiveness. The repentant soul asks, and God responds, The repentant soul seeks, and finds God’s door. The repentant soul knocks, and God invites that soul into his eternal rest. There is no better of life’s gifts that of knowing that there is a place in God’s house made especially for us, and we are always welcome.
Q.1 What picture comes to mind when reading “knock and the door will be opened to you”?
Q.2 Can you recall a time in your life when you really needed God and he was there?
Q.3 Is that a time that you would care to share with our group?

Matthew7:9  "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!

It is all there, just as for Adam and Eve, it was all there. We simply must obey the just and righteous laws that God has set forth for our well being. If we disobey those laws grave consequences are our reward. If Adam and Eve had just known what disobeying God really meant, Do we think they would have taken a bite from the apple. God meant the best for them, as he does for us. Just as a parents want nothing but the best for their children, God wants to give to us those things that he has reserved for us. Just as paradise was there for Adam and Eve, God has plans for each of us, plans made even before time began.  Jeremiah 29:11-13

Mat 7:12  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Q.1 As we study these verses, do we understand what is needed by the person asking of God?
Q.2 What is there to be found when seeking council with God?
Q.3 The steps to our salvation are this, Ask Jesus into your heart, your life,
Seek his way in all things, Knock at his door for all your needs minute by minute He is there for you, and like a parent provides for their children, God wants the best for us. What are those things that lead us to first ask?




Bible Verses                                                                                     Pg4

James 4:3  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Proverbs 28:9  If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.

Isaiah 65:24  Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

Amos 5:13  Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil. 14  Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.


Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Jeremiah 29:11-13  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

2Peter  1:10-11  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.



Closing Prayer
God of our salvation, we thank you for our time together tonight. We ask that you continue with us as we leave this place, make a blessing for each one here and deliver us safely to our homes. Be with those of us who need our prayers and Your healing touch_(prayer requests)_ And now we ask that You bless each one mentioned here tonight with Your comfort and assurance, and offer them the strength to endure so that Your name may be exalted. We pray for our loved ones and families….. may it please You to keep us from all harm and bring us together again when next we assemble in Your name.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen