The Power of Ask, Seek, Knock

Sunday Morning’s message: December 1st, 2024                                                                 citywestchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84sbYxJURRQ

Objective

Encourage everyone to hunger for a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. To lean into walking with, being filled up and remaining filled with the Holy Spirit.  To tend to the flame of our relationship with the Father.

Leaders Note

Take time to help people understand that the Holy Spirit (The third person of the God head) lives inside every believer. We can have as much of the Holy Spirit as we want or ask for. Take time to invite and give space for the Holy Spirit in each life. We develop this through a healthy prayer life.

Please choose and discuss what best suits your group. Have fun Jesus People!

Discussion Time

This discussion is an essential foundational biblical principle that will help us understand how to walk with God — the power of Ask, Seek, Knock.

I want to start with a question: What kind of God do you know?

The way we perceive God has a direct impact on how we approach Him. It affects the way we pray, the way we trust, and the way we expect God to respond.

Perhaps, for some, it feels like the fire and passion for prayer has dimmed, and all that remains are the ashes of past prayers. But today, the Holy Spirit wants to breathe fresh life into those embers and reignite the fire of faith within us.

“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] 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!” Luke 11:9-13

1.       God is a Generous Father

This passage shows us a glimpse of God’s nature—a generous Father. Jesus uses a powerful analogy here:

• If a child asks for bread, will a father give him a stone?

• If a child asks for fish, will a father give him a serpent?

• If a child asks for an egg, will a father give him a scorpion?

  
  

Discussion

It’s clear from these questions that God is not distant or harsh. Even the most flawed earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, so how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to us? God is not a Father who needs to be persuaded or appeased in prayer. He is eager to give us what is good.

2.       The Pattern of Prayer: Ask, Seek, Knock

Jesus introduces a powerful pattern for prayer: Ask, Seek, Knock. These three verbs are progressive, meaning they show us an intensifying pursuit of God.

Leader: Focus on the progressive nature of this pattern into deeper relationship with the Father and the gift of the Spirit.

• Ask: This is the beginning with God—coming to Him in prayer with our requests. It’s the simplest form of communication, and God invites us to ask without fear or hesitation.

• Seek: This is a deeper pursuit. It goes beyond asking for things and represents our desire to know God more intimately. It’s about seeking His will, His presence, and His heart.

• Knock: This represents persistence and faith. Jesus invites us to knock on the door, trusting that it will open. The door is always ready to be opened; all we have to do is knock with faith.

  
  

3. The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In verse 13, Jesus gives us a remarkable promise:

• How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate gift God desires to give us. He is not a rock, a serpent, or a scorpion. These are images of things that look like gifts but aren’t what we truly need. Instead, God gives us the Holy Spirit, who empowers, guides, and strengthens us in our daily walk. The Holy Spirit is the most precious gift we can receive, as He draws us closer to the heart of God and his purpose

Application and discussion

Jesus’ invitation to ask, seek, and knock is not just a process to follow; it’s an invitation to intimacy with God. How do you read this invitation? Do you see it as a cold process, or do you recognise it as an opportunity to draw closer to the Father?

• Ask—Bring your desires and needs to God, knowing that He listens and responds.

• Seek—Pursue a deeper relationship with Him, seeking His will in your life.

• Knock—Be persistent in prayer. Trust that God will open doors when you knock in faith.

  
  

Challenge

(Leader, encouraging challenge to prayer. Discuss the what, where, when and how’s of prayer.) God is calling His people to awaken to the power of prayer. Don’t let prayerlessness be a form of pride in your life, where you say, “I can do it on my own.” Prayerlessness says, “I don’t need You, God.” But when we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and invite His power to work in us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to remind you of Jesus’ promise: How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? The gift of the Holy Spirit is what God wants to give you today—not a stone, a serpent, or a scorpion, but the life-giving presence of His Spirit. As we close, let’s reflect on the power of ask, seek, and knock in our lives.

God is inviting us to deeper intimacy with Him. Will we respond in faith?

Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We ask You today to fill us anew with Your presence. We choose to ask, seek, and knock, trusting that You will answer and open the door to Your blessings. Help us to be persistent in prayer and to always remember that You are a generous and loving Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.