This study was first taught on April 5, 2011

Topic: ASKing (3): Seeking (1)

No audio available for this study.

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Background
Last week, we focused on ‘asking’, being one of the three components that make up the acronym, ASK. We saw that ‘asking’, which is praying to God, can be a request or petition to God; a looking up to God for sustenance or assistance; crying out to God for help; or, speaking to God within one’s heart (barely uttering audible words). We saw that ‘asking’ is not the same as desiring something, longing for something, wishing something, dreaming or thinking about something. We noted that until we translate these desires, longings, wishes, dreams and thoughts, into requests or petitions to God, these things will remain as such.

We also saw that there are principles governing ‘asking’; noting that if our asking is to be effective and result oriented, we should:
• Ask in the name of Jesus Christ, implying that He is the basis of our asking; without which, the Father will not hear, nor answer, our request;
• Be in agreement with Christ and His word;
• Be doing what God has called us to do;
• Ask according to the will of God for which the Holy Spirit is on hand to help us;
• Be reverential in our asking;
• Ask in faith, not with a double or undecided mind, prevaricating between opinions;
• Not be living in sin;
• Not be treating our wives cruelly;
• Not ask with wrong motives;
• Forgive all those who have offended us; and,
• Go to God on our own, not through ‘prayer warriors’.

We saw that when we ask aright, our hearts will be filled with joy, and a peace that passes human understanding; there will be changes for the better in our lives; we will certainly obtain answers to our requests/petitions; and, we even get much more than we have asked for.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:7-8
Tonight, we turn our attention to ‘seeking’; which is the second component in the acronym, ASK. We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to help us as we study, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Whereas ‘asking’ is asking for something, ‘seeking’ is asking about something. This is something that distinguishes ‘seeking’ from ‘asking’. Another thing about ‘seeking’ is that we continue to seek until we find what is being sought. Thus, seeking can be said to be a search, an inquiry, or a pursuit, which continues until we obtain what is being sought.
Luke 15:4, 8; Matthew 13:44; Proverbs 2:1-6; Psalm 27:4; 63:1-3; 42:1; Matthew 6:24-33; 13:22; 2 Timothy 4:10; John 1:35-39; 6:25-69; Matthew 2:1-12; 5:6; James 4:3; 2 Chronicles 15:1-4, 15; Deuteronomy 4:29; Proverbs 8:17; Mark 1:35; Songs 3:1-4; Acts 17:23-30; Colossians 1:16-17; John 4:20-23; Luke 24:5; Psalm 127:3; Genesis 30:1-2; Proverbs 19:14; Genesis 24:10-14; Matthew 13:45-46; 1 Samuel 9:1 – 10:1; Mark 10:51-52; Philippians 3:7-14.

Conclusion
To seek for something is to search for that thing with a view to finding it. In other words, if you don’t find what you are looking for, you don’t stop the search; neither do you give up your inquiry, nor suspend your pursuit! But, if you are to put your all or everything into a search, inquiry, or pursuit, you must first establish that the thing you are seeking is valuable, important, and precious to you! Otherwise, you would not be diligent in your search, neither will you prosecute the search with the vigour that is required, nor will you continue the search until you find what you are looking for.

People have always sought after all manner of things; but by seeking so many things all at once, we lose all. Thus, in seeking anything, we must be focused and recognize the one thing we need to pursue with the vigour and tenacity required. For the believer in Christ, the one thing he needs to seek is God (which includes His kingdom and righteousness)! For in Him, we live, and move, and have our being; and in Him all things consist!

It is one thing to seek for the right thing; it is another thing to seek for it for the right reasons. Also, it is not just seeking the right thing for the right reason that enable us find it; but seeking the right thing in the right manner. Furthermore, the right thing can only be found in the right place; hence, it is important to look for things in the right place. For example, you would not be expected to be looking for children from a doctor or herbalist, if you are a believer in Christ! Also, you would not be expected to be looking for a prudent wife in a brothel or bar!

We have since established that the One Person that all of mankind should seek after, is God. If you seek God with all your heart, with all your might, and with all your soul, you will find Him. If you seek Him early and earnestly, you will find Him. If you seek Him as though He is everything (and He indeed is), you will find Him.

Sometimes, while searching for something, we come across a priceless thing. Once you are able to identify that what you have happened upon is more valuable than the thing you set out to pursue in the first place, you invariably go after the more valuable one. Such is the search of man for a meaning. As we seek for things that we think will make us find meaning in life, we come in contact with God and that changes the focus of our search, away from things, to Him!

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