Matthew 7:7
God gives by calling us to Himself, and prayer influences His action, but not His purpose.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the nature of God's giving in his sermon on Matthew 7:7, explaining that while our asking does not influence God's purpose, it does influence His actions. He illustrates how God's giving is not like human giving, which often requires persuasion and conditions, but rather reflects a loving Father who is eager to provide for our needs. Smith reassures that God is constantly aware of our needs and desires to bless us, but we must align our prayers with His will to see His actions unfold in our lives. Ultimately, he concludes that prayer does not change God's purpose but can change His actions in response to our needs.
Text
I. HOW GOD GIVES.
A. "Call unto me."
B. "Ask and it shall be given."
1. People accustom to thinking our asking is the thing that influences God's
giving.
C. How man gives.
1. Called on by right party.
a. Approached tactfully.
b. Told how he will benefit.
c. Persisted upon.
2. Waits only long enough to be certain of need and how much needed the gives.
3. Looks for, places to give. Those with same sympathies as His.
a. Chino Mission.
b. Y.M.C.A.
c. Libraries.
D. Some think God gives as first man, others as second.
Neither illustrates God's giving.
Third comes closest.
1. Our world prodigal.
2. God anxious to win it back.
3. Necessary for man's free and glad consent.
E. "Call unto Me."
1. Acting doubly away from opposite and to God Calling point of sympathetic
contact. (Where God's purposes and our purposes become the same..
II. DOES PRAYER INFLUENCE GOD?
A. Some say No.
B. Some say Yes.
C. Both right.
1. Not in all their theories.
2. But in General conclusion.
Yes - No.
3. It does not influence His purpose.
4. It does influence His action.
D. Every right thing I ever prayed for God has already purposed to do.
1. My prayers show my consent so He is free to do it.
(When we learn His purposes and make them our prayers opportunity to
act).
III. SUPPOSE I WANT SOMETHING VERY MUCH AND NEED.
A. I ask but don't receive he hesitates.
B. I am incessant God yields Loving God? Certainly.
C. Suppose God thinking bout me all the time planning etc. wanting to give me things.
1. I do not yet realize my need.
2. Liable to abuse it.
3. Finally I realize my need and ask.
He is glad to see change in me and willingly gives.
"Your Father knows what things ye have need of before you ask."
Loving Father.
Say give you anything you want you choose.
Prayer cannot change His purpose for every right and good thing we need he had already planned
to give.
PRAYER CHANGES ACTION
Sermon Outline
- How God Gives points: - Call unto me - Ask and it shall be given - How man gives - Some think God gives as first man, others as second - Call unto Me
- Does Prayer Influence God? points: - Some say No - Some say Yes - Both right - Every right thing I ever prayed for God has already purposed to do
- Suppose I Want Something Very Much And Need points: - I ask but don't receive he hesitates - I am incessant God yields Loving God? - Suppose God thinking bout me all the time planning etc. wanting to give me things
Key Quotes
“Call unto me.” — Chuck Smith
“Ask and it shall be given.” — Chuck Smith
“Your Father knows what things ye have need of before you ask.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Prayer is not about changing God's purpose, but about showing our consent to His purposes.
- God is anxious to give us what we need, but He waits for us to realize our need and ask with a changed heart.
- Prayer is an opportunity for us to give God the chance to act and to show our love and trust in Him.