Seek || Keep On! #2

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

This passage talks about what God will give to you. If you continue to ask, then you’ll receive. If you continue to search, then you’ll find it. If you continue to knock, the door will open. It’s a verse that sounds straightforward but has a deeper meaning. This passage led me to create our latest series, “Keep On.”

This series will examine what it means to ask and receive, seek and find, and knock and open. I will explain the concepts through word studies and then go into scriptures that use these words to help us build upon the context of what Jesus is teaching us. My goal for this series is to help you keep going to God in prayer for anything you need.

In this blog, we’ll look at the concepts of seeking and finding. Let’s get into it.

To seek is the Greek verb zéteó (dzay-teh’-o), which means to search for, desire, require, or demand. The word describes inquiring, investigating to reach a binding resolution, or getting to the bottom of a matter. As you can see, there are a lot of different ways that this word is used.

1 Corinthians 14:7-12

7             Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the note clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.

8             And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called.

9             It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

10           There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.

11           But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.

12           And the same is true for you. Since you are eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

Look for the abilities that strengthen the whole church. The Spirit can give us various gifts, but we should be looking to see what gifts can strengthen the church around us. Now, this is more specific to a church setting. If we think about this in general terms, seek those abilities that will strengthen the community surrounding you.

In this context, Paul says that the words must be preached in their hearer’s language to be helpful. I’m communicating with you in English, making reading easier for most of my audience. Pero si te hablo en español, es posible que tengas dificultades para entender lo que estoy diciendo. حتى لو كنت أتواصل باللغة العربية، قد لا يفهم البعض منكم ما أقول. Certains de mon public français ne comprendront peut-être que cette phrase, mais pas le reste.

The point is to find ways to meet the community around you where they are.

Romans 14:17-19

17           For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18           If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

19           So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

As God’s Kingdom people, we must not let scruples or convictions that Scripture doesn’t require cause contention. Don’t allow doubt or hesitation to get in the way of the truth taught in the Bible. Don’t allow a deeply held belief (regardless of truth) to get in the way of the truth taught in the Bible. These things shouldn’t cause contention between people. We often let our beliefs create judgments against each other by claiming biblical beliefs. Yet, if the word of God is always true, how can two people interpret it differently? We don’t understand what it is teaching. The Bible is full of teachings that go beyond the face value of the words written; if we can seek common ground in how we understand Scripture, then we can continue a conversation in understanding each other’s perspective and then find common ground in respecting those perspectives.

As we seek God’s Kingdom priorities, we will build good relationships with others, seek unity in the faith, and find the joy given by the Holy Spirit. The goal is to bring God’s kingdom to earth (see the Lord’s Prayer for the reference). We primarily do that by following and living out the “Love God. Love People.” mindset. Jesus’ primary focus in doing this shows all throughout his teachings. Caring for widows and orphans. Feeding the hungry. Healing the disabled. Giving sight to the blind. Raising people from the dead. We might not be able to do exactly what Jesus did. Still, the Holy Spirit gives us various ways to accomplish the mission of Jesus set before us.

Colossians 3:1-2

1             Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

2             Think about the things of heaven, not the things of the earth.

Seeking out heaven’s realities means always attempting to meet heaven’s priorities. Our direction for living must come from God, not the culture around us. Culture changes daily with new trends or the latest canceled influencers, but the Word of God remains true forever. Letting heaven fill our thoughts means concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal. We’re taught by Jesus not to focus on earthly things but on heavenly ones. Don’t worry about how many items you have but how you love one another. Don’t worry about the number of followers you get; worry about how you care for your neighbors. Jesus taught about these concepts earlier in his Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:33

33           Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Jesus tells his audience and us to put God first in our lives. Fill our thoughts on what he wants to see happen to the world. Use God’s character as your life’s pattern. Continue implementing his Kingdom values on earth. God wants us to live the “Love God. Love People.” lifestyle by representing his character to the world.

Exodus 34:6

6             The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

We must seek ways to love God and those around us through compassion, forgiveness, patience, love, and faithfulness. What that looks like for you and me can be different because the Holy Spirit will use our gifts and talents in ways that work for us.

In Jesus’ kingdom, worrying about our daily needs drains and leaves us empty. Maintaining a good relationship with him and those around us gives us all those benefits. As the Skit Guys have taught me, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t take you anywhere.” Some need help with where their next meal comes from or how they will pay their rent and bills. Please don’t take my words as “Just believe, and everything will be better.” It may help you bring comfort, hope, and peace, but I know it doesn’t solve the problem. I challenge those who do not have those worries to look around your community to see who is worrying about things like that and find ways to help them. Buy their groceries for the week. Pay the bills for the month. Pay rent for a month or two. It may require sacrifice, but that’s what Jesus’ ministry was all about.

I will split this study into two parts because of how long this lasted. The following extensive Bible study will dive into finding as a response to seeking. Let’s pray:

Father God, we thank you for always being present for us. You allow us to seek you through many different avenues, and we know that all paths lead to you. Please help us seek out how you want to use us in life. Please help us seek people in our community who may be struggling and guide us in ways to help them. It’s in your name, we pray. Amen.