The Assurance of God’s Generosity (Revised)
SERMON ON THE MOUNT- 19-2
TITLE: The Assurance of God’s Generosity
TEXT: Matthew 7:7-12
TONE: Encouragement
TARGET: Believers
TASK: To encourage believers to rest with complete assurance in the generosity of God.
Early experiences in ministry
Key Themes and Scriptures on God's Generosity
Creation as an Act of Generosity
Genesis 1:29-30 (ESV): "And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.' And it was so."
God's provision of creation demonstrates His generous nature, providing abundantly for humanity and all creatures.
God's Provision to Israel
Exodus 16:4 (ESV): "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.'"
God provides manna from heaven, illustrating His continual provision and care for His people despite their grumbling and lack of faith.
God’s Generosity in Wisdom and Guidance
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
God gives wisdom generously to anyone who asks. This verse underscores God’s willingness to provide guidance and understanding.
The Gift of Salvation
John 3:16 (ESV): "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
God’s generosity is most profoundly demonstrated through the gift of His Son for the salvation of humanity. This sacrificial giving emphasizes the depth and breadth of God's love.
Blessing of Abundant Life
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
In Christ, believers receive abundant spiritual blessings, signifying God’s lavish generosity towards His children.
God’s Responds to Needs
Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Paul reassures the Philippians that God’s provision is comprehensive, meeting all needs out of His glorious riches.
Last week we learned that we need to
I. Seek God Through Persistent Prayer (7:7)
This week we pick up where we left off.
II. Assured of God’s Faithful Response (7:8)
Explanation: “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds and to the one who knock it will be opened.” Jesus assures us that everyone who asks receives; this applies to all who engage sincerely in prayer. God promises that seekers will find guidance and truth through earnest seeking. The trust in a loving God is affirmed as those who knock will find God’s door open to them.
Jesus asserts that ‘everyone who asks receives.” This phrase connotes a universal promise applicable to all believers. God’s openness to hearing and responding is not selective but grounded in His unconditional love and grace.
As highlighted in 1John 5:14-15, when we approach God with confidence, knowing our prayers align with His will, we have assurance that He hears us. This teaches believers that divine faithfulness is a given when we sincerely and earnestly engage in prayer.
In seeking, believers are not merely looking for material or immediate needs to be fulfilled but are engaged in a spiritual quest that brings greater understanding of God’s will. Proverbs 8:17 illustrates the intimacy and wisdom gained by those who diligently seek the Lord: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”
In Jeremiah 29:13-14 promises that those who seek God with all their heart will indeed find Him. The act of seeking becomes transformative, leading to deeper spiritual insight and alignment with God’s purposes.
Examples
Hannah’s Prayer for a Child
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:9-20
Hannah was deeply distressed due to her inability to have children. In her anguish, she prayed fervently to God, vowing that if He granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord. God faithfully answered her prayer by giving her a son, Samuel, who went on to become a great prophet in Israel.
Elijah’s Prayer for Rain
Passage: 1 Kings 18:41-45
After a severe drought, Elijah prayed for rain. Despite initial delays, he persisted in prayer, and God answered by sending a heavy rain shower, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
Hezekiah’s Prayer for Healing
Passage: 2 Kings 20:1-6
Facing a terminal illness, King Hezekiah prayed to God, pleading for more time. God heard his prayer and extended his life by fifteen years, reflecting His compassion and readiness to respond to sincere petitions.
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
Passage: 1 Kings 3:5-14
When God appeared to Solomon in a dream, offering to grant whatever he asked, Solomon requested wisdom to lead his people. God was so pleased with this request that He granted Solomon exceptional wisdom, as well as wealth and honor.
The Early Church’s Prayer for Peter’s Release
Passage: Acts 12:1-17
When Peter was imprisoned, the early church prayed earnestly for him. In response, God sent an angel to miraculously free Peter, showing how collective prayer can lead to powerful outcomes.
Illustration: A remarkable figure from church history who acted in faith upon a prayer request is George Muller. He was a 19th century Christian evangelist and the founder of the Ashley Down orphanages in Bristol, England., Muller life demonstrates a profound trust in God’s provision, exemplified through his steadfastness in prayer. Muller famously ran his orphanage entirely by faith, never-fundraising or soliciting donations directly. Instead, he relied solely on prayer, entrusting needs of the orphanages to God’s care. He believed that the Lord would provide what was necessary for the children and the work he was called to do. Throughout his ministry, Muller recorded numerous instances where specific prayers were answered, often with supplies arriving just in time. This reliance on prayer and faith in God’s provision allowed him to care for over 10,000 orphans during his lifetime.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Assurance is cultivated when we….
III. Understand God’s Goodness (7:9-10)
Explanation: “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?” Jesus uses a relatable analogy comparing human parental instincts to illustrate God’s goodness. Father’s naturally give good gifts, not harmful ones, to their children, showing that God, as the perfect Father, will do even more. The generosity of God surpasses our understanding and expectations.
The illustration is deliberately absurd. In the Galilean setting for the giving of the Sermon on the Mount, the people were familiar with the flat stones by the shore that looked exactly like their round, flat cakes of bread, and with fish (more likely eels) that looked very much like snakes. Can you imagine your son coming to tell you he is hungry and you give him a stone instead of bread?[1]
Jesus uses an earthly paradigm of parental care to illustrate how even flawed human parents ensure the well-being of their children. How much more fully and perfectly will God respond in His divine perfection? The analogy appeals to the universal understanding of parental love, aiming to make divine love relatable and reassuring to His audience.
In contrasting human parents with God, Jesus emphasizes that even flawed, sinful humans strive to give good things to their children. Now much more will our perfect Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him? God’s generosity far surpasses human understanding. As depicted in James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Scriptural Basis for God’s Goodness
Creation and Provision: At the beginning of the Bible, God's goodness is evident in the creation narrative. He creates a world that is "very good" (Genesis 1:31) and establishes a habitat for humanity full of abundance. God's provision reflects His ongoing care (Psalm 104:24-30).
Covenantal Promises: Throughout the Old Testament, God's goodness is shown through His covenantal relationships with figures like Abraham, Moses, and David. These relationships demonstrate God's faithfulness and desire to bless His people (Genesis 12:1-3, Exodus 19:5-6, 2 Samuel 7:8-16).
Redemption and Grace: In the New Testament, the incarnation and atoning work of Jesus Christ embody the pinnacle of God's goodness. Through Jesus, God reconciles humanity to Himself, offering forgiveness and eternal life (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-7).
Attributes of God's Goodness
Lovingkindness: Often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy," God's hesed (Hebrew) is a recurring theme, highlighting His enduring and unwavering commitment to His people (Psalm 136, Lamentations 3:22-23).
Faithfulness: God's goodness is consistent and reliable. Believers are assured of His constant presence and unfailing love through life's circumstances (Deuteronomy 7:9, 1 Corinthians 1:9).
Generosity: God provides not only for physical needs but also offers spiritual blessings in abundance. James 1:17 reminds believers that "Every good and perfect gift is from above."
God's Goodness in Action
Guidance and Wisdom: God offers guidance and wisdom through His Word and the Holy Spirit. Psalm 32:8 promises, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
Protection and Refuge: God's goodness is a source of protection and security. Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Discipline as Goodness: God's discipline is another expression of His goodness, aimed at growth and maturity in His children (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Believer’s Response to God’s Goodness
Trust and Obedience: Recognizing God's goodness should lead believers to trust in His plans and purposes (Proverbs 3:5-6) and to live in obedience to His commands (John 14:15).
Gratitude and Worship: In response to God's goodness, believers are called to lives of gratitude. Thanksgiving and worship are appropriate responses to His enduring blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 100:4-5).
Reflection and Imitation: As recipients of God's goodness, believers are encouraged to reflect His character in the world, embodying goodness in interactions with others (Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:1-2).
Illustration: Another notable figure who demonstrated remarkable faith and trust in God’s goodness was Hudson Taylor. Taylor was a pioneering Christian missionary to China and the founder of the China Inland Mission (now known as OMF International). Taylor’s approach to missionary work was characterized by a radical dependence on God. Like Muller, he eschewed traditional methods of fundraising and relied on prayer as the basis for all his needs. Taylor went to China with minimal resources, trusting that God would provide both for his personal needs and for the work of the mission.
Throughout his time in China, Taylor raced numerous challenged and adversities, including financial difficulties, cultural barriers, and health issues. Yet, he remained committed to prayer and witnessing God’s faithfulness in meeting needs often at the last moment. His trust in God’s goodness and provision helped establish a significant and enduring Christian presence in China, deeply influencing the future of missions.
Lastly, Assurance is cultivated when we….
IV. Rest Confidently in God’s Perfect Provision (7:11)
Explanation: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Jesus concludes with reassurance that, despite human sinfulness, earthly parents can still provide for their children. God, being perfect and loving, gives even greater gifts to those who ask of Him. God’s provision is both wise and beneficial encourages believers to trust and depend on Him fully.
Jesus encourages believers to confidently approach God with their needs, trusting in His readiness to provide. The promise is rooted in the character of God who delights in giving good things, which encourages believers to pray without hesitation.
Sometimes believers may not receive exactly what they ask for, but God’s provision aligns with what is truly beneficial to His children from His all-knowing perspective. And more than material blessings, God grants spiritual gifts that enhance the believers relationship with Him and assist in fulfilling His purpose.
Biblical Examples of God’s Goodness and Generosity
Abraham and Isaac:
Key Verse: Genesis 22
Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac models an act of faith met by God's provision when He provides a ram as a substitute, reflecting divine generosity.
Ruth and Boaz:
Key Verse: Ruth 2-4
Boaz demonstrates God-like generosity by providing for Ruth and Naomi and ultimately becoming Ruth's husband, showcasing God’s providence and care.
Joseph’s Rise and Provision During Famine:
Key Verse: Genesis 41-45
Joseph, guided by God, interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, leading to a national plan for survival during famine, underscoring God’s plan and provision.
Israel Wilderness Experience
Passage: Deuteronomy 29:5
Deuteronomy 29:5 (ESV) - "I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet."
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whim there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of your according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Romans. 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”
____________________________________________________________________________________
TAKE-WAY: To walk in assurance…
- Seek God through Persistent Prayer.
- Be Assured of God’s Faithful Response.
- Understand God’s Goodness.
- Rest Confidently in God’s Perfect Provision.
TIE-UP: It does not mean that one may get what they want simply by praying for it. Jesus prayed three times for the cup to be removed from Him. He did not demand its removal and it was not removed. He did receive strength to drink it. One may not receive what they ask for, he may not find what he seeks, and door may not be the one opened; but the assurance is that where there is asking there will be receiving, where there is seeking there will be finding, and where there is knocking God will open a door.
Remember this: “Lord, give us not the object of our desire but the substance of what we require.”
[1] R. Kent Hughes, The Sermon on the Mount: The Message of the Kingdom, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001), 237.
© 2012 - 2024 Blake Gideon. All rights Reserved
Comments
Post a Comment