Kingdom Wisdom Part 3

At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Wisdom,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.

For the past two weeks in our Kingdom Wisdom series, we have been talking about judgment and discernment. Jesus has been teaching us how to see clearly—how to recognize what is happening around us and respond with the wisdom of His Kingdom.

There are moments when we need to speak. There are moments when we need to remain silent. There are moments when we need to act. There are moments when we need to wait. And sometimes the hardest question is simply: How do I know which is which? That is why what Jesus says next is so important.

Matthew 7:7–8 (NIV)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Jesus reminds us that Kingdom wisdom does not require us to figure everything out by ourselves. We have a Father we can ask. And that may be one of the most important lessons we ever learn about following Jesus. There is something important about Jesus’ language here. The sense of His words is ongoing: Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.

This is not a one-time transaction. It is a way of life. Sometimes we can approach prayer almost like a vending machine. Put in a prayer. Push the button. Receive an answer. And when the answer does not come quickly—or does not look like what we expected—we wonder what went wrong. But Jesus is describing something much better than a transaction. He is describing a relationship. It is the picture of a child continually coming to a loving Father: “Father, I need wisdom.” “Father, help me.” “Father, show me.” “Father, what are You doing?” “Father, give me what I need today.” That is a very different way to live.

Kingdom wisdom recognizes that we do not have to know everything. We do not have to see everything. We do not have to have every answer. We simply need to know where to go. So this week, whatever decision you are facing, whatever situation you are trying to understand, whatever door seems closed in front of you, keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. Your Father is listening.

This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.