1. Thanks to all who helped with our celebration of our Eighth Anniversary

2. Series: The Importance of... The Importance Of Asking God

3. Matthew 6:1-18(NKJV) 1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

4. The Importance Of Asking God 5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

5. The Importance Of Asking God 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

6. The Importance Of Asking God 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

7. The Importance Of Asking God How do we ask of God? Asking is usually done in prayer Prayer (serious or asking prayer) should be done in private – vs. 5-6 Prayer (asking) needs to be direct – 7

8. The Importance Of Asking God How do we ask of God? Asking is usually done in prayer Prayer (serious or asking prayer) should be done in private – vs. 5-6 Prayer (asking) needs to be direct – 7

9. The Importance Of Asking God How do we ask of God? Asking is usually done in prayer Prayer (serious or asking prayer) should be done in private – vs. 5-6 Prayer (asking) needs to be direct – 7

10. The Importance Of Asking God So, How do we ask God? Approach Him with respect - 9 9 …Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

11. The Importance Of Asking God So, How do we ask God? Approach Him with respect - 9 Afford Him His due 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

12. The Importance Of Asking God So, How do we ask God? Approach Him with respect - 9 Afford Him His due Address your need (s) 11 Give us this day our daily bread.

13. The Importance Of Asking God So, How do we ask God? Approach Him with respect - 9 Afford Him His due Address your need (s) Ask for His help 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14. The Importance Of Asking God So, How do we ask God? Approach Him with respect - 9 Afford Him His due Address your need (s) Ask for His help Applaud His greatness

15. The Importance Of Asking God Are there any other promises about asking God in the Bible? Yes… Unity helps Matthew 18:19-20(KJV) 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

16. The Importance Of Asking God Are there any other promises about asking God in the Bible? Prayer that is full of faith works Matthew 21:22(KJV) 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

17. The Importance Of Asking God Are there any other promises about asking God in the Bible? Asking for our needs works

18. The Importance Of Asking God Matthew 7:7-12(NKJV) 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being 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! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

19. The Importance Of Asking God What are the limits of God’s ability? He can do more than we ask or think Ephesians 3:20-21(KJV) 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

20. The Importance Of Asking God What are the limits of God’s ability? He can do great things

21. The Importance Of Asking God Acts 3:1-10(KJV) 1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

22. The Importance Of Asking God 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

23. The Importance Of Asking God What are the limits of God’s ability? He can answer according to our faith James 1:5-6(NKJV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

24. The Importance Of Asking God Why do my requests not happen? We doubt - James 1:6 We ask wrongly James 4:1-3(NKJV) 1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

25. The Importance Of Asking God So God just hears everyone and answers all of the things they ask to receive? NO! 1 John 3:22-24(NKJV) 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

26. The Importance Of Asking God We should not look at God as a “candy jar” He is a loving sovereign God He will help us and meet our needs We need to know Him, love Him, and abide with Him We can have confidence in Him if we know Him 1 John 5:14(NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

27. The Importance Of Asking God We should not look at God as a “candy jar” He is a loving sovereign God He will help us and meet our needs We need to know Him, love Him, and abide with Him We can have confidence in Him if we know Him 1 John 5:14(NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

28. The Importance Of Asking God We should not look at God as a “candy jar” He is a loving sovereign God He will help us and meet our needs We need to know Him, love Him, and abide with Him We can have confidence in Him if we know Him 1 John 5:14(NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

29. The Importance Of Asking God We should not look at God as a “candy jar” He is a loving sovereign God He will help us and meet our needs We need to know Him, love Him, and abide with Him We can have confidence in Him if we know Him 1 John 5:14(NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

30. The Importance Of Asking God We should not look at God as a “candy jar” He is a loving sovereign God He will help us and meet our needs We need to know Him, love Him, and abide with Him We can have confidence in Him if we know Him 1 John 5:14(NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

31. The Importance Of Asking God The Gadarean asked the Lord to not torture Him More than he asked… He healed Him

32. The Importance Of Asking God The woman who had been sick for 12 years just wanted to touch His garments and be healed She was completely healed

33. The Importance Of Asking God Jairus who came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his daughter Tabitha She died before He got there…yet the Lord answered Jairus’ request and did even greater He brought her back from death

34. The Importance Of Asking God The woman at the well in John 4 who asked for the Living Water Received the Lord and shared His blessings with others

35. The Importance Of Asking God Blind Bartimaeus asked first for mercy (maybe he was thinking alms), then upped the ante and asked to be healed He was healed and then followed Jesus

36. The Importance Of Asking God God is willing to help us God wants us to be His followers

37. The Importance Of Asking God What are reasons we do not ask or not receive? Lack of faith – James 1:6 Stubborn or self-sufficient Selfishness – James 4:3 Lack caring, love or we are unconcerned (to ask for others)

38. The Importance Of Asking God What are reasons we do not ask or not receive? Lack of faith – James 1:6 Stubborn or self-sufficient Selfishness – James 4:3 Lack caring, love or we are unconcerned (to ask for others)

39. The Importance Of Asking God What are reasons we do not ask or not receive? Lack of faith – James 1:6 Stubborn or self-sufficient Selfishness – James 4:3 Lack caring, love or we are unconcerned (to ask for others)

40. The Importance Of Asking God What are reasons we do not ask or not receive? Lack of faith – James 1:6 Stubborn or self-sufficient Selfishness – James 4:3 Lack caring, love or we are unconcerned (to ask for others)

41. The Importance Of Asking God Do you know the best thing you can ask of God? Forgiveness in Jesus’ name We call that salvation, being saved, being born again, etc. Have you ever asked Jesus into your heart? Have you ever asked God to forgive your sins?