Francis Chan: How To Get The Answers You Want

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is about cultivating a deeper understanding and relationship with God, our heavenly Father. The speaker emphasizes that when we have an accurate picture of God as our loving and accepting parent, it brings joy and transforms our prayer life from a chore to a desire to spend time with Him. We are encouraged to ask, seek, and knock on the door of God's presence, just like a friend would do for another friend.

Key Scripture References

• Luke 11:5-10 - This passage uses an analogy of a friend lending bread at midnight to illustrate God's willingness to answer our prayers. The speaker notes that even if we view God as a distant figure, He is still willing to give us what we ask for because of His love and friendship towards us.
• Luke 11:9-10 - The speaker emphasizes the importance of asking God for things, not just out of obligation or guilt, but because of our desire to have a relationship with Him. The word "ask" is used here as a common term for prayer, and we are encouraged to seek after God's face.
• Jeremiah 29:13 - This passage highlights the idea that when we search for God with all our heart, He will be found. The speaker notes that this verse is often quoted in the context of seeking a relationship with God, and encourages us to seek Him out with sincerity.
• Acts 17:24-27 - This passage emphasizes that God created us so that we would seek Him and have a relationship with Him. The speaker notes that God's desire is for us to reach out to Him and find Him, and that He is not far from each one of us.
• Matthew 7:7-8 - This passage is quoted in the context of seeking after God, and emphasizes that when we ask, seek, and knock on the door of His presence, He will answer. The speaker notes that this verse is often used to encourage people to pray and seek after God.

Key Takeaways

• We are encouraged to view God as our loving and accepting heavenly Father, rather than a distant figure.
• Our prayer life should be motivated by desire, not just obligation or guilt.
• We are invited to ask, seek, and knock on the door of God's presence, just like a friend would do for another friend.
• God desires a relationship with us, and created us so that we would seek Him out.
• We can have confidence in seeking after God, knowing that He is not far from each one of us.

Application

This message encourages us to reflect on our understanding of God and our relationship with Him. Are we viewing God as a loving and accepting parent, or are we still struggling with a distant or unforgiving view? We are invited to ask, seek, and knock on the door of God's presence, and to cultivate a deeper desire for time with Him in prayer.