The Refuge

		“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and people will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of God of Jacob.” Micah 4:1-2

Our church can be Your home.

“On Your Own”

TEXT: Matthew 7:7-12

THESIS: God will be the parent you never knew you needed.

I. Jesus teaches us about God’s love through healthy parental

love. (vss.9-11)

A. Jesus presents 3 carefully chosen examples of proper parental

love. (The 3^rd is recorded in Luke 11:12)

1. “…if a son asks for bread, will he give him a stone?” (vs. 9)

2. “Or if he asks for a fish will you give him a snake?” (vs.10)

3. “Or if he asks for an egg would you give him a scorpion?”

(Luke 11:12)

II. God will be your heavenly father. (vss.7-8)

A. God can transcend geographical barriers.

B. Pray to your heavenly father with persistence.

1. In the Greek language there are two types of imperatives.

2. Jesus chose specifically the “present imperative” to emphasize God’s desire for us to pray with persistence.

C. God will never mock our prayers.

III. Honor God more than you did your parents.

A. God loves us even more than our parents loved us.

B. “Love the lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength.” Jesus

C. “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Jesus

D. Prayer is a life long traveling companion and…“The Key to Power”