Renungan Pagi Senin, 08 Desember 2025

Sermon,  Luk 11: 10

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“When there’s no way, there’s always a way.

Good morning!

Brother and sister in Christ. “As we gather this morning, having just completed a challenging semester, let us take a moment to reflect on the goodness of God in our lives. We’ve worked hard, and we’ve made it through! Based on my reflection, I titled this sermon with:

“When there’s no way, there’s always a way”

As we’ve just finished our semester exams, let’s reflect on how we’ve asked, sought, and knocked on doors of opportunity. We’ve worked hard, and we’ve seen some of the results.

Have you received your semester exam scores yet? Hope everything went well and you’re happy with what you’ve achieved. Don’t forget, it’s not just about the grades – it’s about the learning process and growth. Let’s keep moving forward and not give up!”

In Luke 11:10, Jesus reminds us that God is eager to open doors for us, to give us what we need, and to guide us forward. Let’s continue to ask, seek, and knock, trusting that God will open the way and give us what we need. “In this context, Jesus is teaching us that prayer is more than just a set of rules or rituals – it’s about having a genuine, heartfelt connection with God. He’s showing us that God isn’t a distant, unapproachable figure, but a loving Father who cares deeply for each and every one of us.

In Luke 11:5-8, Jesus shares a story about a friend who asks for bread at midnight, highlighting the power of persistence in prayer. Even though the friend is initially met with reluctance, he doesn’t give up. His persistent(ketekunan) asking eventually leads to a positive response. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate that God,  like the friend, is eager to answer our prayers when we ask, seek, and knock with persistence and faith.

Jesus continues by emphasizing the importance of persistence in prayer, encouraging us to ask, seek, and knock with boldness and faith.

“asks” (αἐρωτῶν – aērōtōn): from the verb αἐρωτάω (aērotaō), meaning “to ask” or “to request”.

“receives” (λαμβάνει – lambanei): from the verb λαμβάνω (lambanō), meaning “to receive” or “to get”.

He’s reminding us that prayer is a powerful way to connect with God, who knows our needs and is eager to respond. In the cultural context of Jesus’ time, asking for help was a normal part of community life, and Jesus is inviting us to bring that same openness and trust into our relationship with God. We’re encouraged to approach God with confidence, without fear of being judged or rejected, knowing He’s a loving Father who wants to give us good gifts.

Asking something is a normal in our daily life, in the process of learning as a student or lecturer. If you never asking? It doesn’t mean you have already known everything.

– “seeks” (ζητῶν – zētōn): from the verb ζητέω (zēteō), meaning “to seek” or “to search for”

– “finds” (εὑρίσκει – heuriskei): from the verb εὑρίσκω (heuriskō), meaning “to find” or “to discover”

Seeking God means we’re not just sitting back waiting for answers, but actively pursuing Him and His will. It’s about growing in faith and deepening our connection with Him through Bible reading, prayer, and community. And when we knock, it’s about being persistent, trusting that God will open doors and show us the way forward, even when answers aren’t immediate. His promise is sure, even in doubt.

– “knocks” (κρούοντι – krouonti): from the verb κρούω (krouō), meaning “to knock” or “to strike”

– “it will be opened” (ἀνοιγήσεται – anoigēsetai): from the verb ἀνοίγω (anoigō), meaning “to open”

Keep knocking, keep seeking, keep asking. And when we do, God’s promise is that it will be opened to us. The word ἀνοιγήσεται, opened, means to make accessible, to make a way. So when we’re facing challenges or uncertainty, let’s keep knocking, keep trusting, and know that God will make a way. He’ll open the door and show us the way forward.”

In the midst of disaster, many people got a bad experience, shocked, grief, and uncertainty. It’s a time of great need, and response efforts focus on providing emergency aid, shelter, and support to the affected communities.

Losing loved ones is one of the toughest parts of a disaster. The grief and pain can be overwhelming, and it’s like a huge void in your life. Some people feel angry, frustrated or just plain sad. It’s okay to feel all those emotions, and it’s okay to take time to process them. Leaning on others, like family, friends, or a support group, can help them navigate this tough time. They are not alone, and there are people who care about them/you and ready to support them/you.

As we hear and listen to the Word of God: when the door is opened, accessing is the way of entering into God’s presence, receiving His blessings, and experiencing His guidance. It’s about walking through the door and stepping into the unknown, trusting that God has prepared something good on the other side. Amen!

“Rev. Maruhum Simangunsong, MTh”