“Seek First the Kingdom”
1. Matthew 6:33
2. Ps 121
Illustration
A professor once stood before his class with a large empty jar. He filled it with big rocks and asked, “Is the jar full?” The students poured in some pebbles, which filled the spaces between the rocks. He asked again, “Is it full now?”
They said, “Yes.” Next, he poured in sand — it filled the remaining gaps. Finally, he poured in water, and everything fit perfectly.
Then the professor said:
“If I had put the sand or water in first, there would have been no room for the big rocks. The big rocks represent the most important things in life — your faith, your family, your purpose. Put them in first, and everything else will fit around them.”
Application:
Jesus is our biggest “rock.” When we put Him first — when we seek His Kingdom and righteousness first — all the other things (career, relationships, and needs) will find their proper place. But if we fill our lives with lesser things first, there will be no room for the most important one: God.
Every person is searching for something — success, peace, security, love, or meaning. But Jesus tells us there is one pursuit that must come before all others:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
This verse sits in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He tells His followers not to worry about what they will eat, drink, or wear. Why?
Because the Father already knows what we need. Instead of chasing the temporary, Jesus calls us to focus on the eternal — God’s Kingdom and His righteousness.
1. “Seek the Kingdom of God”?
To seek means to pursue, to prioritize, to go after with desire and determination.
And the Kingdom of God means God’s rule and reign in every area of life.
When we seek the Kingdom first, we are saying,
1. “Lord, rule in my heart.
2. Govern my choices.
3. Let your will be done in my life.”
It’s not just going to church or saying prayers
BUT it’s making Jesus King over:
1. Our time — He comes before our schedule.
2. Our finances — He comes before our desires.
3. Our relationships — He comes before our pride.
4. Our decisions — His will come before our own.
If God is not first, everything else will fall apart. But when God is first, everything else finds its rightful place.
Illustration
A young man was invited by a king to come and dine at his royal banquet. But the man was busy — he had fields to plow, animals to tend, and debts to settle. He said, “I’ll come once I’m done with my work.” Day after day he delayed, and finally, when he arrived at the palace, the banquet had ended.
Application:
That’s how many people treat God’s Kingdom — always “after I’m done with this”, “after I have more time,” “after I’m successful.”
But Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom.”
Don’t wait until life slows down to put God first — put Him first now, and you’ll find He’ll take care of everything else.
2. “Seek His Righteousness”
Jesus didn’t just say, “Seek the Kingdom,” but also, “and His righteousness.”
• This means we should desire to live right — to reflect God’s character in our everyday lives.
• Righteousness is not self-righteousness or perfection.
• It’s living in right relationship with God — through faith, obedience, and holiness.
When you forgive others, you’re seeking His righteousness.
When you resist temptation, you’re seeking His righteousness.
When you show kindness, mercy, and humility — you’re walking in righteousness.
Matthew 5:6
> “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
If you make holiness your hunger, God promises to satisfy your soul.
3. The Promise: “All These Things Shall Be Added Unto You”
This is one of the most powerful promises in Scripture.
Jesus is saying: If you put me first, I will take care of the rest.
You don’t have to chase blessings — chase the King, and blessings will chase you.
Psalm 37:25
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
• When you prioritize God’s Kingdom, He provides what you need:
• Peace when you’re anxious
• Direction when you’re confused
• Provision when you’re in lack
• Strength when you’re weary
• God’s addition always follows your submission.
Stop worrying about tomorrow — start seeking God today.
You’ll find that what you were chasing after will begin to find you.
Conclusion
Here are four simple ways to live out Matthew 6:33:
1. Seek Him in Prayer – Begin your day with God, not your phone. Talk to the King first.
2. Seek Him in His Word – Let Scripture shape your thoughts and choices.
3. Seek Him in Service – Serve others with love; the Kingdom is built through humility.
4. Seek Him in Priorities – Put spiritual things above material things.
When God is your priority, everything else falls into divine order.
Illustration
When you use GPS, you type in your destination first. Only after that does the GPS show you the route.
If you don’t enter the destination, it can’t guide you anywhere.
Application:
Seeking first the Kingdom is like entering your destination first — it gives direction to everything else.
