Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive deep into a beloved scripture that's a favorite of many folks, myself included. Opening Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:33 tells us, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This verse is a precious nugget of wisdom that Jesus shared during His Sermon on the Mount. It's a call to prioritize the Kingdom of God in our lives and trust that by doing so, God will provide us with everything we need.

Let's consider the words of beloved Christian author and theologian, A.W. Tozer, who once said, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One." That's a powerful thought, isn't it? To have all things in One, simply by making God our foremost pursuit.

Today, we're going to explore what it means to seek God's Kingdom first, the blessings that come with living in the Kingdom of God, and how we can live a life of obedience to Him.

Opening Prayer: Let's take a moment to pray. Father, open our hearts and minds today as we delve into Your Word. May we be challenged, inspired and transformed as we learn to seek Your Kingdom above all else. Grant us the wisdom and courage to live obediently to Your Kingdom, and to experience the fullness of its blessings. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

I. Seeking the Kingdom of God First

Seeking the Kingdom of God first is a concept that requires us to reorient our priorities and values. It's about making God's Kingdom–His rule and reign–the central focus of our lives. This is not a passive or occasional pursuit, but an active, daily commitment. It's a call to place God's will, His purposes, and His desires above our own. It's about living in a way that reflects God's values and principles, even when they conflict with the values of the world around us.

A. When we seek the Kingdom of God first, we are acknowledging that God's rule is supreme. We are recognizing that His wisdom is greater than our own, and His plans are better than ours. We are submitting ourselves to His authority, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This is not always easy. It requires humility, surrender, and a willingness to let go of our own desires and plans. But when we do this, we are aligning ourselves with God's purposes and positioning ourselves to experience His blessings.

B. Seeking the Kingdom of God first also means seeking His righteousness. Righteousness, in this context, refers to God's moral standards - His principles of justice, love, and truth. It's about striving to live in a way that reflects these principles. This is not about earning God's favor or trying to achieve perfection. Rather, it's about allowing God's Spirit to transform us from the inside out, so that we become more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions.

C. This pursuit of righteousness is not a solitary endeavor. It's something we do in community with other believers. As we seek God's Kingdom together, we encourage and support each other, hold each other accountable, and learn from each other's experiences. We also work together to advance God's Kingdom in the world, by sharing the good news of Jesus, serving those in need, and standing up for justice and truth.

D. Seeking the Kingdom of God first is also about our role in His Kingdom. Each of us has a unique part to play in God's plan. As we seek His Kingdom, we discover our purpose and calling. We find joy and fulfillment in using our gifts and talents to serve God and others. We also find peace and security in knowing that we are part of something bigger than ourselves - a Kingdom that is eternal and unshakeable.

E. Finally, seeking the Kingdom of God first is about trust. It's about trusting that God will provide for our needs, as Jesus promised in Matthew 6:33. This doesn't mean that we will never face challenges or difficulties. But it does mean that we can trust God to sustain us, guide us, and give us the strength to persevere. It also means that we can trust Him to fulfill His promises and bring about His purposes, even when we don't understand or can't see the way forward.

II. The Benefits of Living in the Kingdom of God

Living in the Kingdom of God is not just a future promise, it's a present reality for believers ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO