Embracing Childlike Faith in Seeking God's Kingdom

 

Summary

In this week's message, we explored the profound truth of seeking God's kingdom with the innocence and trust of a child. We began by reflecting on Mark 10, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of receiving the kingdom of God like a child. This childlike faith is not about immaturity but about a pure, unguarded trust in God. It challenges us to let go of our adult-like tendencies to control and understand everything and instead embrace the mystery and wonder of God's plan for our lives.

We delved into the concept of hiding places, drawing from Genesis 3 and Psalms 32. In Genesis, Adam and Eve hid from God, illustrating our human tendency to hide in shame or fear. In contrast, David in Psalms finds his hiding place in God, a place of safety and guidance. This invites us to examine where we hide—whether in success, relationships, or material possessions—and to consider making God our true refuge.

The message also highlighted the importance of seeking God's kingdom first, as stated in Matthew 6:33. This involves not just a spiritual pursuit but a commitment to living righteously. It's a call to align our lives with God's will, trusting that He will provide everything we need. This is not about adding God to our lives as a supplement but about making Him the center of our existence.

We were reminded that our level of seeking determines our level of living in the kingdom. It's about persistent pursuit—asking, seeking, and knocking—believing that God will open doors and provide in ways we cannot imagine. This requires a shift from self-preservation to trusting in God's provision, even when circumstances seem daunting.

Finally, we were challenged to evaluate our hiding places, our pursuit of righteousness, and our commitment to seeking God. It's a call to fully surrender and follow Jesus, trusting that He will lead us to the fullness of life He has promised.

Key Takeaways:

- Childlike Faith: Embrace the kingdom of God with the innocence and trust of a child. This means letting go of the need to control and understand everything, and instead, trusting in God's plan and timing. [01:22]

- True Hiding Place: Examine where you hide—whether in success, relationships, or material possessions—and consider making God your true refuge. David's example in Psalms 32 shows us that God is our ultimate hiding place, offering safety and guidance. [12:30]

- Seek First the Kingdom: Prioritize seeking God's kingdom and living righteously. This is not about adding God to our lives as a supplement but making Him the center of our existence. Trust that He will provide everything we need. [15:08]

- Persistent Pursuit: Our level of seeking determines our level of living in the kingdom. Keep asking, seeking, and knocking, believing that God will open doors and provide in ways we cannot imagine. [39:08]

- Full Surrender: Evaluate your hiding places, pursuit of righteousness, and commitment to seeking God. Fully surrender and follow Jesus, trusting that He will lead you to the fullness of life He has promised. [46:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:22] - Childlike Faith and the Kingdom
- [02:27] - Seeking Clarity in God's Vision
- [03:34] - The Game of Hide and Seek
- [04:57] - Lessons from Children
- [06:41] - The First Hide and Seek in Genesis
- [09:13] - Modern Hiding Places
- [12:30] - God as Our Hiding Place
- [15:08] - Seeking First the Kingdom
- [18:07] - Spiritual vs. Righteous Living
- [20:12] - The Changing Process of Culture
- [22:35] - The Promise of Provision
- [28:33] - Asking the Right Questions
- [30:02] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [34:16] - What Dominates Your Thoughts?
- [39:08] - Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
- [46:33] - Evaluating Your Hiding Spots

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Mark 10:13-16
- Genesis 3:8-10
- Matthew 6:33

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Observation Questions:

1. In Mark 10:13-16, how does Jesus respond to the disciples when they try to prevent the children from coming to Him? What does this reveal about the nature of the kingdom of God? [01:22]

2. Reflecting on Genesis 3:8-10, what was Adam and Eve's reaction when they heard God in the garden, and why did they choose to hide? [07:42]

3. According to Matthew 6:33, what are the two actions Jesus instructs us to prioritize, and what is promised as a result? [15:08]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "hiding places" in our modern lives, and what are some examples given? [09:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a child, and how does this challenge our adult-like tendencies to control and understand everything? [01:22]

2. How does the contrast between Adam and Eve's hiding in Genesis and David's hiding in God in Psalms 32 help us understand where we should seek refuge? [12:30]

3. In what ways does seeking God's kingdom first, as mentioned in Matthew 6:33, differ from simply adding God to our lives as a supplement? [15:08]

4. How does the sermon suggest that our level of seeking God determines our level of living in His kingdom? What does this imply about our spiritual pursuits? [39:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: where do you tend to "hide" when faced with stress or fear? How can you begin to make God your true refuge instead? [09:13]

2. Consider the concept of childlike faith. What specific areas of your life require you to let go of control and trust more in God's plan and timing? [01:22]

3. How can you prioritize seeking God's kingdom and living righteously in your daily routine? Identify one practical step you can take this week to make God the center of your existence. [15:08]

4. Think about a situation where you felt overwhelmed. How can you shift from self-preservation to trusting in God's provision in similar future circumstances? [39:08]

5. Evaluate your current pursuits: are they aligned with seeking God's kingdom first? What changes might you need to make to ensure your life reflects this priority? [15:08]

6. Reflect on the idea of persistent pursuit. What is one area in your life where you need to keep asking, seeking, and knocking? How can you commit to this pursuit? [39:08]

7. Consider the sermon’s challenge to fully surrender and follow Jesus. What is one thing you need to let go of to experience the fullness of life He has promised? [46:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Childlike Trust in God's Kingdom
In Mark 10, Jesus teaches the importance of receiving the kingdom of God like a child. This childlike faith is not about being naive or immature but about having a pure, unguarded trust in God. It challenges us to let go of our adult-like tendencies to control and understand everything and instead embrace the mystery and wonder of God's plan for our lives. By adopting this childlike faith, we open ourselves to experiencing God's kingdom in its fullness, trusting in His timing and wisdom. [01:22]

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Mark 10:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you trying to control or understand everything? How can you practice letting go and trusting God like a child today?


Day 2: Find Your True Hiding Place in God
Genesis 3 and Psalms 32 illustrate the human tendency to hide in shame or fear, as Adam and Eve did. In contrast, David finds his hiding place in God, a place of safety and guidance. This invites us to examine where we hide—whether in success, relationships, or material possessions—and to consider making God our true refuge. By doing so, we can experience the peace and security that only God can provide, knowing that He is our ultimate source of protection and guidance. [12:30]

"You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance." (Psalm 32:7, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you tend to hide when you feel vulnerable or afraid? How can you make God your true refuge today?


Day 3: Prioritize God's Kingdom Above All
Matthew 6:33 calls us to seek God's kingdom first and live righteously. This is not about adding God to our lives as a supplement but making Him the center of our existence. By prioritizing God's kingdom, we align our lives with His will, trusting that He will provide everything we need. This commitment requires a shift in focus from worldly pursuits to spiritual growth, allowing us to experience the fullness of life that God promises. [15:08]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize God's kingdom in your daily life?


Day 4: Persistently Pursue God's Kingdom
Our level of seeking determines our level of living in the kingdom. Jesus encourages us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, believing that God will open doors and provide in ways we cannot imagine. This persistent pursuit requires a shift from self-preservation to trusting in God's provision, even when circumstances seem daunting. By continually seeking God's kingdom, we open ourselves to His blessings and guidance, trusting that He will lead us on the right path. [39:08]

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to persistently seek God's guidance and provision? How can you commit to this pursuit today?


Day 5: Fully Surrender to Jesus
We are challenged to evaluate our hiding places, pursuit of righteousness, and commitment to seeking God. This involves fully surrendering and following Jesus, trusting that He will lead us to the fullness of life He has promised. By letting go of our own desires and plans, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and grace, allowing Him to guide us on the path to true fulfillment and joy. [46:33]

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes



When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, let the children come to me. Don't stop them. For the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth. Anyone who doesn't receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. Then, he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. [00:01:35]

Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Okay. So what I say, this is like week six of your kingdom come, and I see a lot of repeat offenders. You've been here, I don't know about every week, but you've been here, you've been here, and you've been here, you've been here, you've been here, you've been here. You look familiar. You look familiar. [00:02:06]

Some of us have gotten so good at adulting that our maturity has robbed us of the joy of just being a child who your father desperately wants to engage with. And I was thinking about how I go seek because how I go seek was not invented by my kids. It's something that started in the beginning of time. [00:03:10]

Some of us, well, we've gotten pretty good at our hiding places. You know, some of us, we use alcohol as our hiding place because we can function at a high level, but when we really get overwhelmed, we find that the bottle starts to drain a little bit faster. Some of us have found that our pills can be a great hiding place because it started off as medication for the physical pain, but then it turned into a coping mechanism for the emotional and the relational pain that we get to hide from by hiding in here. [00:08:52]

But an alternative hiding space. A good hiding place will be what David talks about in the book of psalms. You see in the book is Psalms David says, he says, for you are my hiding place. You, talking about God, his father, he says, you are my hiding place. He then goes on to say in the scripture that you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. [00:12:16]

I believe that the only reason you're watching and the only reason you're here is because you want God to guide you along the best pathway for your life. I believe that you want God to give you the best advice so you don't make dumb decisions. I believe you want God to protect your family. You want him to protect your assets. You want him to protect your interests. You want God's blessings and protection and wisdom. But you can only have those things if he is your hiding place. [00:15:08]

That's what happens when you're seeking first the kingdom of God, is that all of a sudden things that people would think are coincidences are divine interruptions. They're divine connections. There are these moments where because I'm seeking the kingdom first, I can't even be on a flight without talking about my faith. That's why prayer is important. That's why Bible study is important. That's why worship is important. That's why being in a faith-filled community is important because it starts to put more people around you that are seeking first the kingdom. [00:17:23]

And that sounds cute, except that Jesus doesn't say that being spiritual will equate to experiencing the kingdom of God. He says, seeking his kingdom above all else and living righteously, meaning I have to be willing to submit my life to his will and his word because I could just be spiritual and be involved in the demonic. I could just be spiritual and never find satisfaction or peace or joy. I could just be spiritual and still be lost wandering through life because I have not submitted to and committed to living righteously. [00:18:16]

If we don't live for godly righteousness and find everything, we will live for self-satisfaction and find nothing. It's dangerous and scary when you think you're living the best life that you can, and you haven't scratched the surface of what God can do for and through you. What are you living for? Don't you dare tell me what's on your Instagram bio, God first? No, because whatever you constantly go after is actually what you're truly living for. [00:31:55]

This is the formula. He says, keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds, and to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You parents, if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? If they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not. So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him? [00:38:44]

Your level of seeking unlocks your level of living in the kingdom of heaven. Your level of seeking, the level of, I haven't seen it yet, but he promised it. So if he said something that he would do and I haven't seen it happen, if it's not happening yet, I have two choices. This is either believe that he's a liar or believe that I haven't knocked long enough. I haven't asked enough. I haven't kept seeking. [00:41:33]

But it's not until you fully surrender and fully commit to following that you'll get a full picture and a more full understanding of who God's called you to be, where he's calling you to go, and what he's asking you to do. And I'm going to ask you to think about the three things that I want you to reflect on this week. I want you to do a self-evaluation of your hiding spots. Where do you tend to hide? Ask yourself, where do I go to hide? [00:46:33]

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Transcript
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