Embracing God's Kingdom in Everyday Moments

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, specifically focusing on Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This passage invites us to prioritize God's kingdom in our lives, recognizing that His presence and activity are constant and transformative. The kingdom of God is not a distant or esoteric concept but a present reality that we can engage with in our daily lives.

I shared a personal experience of battling a stubborn flu, which led me to a moment of introspection and a deeper understanding of what it means to walk with Jesus. Walking with Jesus is not synonymous with being in a good mood; rather, it is about being present with Him in every moment, regardless of our emotional state. This realization was further illuminated by a talk from Dallas Willard, who emphasized that salvation is not a future event but a present deliverance. It is about being saved from the distractions and illusions of the world that waste our time and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life in Christ.

The world often tries to convince us that our actions are insignificant unless they are grand or noble. However, the true essence of seeking God's kingdom lies in bringing love, joy, and peace into every moment and relationship. This is where we find salvation—by being caught up in the life that Jesus is living right now. It is about recognizing His presence and responding with love and care, even in the simplest acts, like warming pajamas for a loved one.

This journey of seeking God's kingdom is fragile, as we are susceptible to thoughts that distract us from the present moment. Yet, by continually returning to the awareness of God's presence, we can redeem our time and live a life filled with love and purpose. This is the gift that God offers us, a gift that we can embrace by being fully present and attentive to His kingdom in our daily lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Salvation as Present Deliverance: Salvation is not just about securing a place in heaven; it is about experiencing deliverance in our daily lives. It is about being saved from the distractions and illusions that waste our time and prevent us from living fully in the present moment. [02:29]

- The Kingdom of God is Here and Now: The kingdom of God is not a distant reality but a present one. It is about recognizing Jesus's presence in our lives and responding with love, joy, and peace in every moment and relationship. [05:32]

- Walking with Jesus Beyond Emotions: Walking with Jesus is not about being in a good mood; it is about being present with Him, regardless of our emotional state. It is about bringing love and care into every interaction and task. [01:21]

- Redeeming Our Time: The world is set up to waste our time, convincing us that our actions are insignificant. By seeking God's kingdom, we can redeem our time and live a life filled with love and purpose. [07:25]

- The Power of Simple Acts of Love: Simple acts of love and care, like warming pajamas for a loved one, can have profound significance. These acts are expressions of God's kingdom and a way to be caught up in the life that Jesus is living right now. [10:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
- [00:24] - Seek First the Kingdom of God
- [00:49] - Personal Reflection on Illness
- [01:21] - Walking with Jesus Beyond Emotions
- [01:55] - Salvation as Present Deliverance
- [02:29] - Deliverance in Daily Life
- [03:22] - The World Wastes Our Time
- [03:57] - Bringing Love into the Moment
- [04:12] - Romans 5:10 and Salvation Through Life
- [05:16] - Recognizing Jesus's Presence
- [06:02] - The Gift of Being Present
- [07:25] - Redeeming Our Time
- [09:06] - Practicing the Presence of God
- [10:01] - The Power of Simple Acts of Love
- [11:15] - Conclusion and Invitation to Engage

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
- Romans 5:10: "For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Matthew 6:33 suggest about the order of priorities in a believer's life?
2. How does the sermon describe the kingdom of God as a present reality rather than a distant concept? [00:24]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of simple acts of love in the context of seeking God's kingdom? [10:01]
4. How does Romans 5:10 redefine the concept of salvation in terms of Jesus's life rather than just His death? [04:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that salvation is a present deliverance rather than just a future promise? [02:29]
2. How does the idea of "redeeming our time" challenge the common perception of what is significant in our daily lives? [07:25]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between emotional states and walking with Jesus? [01:21]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of being "caught up in the life that Jesus is living right now"? [05:16]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific moments where you can consciously seek God's kingdom first? How might this change your interactions or decisions? [00:24]
2. Identify a recent situation where you felt distracted or overwhelmed. How could an awareness of God's presence have altered your response? [08:28]
3. Think of a simple act of love you can perform for someone this week. How does this align with the sermon’s message about the power of small gestures? [10:01]
4. Consider a time when you equated walking with Jesus to being in a good mood. How can you practice being present with Him regardless of your emotional state? [01:21]
5. What are some "distractions and illusions" in your life that prevent you from living fully in the present moment? How can you address these to experience deliverance? [02:29]
6. How can you practice redeeming your time this week? Identify one activity that you can approach with more intentionality and presence. [07:25]
7. Reflect on a relationship in your life. How can you bring more love, joy, and peace into your interactions with this person? [05:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation as Present Deliverance
Salvation is not just a future promise but a present reality that delivers us from the distractions and illusions of the world. It invites us to live fully in the present moment, experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. This understanding shifts our focus from merely securing a place in heaven to embracing the transformative power of salvation in our daily lives. By recognizing the distractions that waste our time, we can choose to live intentionally, seeking God's presence and purpose in every moment. This present deliverance is a gift that allows us to experience true freedom and joy in our walk with Jesus. [02:29]

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a distraction in your life that often pulls you away from being present with God. How can you intentionally redirect your focus to experience His deliverance today?


Day 2: The Kingdom of God is Here and Now
The kingdom of God is not a distant or abstract concept but a present reality that we can engage with in our daily lives. It calls us to recognize Jesus's presence and respond with love, joy, and peace in every moment and relationship. This understanding transforms our perspective, allowing us to see God's kingdom at work in the ordinary and mundane aspects of life. By seeking His kingdom first, we align our priorities with His, experiencing the transformative power of His presence in our lives. This present reality invites us to live with purpose and intentionality, bringing the values of God's kingdom into every interaction. [05:32]

"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you bring the values of God's kingdom into your interactions today? Consider a specific relationship or situation where you can intentionally respond with love, joy, or peace.


Day 3: Walking with Jesus Beyond Emotions
Walking with Jesus is not about being in a good mood or feeling positive all the time. It is about being present with Him, regardless of our emotional state, and bringing love and care into every interaction and task. This understanding challenges us to move beyond our emotions and focus on the presence of Jesus in our lives. By choosing to walk with Him in every moment, we can experience His peace and guidance, even in difficult or challenging situations. This journey invites us to cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus, one that is not dependent on our feelings but rooted in His constant presence and love. [01:21]

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your emotions were overwhelming. How can you choose to walk with Jesus in similar situations, focusing on His presence rather than your feelings?


Day 4: Redeeming Our Time
The world often convinces us that our actions are insignificant unless they are grand or noble. However, by seeking God's kingdom, we can redeem our time and live a life filled with love and purpose. This understanding challenges us to see the value in every moment and action, recognizing that even the simplest acts can have profound significance. By aligning our priorities with God's, we can live intentionally, making the most of the time we have been given. This journey invites us to be present and attentive to God's kingdom, allowing His love and purpose to guide our actions and decisions. [07:25]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you spend your time each day. What is one small change you can make to align your actions with God's kingdom and redeem your time for His purposes?


Day 5: The Power of Simple Acts of Love
Simple acts of love and care, like warming pajamas for a loved one, can have profound significance. These acts are expressions of God's kingdom and a way to be caught up in the life that Jesus is living right now. This understanding challenges us to see the value in the ordinary and mundane, recognizing that every act of love is an opportunity to reflect God's presence in our lives. By choosing to engage in simple acts of love, we can experience the transformative power of God's kingdom in our daily lives. This journey invites us to be intentional in our actions, allowing God's love to flow through us and impact those around us. [10:01]

"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a simple act of love you can do for someone today. How can this act reflect God's presence and love in your life and the life of the person you are serving?

Quotes


I was given a kind of a gift on a couple days ago and I want to pass it on to you this is just kind of personal we're learning together from the sermon of the mount and uh we'll get back to marching through the text what I want to talk about today really is under a category great statement that Jesus makes in the sermon that we'll come back to over and over Matthew 6:33 but seek first the kingdom of God in his righteousness and everything else will be granted to you and uh the kingdom course has got at work where God is present and active. [00:00:00]

I have been battling this kind of nasty flu for some time and everything will be fine see a doctor all that stuff so don't worry about it but it's just stubborn and I will not describe it cuz that wouldn't be edifying and um Nance had gone to speak in Texas recently with the flu um so she was on a pretty heroic journey and I was just feeling a little bit lonely and a little bit sorry for myself, and and said to God okay uh when I feel like this God what can I do how could I be with you is it's not going to be naturally a good mood you know um Walking With Jesus is not the same thing as being in a good mood we often get those two things confused. [00:45:28]

The question was not not uh how do you get your soul saved well sometimes in the church use that kind of language for how do you make sure you're going to go to heaven when you die but this is uh how do you save your life like your actual life from one moment to the next because salvation Dallas said is never there it's always here it's never then it's always now and the primary syon them at least certainly one one of them in the Bible for salvation is Deliverance. [00:115:28]

The world is set up to waste your time and it will do that by trying to convince you that what you do doesn't matter and if you just did something else if you had another uh larger better nobler calling or job or whatever that would be what and so what you miss is being a part of this moment and bringing to it love and joy and peace which is where his life life is right now seek first the kingdom and it's not looking for something that is uh esoteric or unavailable to us. [00:202:36]

Paul says for if while we were God's enemies we were reconciled to him through the death of his son how much more having been reconciled this is Romans 510 shall we be saved through his and then what word do you think is going to come next and I would always think of shall we be saved through his death he died so I get to go to that's not what Paul says shall we be saved through his life it is his life and not the life just that Jesus lived while he was the life that Jesus lives right now with you where you are that's what will save you and me entering into his life see salvation is being caught up in the life that Jesus is living right now on this Earth. [00:266:68]

It's to recognize Jesus is here now he's inviting me to look for his kingdom and to bring love and peace and joy fruit of the spirit into this task into this relationship into this moment and I can do that see you can do that I can bring Love Now what happened to me a couple days ago was I was just overwhelmed by the emotion of this still gripping to me just thinking about that and somehow it was like a veil got lifted and I could just see it. [00:335:56]

Instead of it just being one more phone call the FaceTime call it was uh overwhelmingly clear to me what a remarkable person this is and what an amazing gift that I should be loved by somebody like that and so and again there's no it's not rocket science I can just bring curiosity and caring and attention and full presence to this moment I have to generate any emotion it's just and then I am being saved by his life because I've caught up in it and 're bringing love. [00:375:72]

Dallas said uh you know where Paul says we are to redeem the time because the days are evil your time is already in the pawn chop of lost souls and the way that that works is I just think well uh This Moment doesn't matter very much and what happens for me what makes that search for the Kingdom so incredibly fragile is that I'm I'm just susceptible to so many stupid thoughts and they're not you know terribly evil it's just oh no I'm comparing myself to this person oh no I'm dissatisfied with that oh no I'm remembering what this person said and that makes me angry oh now I'm thinking about how do I look and I'm not satisfied with that oh now I'm thinking about how much money do I have and what if that's not going to be the right amount and and all of those thought after thought after thought uh uh destroys my Deliverance in this moment where right now I can be fully present with you and bring the best love and faith peace joy that I'm able to with God. [00:443:12]

The point is just simply I can with my will uh keep coming back to that's where that little book that practicing the presence of God is so helpful to me just okay in this moment what task do I have to do what person there is one is present for me and then God helped me to see the significance of this nass was coming home from that trip to Texas last night she wasn't feeling well and so I just had this thought she loves warm jammies and I had done the wash so I thought well I will put the pajamas in the dryer cuz I knew when she was getting home so then when she gets home there will be clean warm J and it was like I got more points for that than lots of stuff I've done that's taken lots more time just just that thought out how do I care for this person in this moment with uh a little touch of creativity or love we're saved by his life we're saved by his life. [00:557:04]

Your time is in the porn shop of lost souls the world is doing this to you from one moment to the next doesn't really matter whether you bring to this moment a heart of love and openness and curiosity and caring or whether you bring cynicism and in gratitude and simmering resentment and uh voracious ego doesn't really yet does yeah it does yeah it does and no one has ever known this like Jesus no one has ever offered people into the opportunity of another kind of existence Jesus will save our lives and he saves Us by his life so that's what you look for today make it a golden R day I love you so grateful. [00:620:76]

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Transcript
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