Living Intentionally: Prioritizing God's Kingdom in Our Lives
Summary
In today's gathering, we've delved into the heart of what it means to live a life aligned with God's purpose, a life that prioritizes the eternal over the fleeting distractions of the world. We've been reminded that our lives are not meant to be a series of aimless activities, like running on a treadmill that leads nowhere. Instead, we are called to live with intention, to set our sights on the kingdom of God, and to make choices that reflect our commitment to that kingdom.
We've explored the concept of prioritizing our future, understanding that God is a forward-thinking God who desires to make all things new. We've been encouraged to move beyond the past, to release the hurts and disappointments that hold us back, and to embrace the future that God has for us. We've been challenged to prioritize less over more, recognizing that the accumulation of things and the busyness of life can distract us from what truly matters.
We've been called to prioritize the kingdom of God above all else, to seek first His righteousness, and to trust that all other things will be added unto us. This means making God the center of our lives, allowing His priorities to become ours, and living in a way that reflects His love and grace to the world.
We've been reminded that we have time for what we choose to have time for, and that our lives are a reflection of our choices. We've been urged to choose wisely, to invest our time in what is eternal, and to build our lives on the solid foundation of God's Word.
We've been encouraged to take practical steps toward living out these priorities, such as getting involved in our church community, serving on teams, and participating in global missions. We've been invited to consider taking a step of faith by joining a mission trip, trusting that such experiences can profoundly impact our souls and expand our understanding of God's work in the world.
Now, let us reflect on the key takeaways from today's message:
1. Prioritizing the future means letting go of the past and embracing the new things God is doing in our lives. We must believe that our best days are ahead because God is leading us forward. This requires us to actively seek healing and growth, and to trust in God's promise of renewal. [01:03:11]
2. Embracing less over more is a countercultural choice that leads to a richer, more fulfilling life. By simplifying our lives and removing the clutter, we make room for God to work in us and through us. This principle applies not only to our possessions but also to our commitments and relationships. [01:07:08]
3. The kingdom of God must be our highest priority. This means that our daily decisions, actions, and attitudes should be filtered through the lens of God's kingdom values. When we align our lives with God's priorities, we experience the fullness of life He intends for us. [51:00]
4. Time is a gift from God, and how we choose to use it reflects our true priorities. We must resist the temptation to fill our lives with distractions and instead invest our time in building relationships, serving others, and growing in our faith. [01:16:10]
5. Better priorities lead to a better life. By intentionally choosing what matters most, we can live lives that are more aligned with God's purposes. This requires us to say no to good things in order to say yes to the best things—those that have eternal significance. [57:17]
In conclusion, let us walk away from today's message with a renewed commitment to live intentionally, to prioritize what is eternal, and to build our lives on the foundation of God's kingdom. Let us seek God first, trusting that as we do, He will guide us into a life of purpose, impact, and true fulfillment. Amen.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. Isaiah 65:17 - "See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."
3. Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus instruct us to seek first in Matthew 6:33?
2. According to Isaiah 65:17, what does God promise to create, and what will happen to the former things?
3. In Ezekiel 36:26, what transformation does God promise to perform in our hearts?
4. How did the pastor describe the feeling of running on a treadmill in life? ([36:24])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in our daily lives? ([51:33])
2. How can letting go of the past help us embrace the new things God is doing in our lives, as mentioned in Isaiah 65:17? ([01:03:11])
3. What practical steps can we take to prioritize less over more, and how does this align with Jesus' example in Mark 6:31? ([01:07:08])
4. How does the promise of a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26 encourage us to pursue spiritual renewal and growth? ([01:03:11])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there any areas where you need to seek God's kingdom first? How can you make this change starting this week? ([51:33])
2. Is there a past hurt or disappointment that you need to let go of to embrace the future God has for you? What steps can you take to seek healing and move forward? ([01:03:11])
3. Consider your daily schedule. What are some activities or commitments you can reduce or eliminate to make more room for what truly matters? ([01:07:08])
4. How can you actively invest your time in building relationships, serving others, and growing in your faith? Identify one specific action you can take this week. ([01:16:10])
5. Think about a recent decision you made. Did it reflect God's kingdom values? How can you ensure your future decisions align more closely with these values? ([51:33])
6. Are you involved in your church community or serving on a team? If not, what is one step you can take to get more involved and contribute to the church's mission? ([18:01])
7. Have you ever considered participating in a mission trip? What fears or obstacles are holding you back, and how can you overcome them to take this step of faith? ([19:03])
This guide aims to help your small group reflect deeply on the sermon and apply its teachings to their lives in practical and meaningful ways.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Future Over the Past
Letting go of the past is an essential step toward embracing the future that God has planned. It is easy to become entangled in the regrets and what-ifs of yesterday, but God calls for a forward focus, one that is filled with hope and expectation for the new things He is doing. This process involves seeking healing from past wounds and actively pursuing personal growth. It is about believing that the best days are not behind but ahead, guided by God's hand. Trusting in God's promise of renewal means taking tangible steps towards change, even when the path is uncertain. It is a journey of faith, where one must be willing to leave behind the familiar to embrace the divine possibilities that await.
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV
Reflection: What past hurt or disappointment might you be holding onto that is preventing you from fully embracing the future God has for you? How can you begin to release it today? [07:40]
Day 2: Choosing Simplicity for Spiritual Richness
In a world that often equates success with excess, choosing a simpler life can lead to greater spiritual richness. This means intentionally reducing life's clutter—be it material possessions, unnecessary commitments, or even certain relationships—to make space for God to move and work within us. Simplifying life is not about deprivation but about prioritizing what truly matters. It's about finding contentment in God rather than in the accumulation of things. This countercultural choice can lead to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life, where the focus is on being rather than having, and on serving rather than accumulating.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." - 1 Timothy 6:6-7 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you simplify your life to better focus on God and His work in you? Consider one area to declutter, whether it's your schedule, your possessions, or your commitments. [07:40]
Day 3: Living with Kingdom Priorities
Prioritizing the kingdom of God is about aligning our daily lives with God's eternal values. It means that our decisions, actions, and attitudes are all filtered through the lens of what matters most in God's kingdom. This alignment brings about a life that is rich in purpose and fulfillment, as we live out the principles of love, grace, and service that Jesus exemplified. It is a call to shift our focus from the temporal to the eternal, ensuring that our time and resources are invested in what will last forever.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 ESV
Reflection: How can you more intentionally filter your daily decisions through the lens of God's kingdom values? Identify one decision you're facing and consider how kingdom priorities might influence your choice. [07:40]
Day 4: Stewarding Time as a Reflection of Priorities
Time is a precious gift from God, and how we choose to use it is a reflection of our priorities. Resisting the urge to fill every moment with distractions allows us to invest in what is truly important—building relationships, serving others, and growing in faith. It's about making conscious choices to use our time in ways that reflect our commitment to God and His purposes. This may require saying no to certain activities to say yes to others that have eternal significance.
"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: What is one distraction you can remove from your daily routine to make more room for God and His work in your life? [07:40]
Day 5: Intentionality Leads to a Life of Eternal Significance
Living a life of eternal significance requires intentional choices. It's about discerning between the good and the best, often saying no to good opportunities to say yes to God's best for us. This intentionality in our choices allows us to build our lives on a foundation that will stand the test of time. It's a commitment to pursue what has lasting value and to invest in the things that will carry into eternity.
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
Reflection: What is one 'good' thing you can say no to this week in order to say yes to something of eternal significance? [07:40]
Quotes
1) "The key to better is more of what matters most to you. Now, I get it. We got responsibilities. But somehow we got to get what matters most more into our life." [01:15:34] (Download)
2) "You have to decide who you want to become and then become that person on purpose. Don't let the world just keep nailing you down." [01:19:38] (Download)
3) "Jesus says seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added to you. Amen? Amen." [01:20:25] (Download)
4) "We need to prioritize less over more. Because otherwise, listen, the treadmill is just going to keep running faster and faster." [01:07:08] (Download)
5) "You have to decide what's important. We might as well set the targets of our life and become the people we want to become, not the people the world tells us we need to be." [01:12:31] (Download)
6) "You have to choose your priorities. Amen? You have to choose to build your soul. You have time for what you want to have time for." [01:13:09] (Download)
7) "Life has a funny way of teaching you what's important, right? If you live long enough, God will start to use things to remind you of what your priorities really are and what they should be." [49:33] (Download)
8) "But Jesus comes along and says, may I remind you that you can build all the kingdom you want for you. But it's still a really small kingdom because my kingdom is bigger." [53:02] (Download)
9) "When Jesus, listen, when the kingdom of God, when Jesus starts to grow inside of you, you start to see life different. Amen. You start to look at life different." [54:50] (Download)
10) "God cannot build a future you if you are stuck in what you built for you in the past. Come on, amen? So we got to get past, listen, we got to get past our past." [58:55] (Download)
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