Prioritizing God's Kingdom for Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Seek First the Kingdom of God

Prioritizing the kingdom of God and His righteousness is the key to a fulfilled life. By placing God's kingdom at the forefront, every other aspect of life aligns with divine purpose and order. This pursuit promises that all other needs will be met, providing a clear focus for daily living and decision-making. [01:02:44]

Colossians 3:1-2 - "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Reflection: How can you practically prioritize God's kingdom in your daily routine and decision-making processes?

Day 2: The Value of In-Person Community

While online church participation has its place, it cannot replace the unique experience and spiritual nourishment that comes from physically gathering with fellow believers. In-person community provides a space for shared worship, mutual encouragement, and the collective movement of the Holy Spirit. [01:06:22]

Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: What steps can you take to more actively engage in your church's in-person community and experience the benefits of shared fellowship?

Day 3: Spirit-Led Flexibility in Ministry

A dynamic and Spirit-led approach to ministry allows for timely and relevant guidance that resonates with the congregation's immediate needs. Being open to the Holy Spirit's prompting ensures that the church remains responsive and adaptable, even if it means changing pre-planned topics. [01:03:50]

Acts 16:6-7 - "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when being flexible and open to the Holy Spirit's guidance led to unexpected but fruitful outcomes in your life?

Day 4: Personal Time with God as a Priority

Establishing a personal altar for daily prayer and scripture reading is essential for spiritual growth. This dedicated time with God is the believer's spiritual sustenance, akin to daily bread, and should be the top priority in one's life. [01:11:30]

Daniel 6:10 - "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
Reflection: How can you create or enhance your personal altar to ensure consistent and meaningful time with God each day?

Day 5: Balancing Life's Priorities

A balanced life where God, family, career, and church involvement are prioritized in that order prevents any one aspect from overshadowing the others. This balance ensures that personal time with God is not replaced by busyness in church activities or other life demands. [01:13:55]

Luke 10:41-42 - "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Reflection: What changes can you make to ensure that your priorities are balanced in a way that honors God and maintains the health of your relationships and responsibilities?

Sermon Summary

The focus of the recent gathering at Christ Chapel Church was on the foundational Christian principle of prioritizing the kingdom of God and His righteousness, as instructed in Matthew 6:33. This principle is the cornerstone of the church's vision for the year, which includes a series of topics designed to address the current needs and spiritual growth of the congregation. The planning process for these topics begins 18 months in advance and involves prayerful consideration and openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance, allowing for flexibility to adjust to immediate needs.

The planned topics for the year include living for God, biblical financial stewardship, handling hardship, compassion, the end times, boldness, God's purpose for individual lives, unity, and God's power. These topics are intended to equip the congregation to navigate the complexities of modern life while maintaining a focus on spiritual growth and community engagement.

The church emphasizes the importance of in-person community, acknowledging the benefits of online participation but also recognizing the unique value of physical presence among fellow believers. The church extends a warm invitation to those participating online to join in person when possible, to experience the fullness of community and the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Special speakers with expertise in prophetic ministry, compassion ministry, next-generation ministry, and apologetics will be invited to contribute to the church's growth. Additionally, the church plans to increase its emphasis on prayer, both personally and corporately, to prepare for revival in individual hearts and within the church community. The church also intends to engage with community leaders to understand local needs and to be a blessing to the surrounding community.

The church's focus for the year is on the kingdom of God, filtering all aspects of life through the lens of Jesus' teachings. This includes prioritizing one's relationship with God above all else, followed by family, career, and church involvement, in that order. The church encourages a balanced approach to life, where busyness in church activities does not replace personal time with God.

The church also explores the concept of priorities through the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22, illustrating the importance of having Jesus as the ultimate priority. The world offers many competing priorities, but the church emphasizes the need to pursue God above all else, as this aligns with the promise that all other things will be added as a result.

The church plans to foster this focus on God through monthly worship and prayer services, encouraging the congregation to dedicate additional time to personal and corporate prayer. The altar is presented as a place of surrender and strength, where individuals can let go of control and allow God to move their lives forward.

The church also addresses the challenge of maintaining priorities in a world filled with distractions, such as excessive screen time. It highlights the importance of making conscious choices about what takes precedence in one's life, using the analogy of a road splitting in two and the need to choose the correct path.

In summary, the church's message is clear: prioritize God, family, career, and church involvement in that order, and engage in a community of believers to grow spiritually and serve others. By doing so, individuals can navigate life's challenges with the assurance of God's promise and the support of a faith-based community.

Key Takeaways

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Sermon Clips

1) "There's only one spot for number one in your life, and it is Jesus Christ. Living for God means that we put him first." [01:11:30] (Download)

2) "Your daily bread is your time with God as well. It's your spiritual bread. So you have an altar where you spend time with him and you pray and read the word of God." [01:12:40] (Download)

3) "We're going to do more with bringing our church together corporately and having more corporate altar times together. We're going to press in to the presence of God more and seek the kingdom of God more and his righteousness." [58:13] (Download)

4) "The altar in the Old Testament was a place where people came and they surrendered. Today, we just come to the altar to surrender our lives to him." [01:00:01] (Download)

5) "It's when you let go and release control to God, then you gain. And so God takes over and he moves you forward." [01:01:26] (Download)

6) "We may have a sermon series that we have set up for a month. And because the Holy Spirit speaks, we just make a right turn and we do something completely different." [01:03:50] (Download)

7) "But if you make that number one above all else in your life, then you have your priorities out of sync. And this is what God's Word talks about to us." [55:54] (Download)

8) "The busyness does not equate with pleasing God and taking place of your number one priority of spending time with him. It doesn't do that. But sometimes people think that busyness in church equals my time with God, but it doesn't." [01:13:55] (Download)

9) "We're going to encourage all of you to do more in terms of your personal prayer altar time. We're going to do more with bringing our church together corporately and having more corporate altar times together." [58:13] (Download)

10) "We're listening to the Holy Spirit. So as he directs us, we're going to do that. But right now, what we have is a plan." [01:03:50] (Download)

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