Prioritizing God's Kingdom in Daily Life

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often grapple with profound questions about truth, purpose, and the divine. Today, we explore one of the most significant questions posed by Jesus: "What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God?" This question, rooted in the Sermon on the Mount, invites us to shift our focus from worldly anxieties to a divine pursuit. Jesus encourages us not to worry about material needs, as God is aware of them, but to prioritize seeking His kingdom and righteousness.

Seeking the kingdom of God is not confined to religious rituals or secluded moments of devotion. It is a continuous, active search for God's presence and work in every aspect of life. Just as we diligently search for lost car keys or misplaced items, we are called to seek God's kingdom with the same fervor. This kingdom is not a distant, abstract concept but a present reality where God is actively at work. It is visible in the beauty of creation, the goodness we encounter, and the love we share with others.

The kingdom of God is where God's will is done, where His influence is evident, and where His presence is felt. It is not limited by time or place; it is accessible to us wherever we are. By cultivating a habit of seeking God's kingdom, we align our lives with His purposes and experience His presence in our daily activities. This pursuit requires a surrendered will, as we let go of ego, pride, and selfish desires to embrace God's righteousness—a genuine goodness that transforms us from the inside out.

As we seek God's kingdom, we discover that the other concerns of life fall into place. Jesus assures us that when we prioritize His kingdom, our needs will be met, and we will find fulfillment beyond our expectations. This journey of seeking is a lifelong adventure, inviting us to continually look for God's work in the world and in our hearts.

Key Takeaways:

- Seeking the kingdom of God is an active, ongoing pursuit that involves looking for God's presence and work in every aspect of life. It is not confined to religious rituals but is a way of living that invites us to see God in creation, beauty, and goodness. [05:31]

- The kingdom of God is a present reality where God's will is done, and His influence is evident. It is accessible to us wherever we are, inviting us to align our lives with His purposes and experience His presence in our daily activities. [06:44]

- Cultivating a habit of seeking God's kingdom requires a surrendered will, letting go of ego, pride, and selfish desires to embrace God's righteousness—a genuine goodness that transforms us from the inside out. [09:53]

- When we prioritize seeking God's kingdom, our needs are met, and we find fulfillment beyond our expectations. Jesus assures us that by focusing on His kingdom, the other concerns of life will fall into place. [10:37]

- The journey of seeking God's kingdom is a lifelong adventure, inviting us to continually look for God's work in the world and in our hearts. It is a call to live with awareness and intentionality, finding God in every moment. [08:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Life's Important Questions
- [00:38] - The Ultimate Question
- [00:55] - Jesus' Invitation
- [01:35] - Seeking Guidance
- [02:14] - Misconceptions of Seeking
- [02:58] - The Act of Seeking
- [04:04] - Understanding the Kingdom
- [05:31] - God's Presence Everywhere
- [06:44] - The Good News of the Kingdom
- [07:29] - The Gospel of Jesus
- [08:25] - Cultivating a Habit
- [09:26] - Righteousness and Surrender
- [10:37] - Life's Concerns in Perspective
- [10:52] - Conclusion and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Seeking First the Kingdom of God

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. Matthew 7:7-8 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus suggest we should not worry about, according to the sermon? How does this relate to seeking the kingdom of God? [01:07]
2. How does the sermon describe the act of seeking? What everyday examples are used to illustrate this concept? [02:58]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the kingdom of God is a present reality? [05:31]
4. What does the sermon say about the relationship between seeking God's kingdom and our material needs? [10:37]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of seeking the kingdom of God differ from traditional religious practices, according to the sermon? [02:14]
2. What does it mean to have a "surrendered will" in the context of seeking God's kingdom, as discussed in the sermon? [09:53]
3. How does the sermon suggest that seeking God's kingdom can transform a person's life from the inside out? [09:41]
4. What does the sermon imply about the connection between God's kingdom and the beauty and goodness we encounter in the world? [06:18]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking God's kingdom into your everyday activities? [08:25]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you tend to worry about material needs. How can you shift your focus to seeking God's kingdom in that area? [01:07]
3. Think of a recent situation where you felt God's presence. How can you cultivate a habit of recognizing God's work in your life more consistently? [05:31]
4. What are some practical steps you can take to let go of ego, pride, or selfish desires in order to embrace God's righteousness? [09:53]
5. Consider a time when you felt fulfilled beyond your expectations. How did seeking God's kingdom play a role in that experience? [10:37]
6. How can you intentionally look for God's work in the lives of those around you, especially in challenging relationships? [06:30]
7. What is one specific way you can align your life with God's purposes this week? How will you know if you are successful in this pursuit? [06:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking God's Kingdom in Everyday Life
Seeking the kingdom of God is an active, ongoing pursuit that involves looking for God's presence and work in every aspect of life. It is not confined to religious rituals but is a way of living that invites us to see God in creation, beauty, and goodness. This pursuit is akin to searching for something precious that has been lost, requiring diligence and intentionality. The kingdom of God is not a distant or abstract concept; it is a present reality that can be experienced in the here and now. By seeking God's kingdom, we open our eyes to the divine in the mundane, recognizing His handiwork in the world around us. [05:31]

"For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." (Luke 17:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God's presence in your daily routine today? What small changes can you make to become more aware of His work around you?


Day 2: Experiencing God's Kingdom as a Present Reality
The kingdom of God is a present reality where God's will is done, and His influence is evident. It is accessible to us wherever we are, inviting us to align our lives with His purposes and experience His presence in our daily activities. This understanding challenges us to live with a sense of divine purpose, recognizing that God's kingdom is not limited by time or place. By aligning our lives with His will, we become participants in His kingdom, experiencing the joy and peace that come from living in harmony with His purposes. [06:44]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you align your daily actions with God's purposes? How can you make room for His influence in your life today?


Day 3: Surrendering to God's Transformative Righteousness
Cultivating a habit of seeking God's kingdom requires a surrendered will, letting go of ego, pride, and selfish desires to embrace God's righteousness—a genuine goodness that transforms us from the inside out. This transformation is not about external compliance but an internal change that reflects God's character. By surrendering our will to God, we allow His righteousness to shape our thoughts, actions, and attitudes, leading to a life that mirrors His goodness. This process of transformation is ongoing, inviting us to continually let go of our own desires in favor of His. [09:53]

"Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life are you holding onto that need to be surrendered to God? How can you begin to let go and allow His righteousness to transform you?


Day 4: Trusting God to Meet Our Needs
When we prioritize seeking God's kingdom, our needs are met, and we find fulfillment beyond our expectations. Jesus assures us that by focusing on His kingdom, the other concerns of life will fall into place. This promise invites us to trust in God's provision, knowing that He is aware of our needs and is faithful to provide. By shifting our focus from worldly anxieties to divine pursuits, we experience a sense of peace and contentment, trusting that God will take care of the details of our lives. [10:37]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What worries or concerns are you holding onto that you need to release to God? How can you practice trusting Him to meet your needs today?


Day 5: Embracing the Lifelong Adventure of Seeking God's Kingdom
The journey of seeking God's kingdom is a lifelong adventure, inviting us to continually look for God's work in the world and in our hearts. It is a call to live with awareness and intentionality, finding God in every moment. This adventure is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to seek His presence and align our lives with His purposes. As we embark on this journey, we discover the joy and fulfillment that come from living in close relationship with God, continually seeking His kingdom in all that we do. [08:25]

"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a habit of seeking God's kingdom in your daily life? What steps can you take to make this pursuit a central part of your spiritual journey?

Quotes

"God knows you need them and then as a contrast to that his suggestion his invitation the opportunity is seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you now what does that mean that can sound quite odd to us so I want to talk about it real simply." [00:01:11]

"How do you what are you doing when you see something well you look for it where do you look for it you look for it everywhere you look for it until you find it the invitation to seek for the kingdom of God is part of what Jesus often invites us to do in that same message he talks about seeking you'll find uh ask and it will be given knock and the door will be open to you." [00:03:59]

"Now the kingdom of God is where God is at work so looking for the kingdom of God means simply look for where has God at work what is it that God has done done what is it that God is doing where can I look for that everywhere everywhere where you are right now it is not restricted to a certain time it is not restricted to a certain place it doesn't depend on what you did first thing this morning or right now you can see you can look for God how are you present right here." [00:05:17]

"Start with creation I'm taking a look out the window right now and I see sky and I see Hills and I see sunshine and shade and trees and an ecosystem that is um unbelievably complex and harmonious and God is at work all through that any place where you see beauty any place where you see goodness any place where you find Joy maybe when you're out surfing when you're listening to a beautiful piece of music then you pause and connect the dots God you're here." [00:05:49]

"Particularly of course with other people we see God Jesus says you'll find me in the least of these you will find me in anybody that you love love your neighbor as yourself because the image of God is particularly present you can search for the kingdom of God all the time and in fact it can become a habit and that's the invitation to seek first the kingdom of God means to look for it." [00:06:26]

"The kingdom of God is very good news we live in the kingdom of God it is present all around us scripture is full if you look at it of stories of people who discover there it is is there was a man named Jacob and he's given a vision where the heavens open up now all that means is that spiritual reality becomes somehow manifest clear present to him but it's there all the time and his comment is surely the Lord was in this place and I did not know it." [00:06:51]

"The good news of Jesus is not just you can go to heaven when you die if you follow the right Arrangement his gospel is that this reality the kingdom of God life in God's presence and God's favor witnessing God's work and being helped by it partnering with him in it is all around me is all around you wherever you are whoever you are whatever you've done and you begin to look for it right now just like you look for your car keys when you misplace them." [00:07:22]

"All through the day you can do that when you go to bed at night it's really like a good idea to say now God I want to find you in rest I want to find rest in you and when I wake up in the morning I want you to help me to keep you present in my mind all through the day and keep looking for you and then when I'm emailing somebody when I have work to do I'm not quite sure how to do it when I'm looking another person in the eyes the invitation is to constantly be seeking the kingdom of God." [00:07:49]

"Because it is what is most real more than ARs and molecules and atoms what is most real is God and his kingdom so I look for it everywhere in every place in every moment I try to cultivate that habit we are all Seekers I remember um reading somebody writing not long ago about how uh the names of cars often tell us what we value about ourselves and in our day there's all kinds of cars that have names about seeking uh Explorer and Expedition and Quest and probe and soul and infinity." [00:08:30]

"Jesus says if you look for that if you do it diligently now I have to give myself to it and then look for his right ousness righteousness another word that often sounds quite religious all that it means is uh the quality that makes somebody really good genuinely good a good person from the inside and so I look for that in myself so if I'm going to seek for the kingdom then part of what that does require is a surrendered will." [00:09:24]

"Because of course if I want ego Pride greed um the propping up of my privilege then I'm not going to want to find the kingdom of God because those kind of things will uh oppose will thwart me from living in that Kingdom so I live with surrendered will and surrendered desires because what is best is to desire and find the kingdom of God and his righteousness becoming a really good person from the inside." [00:09:49]

"Then Jesus says now if you do that from one moment to the next when you forget just ask God's help to do it again then all the other things of Life uh the stuff that we tend to try to cling to or idolize um they'll come alongside none of those circumstances can get in the way of your discovering and living in the kingdom and they will have a way of taking care of themselves and Jesus will be with us in it." [00:10:19]

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Transcript
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