Prioritizing God's Kingdom: The Balance of Grace and Faith

 

Summary

Summary:

Today, we explored the profound truth found in Matthew 6:33, which calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This verse is a cornerstone for living a life aligned with God's will, especially for young people facing pivotal life decisions. By prioritizing God's kingdom, we align ourselves with His divine order, which often defies worldly logic but yields abundant fruit. This requires faith, as God's kingdom operates on principles that may seem upside down to the world, such as giving to receive.

We delved into the Greek meanings of "righteousness" and "kingdom," understanding righteousness as a state approved by God, attainable only through Jesus Christ, and the kingdom as the king's domain, where new laws and dominion are established. This kingdom is not about self-righteousness but about embracing the righteousness given through Christ.

The sermon also highlighted the balance between grace and faith. Faith is foundational, but it must be anchored in the grace of God, which is all that He is free to do for us because of the cross. This grace is sufficient for every area of life, whether it's overcoming personal struggles, restoring relationships, or engaging in outreach. We are reminded that God's grace is not a license for complacency but a call to live in the fullness of His provision and power.

In our journey, we must avoid the extremes of hyper-grace or works-based faith. Instead, we should operate within the balance of grace and faith, much like a vehicle staying on the road between two ditches. This balance allows us to experience the fullness of God's kingdom and His abundant life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Seek First the Kingdom: Prioritizing God's kingdom and His righteousness aligns us with His divine order, which often contradicts worldly logic but leads to abundant life. This requires faith, especially for young people making significant life decisions. [51:05]

2. Understanding Righteousness and Kingdom: Righteousness is a state approved by God, attainable through Christ, not self-effort. The kingdom is about embracing God's dominion and laws, living under His rule and authority. [58:55]

3. Grace and Faith Balance: Faith must be anchored in God's grace, which is all He is free to do for us because of the cross. This balance prevents us from falling into the extremes of hyper-grace or works-based faith. [01:11:43]

4. Grace in Personal Struggles: God's grace is sufficient for overcoming personal struggles and restoring relationships. It calls us to trust in His finished work on the cross and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for guidance. [01:25:04]

5. Grace in Outreach: As a church, we need a greater revelation of grace in outreach, extending it to unbelievers. This grace is a powerful tool for drawing people into God's kingdom and demonstrating His love. [01:37:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Greetings
- [02:30] - Kingdom Focus
- [05:15] - Matthew 6:33 Exploration
- [08:00] - Importance for Young People
- [12:00] - Faith and the Upside Down Kingdom
- [15:30] - Greek Study: Righteousness
- [20:00] - Greek Study: Kingdom
- [25:00] - Balance of Grace and Faith
- [30:00] - Testimonies of Faith and Grace
- [35:00] - Grace in Personal Struggles
- [40:00] - Grace in Outreach
- [45:00] - Closing Thoughts on Grace
- [50:00] - Prayer and Dismissal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:33

Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 6:33 instruct us to seek first, and what is promised as a result? [51:05]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "righteousness" in the context of Matthew 6:33? [55:06]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the "upside-down" nature of God's kingdom? [51:05]
4. How does the sermon explain the balance between grace and faith? [01:11:43]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might seeking God's kingdom first be particularly challenging for young people, according to the sermon? [51:05]
2. How does the sermon differentiate between self-righteousness and the righteousness that comes through Christ? [55:06]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's kingdom operates differently from worldly logic? [51:05]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between grace and faith, and why is this balance important? [01:11:43]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you prioritize seeking God's kingdom in that decision? How might the outcome have been different if you had? [51:05]
2. Consider an area of your life where you struggle with self-righteousness. How can you shift your focus to the righteousness that comes through Christ? [55:06]
3. Identify a situation where you felt led to act in a way that defied worldly logic. How did faith play a role in your decision-making process? [51:05]
4. Think about a personal struggle you are currently facing. How can you rely on God's grace to overcome it, rather than your own efforts? [01:25:04]
5. In what ways can you extend grace to others in your community, especially those who may not yet believe? How can this act of grace draw them closer to God's kingdom? [01:37:13]
6. Reflect on your current understanding of grace and faith. How can you ensure that your faith is anchored in God's grace, avoiding the extremes of hyper-grace or works-based faith? [01:11:43]
7. Consider a relationship in your life that needs restoration. How can you apply the principles of grace and faith to bring healing and reconciliation? [01:31:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing the Kingdom of God
In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness is a call to align our lives with divine order. This alignment often contradicts worldly logic, yet it leads to a life of abundance and fulfillment. For young people, especially those facing significant life decisions, this principle serves as a guiding light. It requires faith to trust in God's ways, which may seem upside down to the world, such as the principle of giving to receive. By prioritizing God's kingdom, we open ourselves to His blessings and guidance, allowing His will to shape our paths. [51:05]

"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision you are currently facing where you can choose to prioritize God's kingdom over worldly logic? How can you take a step of faith in this area today?


Day 2: Embracing God's Righteousness
Understanding righteousness as a state approved by God, attainable only through Jesus Christ, shifts our focus from self-effort to divine grace. The kingdom of God is about embracing His dominion and living under His rule and authority. This is not about self-righteousness but about receiving the righteousness given through Christ. By living in this truth, we align ourselves with God's laws and experience the freedom that comes from His approval. This understanding calls us to let go of striving and to rest in the righteousness that is ours through faith in Jesus. [58:55]

"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 have you been relying on your own efforts to achieve righteousness? How can you embrace the righteousness given through Christ in your daily life?


Day 3: Balancing Grace and Faith
The balance between grace and faith is crucial for a healthy spiritual life. Faith is foundational, but it must be anchored in the grace of God, which is all that He is free to do for us because of the cross. This balance prevents us from falling into the extremes of hyper-grace, which can lead to complacency, or works-based faith, which can lead to burnout. By staying on the road between these two ditches, we can experience the fullness of God's kingdom and His abundant life. This balance allows us to live in the fullness of His provision and power, trusting in His finished work on the cross. [01:11:43]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you lean more towards hyper-grace or works-based faith? How can you find a healthier balance between grace and faith today?


Day 4: Grace in Personal Struggles
God's grace is sufficient for overcoming personal struggles and restoring relationships. It calls us to trust in His finished work on the cross and to cooperate with the Holy Spirit for guidance. In moments of weakness or difficulty, His grace empowers us to persevere and to find strength beyond our own capabilities. By relying on His grace, we can navigate personal challenges with hope and resilience, knowing that His power is made perfect in our weakness. This grace invites us to surrender our struggles to Him and to trust in His ability to bring healing and restoration. [01:25:04]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What personal struggle are you currently facing where you need to rely on God's grace? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in this area today?


Day 5: Grace in Outreach
As a church, we are called to extend grace to unbelievers, drawing them into God's kingdom and demonstrating His love. This grace is a powerful tool for outreach, as it reflects the heart of God and His desire for all to come to repentance. By embracing a greater revelation of grace in our interactions with others, we can become conduits of His love and mercy. This involves being intentional in our relationships, showing compassion, and sharing the message of the gospel with authenticity and humility. Through grace-filled outreach, we can impact lives and communities for the kingdom of God. [01:37:13]

"Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can extend grace to this week? How can you intentionally demonstrate God's love to them in a practical way?

Quotes

"You know, there's a lot of verses in the Bible that I consider really dear to my heart, that I really like. But I would say this verse that says, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, is the one that I would say I have seen, that I've sown in my heart, probably the deepest, one of the deepest place in my heart, and that I have seen. I can testify that it works, and it brings fruit. And I say that to you guys, young people especially, not because it doesn't work for older people. It does, but when you're young, when you're a teenager or you're a young adult, and there's so many questions where it's like, what job am I going to take? What career I'm going to get into? What profession? What college degree I should take on? And so on, and so on. But when you seek first the kingdom of God, when you put him first, when you make a decision in your heart at a very young age, I guarantee you, it will bring fruit. If you sow this verse into the deepness of your heart, and you seek his kingdom first, not your own understanding, this will bring fruit." [00:51:16] (81 seconds)



"And note that Jesus didn't say, seek first your self -righteousness, but seek first his righteousness, a state approved by God, which is only through him. So if you seek him and his righteousness, and through Jesus Christ, what he's saying, that you are approved, that you are good enough, and you're called, and you're qualified. Qualified. So seek that first in your life, and everything else will fall into place. Then the second word that he said, or the other word, is seek the kingdom." [00:58:55] (32 seconds)



"So when we talk about kingdom, seeking first God's kingdom, you know the word kingdom comes in the English, it's a word, the king's domain. It's the king's domain. And what does that mean? When there's a new kingdom introduced, it means there's... It means there's new laws. It means there's a new dominion. Therefore, there's new laws and rules how things operate. Right? So, seek first his kingdom. That means we got to seek his domain. How many of you know that Jesus came and said, while he prayed, my kingdom come? And when he prayed that, he didn't just pray that, you know, one day all of you guys go to heaven. We know. When Jesus died on the cross, you know, his kingdom came. We're living under his king... In this area, in this new covenant, we're living in his kingdom. So therefore, we ought to seek his dominion and his... And he's the laws of this kingdom." [00:59:56] (68 seconds)



"So when we're talking about God's kingdom, Jesus' kingdom that he brought to you, I would say his new, I would say, Doctrine 101 is his grace that he made available to you and I. His grace through faith. This verse that says, By grace you're saved through faith. When we think of faith, how many of you are kind of like from the Word of Faith background, which I am, and I love a lot of Word of Faith teachings, but I catch myself, when we think of faith, do you think, let me ask you this question, do you think faith is like the milk of the Word of God or the meat of the Word of God, or the milk of the... the teachings, or if I taught you a big faith sermon here, would that be like, oh, that was meat? Well, according to the Bible, faith is the milk. Faith is just, without faith, it's impossible to please God." [01:10:01] (70 seconds)



"But my whole point, and this is what I want to talk about to you today, is your faith is nothing without the grace of God. What is your faith in? It can only be in the grace of God. So what is the definition of grace? This is the best definition. One of my favorite. One of my favorite teachers, Bobby Endian, says, I heard this from him, he says, grace is all that God is free to do for us because of the work of the cross. Grace is all that God is free to do for us because of the work of the cross. You know, that's very, so let me give you, you know, some simple examples." [01:11:43] (51 seconds)



"But I just use that analogy that what, how I, how I see that verse that, you know, most of my Christian life is, is, is, is operates between these two boundary lines of grace and faith. By grace, you're saved through faith. It's, and it's none of your doing, but it's by grace through faith is what the word says. Amen. So going into one ditch on one side, it's not better than going into the other ditch. How many of you know that any truth taken to the extreme becomes heresy? So I can take the grace message and go way down into the ditch where it's a grace upon grace on everyone, hyper grace. I say, if nobody's going to hell, happy, happy, happy. And that's, that's, that's extreme. And that's, that's not true." [01:16:33] (51 seconds)



"But with the faith message, I can go into another message where, and I catch myself doing this in my own life, where I wake up, let's say with a sore throat and I'm like, well, I just get to confess. Now I just get to read more and more scripture over my life. I get to pray more. I, I, I, I, and you know how many I statements are in there and all the intentions may be right, but I'm already in a ditch of what is, what am I putting my faith in? Like it's works. Now all of a sudden I'm, I'm, I'm in this ditch where it's just works. But if you're able to keep the vehicle in the middle of the road in balance, that it's, I'm putting my faith into his grace, what he has done on the cross. That's how you keep it on the road. That's how, that's how as Christians, we are supposed to function in every area of life." [01:17:28] (52 seconds)



"You know, grace us as Christians, even as we operate in the kingdom and we want to grow the kingdom of God, I think we need a greater revelation on the grace of God for outreach as well. And how we act as a church towards the unbelievers. You know, as I look at church history, I see that in the church, many times we zone in on certain, we emphasize certain topics. We emphasize certain topics. We emphasize certain topics. We emphasize certain topics, right? Like the Pentecostal movement, the gifts of the spirit, then, you know, whatever the shepherding movement, mentoring, and then the faith movement, faith. And there were some awesome revelations that came out of the church embracing. But what I truly believe in this last era that we believe the church is going to have a revelation on grace, like we have never seen before." [01:33:47] (50 seconds)



"And I see this, you know, a real quick example. I see this in the life of the apostle Peter. And just consider this for one second. If I take a step back and I read the life of the apostle Peter, what do you see? I see a man who comes to Christ and says, depart from me, because he realizes, wow, this is the real deal. This is God. He's holy, and I'm not. And then Jesus says, depart from me, because he realizes, wow, this is Jesus says, no, extends grace to him. He says, come with me. I'm going to make you fisher of men, right? So then Peter is like, yeah, like a newborn Christian. I am zealous for the Lord. Let's go. Let's go grow the kingdom of God. And then what happens from that? Jesus, I do anything for you. I, again, the emphasis goes on the I do. I will do anything for you. I will die for you. I will go on the cross with you, right? Well, that only lasted so long, right? When you're in that ditch, it's like you're going to run out of ammo pretty quickly. And then we see a cowardish person running away, right?" [01:34:40] (57 seconds)



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Transcript
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