Seeking the Kingdom: A Present Reality
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, I want to share a life message that has been on my heart for over 30 years: understanding your place in the Kingdom of God. Our key verse is Matthew 6:33, which says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This verse is the hinge of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, encapsulating the essence of His teachings.
First, let's talk about the importance of community and trust within our church. Our Pastor Search Committee has signed a covenant of confidentiality, trustworthiness, and faithfulness. This covenant is crucial as it fosters an environment where we can share openly and support each other. We've had three meetings so far, and we'll continue to meet regularly. Your prayers are essential for us to discern God's will in this process. Remember, our main job is not just to call a pastor but to seek God's will diligently.
Now, let's delve into the Kingdom of God. Many people have misconceptions about what the Kingdom of God is. Some think it's like a magical kingdom or a future millennial reign. However, Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God is here and now. It is both a present reality and a future hope. The Kingdom of God is where Jesus rules in our lives, and His teachings guide our actions and decisions.
In Matthew 6:33, the word "seek" means to chase after or pursue. This divine pursuit should be our primary focus. The word "first" signifies priority, indicating that seeking God's Kingdom should be above all else. The Kingdom of God is not just a future event but a present reality that we must actively seek and live out in our daily lives.
Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God more than any other topic. He used parables and illustrations to explain it, emphasizing that it is a way of life that affects every aspect of our being. When we seek God's Kingdom first, everything else falls into place. This divine priority should guide our decisions, actions, and even our worries.
The Kingdom of God also has a legal aspect, which is righteousness. Righteousness is not just a religious term but a legal one, signifying our right standing with God. When we align our lives with God's principles, we are considered righteous. This alignment affects our conduct, our speech, and even our relationships.
In conclusion, the Kingdom of God is a present reality that we must actively seek. It is a way of life that affects every aspect of our being. When we prioritize God's Kingdom, everything else falls into place. Let us commit to seeking God's Kingdom first in all that we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Community and Trust: Building a strong, trusting community within the church is essential. Our Pastor Search Committee has signed a covenant of confidentiality, trustworthiness, and faithfulness to foster an environment where we can share openly and support each other. This trust is crucial for discerning God's will. [18:44]
2. Understanding the Kingdom of God: The Kingdom of God is not a distant, future event but a present reality. Jesus preached that the Kingdom is here and now, where He rules in our lives. This understanding should shape our daily actions and decisions, guiding us to live according to His teachings. [42:35]
3. The Divine Pursuit: The word "seek" in Matthew 6:33 means to chase after or pursue. This divine pursuit should be our primary focus. Seeking God's Kingdom should be above all else, influencing every aspect of our lives. When we prioritize this pursuit, everything else falls into place. [43:42]
4. Righteousness as a Legal Term: Righteousness is not just a religious term but a legal one, signifying our right standing with God. When we align our lives with God's principles, we are considered righteous. This alignment affects our conduct, speech, and relationships, ensuring we live in accordance with God's will. [47:38]
5. Living Out the Kingdom of God: The Kingdom of God is a way of life that affects every aspect of our being. Jesus preached about it more than any other topic, using parables and illustrations to explain its significance. When we seek God's Kingdom first, everything else falls into place, guiding our decisions and alleviating our worries. [50:44]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [14:54] - Importance of Community and Trust
3. [17:06] - Pastor Search Committee Update
4. [18:44] - Covenant of Confidentiality
5. [24:19] - Remembering Wanda's Funeral
6. [26:29] - Introduction to Matthew 6:33
7. [42:35] - Understanding the Kingdom of God
8. [43:42] - The Divine Pursuit
9. [44:24] - Misconceptions About the Kingdom
10. [45:42] - Jesus' Teachings on the Kingdom
11. [47:07] - Seek First the Kingdom
12. [47:38] - Righteousness as a Legal Term
13. [50:44] - Living Out the Kingdom of God
14. [51:28] - Future Fulfillment of the Kingdom
15. [52:23] - Divine Priority
16. [53:13] - Lessons from the Titanic
17. [54:38] - Causes of the Titanic's Sinking
18. [55:11] - The Missing Key
19. [56:06] - David Blair's Overcoat
20. [57:28] - The Missing Key in Christian Life
21. [58:21] - Pursuit of the Kingdom
22. [59:13] - God's Way of Doing Things
23. [01:00:26] - Kingdom Ruling Your Life
24. [01:02:01] - Passport for the Spiritual Kingdom
25. [01:03:13] - Embassies and the Kingdom of God
26. [01:04:19] - Impact on Conduct and Speech
27. [01:05:33] - Kingdom Affects Every Aspect
28. [01:06:10] - Righteousness and Ancestry
29. [01:07:32] - Security in the Kingdom
30. [01:08:04] - Adam and Eve's Fall
31. [01:09:20] - Consequences of Sin
32. [01:10:07] - Death and the Kingdom
33. [01:11:36] - Levels of Spiritual Growth
34. [01:13:06] - Running Your Own Kingdom
35. [01:13:35] - Living in the Kingdom Now
36. [01:15:52] - Invitation to Live in the Kingdom
37. [01:16:59] - Offering and Prayer Requests
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
### Observation Questions
1. What does the word "seek" mean in the context of Matthew 6:33? ([43:42])
2. How did the Pastor Search Committee demonstrate the importance of community and trust? ([18:44])
3. According to the sermon, what are some common misconceptions about the Kingdom of God? ([44:24])
4. How does the concept of righteousness as a legal term differ from a purely religious understanding? ([47:38])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "seek first the kingdom of God" in practical terms? How might this look in daily life? ([43:42])
2. How does understanding the Kingdom of God as a present reality change one's perspective on daily decisions and actions? ([45:42])
3. In what ways does the covenant signed by the Pastor Search Committee reflect the principles of the Kingdom of God? ([18:44])
4. How does the idea of righteousness as a legal term impact one's understanding of their relationship with God? ([47:38])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are you seeking God's Kingdom first in your life? What changes might you need to make to align with Matthew 6:33? ([43:42])
2. How can you contribute to building a trusting and supportive community within your church, similar to the Pastor Search Committee's covenant? ([18:44])
3. Identify a common misconception you had about the Kingdom of God. How has this sermon changed your understanding, and how will this new understanding affect your actions? ([44:24])
4. Think about a recent decision you made. How did your understanding of righteousness influence that decision? If it didn't, how can you ensure it does in the future? ([47:38])
5. Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God more than any other topic. How can you incorporate His teachings on the Kingdom into your daily life? ([46:29])
6. What specific steps can you take this week to actively seek God's Kingdom in your relationships, work, and personal life? ([50:44])
7. How can you support the Pastor Search Committee through prayer and encouragement as they seek to discern God's will? ([17:56])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional: Understanding Your Place in the Kingdom of God
---
Day 1: Building a Trusting Community
Description:
Building a strong, trusting community within the church is essential for spiritual growth and discernment. The Pastor Search Committee has signed a covenant of confidentiality, trustworthiness, and faithfulness to foster an environment where members can share openly and support each other. This trust is crucial for discerning God's will and ensuring that the church operates in unity and love. As we pray for the committee, we should also strive to build trust within our own relationships, creating a community that reflects the Kingdom of God.
Bible Passage:
"Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a relationship within your church where trust needs to be strengthened. How can you take a step today to build that trust and foster a more supportive community? [18:44]
---
Day 2: Embracing the Present Reality of the Kingdom
Description:
The Kingdom of God is not a distant, future event but a present reality. Jesus preached that the Kingdom is here and now, where He rules in our lives. This understanding should shape our daily actions and decisions, guiding us to live according to His teachings. By recognizing the Kingdom's presence, we can align our lives with God's will and experience His guidance and provision in every aspect of our lives.
Bible Passage:
"Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'" (Luke 17:20-21, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you acknowledge and live out the reality of God's Kingdom in your daily life today? What specific actions or decisions can you make to reflect His rule in your life? [42:35]
---
Day 3: Prioritizing the Divine Pursuit
Description:
The word "seek" in Matthew 6:33 means to chase after or pursue. This divine pursuit should be our primary focus. Seeking God's Kingdom should be above all else, influencing every aspect of our lives. When we prioritize this pursuit, everything else falls into place. This means making God's will and His Kingdom the central focus of our lives, guiding our decisions, actions, and even our worries.
Bible Passage:
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you need to prioritize seeking God's Kingdom? How can you make this pursuit your primary focus today? [43:42]
---
Day 4: Understanding Righteousness as a Legal Term
Description:
Righteousness is not just a religious term but a legal one, signifying our right standing with God. When we align our lives with God's principles, we are considered righteous. This alignment affects our conduct, our speech, and even our relationships. By living righteously, we reflect God's character and uphold His standards in every aspect of our lives, ensuring that we live in accordance with His will.
Bible Passage:
"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 conduct, speech, and relationships with God's principles today? How can you ensure that your life reflects His righteousness? [47:38]
---
Day 5: Living Out the Kingdom of God
Description:
The Kingdom of God is a way of life that affects every aspect of our being. Jesus preached about it more than any other topic, using parables and illustrations to explain its significance. When we seek God's Kingdom first, everything else falls into place, guiding our decisions and alleviating our worries. By living out the Kingdom, we demonstrate our commitment to God's rule and experience the fullness of His blessings in our lives.
Bible Passage:
"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:
How can you actively live out the principles of God's Kingdom in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to ensure that His rule is evident in your actions and decisions? [50:44]
---
May these devotionals guide you in understanding and living out your place in the Kingdom of God.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Seek is the divine pursuit. It means to chase. It means to quest. It means to run after. It means to pursue. First is priority. The divine priority. Principal thing. Most important. Of highest value. Or as my friend and local famous contemporary Christian artist, Lenny LeBlanc says, above all. Above all. The kingdom of God. Kingdom. Think principality. Think dominion. Domain. Think jurisdiction. Think administration. Think divine government. Righteousness. Righteousness is the divine position. It's a legal term, not a righteous term. It's not a religious word." [47:07]
2. "The kingdom of God is that time where Jesus Christ rules through a life and his kingdom is present in that person. Jesus Christ was the kingdom of God in a pair of sandals. If you want to know what the kingdom looks like, look at Jesus. If you don't know what it sounds like, listen to Jesus. Over. And over. And over. You know he preached more on the kingdom." [46:29]
3. "The kingdom is God's way of doing things in your life. Seek the divine pursuit. And the Christian life begins with a new birth. We all know that. And when you're born again, Jesus only preached that message one time. It's an important message. Be born again. John chapter 3. He preached it one time. He preached the kingdom of God over and over and over and over, and over and over and over. He told parables about it. He gave illustrations about it. He preached about it. He lived it, the kingdom of God." [50:02]
4. "When you seek God first. Then these things that now become earthly worries. They're added on the back side. They come in the draft. They come in the. They draft. You know. Race cars. Drafting. They come behind. So what is your pursuit? Let's look at the second point. The second point as I make it. That's around the word seek. Now the word first. The divine priority. The divine priority. First means priority. It means most important. It means. Principal thing. Above all else." [52:23]
5. "If I was a visitor and I knew nothing about God, I just, everything about it was foreign to me. And I stumbled in this church. I wouldn't be impressed with the light that came through the stained glass windows. I wouldn't be impressed with the preaching. I wouldn't be impressed. But if I walked in in the middle of that time just now, I would say, you know, I don't know what's going on here, but these people sure do seem friendly. They sure do seem like they love one another. And that's what they need, an environment of love." [14:54]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The reason I know that is, I don't have 25 years left, okay? So it's not going to take 25 years. But it is a process. And we need your prayers. We need your support. I didn't bring it up. But I have in my satchel a covenant. All of the members on that pastor search committee have signed a covenant. A covenant of confidentiality. A covenant of trustworthiness. A covenant of faithfulness. A covenant of developing their own spiritual life. Seven areas that they've signed and said, we covenant together." [18:44]
2. "Understanding your place in the kingdom of God. In Matthew chapter 6 and in verse 33, we're going to read one verse, but don't close your Bible. Because we... We will use the context before and after. The greater context, of course, is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount." [42:35]
3. "Seek first the kingdom of God. Every word in that verse is important and essential. Seek. Seek means to chase after. Before I get there, let me... If you were asked a question, somebody that didn't know... They didn't normally go to church. They went to church, and now you see them on the job somewhere else, casually, and they said to you, Hey, I was in church the other day. I don't go very often, but I was in church the other day, and the preacher talked about the kingdom of God. What was he meaning? What was he talking about? What is the kingdom of God?" [43:42]
4. "Righteousness is the divine position. It's a legal term, not a righteous term. It's not a religious word. Now I'm going to amplify this one just a little because I know I won't have time when I get there. Righteousness is not a religious word. It is a legal term. It is a government term. Righteousness is a government term. For example, on April 15th, sorry to bring it up, it's already passed, so you made it or you didn't. You have to pay the government your taxes. According to this word, if you pay your taxes, then you're in right standing with the government. You are righteous." [47:38]
5. "The kingdom of God is a way of life that affects every aspect of our being. Jesus preached about it more than any other topic, using parables and illustrations to explain its significance. When we seek God's Kingdom first, everything else falls into place, guiding our decisions and alleviating our worries." [50:44]
6. "Church. Citizens. You. And. I. Impacting. His. Will. And. Purpose. With. His. Intent. He. Was. Replaced. So. Big. Deal. Another. Qualified. Person. Came. But. Here's. The. The. Problem. Was. In. David. Blair's. Overcoat. Was. A. Key. Don't. Worry. About. These. We. Don't. Have. Time. For. Was. A. Key. In. David. Blair's. Overcoat. The. Key. Went. To. A. Locker. And. The. Locker. Was. In. The. Crow's. Nest. You. Know. What. The. Crow's. Nest. Is. Where. All. The. People. Got. Up. And. They. Watched." [56:06]
7. "The kingdom of God is that time where Jesus Christ rules through a life and his kingdom is present in that person. Jesus Christ was the kingdom of God in a pair of sandals. If you want to know what the kingdom looks like, look at Jesus. If you don't know what it sounds like, listen to Jesus. Over. And over. And over. You know he preached more on the kingdom." [46:29]
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