Top Priority for This Year

                                         

Scripture Text Matthew 6:33

      Intro: In this one verse of scripture Jesus tells us what the key to a successful year and life is. Let us examine Jesus’ words in this verse and understand what He is talking about when He tells His disciples to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness?   When we do what Jesus commands in this verse He promises we will be successful and prosperous this coming year.

                                                          

I. Seek first God’s kingdom. (Matt. 6:33) Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 a. Seek first means it must have the priority over all else in our lives.

     Seek means to go in search or quest of. Seeking God’s kingdom starts with a new birth. Jesus said” you must be born again.” (John 3:3) Jesus tells us how to be “born again” in John 3:16 (NKJV)  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. After we enter the kingdom through the salvation that Jesus provided for us we are to seek to live our lives in the righteous standing that Jesus purchased for us when He died on the cross for our sins. Salvation is the beginning of a new abundant life in Jesus Christ. He empowers us by His Spirit within and we have the word of God to be our guide each day of our lives. We are to: “Keep seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness by reading, studying and meditating on His word” and speaking it over our lives so that it changes and shapes our lives into His perfect will for us.

    

II. What is God’s kingdom?

  a. It is where God as King rules, reigns over all that belongs to Him. It’s where He has supreme authority over those in His kingdom. We are His servants, He is our King and we obey Him.

  b. The kingdom of God is not external but internal. Romans 14:17 (NKJV) It is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It’s more important what we feed our souls than it is our bodies. The kingdom of God is about a change in our heart and soul.

 The kingdom of God is in righteous living . 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  In Christ we have become the righteousness of God. Because Jesus has made us the righteousness of God, we are to work out the righteousness that is characteristic of God’s kingdom. This is to be the priority of our lives here on this earth. We must seek to be holy in righteous living as a part of our daily lives.

  The kingdom of God is in Peaceful living. The kind of peace that Jesus gives.  John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

   In God’s kingdom there is perfect peace and we are to allow His peace to rule in our hearts. Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let God’s peace govern and control your mind and actions. Peace will settle any friction and strife so we believers can remain strong and unified as one body in Christ. Real peace is a fruit of the Spirit who is at work in us. In God’s kingdom there is Joyful living. Christian joy is not just happiness that knows no gloom, but is the result of the triumph of faith over our adverse and trying circumstances, which, instead of hindering, actually enhances our joy in the Lord. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! It comes from His working in our lives. God’s very presence within us by His Holy Spirit brings assurance, confidence, and security in the love and care of God. Real joy comes from knowing that God will take care of us no matter the problem or circumstance. God’s joy comes from knowing we can be absolutely assured of victory through Christ and that God will allow nothing to overcome or defeat us. This brings us joy unspeakable and full of glory.

III. Where is God’s kingdom at this time? Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)
²⁰ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹ nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."  

 a. Until Jesus returns and sets up God’s kingdom here on earth, His kingdom is now in the hearts and lives of His people that have been born again by His Spirit, having been purchased by the blood of Christ. We Christians are to allow God’s will to be done in all that we think, say, and do here on this earth. We do not question His authority over us nor do we argue with Him. We are to pray for His kingdom to come and his will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matt. 6:10)

   Conclusion: When our priority is God’s kingdom, His righteousness and His rule over our lives, God will take care of the material things we need, for where God guides, He provides. [Matt. 6:33b]      This is God’s “social security” program. The believer’s responsibility is to live for the Lord as He commands in His word, trusting God for the future with unshakable confidence that He will provide. We are called to live one day at a time: tomorrow can worry about its own things. [Matt.6:34] We simply trust God our Father to do exactly what He said He would do each day of our lives that remain on this earth. This year may you seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and you will be successful and prosperous in God’s eyes!

 Invitation: You can never be completely successful in this life or the one to come unless you have entered God’s kingdom. You enter by being be born again. When you put your faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross as payment for your sins, you are born again by the Spirit of God. Make sure of your salvation! Allow the Spirit of God to examine your heart. His Spirit will confirm with your spirit whether you are saved or not. If you are not sure about your salvation, now is the time to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you from the penalty of your sins. Then be baptized and live for Him.