Seek First The Kingdom Of God

Matthew 6:25–34 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Intro

It’s been a crazy week

Things are good, but I see this torrent beneath me

Therefore

Store up your treasure in heaven

You are not serving money, you are serving God

Anxious

If you are serving God then what is there to be anxious about

Anxious - Worry

Doubt or fear over what may occur in the future

Uncertain outcome so we are anxious about what may happen

One way to deal with anxiety - line of reasoning

Think about the worst outcome

Shouldn’t we think about the best outcome?

Is that the end of the world?

God is still God

He still loves me

He is able to work all things to the good of those who love Him

Things might be more difficult, but what in life isn’t?

What are the things Jesus mentioned as reasons people are anxious?

Life and body

Life - what you will eat and drink

Body - what you will wear

Physically, that is life - Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Jesus says there is so more to life than the physical

Example: These things provide needs but they cannot provide happiness

I’m going to be hungry again

My clothes will wear out

Furthermore, your heavenly Father knows your needs

He provides for the birds and the flowers

You are of much more value to Him then birds and flowers

Who can add an hour of life through anxiety?

In fact, we know that being anxious can decrease the hours of your life

“Well, now I’m anxious about being anxious!”

A sleepy church

The church is so comfortable in physical needs we’ve fallen asleep

Couple from Iran, “The church is in a satanic lullaby and I’m feeling sleepy.”

We need that reminder to continually seek the kingdom of God

What’s the fix?

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

The pesky Gentiles

Gentiles did not follow the true God

Like us saying the “world”

The world seeks after these physical things and how is that working out for them?

Enough is never enough

Scheming, lies, and deceit

We know we shouldn’t chase after the world

The world doesn’t have the answers

We are not to be like them

How do we go about seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

Recognize that God is still God and He is with you

Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us

This is about connecting with God our Father

Praise Him, thank Him

The world talks a lot about “centering yourself”

There’s just one problem with that, myself

I am the problem!

God is your source of strength

He is your comfort

He is your refuge

He is your help in time of need

Seek His righteousness

Don’t try to do what is easy but do what is right

You will not be judged by your circumstances but you will be judged by what you do in those circumstances

God’s ways are always good

That’s the process to the best outcome

Remember that God will take care of you

Jesus promised in this verse that your needs would be met

Trust Him

But what are those needs versus our wants…don’t ignore the truth

Don’t ignore the truth

Things may be difficult

Rebekah always tried to tell the kids shots wouldn’t hurt

“It’s going to feel like your stuffed animal giving you a kiss.”

I told them it was going to hurt but it wouldn’t be that bad and it would be over quickly

The situation may not correct itself, or may take time

But in recognizing God first, the seriousness of the issue is in better perspective

“God, how can I serve you through this?”

Is it keeping you from being a witness to those around you?

In fact, you may be able to be a better witness because of it.

Always give praise to God

Because He is worthy, not because of your situation

Allow the joy of God to flow through you

“All these things will be added to you”

That is, what it is you are truly seeking and need

You will find a peace that surpasses all understanding

You will find hope where it looks like despair

You will find comfort in the midst of the strife

The secret to contentment

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Not have the stuff I want to have

You can have the contentment that you need

How now shall we live?

Are you anxious today?

Do you believe that God is big enough to handle it?

Will you give it over to Him?

Will you praise Him and seek Him in the midst of it?