Seeking First the Kingdom of God

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Introduction

Isn't it so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives? Think about it—we wake up each morning, and the race begins. We have jobs to manage, bills to pay, families to nurture, and by the time we hit the pillow, we're already dreading tomorrow's to-do list. In this constant whirlwind, it becomes so natural to start worrying. We worry about meeting our needs, securing our futures, fulfilling our dreams.

But I want to pause for a moment and ask, "What are we chasing?" Are we chasing after peace and contentment in things that are fleeting, or are we seeking something more durable, more satisfying?

I want to share Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 33. It reads, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This isn't just another verse; this is God's reassuring answer to our human tendency to worry. This verse holds a divine promise—a promise that if we prioritize God's Kingdom and His righteousness, He will take care of all our earthly needs.

You see, when Jesus spoke these words, He was addressing a crowd just like us—people who were worried about their daily needs, their clothing, their food, and their future. He told them not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Instead, He offered them a new way to live, a way that ensures peace and provision.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." This command invites us to turn our hearts toward God, to align our lives with His will and His ways, and to trust Him fully with our needs. It's a call to reorder our priorities, not as the world does, but as God desires.

By focusing on God's Kingdom first, we're not neglecting our responsibilities or ignoring our needs; rather, we're placing them in the hands of our capable and caring Father. We're choosing to believe that what He has in store for us is far greater than anything we could secure on our own.

As we delve deeper into today's message, let's open our hearts to understand what it truly means to seek God's Kingdom, to explore how this pursuit impacts our everyday lives, and to embrace the profound peace and provision that come from living according to God's promise. Let's discover together how prioritizing God's Kingdom can transform our lives from the inside out.

Understanding God's Kingdom

So, what do we mean by "God's Kingdom"? Often, we think about a physical kingdom or a place. However, the Kingdom of God isn't about a physical location—it's about His reign in our hearts and lives. It's about His rule over our decisions, our actions, and our priorities.

Now, knowing this, what does it mean to truly 'seek' this Kingdom?

The Meaning of 'Seek'

To 'seek' the Kingdom of God means to make His will and His ways the forefront of everything we do. It means our choices, our plans, our entire lifestyle should revolve around God's will. It's not just about going to church on Sundays; it's about living out God's truths every day.

This sounds great in theory, but what does it look like in real life?

God's Promise of Provision

Let's talk about God's incredible promise. He tells us, "and all these things will be added to you." You might be wondering, what does "all these things" really mean? Well, it's all the stuff we spend so much time worrying about—our daily needs like food and shelter, and our overall well-being.

God is making us a powerful promise here. He's saying that if we make it our priority to live righteously, to align our lives with His commands and His ways, then He will take care of our needs. It's like He's telling us, "Focus on being My hands and feet, focus on living according to My Word, and I'll make sure you have what you need."

This promise from God is not only comforting, but it's also a call to action—it's a call to step out in faith. It means we don't have to be paralyzed by worry about what we'll eat or wear. Instead, we can be free to live boldly, to give generously, and to serve others, trusting that God will provide for us as we go. This is how we live out our faith, not by sight but by trusting in His promises.

Living It Out

So, how do we live this out? Our daily choices—from how we manage our time to how we treat others—should reflect this priority. It's about choosing to forgive rather than hold a grudge. It's about spending time in prayer and reading the Bible, not just when it's convenient, but as essential parts of our day.

Let’s think about practical ways to live this out starting today.

Conclusion: Practical Steps Forward

As we wrap up today, I want to urge all of us not to let these words just pass through our ears and be forgotten by tomorrow. Let’s take this message and actually live it out. I’m challenging each of you, as well as myself, to really think about how we can actively seek God's Kingdom in our daily lives.

Here’s a practical step: this week, pick just one area where you can intentionally seek God’s Kingdom more. Maybe it’s choosing to start each day with the first 15 minutes dedicated to prayer and reading the Bible. Or perhaps there’s someone you know who needs help or just someone to listen—reach out to them. It could even be something like looking at your daily routines and finding ways to align them more closely with God’s principles, whether at work or at home.

Remember, the promise of Matthew 6:33 is powerful: "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Watch how God will work in your life when you truly prioritize His Kingdom and His righteousness. Let’s step out in faith together, trusting that He will provide for us as we commit to making His Kingdom our top priority. Let’s live out our faith boldly and see the transformation that comes from putting God first. Amen.