Living by Faith Not by Sight Message 5

Living by Faith Not by Sight

Message 5

Seek First

Matthew 6:33

1. Let’s set the Stage

a. Sermon on the mount

i. This sermon was a radical departure from the religious norms of the day.

ii. It remains a radical way of thinking and living.

iii. The principles outlined in the sermon are a reflection of God’s character.

iv. Today’s passage is an example.

Matthew 6:19-34

i. When it comes to money God has a lot to say about it.

ii. This passage is going to be radical.

iii. Let’s dive in.

iv. Verses 19-21 may seem unbelievable to many.

v. Verse 22 represents an eye toward godliness.

vi. Verse 23 teaches that greed, materialism, covetousness, and lust damage our ability to hear and understand the things of God.

vii. Verse 24 delivers a clear message: we cannot serve two masters.

viii. Look at the birds (amazing illustration btw)

ix. Verse 27 is profound: worry cannot add to our lives.

x. Consider the Lilies of the field

xi. Verse 30 asks, “Why so little faith?” (Living by sight, not faith.)

Why worry about these things?

i. Verses 31 and 32 summarize the illustrations.

ii. See how radical these teachings are!!!

1. Society says, “Of course, you’re supposed to worry.”

2. Jesus says, “No, you are not.”

iii. Worry can dominate our thoughts.

iv. If worry dominates your thoughts, guess what gets pushed to the side?

v. God knows your needs.

vi. Stop living by sight.

d. Personal illustration

i. I have not had a paycheck in 2 months.

ii. Yet, every bill has been paid.

iii. Before I retired, I said I was trusting the Lord because money isn’t everything.

iv. My boss spoke up and “oh yes it is”.

1. His eyes are filled with darkness.

v. If you allow God to help you! You will be amazed at the things He will do.

vi. I desire nothing more than to live by faith.

vii. I want to live my life in a way that relies completely on God, knowing I would fail without His intervention.

viii. So, how do we live by faith?

Step One: Seek the Kingdom of God

a. What is the Kingdom of God?

ii. Is it a distant event or home? A place we will end up in the future? The afterlife?

1. Yes, it is.

Matthew 6:10 (ESV) — 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10 NLT

10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

3. The Kingdom of God is our

FUTURE HOPE!

iii. But it’s also, a

PRESENT REALITY

iv. The kingdom of God begins within us when we submit to His rule and reign.

v. It’s not about physical territory but about spiritual alignment with God’s will.

vi. Submitting to the sovereignty God. Where He rules in our hearts and minds.

1. Are your thoughts dominated by the things of God or consumed by the worries of the world? (See verse 32.)

b. What Does It Mean to “Seek First”?

i. Seeking first the kingdom of God means prioritizing God above all else.

ii. It’s an intentional choice to align our desires, goals, and actions with His purposes.

iii. We “seek first”:

In Our Priorities.

1. Matthew 6:21 (NLT) — 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:21 NLT

21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

iv. We “seek first”

In Our Daily Lives.

1. Pursue prayer

2. Spending daily time in His Word.

v. We “seek first”:

In Our Relationships

1. Be a minster of God’s grace.

2. Let your light shine before the world.

Step Two: Trusting the Promise of Provision

a. Jesus promises that “all these things” will be given

i. I looked up the word “all” in the Greek language guess what it means.

1. “the totality of any object”

b. God’s Care for His Creation

i. The birds of the air and lilies of the field

ii. How much more will God care for you!!!

c. Did you know giving is an act of worship.

i. Because we have been given so much. We love giving Back!

ii. You can’t out give God.

iii. Seeking the kingdom doesn’t mean neglecting practical responsibilities, but it means trusting God as we pursue His will.

Step three: Living in Righteousness

a. “and his righteousness”

i. The call to seek His righteousness is a call to holy living.

ii. A call for a Personal Transformation Romans 12:1-2

1. This involves repentance, obedience, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our character.

5. Practice these Four Things

Evaluate Your Priorities.

i. What consumes your thoughts, time, and energy?

ii. Are they aligned with God’s kingdom?

Commit to Daily Seeking.

i. Spend time each day in prayer and Scripture, asking God to reveal His will and strengthen your faith.

Trust in God’s Provision.

i. Lay your worries before God, knowing He cares for you and will meet your needs.

Live Righteously.

i. Seek to embody Christ in your actions, words, and attitudes.

Matthew 6:33 is both a challenge and a promise.

Challenge

The challenge is to reorder our lives. (Seek first)

Promise

The promise is that when we do, God will take care of everything we need.

Live by faith, not by sight. Trust in God’s provision and walk in His righteousness.