Flourish and Thrive Spiritually

Today we will begin a new series I am calling Flourish and Thrive. hopefully you understand I am talking about flourishing spiritually and thriving in our faith and life.

When you think of “flourishing,” many images might come to your mind. For some, it’s a success, achieving dreams, or finding a place in the world. Living the Life … having a lot of stuff… having the right job… friends with the right people…

But the Bible paints a very different picture of what it means to flourish.

Flourishing, according to Jesus, is rooted in our connection to God.

It’s not defined by how much we have, our accomplishments, or our comfort. Instead, it’s about the depth of our spiritual life and the strength of our relationship with God. Matthew 6:33 speaks directly to this. Jesus says, 

Matthew 6:33 NLT

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Jesus invites us to live with our hearts & minds focused on God’s kingdom. When we seek Him above all else, He promises that everything we need will fall into place.

(You could take some time to contrast the anxiety-filled life that Jesus describes throughout the rest of Matthew 6)

Before our passage today, Jesus contrasted the way too many people live and the way he wants us to live.

The things that so many spend all of our time pursuing, money, houses, cars, powerful positions, relationships, toys… all these things will go away.

New car - doesn’t smell and feel new after a few days or weeks…

New phone - becomes just another phone after you get it.

Listen, the more we have the more we have to take care of stuff and the more worries it can cause. Jesus doesn’t want us to be possessed by our possessions.

Jesus is teaching that we put him first, or at the center of every area of our lives.

Jesus said to look at the birds. they don’t plant and harvest, but God takes care of them. So don’t worry about how you will eat or wear.

Jesus also said to look at the flowers in the field. They don’t work, but they are more beautiful than anything we have.

Worry doesn’t do any of us any good. As a matter of fact, worry is bad for us. Worry may

Worry can damage your health.

Worry can disrupt your productivity at work or home.

Worry can negatively affect how you treat others.

Worry can reduce your ability to trust God.

So don’t worry Jesus said. He is not saying to go through life un-concerned about anything. But there is a difference between worry and concern.

Worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action.

Today, to kick off our series, we’ll explore what it means to flourish spiritually by seeking God’s kingdom, pursuing righteousness, and trusting Him to meet our needs.

Main Teaching

I. We are to seek God’s Kingdom above all else.

Matthew 6:33 NLT

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

We begin our conversation about flourishing and thriving with a call to “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else”  The word seek is a present imperative in the Greek. It’s a command to fulfill a continuing obligation. To seek His kingdom means both to submit to God’s sovereignty ehre and now and to work for the future coming of His Kingdom.

This is not a casual suggestion but a directive to make God’s kingdom our top priority. In a world where we’re often pulled in many directions—career, family, goals, and plans—Jesus invites us to align all those things under one purpose: God’s kingdom.

His kingdom is His rule and reign over every part of life, from the way we think to the way we treat others and the way we make decisions.

Imagine someone who, despite being busy and having a lot to worry about, decides to trust God enough to prioritize time with Him each day. Maybe they start their mornings with prayer or reflection…. First 15. Even though their schedule is packed, they’ve found a way to “seek first” by dedicating their day to God. As they go about their day, they seek to show His love to others. That’s what it looks like to seek the kingdom above all else—it’s a choice to live each day with God’s purpose in mind. That will make a difference in your day.

Seeking God’s Kingdom above everything else is a choice to live each day with God’s purpose in mind.

Pastor: Take some time to share here how you seek God first every day - or some practices that keep you focused on God throughout your day. 

Coffee -

Go to my desk and computer and read my daily readings… daily prayer.

Read devotionals - Word for you today, Several online ones - Rick Warren’s Daily Hope, David Jeremiah, Miracle Place Church, Living Free Devotional, Dr Henry Cloud, Greg Laurie,

Then I might work out

And we know this isn’t easy. It often requires letting go of things we hold tightly. Maybe it’s our ambition, our comfort, or our desire to be in control. But seeking God’s kingdom first reminds us that God’s plan for us is better than anything we could chase on our own. It’s a daily decision to open our hands and allow God to guide our steps… and

As we seek Him above everything else, we get the divine fuel we need to seek righteousness throughout our days.

II. We are to Live in Righteousness Every Day

The second part of Matthew 6:33 is to seek “His righteousness.” To seek His Righteousness means to seek to live as God wants us to live. It calls for loyalty and commitment. It means to go to God first for help. It means to fill our thoughts with his desires, to take His character and the pattern for our own, and to serve and obey him in everything.

Righteousness isn’t just about following rules or being morally upright. It’s that and more. It’s about living in a way that reflects God’s character, rooted in integrity, kindness, and justice.

Righteousness is what happens when our hearts & minds are aligned with God’s.

Think about a time when you chose to do the right thing, even though it wasn’t the easiest option.

Maybe it was speaking the truth in a difficult situation (not falsifying reports for an inspection) or showing compassion to someone who didn’t seem to deserve it. It may have been standing up for someone when people were gossiping about them.

These are moments of righteousness—where our choices reflect God’s values. 

Seeking righteousness means we evaluate our lives and our decisions in light of God’s character.

Am I living a pure life? Am I avoiding the appearance of evil in my life? Am I treating people with respect? Am I honest in my words and actions? Am I seeking justice and mercy in the way I live?

When we live in righteousness, we don’t just follow a list of rules; we walk in relationship with God, allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out.

Living righteously is simply choosing to put God first in every area of our lives: personal, professional, relationships,

Question: Who are some biblical examples of righteous living or righteous choices made in the face of adversity? How do these examples point to a greater “trust in God.”  

In the book of Esther, we see Mordecai, who chooses righteousness by refusing to bow to Haman. His act seemed simple but turned into a monumental moment for the Jewish people. As it turns out, standing upright can lead to unbelievable outcomes, just like when you maintain your principles at work. Even a small act of righteousness can inspire courage in others; you might just awaken the heroism hiding in your office co-workers!

Daniel refused to eat the King’s fatty foods but stayed on the diet the Lord had him on and flourished.

Daniel refused to stop praying when the King issued a rule that everyone must worship him only. The Lord delivered Daniel from the Lions Den.

Shadrach, Meshack, Abednego - firey furnace

Peter and John in acts saying they had to obey god and could not stop preaching

Janine once attended a church picnic where everyone was competing to tell the funniest jokes. She decided to share a silly story about her experience attempting yoga for the first time, filled with clumsiness and laughter. While it may not have seemed particularly righteous, the laughter that erupted was contagious! It reminded them that living righteously can also include moments of joy, humor, and connecting with others in a light-hearted way.

III. We Can Trust God to Meet Our Needs

Matthew 6:33 NLT

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

The promise in Matthew 6:33 is that “he will give you everything you need.” when we seek God above all else.

Jesus doesn’t promise a life without challenges, but He does promise that we will have everything we need.

When we make God’s kingdom our focus, we can release our worries over daily needs. We can let go of our anxieties and fears over all the things coming at us in all the ways they do. We can trust that God sees us, He knows us, and He will provide.

Consider for a moment someone who faced a financial need, unsure of how they would make ends meet. Instead of panicking or overworking, they turned to God, asking Him to provide. And God did, perhaps in an unexpected way— a gift from a friend - a new job opportunity - or simply the peace to trust Him through a difficult season.

This is what it means to trust God to meet our needs.

When we place Him first, we can let go of fear and let God take care of the rest.

Pastor: This could be another good place for a personal example about a time you placed God first, sought Him out, and then experienced His timely provision and care. 

Jack Andonie donation… after I tithed

Bob’s donation after his vacation… wrote a big check

refinish cabinets… after I tithed

My mother and father when his business burned down, they kept giving to the Lord…

Pam shared how she felt torn between taking a job to increase her income or volunteering full-time at her church. She chose to volunteer first, trusting God would provide. Within months, her previous employer called her back with an offer for a position that aligned perfectly with her skills and allowed her to give back too! It was a humorous twist of fate! God always honors those who put Him first, just like He did with Esther, who stepped out in faith for her people (Esther 4:14).

Trusting God to meet our needs is an act of faith.

It’s easy to rely on ourselves, but true spiritual flourishing happens when we release our grip and believe that God is in control.

This doesn’t mean life will always be easy, but it means we are held by a faithful God who knows what we need before we even ask.

Conclusion

As we begin this journey of discovering what it means to flourish and thrive, let’s remember that everything starts with a foundation built on seeking God first.

(Verse idea: You might reference the end of Matthew 7 here, where Jesus talks about building your life on solid ground instead of sand). 

Matthew 7:24–27 NLT

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Too many people build their lives on sand… Looks, (Pic of me as a kid) popularity, comfort, income, relationships, job,

Jesus said we are to base our lives in the rock. Jesus is the rock and we base our lives on him when, as best we can, we live in obedience to him.

Without this spiritual grounding, the other areas of flourishing—vocation, finances, health, relationships, character, and joy—cannot fully take root. Flourishing begins with seeking God’s kingdom and trusting Him to provide all that we need.

Here are three ways we can begin to apply this truth to our lives this week:

Three Ways to Flourish and Thrive Spiritually

1. Commit to spending intentional time with God every day. 

Whether through prayer, worship, or studying His Word, make it a priority to seek His presence. Begin each day by surrendering your plans to Him, asking for His wisdom and guidance.

First 15

Devotional Books we provide

2. Evaluate what you are seeking first in your life. 

Take inventory of the things you prioritize and consider whether they align with God’s kingdom and righteousness. Are there distractions or pursuits that are competing with your devotion to God? Where does your attention go when you first wake up? When you’re busy? When you’re stressed? Ask Him to realign your heart and focus.

3. Trust God to meet your needs as you walk in obedience. 

When we put God first, He promises to take care of the rest. Step out in faith this week, trusting Him with your worries and choices, and watch how He provides and directs your path.

Maybe you commit to begin Tithing (1st tenth of what you bring in) Tithing shows our willingness to obey God. It’s tangible. When I tithe, and God provides, I can see it.

Now remember that seeking God is not a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment to place Him at the center of our lives. Flourishing starts with a heart set on Him, and as we pursue His kingdom, we will experience the abundant life He promises. Together, as individuals and as a church, let’s seek Him first and watch as He builds a foundation in us that cannot be shaken.

Altar Time

Commit to Seeking God and righteous living above all else

Trust God to meet your needs

Commit to spending time with God this week -

Evaluate what you are putting first right now -

Trust God to meet your needs - start tithing… generosity.