Family Service - Short Talk

Seek first the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is the realm in which God rules over His people.

“Jesus made clear that the Kingdom of God is organic and not organizational. It grows like a seed and it works like leaven: secretly, invisibly, surprisingly, and irresistibly.”— Os Guinness

The Kingdom of God, says Jesus in Luke 17:20–21 “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.””

To summarise some key points about the Kingdom of God in the teaching of Jesus. It is:

Not a physical entity: People cannot look for grand earthly signs, parades, or political takeovers to prove the Kingdom has arrived. (This is seen in the Triumphal entry and the subsequent trial before Pilate - “My Kingdom is not of this World...my Kingdom is from another place”(John 18:36))

It grows spiritually within human hearts: It spreads quietly in the hearts of people, much like a tiny seed growing unseen underground. - Matthew 13:31–32 “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.””

It is inaugurated in this world by Jesus: Jesus told the Pharisees that the kingdom was already right there in their midst because He was standing among them. - As Jesus’ ministry begins in Mark, he announces, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). 

We enter the Kingdom of Heaven by being “born again”(John 3:3) and it becomes the realm in which we live, even whilst we live here on earth. This is a double-perspective that we need to grasp - - “We are built to live in the kingdom of God. It is our natural habitat.” — Dallas Willard

WHERE/WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN OUR DAILY LIVES?

Dallas Willard, defined the Kingdom of God as "the range of God's effective will"—the concrete reality where what God wants done is actually happening.

We should not think of the Kingdom as a far-off, future destination, but as a present, active, and accessible realm available right now. 

SO when we pray the words of the Lord’s prayer - “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” we are praying that God’s effective will, will be done through me now here on earth - “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of getting individuals to heaven, but of transforming the life on earth into the harmony of heaven.” — Walter Rauschenbusch

But also, “Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come," we must be willing to pray, "My Kingdom go." — Alan Redpath

So, seeking first the Kingdom of God means finding out what God is doing in your immediate surroundings and getting directly involved with it.

Christians live in two worlds simultaneously—the physical, visible world and the invisible, eternal spiritual landscape. Seeking the Kingdom means training your mind to look past temporary earthly pursuits to see what God is doing through the Holy Spirit right in front of you. 

You do not seek the Kingdom by leaving your ordinary life to enter full-time ministry. You do it exactly where you are. Whether you are managing a building supply store, teaching third grade, or running a taco stand, that specific location is where you "train for reigning" with God. 

“The kingdom is where the King reigns. If He is reigning in my heart, then the Kingdom of Heaven has come to me.” — Eric Liddell

APPLICATION

NLT: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously…”

1. Seek, don’t Drift!

“The seeking of the kingdom of God is the chief business of the Christian life” — Jonathan Edwards

People have a tendency to drift through life reacting to immediate, worldly anxieties. Seeking requires intentionality. You must actively ask yourself daily, "What am I seeking?" and align your conscious efforts with God’s goals.

This is a call for us to reorder our priorities, focusing on God rather than worldly concerns like wealth, food, or status.  

Jesus’ Teaching: Redirects focus from anxiety over worldly needs to dependence on God, emphasizing that seeking His kingdom ensures all necessary things are provided (Matthew 6:25-34)

God must take the highest place in our hearts, above family, career, money, or ministry - Exodus 20:3 ““You shall have no other gods before me.”

Practical lessons to build confidence as we seek God first:

God will provide if we put Him first! - God takes responsibility for our needs, providing in His timing and according to His wisdom - Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” “Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust that He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are and where we're going."— Kevin DeYoung

God will abundantly bless us if we put Him first! - God’s blessings enrich our life, to lift the burdens of worry or regret - Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.”

Trusting God demonstrates faith that He is our ultimate source and sustainer - Psalm 37:4–5 “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:”

2. Seek God’s Righteousness:

The verse highlights not just seeking the kingdom but also His righteousness, indicating that living according to God's standards is essential.

Seeking God first is not optional; it is a divine strategy for victorious living, aligning our hearts with His will and opening the door to supernatural provision, peace, and purpose.

Righteousness is a lifestyle, encompassing peace and joy, not just rituals - Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”

Daily decisions should be guided by God’s kingdom principles, consulting Him first to avoid mistakes and delays (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

Practical lessons to build confidence as we seek God first:

Prioritising God’s will in our lives will foster peace, joy, and righteousness, shaping a life that reflects His kingdom values. 

“Live in the kingdom of God in such a way that it provokes questions for which the gospel is the answer.”— Lesslie Newbigin

3. Seek to Find!

Jesus did not intend for us to spend our whole lives blindly searching without results. The promise is that if you seek, you will find.

You are meant to interact with, experience, and rely on the power structure of God's invisible reign on a daily basis. 

“It only makes sense to ask God for guidance in the context of a life committed to "seeking first the kingdom." — John Ortberg

Practical Ways to Seek God

Seek Him in prayer - Communicate with God often, seeking His guidance and presence - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray continually;”

Seek Him through His Word, the Bible - Engage personally with Scripture to understand God’s will and apply it to daily life.

Seek Him as your Reflect and Meditate on His ways - Reflect on God’s Word and align actions with His principles - Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Seek Him together, in community - “Churches are not the kingdom of God, but are primary and inevitable expressions, outposts, and instrumentalities of presence of the kingdom among us. They are 'societies' of Jesus.” — Dallas Willard

“The life and fellowship of the church is to be a foretaste of life in the Kingdom of God.” — George Eldon Ladd.

“Church is a moment in time when the kingdom of God draws near, when a meal, a story, a song, an apology, and even a failure id made holy by the presence of Jesus among us and within us.” — Rachel Held Evans

Seeking first the kingdom of God involves making God the centre of every decision, whether in career, relationships, or daily choices.

It requires repenting from self-centred living, dedicating life to God’s purposes, and trusting His timing and provision. By doing so, believers experience freedom from worry, alignment with God’s will, and the fulfillment of His promises in His word.

In essence, a kingdom-first mindset transforms priorities, actions, and outcomes, ensuring that God’s righteousness governs life while His blessings follow naturally.

“Jesus didn't come to make us safe. He came to make us dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. “ — Christine Caine

“I have tried drugs and a little of everything else, and there is nothing in the world more soul-satisfying than having the kingdom of God building inside you and growing.” — Johnny Cash