Priority of the Kingdom

  24 June 2007

 

1.      Introduction:

·   Matthew 6:33  -   “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you”

·   “Kingdom” – what comes to mind, what picture? What concept?

·   We tend to interpret Bible terms through our culture/experience.

·   The Western world has lost the concept of a “Kingdom” – think Democracy.

·   E.g.:  Thailand = Kingdom     E.g.:  Tonga = kingdom    E.g.: Britain = Kingdom

·   E.g.:  When we were young we used to sing “God save our Queen….born to rule over us”.

·   We need to understand the Kingdom of God or think from culture – Democracy, Tribal.

 

2.      The Focus of the Bible is on the Kingdom of God:

·   God’s original purpose for man – a kingdom – dominion.

·   Genesis 1:26  -  “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, let them have dominion”.

·   Man was created by God for a Kingdom – for dominion, sovereign rule.

·   God’s design for man, key to his fulfillment, to extend the Kingdom of God in the earth.

·   When man sinned – he rejected God’s government and lost direction and purpose.

·   There’s a search in the heart of man for

1)      Purpose – meaning for his existence.

2)      Power – the ability to control life and circumstances.

·   Man is seeking for the Kingdom that he lost.

·   The Bible is about God’s Kingdom and governing earth.

e.g.: Jesus’ Ministry     - The Beginning         - Matthew 4:17

                                       - His Preaching         - Matthew 4:23

                                       - His Teaching           - Matthew 5:3

                                       - His Priority                - Matthew 6:33

                                       - His Prayer                - Matthew 6:10

                                       - His parables                        - Matthew 13:24

                                                                           - Matthew 13:31

                                                                           - Matthew 25:14

                                       - After Resurrection - Acts 1:3

         e.g.:  Apostles              - Preaching               - Matthew 9:35

                                                - Philip                         - Acts 8:12

                                                - Paul                          - Acts 19:8

        e.g.:  End Time              - Daniel                      - Daniel 2:44

                                                - John                         - Revelations 11:15              

·   We need a revelation of the Kingdom of God and how to operate in its life, power and privileges.

 

 

3.  Priorities – Key to Success in Life:

·   Priority = Putting 1st things 1st – majoring on the major.

·   Life is a result of choices, we have decisions daily.

·   How you spend your life is reflected in how you spend your time and money.

·   Decisions are determined by your priorities – what you believe is important.

·   Proverbs 23:7  -  “As he thinks in his heart so is he”.

·   Priority   = The principal thing, the 1st in a rank of importance.

                  = The primary focus, placing in order of importance.

·   When your priorities are right you preserve time, energy, life.

·   Matthew 6:35  -  “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

·   First = Proton = 1st rank, time, order of importance.

·   God makes it clear what should be the 1st priority of life and the benefits that come from this.

 

4.  God’s Priority – The Kingdom First:

Matthew 6:24-34  -  Jesus’ Teaching about Priorities.

 

1)      You cannot serve two mastersverse 24

·   Money – is it you master or your servant?

·   People are in conflict over issue of money.

·   Money = power – ability to accomplish.

·   Pursuit of money competes with the relationship of God.

·   God or Money – which one will be first in your life.

 

2)      Don’t worry – be anxious over daily needsverse 25

·   Worry = to be anxious, distracted, divided.

·   Everyone worries about the same things – basic needs met.

·   Your life is more – much more than this to maintain a relationship with God.

·   Your self worth is much more than those basic needs.

 

3)      Number One Priority – Seek Firstverse 33

·   ‘Seek’ = Pursue after, to seek by thinking, meditating, prioritizing.

a)     Kingdom = Highest value must be placed on the kingdom of God.

·   Kingdom = NT 963 = Basileia = Dominion, sovereign rule, reign.

·   Kingdom = God’s Government, wherever the Will of God is done and heavens influence and value advance.

·   Kingdom = Governing influence of a King aver a territory that brings forth his will, purpose, values and desires.

 

b)     Righteousness = Right positioning, standing in relationship with the King.

·   Rights = to maintain right relationship and standing with authority so as to qualify for its privileges.

·   Promise = All these things = financial, physical, emotional, relationship – added.