Matthew 6:33
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be provided for you.”
For the last few years, I have preached on the Kingdom of God. Because it is so significant theme in the Bible. Today, I would like challenge you to think about the kingdom of God one more time. For some of you perhaps may not have yet thought about the kingdom and its relationship to you since you became a Christian. Others of you may have a clear understanding of the biblical facts about the Kingdom of God for I have emphasized on this topic so many times in our English Worship service.
As Christians, we must understand this vital theme “the Kingdom of God” and make the kingdom of God our primary life focus. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matt. 6:33). Many times we get so caught up in worrying about our possessions, business, family or personal pleasures that we forget that we have been called as believers to focus first on the kingdom of God. There is no greater challenge for us than determining to make our first priority the pursuit of the kingdom of God. Jesus’ promise to those who live with this focus is clear: “All these things will be provided for you.” We can count on the Lord to take care of us when we seek first his kingdom and righteousness in our lives.
In order for us to apply and experience the Power of God through this Kingdom Seeking life, we’ve got to understand that the Kingdom of God is a present reality in our lives and has a great value.
Yes, indeed, the kingdom of God is a present reality, not simply a spiritual ideal. The kingdom of God is real! You can see the movement and growth everywhere. Of course, the truths about the reality of the kingdom are mysterious to non-believers, but that does not make the kingdom any less real. Jesus has given believers the privilege of knowing the revealed truths of God’s kingdom (Matt. 13:11). This kingdom can be seen (Mark 9:1; Luke 17:21 NIV).
So as a Christian leader today, the reality of the kingdom begins by what God is doing in your life? When Jesus Christ is the head of our lives, several things will take place. We will determine to live our lives under the lordship of Jesus Christ. We will continually seek the kingdom of God as a first priority in our lives. Before We make decisions, we will seek to know and understand God’s will and purpose for our lives. We will live in the freedom Jesus Christ provides, not in bondage to our past sin and habits of life.
When Christ reigns in our lives, we put away the old habits of life and follow Christ as committed disciples. Jesus reminds us that only those who have spiritual perception can see and understand the reality of the kingdom of God (Matt. 13:9-17). As believers we have the wonderful privilege of seeing and understanding the great reality of the kingdom of God.
In order for us to live a Kingdom Seeking life as a Kingdom Focused Leader, we must understand that the kingdom of God is of greater value than anything else in the created world. No matter what your leadership assignment, every leader understands that value is of the utmost importance. Jesus said that the kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field (Matt. 13:44) or a pearl of great price (Matt. 13:45-46).
When you discover that the kingdom of God is a reality, then, like the one who discovered the treasure or the pearl, you sell everything you have discovered! Please keep this in mind that nothing you possess can ever match the value of entering the kingdom of God and experiencing the kingdom’s rule and reign in your personal life. These are the facts. Nothing compares to the fact that the kingdom of God is real. It is the ultimate big picture. It frames all of our present existence.
As kingdom-focused leaders we must seek the kingdom as the first priority in our lives. We must understand that the kingdom is a present reality, not just a fantasy. And above all else, nothing compares to the value of the kingdom of God. The kingdom begins in the hearts and lives of believers, working through them and affecting the world for God.
As Christian leaders we have the obligation to live with a kingdom focus. Everything we do, every decision we make every place we go should be determined with the advancement of the kingdom in mind.
Finally, I would like to challenge you to make your firm decision to seek for the Kingdom of God in order to receive God’s abundant blessing. As Jesus promised that you will receive all the blessing from the Lord when you seek for His Kingdom by living with your absolute surrender and obedience. May God bless you!
