Matt 6:31-34 31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. NLT
What does it look like to “Seek the Kingdom”?
1. I would like for you to notice, it doesn’t say seek God, why? Seek: seek, search for, investigate, study, strive for something to the point of controversy. (be a rebel)
I trust God’s Word above all else; that’s why I have no problem investigating the Why? (Why worship, flood, evil, bad things happen to good people, love your enemies)
If you are willing to investigate the scriptures from the heart of conviction that God is good and only good, you will find the answer!
The Word of God gives us a picture of God’s character, and it’s enough to trust Him with things I do not understand!
Examples of Seeking
Matt 13:44 44 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. NLT
The KJV says he found it, so he must have been searching, investigating and striving for it!
Many are seeking the answers for life
Eph 3:20-21 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. NLT
The Field represents the Kingdom, and, in the Kingdom, there are treasures beyond our imagination!
If we do not seek it out, you will never know what you are missing!
Matt 13:45-46 45 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! NLT
He was on the lookout!
He was willing to give all he had for this pearl (Kingdom) of great value!
In both parables, the seeker must have known or heard about the treasure!
It’s the seeking after the Kingdom, not the treasure where the treasure is found!
Matt 13:11-13 11 He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. NLT
Kingdom: The sovereign (self-determining) governing and reign of God over all creation, instituted on earth through the life, Death and resurrection of Christ!
If seeking means searching and investigation, and kingdom means the King reigns in our life through the finished work of Christ, then we must look first at the King's desire for us, and that’s found in His constitution, His Word! (His Kingdom Principles)
Does the Kingdom dominate your thoughts, or the things of this world?
31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. NLT
Back to the original question: What does it look like to “Seek the Kingdom”?
Because of those in authority around us, most have a hard time trusting anyone!
Because of the religious traditions, many have a hard time trusting God!
God is good, and only good!
The Word of God must be our priority in our life, because it leads to life!
Prov 4:20-27 20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. NLT
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
What does it mean to “live righteously”?
1. If you are truly a believer, then live out what you are created for!
Rom 12:2 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV
Conformed: refers to the act of an individual assuming an outward expression that does not come from within him, nor is it representative of his inner heart life!
This conflict is a hard life to live, and it surely doesn’t lead to true contentment!
World: a period of time, spirit of this age
A period of time when thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, and aims lead to a pattern of thinking! (These all fade)
Transformed: the act of a person changing his outward expression from that which he has to a different one, an expression which comes from and is representative of his inner being.
2. I’m changed from the inside out by the renewing of my mind!
Renewing: renewal, restoration
Living righteously within this system requires a total refusal to conform to the shifting opinions and survival-based anxieties of this current age.
This is not your spirit, it is your soul!
Rom 14:17-18 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. NKJV
Conclusion: To seek this Kingdom means becoming a holy rebel who investigates Scripture boldly, challenging rigid religious traditions and worldly mindsets from the absolute conviction that God is entirely good. Living within the Kingdom requires a total refusal to conform to the shifting opinions and survival-based anxieties of this current age. Instead, we should experience internal transformation by actively renewing our minds, allowing the Holy Spirit to dominate our thoughts, and manifesting a daily lifestyle defined by supernatural righteousness, peace, and joy.
