Seek First the Kingdom of God

Well this morning were dealing with the final theme of our four students for 2022 and although this is the last theme in the sense it's the umbrella for all of them get this one right and everything will fall into place. So ask you to open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 6 and were going to read the verse that would been singing about. It is in the section of Scripture that we call the sermon on the among the greatest sermon ever preached as part of that and the first just going to look at one verse of the very Scriptures, but first of all, this one verse coming from the words of the Lord Jesus. He says, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Notice the seek. It is an active is an imperative. It is a command and is in the present tense.

The force of the verses. This keep on seeking the kingdom of God. This is not something you just the ones and you get over it know we are to keep seeking the kingdom of God, not in order to be saved, but because we are saved we are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and live all of us seek certain things. Some seek to be well educated and to be rich to be accomplished, perhaps in a particular sport or endeavor in a musical instrument. Some seek to be popular. Many people seek to be happy to have a wonderful marriage. All of us can be seeking different things ask you what are you seeking in life. Jeremiah chapter 45 verse five.

The question is as and do you seek great things for yourself. Jeremiah 45 verse five.

How would you answer that. Are you seeking great things for yourself. That's the question the answer is seek them not that the bartender didn't say is to see things for ourselves that we are concerned with other people. We want to be helpful to be able is that we don't want to glorify God, we do but often when it comes right down to it, our dreams out ambitions out ideas of success are generally about ourselves and God is saying to us seek great things for yourself. That's what the unbeliever does life is about them there seeking great things for themselves. Though I defer to Jeremiah 45 verse five term in your Bible. If you have one that if you can find it to Jeremiah chapter 29 Jeremiah in the Hebrew text is the longest book in the Old Testament and if you noisily got Jeremiah. You know the verses are going to be very a very popular. Many people have them as a kind of model or theme verse for their lives. Let's read them. Jeremiah 29.

There were thinking of this word seeking Jeremiah 29 verse 11 for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Notice is the Lord who is plans for us. Plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope that is is given to the nation of Israel been in captivity for 70 years ago to bring them back to the land.

The promised land use. It is wonderful wonderful to know that I have a future and a hope.

Yes, you do God has a plan for your life.

That is true but notice verse 12, which is often forgotten. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you.

Verse 13 you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart I will be fine by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations of and all the places what I've driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile wonderful thing that God has a plan for us not for evil. There is a future there is a whole are tolerable to be in a place of hopelessness as many people are on the way to go.

They feel so hopeless and use the word of God saying there is no God has plans for you future for your hope for you. Lots you I are to seek God with all of your heart to do this that would all done see God halfheartedly done see God on their casual basis. Seek God just wouldn't search you don't just see God when you're in a tight situation, though, seek God with all of your heart that this whenever themes were 2022 this year. No need to forget the other themes in the sense come under this one.

This is a great umbrella you listen to Jesus you are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness now in the seeking God, but wonderful. You can do that our Savior comes to seek and to save the lost, he finds us he saves us a treasure saved by the grace of God and no I am to see God with all of my heart, but in doing that I'm to turn from my selfishness, my self desires, and indeed my sin that if you're in Jeremiah chapter 29 go back a few pages you will come to Isaiah said, I don't know the Bible well by the listen to me but next time come with your Bible for new things and how the church we believe in preaching the Bible is important. You have a Bible Isaiah chapter 55 verse six Isaiah 55 is a wonderful chapter, every time we greeted all arbitrator this afternoon Rita this week is a wonderful chapter Isaiah 55 verse six notices seek seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon them while he is near their thumbs aren't there times when we don't want to seek the Lord, but there's times under when the Holy Spirit works on us, which is seek the Lord while he's near with a call upon him let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts led him returned to the Lord, that you may have compassion on him, and to God for this he will abundantly pardon for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord of the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We are to seek the Lord, but in seeking the Lord and to turn from my sin. Verse seven that the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts is ready evil and you and him righteous thoughts to seek the Lord with a pure heart, and to do that. I am to forsake all wickedness in my life that is as I seek the Lord as I seek first the kingdom of God. I'm to do it with repentance, with humility without daily tightening from my sin. Your current seek the Lord and continue to live like the devil is what we want is net.

We think we can do that thing we can live as we like, and then occasionally put on the cloak of righteousness from the church and a Sunday. Occasionally related Bible. That's not seeking the Lord with all your heart, and there is no doubt as Isaiah tells is there is no doubt that God will pardon you is a God of compassion is when we come to the Lord with humility tightening from our sin. There is no doubt that God will forgive us, but notice Isaiah also tells us something very important as we seek the Lord that his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways. Yes it is true as I seek the Lord. He's going to guide me through life. He has a future for me. He has a hold for me.

Lots don't always understand the ways of God. But I am always to seek him. I'm always to follow him, particularly when life seems dark when life seems confused when life is difficult when I don't understand God's ways when I don't understand God's thoughts.

I'm still to seek him with all of my heart and silly my parents and my grandparents saying to me, John put the Lord first in your life is a very biblical lesson was in the one which I needed to hear and still need to hear over and over again. John put the Lord first in your life. That's what I'm saying to you will be our put the Lord first in your life depends on what you teach this to your children. Children want you to remind your parents about large group leaders hear me, pastors, elders and deacons. Whoever you are, make sure that this is in front of you this year and did whatever here. Seek first the kingdom of God like to underline this theme. I want to ask two questions and try to answer them first.

Why should we seek the kingdom of God is in John you're telling me to seek first the kingdom of God. What should I do that second lay. What does this seeking the kingdom of God look like. So the first question reasons to seek first the kingdom of God and I want to mention three. Why should we seek the kingdom of God will number one this is a command. Matthew six verse 33, Jesus is saying seek first. It is an imperative present imperative for the grammarians here. It is a command Jesus is commanding you to seek him first of the 10 Commandments was the first commandment you shall have no other gods before me. The great confession of faith of the Jewish nation in Deuteronomy 6 is that there is only one God and because there's only one God, the pagans of many gods but we have one true God and because of that I am to love thy God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength there is to be total and supreme allegiance to this God why is God's arrivals.

Supreme is the great event in the earth is a great eternal God is the only true God is the only rock and because of that I'm to love that God supremely and totally as a command.

Why seek first the kingdom of God, because the Lord Jesus is saying it and God created you to make yourself some hundreds know that the Lord he is God. It is he who made us and we are his. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. God made you your made in the image of God. You are a creation of God really think you can let you your life independently. God says no stamp of God on your made in the image of God. You belong to God is your creates are furthermore, for those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ. Not only is God.

My creator is my Redeemer. I am blocked with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

I am redeemed. Once I was in slavery of my sin in my Lord Jesus Christ has come and has paid the price of my sin on the cross he has liberated me.

He's freed me and now I belong to him by creation and by redemption. So Paul says you're not your own boat with the price everything lingers. I was a free agent know we are servants of God.

Slaves of God, he has made us.

He has redeemed us this God who is my Lord not he says to me, John. I know there's many things that you could seek. You have many different desires many different questions but I want you first seek the kingdom of God is righteousness. It's a command second lay to seek first the kingdom of God is an investment on that which is eternal you spend your life on things.

At the end of the David Don Mather and the thing at all, but absolutely futile moving disasters elders is like chasing after when the people spend all of their life from that which is really futile and is gone gone and the wind know Jesus is or what you follow me to make an investment in that which is eternal. Matthew six Bible there.

Matthew six verse 19 thing first seek the kingdom of God is a command secondly is an investment in that which is eternal. Let me tell you, you will never ever regret putting first Jesus Christ regrets in life you messed up you going the wrong way when you regrets things you'd like to redo you will never ever regret this different first the kingdom of God.

Matthew 619.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and still but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also know Jesus is not anti-money I said before, God wants you to have money but notice you do not lay up for yourselves treasures on their verse 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. This is the point some people view of money is save save save the miser's type right, you're married to people like that. There's others you like to spend spend spend your money to people like that.

So you got one who was to save save save in the other spend spend spend you an interesting dynamic in your marriage rights are you laughing at. I could be a very rich memo. So I say, but in both cases seriously was happens money stuff becomes an idol in your life. No other gods we could talk of many different God's people have one of them. One of the most common stuff money resources laying up for ourselves treasures on your investment again asked what you trying to achieve in life. We will make people money and their goal idol churches.

I can understand that as a young man that was a temptation for me to make a lot of money is exhilarating when you see the money coming in and is very very easy, isn't it to have a love for money to lay out for ourselves treasures in honor you trusting in your resources, your money, your savings, your capacity or are you investing in that which is eternal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also Isabella. This is not for me. I don't have much money is on the points you may be very poor but your idol could still be money appointed is the stuff of life doesn't last treasure in heaven is immune from stock market failures, loss of employment fast evaluation, deterioration and decay. Thomas Pooler said Richards may leave us while we live is we must leave them when we so if you're a wise person you are investing whether you think yourself rich or poor list of the point money is on the vine's attitude to it. It's where your heart is how wise it is to invest in that which is eternal is I don't do that. John seek first the kingdom of God. Paul says portions three, verse one. Seek the things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things which are above, not on things on the so here's a good test to think about what you focus your conversation is on that which is here on our are you focus on Christ seeking first the kingdom of God is 1/3 reason why I'm to seek first the kingdom of God.

When you seek first the kingdom of God was a life of faith in the absence of worry, if you put the kingdom of God first, you will live a life of faith and have an absence of worry notice. Matthew six look with me. Verse 25 therefore I tell you, do not be anxious, verse 31 therefore do not be anxious. Verse 34 therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I think Jesus is telling us stop worrying not be anxious, verse 32 for the Gentiles seek after all these things there warriors there. Life is falling apart because the market goes down, you know, the loser job know their world.

The unbelievers world is concerned with the things of this world. We understand that you to be different. Verse 32 for the Gentiles seek after all these things and you heavenly father knows that you need them all because I seek first the kingdom of God. I realize that I have a heavenly father who knows all that needs this shoe just life.

See if I'm seeking first the kingdom of God.

That is a life of trust. A life of faith in God, but I believe that my heavenly father knows my situation not only knows it but is going to guide me and provide me as I go through life we have many fathers here this morning. You want to guide your children. You want to provide for them. You don't want them to be. What a hearing you want.

Little Johnny was six years old worry what is going to eat for breakfast and he doesn't father his mother watches over. We have a perfect heavenly father who watches over verse 26 look at the birds of the air, they neither snow. They neither sow nor weep, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they.

Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to span of life and why are you anxious about clothing.

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they neither toil nor spin the I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of the force of Americans of the Lord God takes care of the birds. God takes care of the flowers we had an orchid in her home beautiful orchid and eventually is closed due to diet weathers in the just the kind of an ugly stick and he said well I will keep this right for the thing. To my surprise after some time. This thing started to grow again only good obit to produce a beautiful bloom again when the fall when the great guards that can print juice for dry stick this beautiful you know that the county line that ran ran up Germany's songs and can sing it can sing 14 different songs. Please have you know that will one day listen to it. I kind of know I read not only commencing 40 different songs is more than some of you can. It can sing this incredible up to 3000 times a day, ornithologists that little bird is tiny because little head is the size of his brain, God made it when that little bird singing one of his 40 songs is not worrying is so joyful it singing up to 3000 times in a single day, much more volume and when I seek first the kingdom of God that gives me a single focus in life. When we trust the Lord.

And the more I trust God, the less I fret about my difficult circumstances, the more I look up the last I looked down the lid down and they can be difficult visiting the troubles is not that were Pollyanna know we face the reality of the situation, but we do it in a context that my heavenly father is in control and is watching over me one ship rises drives East and another drives West with the selfsame winds that blow does the said of the sales are not the gales which tell us the way to go about you know anything about the sea. Here is a beautiful walk with the sale. The windows doesn't win direct where the boat does know is the center of the sales sailor sets sail in a certain way to go in the direction he wants it to go. The gales and storms come into her life.

Yes you going to allow you to Galen the storm to determine the direction of your life. Are you going to live the darkness to pull you into a dark hole in a dark place. No, Jesus is saying. Set your sale to the kingdom of God. The problems will come. Yes, they will that will be difficult circumstances, unexpected disappointments and problems, but when we seek first the kingdom of God. There is a reliance on their heavenly father and in the acknowledgment, with all these things to me. Take care, that little Ryan does not affect care in the world and here we are made by God's redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ guaranteed avoidance of an eternal home in the heaven and meantime, as I await the return of my Lord Jesus Christ. We are to seek first the kingdom of God is that interesting.

Jesus says oh ye of little faith. There's is a writer I thought this softened me of little faith, but the more we look from Christ. The greater and greater faith groups. Three reasons then seeking first the kingdom of God is a well John. How do I do it well. I have three of these as well. You be surprised. I believe in the Trinity. I believe in past present and future, and I believe in threes and there we have it three ways to seek first the kingdom of God is very basic first humble prayer is one of her themes is that praying without those who are seeking first the kingdom of God will be people of prayer we sign that we have Matthew seven verse seven class and will be given to you seek and you will find no nobly open to why you don't praying James says you don't have because you don't's. Here is a 17-year-old young man whose God himself in a bit of a mess and so proud that he will ask his father for help. His father can solve the problem. In an instant. Without that young man may struggle in his prize and try and get himself out of the predicament, rather than humbly saying that I messed up. Can you help me to us as believers is slow. We are asked we asking God for seek to find, ask sorry asking to be given to you seek and you will find no and the door will be opened to you. Humble people for referring you seek first the kingdom of God is a thing about this is not of the great King in Judah's name is Jehoshaphat. Can you find in your Bible. Second Chronicles is the unused part of your Bible.

Second Chronicles of history so I do love the Love Kingston and Chronicles and were going to dip into second Chronicles 17 is a John Milton in the Bible a lot today. I know we are is not wonderful can hear the pages coming summer here so if you're looking at the index to get the page number.

That's okay.

I'm embarrassed when I going to judge it while we really are belittling sailor and the judge or you been following Christ for 10 years and you still can find second Chronicles is a problem. Five-year-olds here.

You can do it as the taught in children's ministry so well.

Second Chronicles 17 is a king is a great King's name is Jehoshaphat second Chronicles 17 verse three the Lord was with Joshua five when you want that said about you that the Lord was with your name. Why, because you walked in the little ways of his father. He did not seek the bowels that is, he did not seek idols. What did he seek, he sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord establish the kingdom and he signed, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore to the high places and shooting of Judah, while wonderful man.

Notice he did what we should be doing. He didn't seek the false gods that were there in Israel and their here no know he sought the Lord and as he saw the Lord as he puts first the kingdom of God. God bless them became very rich. We read in verse five through I've done men and women who use to truly seek first the kingdom of God, and God blesses them tremendously materially. Jehoshaphat was like that you put first the kingdom of God and God blessed them, and I love verse six. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord, don't get spiritual when police place to live your life, what do we need to just seeking first the kingdom of God things that happens is that you become strong. You become courageous as you harsh. If I did in the ways of the Lord and over chapter 20 because on one occasion a great army which outnumbered Jehoshaphat came against the you do when problems come. What do you do when the enemy attacks you, what do you do when Satan comes against you. Second Chronicles 28 verse three then Jehoshaphat was afraid but notice this, he said, his face to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast start all Judah and Judah assembled the do want to seek help from the Lord from all the cities of Judah became to seek the Lord.

Verse 13. Meanwhile, think about it the great army is against Georgia varieties are numbered is afraid. But then he seeks the Lord people are seeking the Lord. Verse 13. Meanwhile, all Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, the wise and the children here they are not just a man, not just even the children, but the little children responsibility to those of us who are parents and grandparents that we live our life openly so our children and our grandchildren and their families know that were seeking the Lord, don't be a secret disciple or picture and then verse 12. As old gourds. Would you not execute judgment on them, for we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Been there, Judah, I've been there circumstances are tough and we just don't know what but in a sense, we do know is time to seek the Lord is time to get on our knees. It's time to admit out a knack and added quizzes and their powerlessness is time and great humility to cry out to the Lord your enemies against you.

You seem helpless on panic, cry out to the Lord for help. Easy seeking first the kingdom of God is a life of prayer. It's a life of humility is a life of trusting God who made the mountains, who made the trees who made the rivers flow to the sea who hung in the moon and the who hung in the moon and the starry sky.

Someone bigger than you and I when I'm really filled with despair gives me courage to go on from there and who gives me faith that will never die someone bigger than you, minding your God to speak God's awesome lecture as well able to take care of that situation that you're facing yourself cry until Lord humble prayer is a way that we seek the kingdom of God.

Number two will be Jen's to the word of God.

Chapter 17. The second Chronicles. This great King Jehoshaphat as he seeks the Lord what does he do verse seven in the third year of his reign. He sent officials that how you with Diane Zechariah method now and Michalak teach in the cities of Judah and within the Levites in these honorable men are mentioned verse nine and they taught in Judah having the book of the law of the Lord with them. They went to write all of the cities in Judah and taught among the people. Here is a man who seeking the Lord is a man of prayer and is a man of obedience to the word of God. Those who are seeking the kingdom of God will be people of this will be opened only read will be meditated on and will be okay. One of the things God does as we seek first the kingdom of God we have a greater and greater desire for the word of God hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Jesus says see without reading and studying and obeying the word of God. You will not seek first the kingdom of God is and why is that well as you live your life in the society was also one of lighting devices that is allowing insistence belligerents pugnacious vices that are with social media and all of that people telling you what to believe.

People wanting you to write this. People want you to wear a mask or not what I'm asking all of this and we hear these loud, loud, insistent voices and they were not careful what you hear on CNN and Fox news of the in the matter. Whatever you listen.

That will become more powerful than the sum of the voice is unique you need to I need to hear the word of God, thank you for coming this morning. Thank you for going to one of the life groups. Thank you, thank you for encouraging your children to sign up for Weiner to be part of youth ministry, but also in our home quite time is difficult for some of you in busy homes with large families but to spend time in quietness, listening to God and of the social media stop listing to some of that stuff which is policed in your mind say Lord speak humble prayer obedience to the word of God. Third, the filling of the spirit filling of the spent very interesting. When Jehoshaphat cries out to the Lord and he doesn't know what to do. Notice what happens. Chapter 20 so they're all gathered seeking the Lord George about the great things a bit afraid when he sees the great army were powerless right numbered were going to be defeated. Lord we don't know what to do. Chapter 20 verse 14 and the spirit of the Lord came upon John as the son of Zechariah, son of Ben and so on.

And he said verse 15 listen all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King George about the assays the Lord to you.

Here's the word of God is filled with the spirit. Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed at this great horde for the battle is not yours, but God's. Verse 17 you will not need to find in this battle, stand firm hold your position and see the salvation of the Lord in your Bible, Judah and Jerusalem, do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow going against them on the Lord will be with you this Georgia fight was nothing to worry that you're not even needed to fight God's going to deal with this.

This is not hereby know it's a Lawrence wrestling with the devil you feel harassed you feel discouraged, you feel the over to the Lord your believer in Jesus Christ are indwelt by the Spirit, but not all of us are filled with the spirit positive.

Ephesians 518. Don't get drunk with wine but in the success but be filled with this medic to be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by this matter surrendered everything to the Lord and how close I need I need you, Lord, this man comes the spirit of God comes upon them, and he tells everyone including the king don't be dismayed. Don't be frightened.

The battle is not yours to be filled by this one of the characteristics or part should do this with part of the fruit of the Spirit's is joy joy. I think sometimes we miss that without you, Lord Jesus Christ didn't save you to live a miserable life and make everyone else's life miserable right joy of the Lord. You see John, but my circumstances are very difficult and it may well be, but difficult circumstances doesn't mean that you don't have the joy of the Lord because the joy of the Lord is in pendent of your circumstances when your focus is on Christ. He doesn't change, he's overall, he'll help you he's steadfast yes you can still sing his praises in the individual days with the filling of the Spirit when were filled with the spirit. It is an understanding as well with personal is an understanding of the presence and the power of God with us is an understanding that God will give us all of the help. All the wisdom all of the guidance that we need because I'm surrendered to God. All I want to control things I want to do things my way.

I want to solve my own problems. God says no. Stop. Stop. See the salvation of the Lord your focus once again on God's first the kingdom of God. This is my burden for you today for children for students for singles and couples, all of us put the Lord Jesus first know you know your dreams and don't allow a political ideology to shape who you are.

Seek first the kingdom of God and break from the insidious plastic superficial pseudo-Christianity which is so prevalent in this you believe that Jesus is Lord you believe that is the Savior you profess to follow him. Why your goblin seek first the kingdom of God love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

And if you don't know Christ today begin a personal relationship with them by abandoning your sin and embracing the Savior who loves you died for you and who rules CT studs died in 1931 with an English particular was that you don't know much about cricket, that's a kind of sophisticated version of baseball WC boom but some people here who love cricket.

I played a little bit at school and cigarettes work CT side was a very wealthy man played cricket for Cambridge University and then played for England and was one of the best players later hero everything and when is a missionary to China. Very famous so you know, one of his famous quotes only one life will soon be passed only what's done for Christ will last well said CT studs is another quote we have on the screen.

Let this not blind to this world and then slipped quietly into heaven without having blown the trumpet loud and long for the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil you love. This will hold a Thanksgiving service and now when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle. In other words, make your life can't as you understand the full against us and you understand the great need for man and woman in boys and girls to seek first the kingdom of God you live for that and CT started to say when you finally die that the devil is say what I'm really glad that person is the one from Eric because he was a real nuisance for me is sounding the trumpet loud and long will you do that, we blow the trumpet for the Lord Jesus Christ loud and Lord stop living a life of self-indulgence.

Stop living a life of self absorption. Listen afresh to Jesus assays do you and to me you seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added.

Father, help us to do that this morning feel so helpless were drawn to the things of this world, often were drawn to her own desires.

Thank you for this reminder that we will be clearcuts in the testimony for Jesus Christ that will live lives of holiness and purity being light and salt in this world.

Help us to glorify you in all we do, Christ, and we pray, amen