FIRST THINGS FIRST: First Steps, First Call… today- First Priority
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 New International Version (NIV)
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17 (NIV)
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3 (NIV)
The Lord’s Prayer-
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”
Matthew 6: 9-10 (NIV)
God’s Kingdom is where God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh, shed His blood on the cross and conquered the grave to bring the Kingdom of God to earth again
This is what discipleship is: I receive Jesus as savor and Lord, and I let Him teach me the way to really live.
Jesus died not just to get us into heaven, but to get heaven into us.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28: 19-20 (NIV)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Seek: Zeteo An earnest, intent, purposeful seeking— seeking in order to find.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Romans 12:17 (NIV)
God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
Romans 12:17 The Message (MSG)
“Singly aim at this, that God, reigning in your heart, may fill it with the righteousness above described. And indeed whosoever seeks this first, will soon come to seek this only.” – John Wesley
There are so, so many other priorities in this world that are competing with our First Priority.
Where are you right now? What’s the condition of your soul, your life with God?
“…the real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day…”
“Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis