SEEK FIRST THE KINDGOM OF GOD
Nov. 28, 2010
(Mat 6:24 NIV) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Mat 6:25 NIV) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? (Mat 6:26 NIV) Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Mat 6:27 NIV) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? (Mat 6:28 NIV) "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (Mat 6:29 NIV) Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (Mat 6:30 NIV) If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Mat 6:31 NIV) So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (Mat 6:32 NIV) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (Mat 6:33 NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness is one of my favorite bible passages. Soon after I became a Christian I tried to apply this bible verse to my life. I have often given messages and testimonies on this bible passage. Seeking first his kingdom means to put God first in our lives. Do we seek God in everything we do? Are we seeking God`s plan for our lives? Since I have become a Christian I have sometimes made my own plans and then expected God to bless them. I remember a time when our younger son asked me if I had prayed before I made a very important decision. I had to answer no. The decision turned out to be a very big mistake.
Before we become Christians God is outside our lives. In my case I was very selfish. The things I wanted were given first priority. My wife and my children came last. The song Amazing Grace has the words “I was blind, but now I see.” I was blind and did not realize how selfish I was. It is interesting how it is easy to see faults in others, but we cannot see our own faults. Soon after I became a Christian things began to change. I began to see the faults in myself! When I became a Christian on April 12, 1981, I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and change my life. He did and is still changing my life!
I think the key to seeking first the kingdom of God is to make Jesus lord of our lives. Before we become a Christian our lives are usually self-centered. After becoming a Christian Jesus becomes our savior. However, there is a big difference between Jesus being our savior and our lord. Many years ago my mother sent me a story that was given by the reverend in the church she attended called, “The Road of Life.”
The Road of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge,
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn't know Him.
But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.
When I had control,
I knew the way.
It was rather boring,
but predictable . . .
It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious
and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing,
acceptance
and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord's and mine.
And we were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
they're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did,
to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him,
at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up
and pedal
in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,
He just smiles and says . . . "Pedal."
Author unknown….
When Jesus becomes lord of our life he is in control. Jesus must be lord of our lives before we can truly seek first the kingdom of God for our lives. When Jesus is lord of our lives we should seek God first in everything we do. The focus of our life will be on spiritual things rather than the things of this world. (Col 3:2 NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. We should seek the things of God over the things of the world. Salvation that we receive as believers in Jesus Christ is of great value than all the riches of the world.
How do we know if we are seeking first the kingdom of God? The answers to four questions will give a good indication if we are seeking first the kingdom of God. What are our priorities in this life? What are all our time and energies spent on? How much of our time is spent serving God? How much time do we take time to pray or read the bible?
Seeking first the kingdom of God is easier in countries where Christians are persecuted such as China. Persecution causes the church to grow. It is estimated that there are 10,000 new Christians in China every day! Japan is the richest major country in Asia. However, Japan has the smallest percent of Christians of the countries inn Asia (less than one percent). The cares of this world such as money, job, family, possessions (cars, houses, etc.), sports, and pleasure seem to keep Christians in Japan from seeking first the kingdom of God.
(Mat 6:33 NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. When we seek God first he promises to meet all our needs. If you seek first the kingdom of God you will have a closer relationship with God. Jesus will truly become Lord of your life. You will be able to walk in the plan God has for your life. Your life will be much more fulfilling. Also you will be much better prepared for the life to come. We are only on this earth for a short time. After this life all believers will stand before Jesus. We want to hear him say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”