Matthew 6:33 But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (NKJ) (‘First’ implies priorities.)
What does it mean to “seek” the Kingdom of God? Is it lost? Lost in the shuffle of everyday life? Lost from the sight of what is really important? Is it Hidden? Hidden by the cares of this world? What is the Kingdom of God?
Zéteó (dzay-teh’-o): to seek, in order to find out by thinking, meditating; to inquire into.
Mark 1:14-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel. (Preach = announce with conviction and persuasion.)
Christianity requires participation. It is not a spectator’s sport.
Luke 17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (NKJ)
What do you spend most of your time thinking about?
Matthew 6:31-32 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (NKJ)
New Living Translation 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Yes, we live in a material world. But it is temporal, subject to change. We are eternal beings. This is not our home. We are only passing through.
John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is not from here.” (NKJ)
Once we truly understand the ‘Good News’ is for us right now, we will receive healing.
Matthew 13:10-16 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” 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.
13 That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. 14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ 16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. (NLT)
The Kingdom is now and it is ours. It is in you. It is time to announce it with conviction and persuasion.
Matthew 16:19 And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (NKJ)
You cannot offer to others what you yourself have not received.
Matthew 10:7-8 As you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. (NKJ)
We must be more than Christians in name only.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. (NKJ)
No, the Kingdom of God is not performance-based. However, signs follow those who believe. It is called The Great Commission for a reason.
Mark 16:15-18 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demon; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (NKJ)
The Kingdom is inside you. It’s time to let it out! Dare to believe. Seek the Kingdom.
