Life With the King: Who's First (Matthew 6:33)

Series: Life With the King

Sermon: Who's First

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Date: September 9, 2018

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  (Matthew 6:33)

 

"To live life to its fullest and accomplish and experience all that God has created you to do, God and His Kingdom must be first in your life, not one among many."  -Tony Evans

"Royalty is my identity.  Servanthood is my assignment.  Intimacy with God is my life source."  -Bill Johnson

 

Seeking God's Kingdom first means:

1. Preeminence
   • And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.  (Colossians 1:18)
   • Jesus is the King...not our personal assistant.  There can only be one King in my life: me or Jesus.
   • "Winning a Super Bowl won't change me.  I'm still me.  I still want to be grounded and humble.  So if I'm having a bad day, I can refocus my attention on Christ.  It makes me a better husband, a better father, and a better coach...My relationship with Christ is what my world revolves around."  -Coach Doug Pederson of the Eagles
   • Where do you turn when you have a decision to make, a problem to resolve, or guidance to seek?
2. Power
   • We need power to: control our tongues, control our tempers, curb our desires for things we should not be doing (or doing as much), be patient with people (including ourselves), do the things that we know we should but maybe don't like to.
   • As a Jesus-follower, we need some power in other ways as well: to share our faith; to forgive other people; to love people that are not like us; to serve people that are not appreciative; to be generous instead of selfish.
   • Why are so many Christians so weak?
   • The key to kingdom success and the power for kingdom living is found in the simple word "first," prioritizing God in every area of life.
3. Purpose
   • I surrender my will to you to obey you this day.
   • Let me see what you want me to see.  Let me say what you want me to say.  Let me hear what you want me to hear.  Let me be what you want me to be.  Let me go where you want me to go.  Let me do what you want me to do.
   • WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray this daily this week: "I surrender my will to you to obey you this day.  Let me see what you want me to see.  Let me say what you want me to say.  Let me hear what you want me to hear.  Let me be what you want me to be.  Let me go where you want me to go.  Let me do what you want me to do."
4. Path
   • Jesus talked about it in terms of carrying your cross.
   • I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  (1 Corinthians 15:31)
   • "Without seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness first, we are wandering aimlessly around without the support and the backing of our King."  -Tony Evans