FIRST SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

PROCLAMATION

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle Matthew.  As Jesus continued to preach His Sermon on The Mount, He told them not to give to be seen (Matthew 6:1-4), not to use vain repetition in their prayers (Matthew 6:5-8), and He taught them the model prayer, which has been frequently referred to erroneously as “The Lord’s Prayer.” (Matthew 6:9-15)  He also taught them how to fast (Matthew 6:16-18) and He told them not to store up treasures on earth but to store up for heaven. (Matthew 6:19-24)  Then He told them not to worry about earthly concerns, but to focus on seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else that they need would be taken care of.

APPLICATION

All too often we concern ourselves with trivial things like what we will wear, eat, or drink.  We seem to care too much about what other people think about us rather than being concerned about how we appear to The Lord God.  We should not be worried about the things of this world.  Our goal should not be the amassing of money and material things, we should be focused on living a life and doing things that would bring glory to God.  Remember, believers are the only “Bible” that some people will ever see.

YOUR MONEY SHOULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHRIST

Proclamation:

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  Mark 10:25 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark who was the nephew of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) and not one of the apostles.  This is part of the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  After recording what Jesus had to say about divorce, (Mark 10:2-12) Mark presents the encounter and the conversation that occurred between Jesus and the young rich man who asked Him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17-25)  Jesus told him to keep the commandments and he said that he had done that since he was a boy. (Mark 10:19-20)  Then Jesus told him that there was one thing that he lacked, and that he should go sell everything that he had, give the proceeds to the poor, and then follow Him.  The young man went away grieved because he was very wealthy. (Mark 10:21-22)  The treasures of this life were more important to him than the treasures in heaven that Jesus promised him. (Mark 10:21)

Application:

This is the only recorded incident in The Bible where someone came to Jesus, The Christ, asking what he must do to be saved and went away disappointed. (Mark 10:22)  There is nothing wrong with being rich and wealthy.  Having a lot of money is not the problem.  The problem is our love for money, (1 Timothy 6:10) the importance that we place on money or possessions, and the fact that we value them more than we value The Lord God. (Exodus 20:3)  We are to put God first in our lives.  If we put Him first, everything else will be taken care of. (Matthew 6:33)  We are not to trust in the riches of this world; we are to trust in The Lord God. (1 Timothy 6:17) 

ONCE WE ARE COMMITTED TO CHRIST THERE IS NO TURNING BACK

Proclamation:

“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”  Luke 9:62 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent travelling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke begins this chapter by recounting when Jesus sent His twelve disciples out to the surrounding towns to proclaim the gospel, heal the sick, and to cast out demons. (Luke 9:1-6)  Luke also reports that Jesus fed five thousand men, not counting the women and children who were also in the crowd, with two small fish and five barley loaves of bread. (Luke 9:10-17)  He said that then Jesus predicted His death twice. (Luke 9:21-27 and 43-45)  Luke then presents the transfiguration of Jesus and the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Him. (Luke 9:28-36)  Later Jesus healed a demon possessed boy who the disciples could not heal. (Luke 9:37-43)  Luke end this chapter by explaining the cost that men bear for following Jesus. (Luke 9:57-62)

Application:

Nothing on earth is more important than following Jesus, The Christ.  That includes taking care of and burying a family member (Luke 9:59-61) or delaying following Him to go and say goodbye to your family. (Luke 9:61-62)  The Apostle Paul made it clear that he feels nothing is more important than following Christ. (Philippians 3:13-14)  Once we have committed to following Him, we cannot look back on our past life and long for any of it.  After being warned not to look back, (Genesis 19:17) looking back and longing for what she left behind is what cost Lot’s wife her life. (Genesis 19:26)  Wanting things from our past life after committing to follow Christ makes us unfit for service. (Luke 9:62)  Our worldly concerns should not interfere with our heavenly focus.  However, there are some Bible scholars (like John Gill) who think that this last section refers to preachers and their ministry.