Unlock the Secret to True Fulfillment: Discover how seeking God’s Kingdom first can transform your life and bring peace beyond understanding.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Table of contents
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Watch the video of this teaching at https://www.celllifechurch.tv/seeking gods-kingdom/ or on our YouTube channel.
Introduction
Welcome back to Life Lessons: Following Jesus. We are exploring the timeless teachings of Jesus and uncovering their profound relevance in our lives today. In this series so far, we have explored the foundational principles of loving our neighbor and embracing forgiveness and mercy, as we strive to align our lives by Christ’s example. Today, we take another step on this transformative journey by focusing on the pursuit of God’s Kingdom and prioritizing His will above all else.
In a world driven by ambition and materialism, Jesus calls us to seek first the Kingdom of God. This priority reorients our lives towards spiritual fulfillment and divine purpose. Let’s explore the essence of seeking God’s Kingdom and how it transforms our daily lives.
Let’s start by exploring the priority of the kingdom.
The Priority of the Kingdom
We must understand the importance of putting God’s Kingdom first in our lives and what it means in practical terms. Jesus teaches us this in Matthew 6:33. Let’s read that.
Matthew 6:33
(33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Jesus emphasizes that our primary focus should be on seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. This directive shifts our perspective from earthly concerns to heavenly priorities. Think about how much time each day you spend on worrying about earthly needs and desires. Jesus is telling us to first spend time seeking God’s plans and purposes for us for that day. When we align our lives with God’s will, we trust that He will provide for our needs.
Imagine a person who chooses to prioritize volunteering at a local charity or church event over pursuing personal leisure activities. By dedicating their time and talents to serving others, they not only contribute to the community but also find deeper satisfaction and purpose in their lives. This is a core teaching of Cell Life Church. We ask each group and cell site to serve their community regularly giving God all the glory. Do this first before you start to serve and worry about yourself.
Prioritizing the Kingdom involves making intentional daily choices—spending time in prayer, studying the Bible, and making decisions that reflect Christ’s teachings. It’s about seeking God’s guidance in every aspect of our lives and trusting Him to take care of our needs.
The Kingdom of God is the first priority. That doesn’t mean we ignore the world we live in. We are here to serve others and point them back to God through Jesus with the equipping and power of the Holy Spirit.
Seeking the Kingdom of God first and being a witness of the love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus to the world requires living Kingdom values.
Living Kingdom Values
We must embody the values of the Kingdom of God in our daily interactions and decisions. This is the single best way to show the love of God and the peace and fulfillment that come with serving God.
Jesus teaches us these Kingdom values in Matthew 5:3-12, often referred to as the Beatitudes. Let’s read this passage of scripture.
Matthew 5:3-12
(3) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (10) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Beatitudes outline the attitudes and behaviors that characterize Kingdom living—humility, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. These values contrast sharply with worldly pursuits of power, wealth, and recognition.
Consider a manager in a workplace who, instead of asserting authority harshly, leads with humility and compassion, listening to their team and fostering a supportive environment. This is often referred to as servant leadership and not only improves team dynamics but also reflects Christ-like leadership. The manager here is not concerned with their own power or prestige. They are more concerned with the overall objective of the team and the individuals who make up the team. This is a team that will grow and accomplish much.
Living Kingdom values means practicing these principles consistently. It’s about embodying Christ-like character in all aspects of life, whether at home, work, school, or in the marketplace. Demonstrating these values invites others to experience the transformative power of God’s Kingdom through our actions.
Practicing these Kingdom values while seeking God’s Kingdom also requires trusting God’s provision; our life lesson today.
Today’s Life Lesson: Trusting God’s Provision
God will faithfully provide for all our needs when we seek his Kingdom first. This is a foundational truth for Christians. The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:19:
Philippians 4:19
(19) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Trusting in God’s provision is essential when we prioritize His Kingdom. This trust grows from the assurance that God is aware of our needs and is both willing and able to meet them. The key to this is understanding the difference between needs and desires.
God will provide absolutely everything you need to accomplish the plan and purposes he has for your life. He is not obligated to provide for your wants and desires for things and situations that he has not called you to or asked you to do.
Picture a family facing financial challenges who decides to continue tithing and giving generously. Despite their financial situation, they experience unexpected blessings and support from their community, reinforcing their faith in God’s provision. This is one of the ways God provides for our needs as we continue to give to him.
Trusting God’s provision means letting go of anxiety about material needs and focusing on spiritual growth and service. When we do so, we often find that our needs are met in ways we couldn’t have imagined. This trust liberates us from worry and allows us to fully engage in the work God has for us.
Conclusion
Seeking God’s Kingdom first reshapes our priorities and transforms our lives. Let’s read Matthew 6:25-27:
Matthew 6:25-27
(25) "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 than food, and the body more than clothes? (26) 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? (27) Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Jesus reassures us that we are deeply valued and cared for by God. By seeking His Kingdom first, we place our trust in His perfect provision and timing.
As we prioritize God’s Kingdom and embody its values, we align ourselves with His divine purpose for our lives and we experience the peace and fulfillment that comes from living in His will. This commitment not only transforms us but also impacts those around us, drawing them closer to the love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ.
Join us next time as we finish the series Life Lessons: Following Jesus and discuss Serving with Humility.
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