Brief Summary
This sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness above all else, understanding eternity, and living a life of accountability. It highlights that seeking God first leads to abundance and fulfillment, while pursuing worldly desires outside of His will can be detrimental. The sermon also touches on the concept of reward in the afterlife, the need for holiness, and the transformative power of listening to God's voice.
- Prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness.
- Understand the reality of eternity and accountability.
- Seek God's will in all aspects of life.
Introduction
The speaker shares anecdotes about acts of kindness and faith, including a story about a Raiders quarterback praying for someone in need. He also shares humorous stories about his childhood and family life, setting a lighthearted tone before transitioning into the core message of the sermon.
Tune-Up: Repositioning Our Hearts and Minds
The speaker introduces the idea of a "tune-up" to readjust our hearts and minds, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the lordship of Jesus rather than just the blessings He provides. He explains that while God promises abundance, pursuing it separately from His will can distract and dilute our service to Him. Affection should be anchored in Jesus, positioning us for greater impact in the world.
The Two Boundaries: Eternity and Seeking God's Kingdom
The speaker identifies two crucial boundaries for a healthy and focused life: eternity and seeking first the kingdom of God. He stresses the reality of heaven and hell, emphasizing that nothing outweighs the importance of eternal life. He contrasts religions where humans reach for God with the gospel, where God reaches for humanity. Accountability for our lives is essential, and while salvation is a gift, reward is determined by what we do with what we've been given.
Understanding Reward and Righteousness
The speaker uses the analogy of a pile of materials (gold, silver, wood, hay, stubble) to represent our lives, explaining that God will evaluate our actions and reward those done in righteousness. He emphasizes that God is a rewarder and a father, not a taskmaster. He then discusses Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," explaining that righteousness is not just an addition but an emphasis on the kingdom's essence: righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
Seeking the Kingdom: God's Dominion and Lordship
The speaker defines the kingdom of God as the realm of His dominion and rulership. Seeking first the kingdom means seeking the lordship of Jesus, allowing His rule to touch and transform every aspect of our lives, from healing sickness to overcoming poverty. He warns against greed, which he likens to theft, as it pulls blessings out of season and diminishes our affection for Jesus.
The Importance of Righteousness and Holiness
The speaker emphasizes the importance of righteousness and holiness, quoting Hebrews that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. He explains that through faith in Christ, the power and record of sin are broken, and we inherit Jesus's righteousness. However, we must also allow God's voice to transform us, pruning us like a vine to bear fruit. Listening to God is essential for avoiding negative consequences and aligning with His will.
Eternity, the Kingdom, and Our Influence
The speaker reiterates the importance of maintaining an awareness of eternity and allowing it to shape our influence in the world. He cautions against reducing the gospel to merely answered prayers, urging listeners to live consciously to rescue people and bring them into life. Seeking first the kingdom of God means valuing His lordship above all else, ensuring that our dreams and desires become expressions of His rewarding nature.
Colossians 3:1-3: Setting Our Minds on Things Above
The speaker explores Colossians 3:1-3, which encourages believers to seek things above where Christ is seated. He clarifies that this doesn't mean ignoring the natural realm but prioritizing the lordship of Jesus. He shares personal anecdotes about how material possessions can become prophetic reminders of God's provision and guidance in different seasons of life.
Living a Supernatural Journey
The speaker emphasizes that seeking first the kingdom of God transforms the natural world into a supernatural journey, where everything belongs to Him and is held loosely. He shares that his primary focus has always been whether God showed up and whether he followed God's instructions. He highlights the balance of sacrifice and reward in the Christian life, noting that acts of giving can yield benefits both immediately and years later.
Faith, the Unseen Realm, and Manifestation in the Natural World
The speaker discusses the importance of operating out of the unseen realm of faith, where what is eternal holds more substance than what is temporary. He explains that faith is meant to affect the natural world, influencing everything from healing and poverty to relationships and business. Faith is God's nature, and He invites us into a journey where nothing is impossible.
Living Through the Lordship of Jesus
The speaker concludes by emphasizing that living through the lordship of Jesus brings personal fulfillment and creates a positive impact on society. He notes that the effect of lordship should be visible in how we live, love, and treat others. He acknowledges the challenges of navigating disappointment, loss, criticism, and betrayal, but stresses the importance of trusting God in all seasons.
Invitation to Receive Jesus
The speaker extends an invitation to those who have never received Jesus as Lord, offering them the opportunity to be forgiven and brought into God's family. He leads a prayer, asking for an awareness of eternity and a revelation of seeking first God's kingdom.
