Sermon: Insights For Kingdom Living in 2023
Scripture: Matthew 6:31-33 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Introduction: Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33). The verse’s meaning is as direct as it sounds. We are to seek the things of God as a priority over the things of the world. Primarily, it means we are to seek the salvation that is inherent in the kingdom of God because it is of greater value than all the world’s riches. Does this mean that we should neglect the reasonable and daily duties that help sustain our lives? Certainly not. But for the Christian, there should be a difference in attitude toward them. If we are taking care of God’s business as a priority—seeking His salvation, living in obedience to Him, and sharing the good news of the kingdom with others—then He will take care of our business as He promised—and if that’s the arrangement, why not try it?
Speaking to His disciples and multitude of people on the mount of Olive, Jesus gives an invitation to the kind of life God intended for them. Jesus knew many were spending time seeking a better life, so Jesus offers them and us sound advice for living the good life. Matthew 6:33 is the first mention of the kingdom of God. In the gospels, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven are used interchangeably. The kingdom of God is mentioned more than 100 times in the gospels alone. It was the central focus of Jesus’s message. This evidence shows the importance of God’s kingdom on earth and our need to understand it.
We have a clear command to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Today, many elected officials will be sworn in Washington, DC. After celebrating each candidate must learn how to function in their office. Every candidate begins his journey, seeking to be elected, after being elected, they must learn to use the authority of their particular office. In like manner, every believer has been invited into full participation in God’s kingdom. Successful participation means prioritizing our life and focusing our passions. Seeking after what we can eat, drink and wear maybe tempting, but we must set higher goals.
There are so many natural concerns in the world, there is a tendency to seek everything else first, and then God’s kingdom and righteous ways. Jesus warns his followers against anxiety, worry, fear, doubt, and distractions over the cares of life. He said, “Take no thought”, because your heavenly Father knows your every need. We are encouraged to be assured that the life of the believer and all of his time is in the hands of God. God knows how provide for every one of His children. Finally, we are assured that if believers make the kingdom of God and His righteousness their first pursue, all these things shall be added unto them.
What did Jesus mean when He spoke of the Kingdom of God? Simply, the kingdom of God is the rule of God or the reign of God in this present world. It’s the way that God expresses Himself through His believing Children in the world. Maybe we can see more clearly if we understand what Jesus did not mean. Jesus was not speaking of geographical location such as the Holy Land, nor a political power or influence such as the Sanhedrin Counsel, nor a physical throne for earthly power. Jesus confessed, “My kingdom is not of this world!” Yet His kingdom will have influence in this world.
Let take a quick view of the kingdom as described in the gospels. Speaking in parables, Jesus gives us a many-sided view of the Kingdom of God in the gospel of Matthew:
Matthew 13:24-29 Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
“24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. 27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. 29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” (The kingdom of God has an enemy)
Matthew 13:31-32 Parable of the Mustard Seed
“31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” (The kingdom of God starts small but grows)
Matthew 13:33 Parable of the Yeast
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (The kingdom of God works from the inside out)
Matthew 13:44-46 Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. 45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! (The kingdom of God must personally discovered and desired)
Matthew 13:47 Parable of the Fishing Net 47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. (The Kingdom of God is like a fishing net under water seeking a catch and will catch all kind of fish)
Matthew 20:1-4 Parable of the Vineyard Workers
20 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage[a] and sent them out to work. 3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. 4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.” (The Kingdom of God is always seeking vineyard workers)
Matthew 22:1-4 Parable of the Great Feast
“22 Jesus also told them other parables. He said, 2 “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. 3 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! (The kingdom of Heaven extends an open invitation)
Matthew 25:1-5 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
“25 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”
Matthew 25:14-16 Parable of the Three Servants
“14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver[b] to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
Think of all the examples Jesus gives of the kingdom. We cannot seek the kingdom unless we can recognize the kingdom and know how it manifests itself. Jesus taught that the kingdom may look unimpressive and would began small, but it would grow in phenomenal ways. God himself would establish His kingdom in the hearts of all who would believe. All are invited into His kingdom! Once in the kingdom, all can experience transformation from the inside out. Just as a seed planted in good soil begins to grow or yeast causes bread to rise, lives will be changed. As we discover His kingdom and His righteous operation, we will influence this world for God. In the kingdom, we discover the unlimited potential for usefulness, fruitfulness, and blessing to others. In the kingdom we learn to glorify God and bless God’s world. We are ambassadors of the kingdom.
We are to pray for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. I know the present manifestation of the kingdom on earth seems limited and small. Yet many believers have witnessed the power of the kingdom in their personal lives. The power of the kingdom transformed their lives. They may not be perfect yet, but they are accepted in the beloved. They have the peace of God and the presence of God in their lives. Just as the disciples were commanded to preach the kingdom of God is nigh. We too preach the gospel of kingdom. Jesus cast out devils with the finger of God, heal the sickness and performed countless miracle all because the kingdom of God was at hand. Since people cannot build the kingdom of God, How do we respond to the message of the kingdom.
First, believers can make seeking the kingdom of God and all His righteousness a priority above everything else. The kingdom is the pearl of great price; it is the hidden treasure we desire. It’s value is so great, we should sell everything else in order to purchase it.
Second, believers who have accepted the good news of the kingdom can share it with others, cast a wide net to their family, friends and associates. Then explore the kingdom as a little child, constantly excited, amazed and asking questions. Learning how to live as kingdom citizens, practicing kingdom character, love, and conduct.
Third, we can pray for the kingdom to come. Pray that God’s kingdom will rule the hearts of men and that they will commit to his righteous rule. Then live ready to receive the soon coming king.
Romans 14:17 “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
As you live a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, invite others to join you. Every level of society is welcome, the rich and poor; the prostitute and the virgin; the tax collector and the thief are all invited to allow God to rule and reign in their hearts. If we are taking care of God’s business as a priority—seeking His salvation, living in obedience to Him, and sharing the good news of the kingdom with others—then He will take care of our business as He promised—and if that’s the arrangement, why not try it in 2023?
