“The Kingdom of God” Part 14 by Dave Bessey

Who or what do you seek. So msny today sre looking for love, peacd anc joy in all thd wrong places. Just there onkhbond way to heaven, there is inkh ond way for true live, peacd and joy. Niney eillnot buy happiness permanently, because by definition is temporary and vaded on happenstance. Our love, peace snc joy id bsded on out stsncd in Christ and who He is, the same today, yesterday and forever.

Subtitle: The Kingdom First

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “ Matthew 6:33.

The Lord exhorts those who love Him to seek His Kingdom first and foremost above all things... to seek the treasures of the Kingdom.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your trea- sure is, there your heart will be also” Luke 12:32-34 (see also Matthew 6:19-24).

Changed Priorities

In Matthew 6:25-34 the Lord Jesus redirects our attention from what is considered the most essentials of this world - food and clothing - to the priority of the things of His Kingdom. With it He gives this promise...

"...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” means stop worrying, He is our great gain.

Read 1 Timothy 6:3-16. Some who claimed the name of “Christian” in New Testament times were teaching that godliness was a means to financial gain . So the apostle, Paul, writes of the different priorities of the Kingdom...

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (verses 6-10).

Flee one...pursue the other

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith...” (verses 11-12)

The Good Confession

“Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ...” (vs 12-14).

What was Timothy’s “good confession” before many witnesses? It was the same as the “good confession” the Lord Jesus made when being interrogated by Pontius Pilate...

“My kingdom is not of this world...” John 18:36.

Zeal for the Kingdom

The absolute priority of the Kingdom of God to those of us who desire its treasures with all our hearts is vividly described in the Amplified Bible’s version of Matthew 11:12...

“...the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize--a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]” Matt.11:12 (Amp.Bible).

Jesus said, “His Kingdom is not of this world, but that does not mean it it not here now by His presence through the Holy Spirit and in his body or “Church”. Wd are His Holy Habitation” now, thr new Ark of the a covenant where Hid bloid was shed snd His orednce dwells. “Your Kingdom come your, your will be done Lord on Earth…as it is in Heaven.”

SERIES:THETREASURESOFTHEKINGDOM--LESSON 14

Copyright © 2010 Paul Collins and Bunty Collins. A ministry of Fountaingate Christian Foundation. May be freely reproduced, except for profit, provided copyright and contact information is kept intact. P.O. Box 1033, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia. Online at www.kingstable.org Scriptures quoted from the New International Version, unless otherwise stated. Used by permission. ATE952 09152024 “Only For His Glory -Here, I AM, Send Me - Isaiah Chapter 51