First Things First 8-28-25 AM
I. We do it earnestly.
a. The word earnestly means: with deep and sincere feeling.
i. It carries the idea of whatever is being done this way carries great importance.
ii. It is nothing half-hearted or with any attitude of neglect.
b. When you are truly seeking something, it is important to you.
c. This is similar to what is stated later by Jesus in this same sermon (Matt. 7:7-8).
d. The word seek gives us a picture of a person in a quest for something:
i. A shepherd seeking his lost sheep.
ii. A woman tearing apart the house to find her lost coin.
iii. A businessman selling all he has to purchase a pearl of great price.
e. When one truly seeks something in this manner, there is no luck involved.
i. You don’t luck up and find the kingdom of God.
ii. This kingdom is only found with effort and diligence.
f. We hear people talk as if it is all up to God.
i. If God wants me He will get me.
ii. If God wants me to have this He will give it to me.
iii. If God…
g. We have to be seeking the kingdom to find it and to be a part of it.
h. It takes earnest effort to be find the kingdom, become a part of it, and to remain in it.
II. We do it continually.
a. The tense of the word “seek” is that of continual action.
i. It is not a one time seeking and then you are done.
ii. It indicates a lifetime of seeking God’s kingdom first.
b. Remember, this is relational with God.
i. Do you want a good or bad relationship with God?
ii. The goodness or badness of the relationship depends on our effort in seeking the kingdom first.
c. You and I are to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pe. 3:18).
d. Growth is continual and it is involved in seeking the kingdom first.
e. There is no time, from new birth until death, which we have off from this duty.
i. We don’t take breaks or vacations from it.
ii. We don’t hit a retirement age where we don’t have to do it any longer.
f. Our avenues of seeking the kingdom will change.
i. We go through different stages of life.
ii. Someone has kindly called them different seasons of life.
iii. How we seek the kingdom through the changing times of life will differ.
iv. But, we still must seek the kingdom first.
g. In Mark 14, a woman came into Jesus and used some very expensive ointment to anoint Jesus.
i. This made some of the people watching mad because they considered this a waste.
ii. Do you remember the words of Jesus in her defense?
iii. She has done what she could (Mark 14:8).
h. This is what God expects of us – nothing more, nothing less.
III. We do it immediately.
a. I’ve met very few people in my lifetime that don’t believe in Jesus.
b. Most people I have met also believe in the gospel, at least certain parts.
c. One writer said that almost everyone believes in the gospel but few believe in the gospel of now.
d. Satan wants us to delay seeking the kingdom.
i. He does not mind if we admire the kingdom.
ii. He does not mind if we want to be in the kingdom.
e. What is keeping you and me from truly seeking the kingdom first?
i. Not just playing at it but really seeking it?
ii. What is keeping us from living the life God calls us to live?
f. It’s easy to say when I get through this season of life I will get to it.
i. I’ve just gotten my first job and I have to give it my attention.
ii. I’m dating this girl and it is really serious and we are probably going to get married and then I will give it my attention.
iii. We’ve got children and they keep us so busy but when that slows down I will give it my attention.
iv. The kids athletics take up a lot of time but when that is over I will give it my attention.
v. I’m getting older and I will leave it to the younger ones.
g. We need to be seeking the kingdom first immediately, right now because we are not promised any more time.
h. Think about the example we are setting for our children when we seek everything but the kingdom first.