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SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GODText: Matthew 6:33 Introduction:
I. Here Jesus places as the most important thing in
man’s life the seeking of the Kingdom of God and his
righteousness.
II. To seek the Righteousness of God is to seek to know
and do the commands of God.
A. Word of Righteousness. Hebrews 5:13
B. Psalms 119:172: “For all thy commandments are
righteousness.”
C. Noah a preacher of righteousness by preaching God’s
Commands. 2 Peter 2:5
D. The Lord’s teaching is referred to as “the way of
righteousness.
III. Seeking the Kingdom of God and seeking the
righteousness of God, are inseparable. Cannot seek
one without the other.Body:
I. What Does It Mean To Seek The Kingdom of God?
A. The term Kingdom is used in several senses in the New
Testament.
1. The Kingdom of Satan. Matthew 12:25-26
2. The Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 16:13-19 Hence,
Kingdom of Heaven refers to the church.
a. Parables in Matthew 13 which show Kingdom of
Heaven to mean the Church.
3. The Kingdom of God, which refers to the Church,
the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 13:31; Luke 13:18-
19
a. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5
b. Word, seed of kingdom. Luke 8:11
B. In seeking the Kingdom of God, we must learn when and
where the Kingdom was established.
1. The establishment of the Kingdom or Church is a
matter of prophecy.
a. Isaiah 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-2. To be established:
1. In the last days.
2. In Jerusalem.
3. The New Testament Age is the “Last Days” –
Hebrews 1:1-2; Acts 2:16-17.
b. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, Interpretation, and
Fulfillment. Daniel 2:
2. Church or Kingdom not established by John.
a. Preached “at Hand” or approaching. Matthew 3:1-
2
b. John was not in the Kingdom. Matthew 11:11
3. Kingdom not established during the Personal
Ministry of Jesus. Yet in the Future.
a. Mark 1:15 – “at hand” Jesus.
b. Matthew 10:7 – “at hand” Twelve.
c. Luke 10:9 = “Come nigh unto you.”
d. Matthew 6:9-10 – Disciples taught to pray for
it.
e. Matthew 16:18 – Christ promised to build it.
f. Matthew 18:1-3 – Disciples not yet in it.
g. Mark 9:1 – Christ promised that it would come
during that generation.
h. Luke 22:18; 19:11 – Disciples were yet
expecting it. Mark 15:43
i. Acts 1:6 – had not come at time of ascension.
j. not until after resurrection – 2 Samuel 7:12-13
k. not until after ascension – Daniel 7:13-14.
4. The Beginning:
a. Kingdom was to begin and law to go forth from
Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3; Luke 24:47.
b. Law or Word went forth on Pentecost from
Jerusalem. Acts 2:37-38
c. The Kingdom was to come with power. Mark 9:1
1. The power was to come with Holy Spirit. Acts
1:8
2. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. Acts 2:1-
4
3. There the Kingdom came on Pentecost.
5. Pentecost marks the Beginning. Acts 11:15
a. The beginning of the Christian Age – The New
Covenant.
b. The beginning of the Kingdom.
c. The beginning of the preaching of the Gospel in
its fullness.
d. Beginning of the preaching of repentance and
remission of sins in the name of Christ.
6. After Pentecost the Church or Kingdom always
spoken of as in Existence.
a. Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1; 11:22; 14:27; Colossians
1:13; Revelation 1:9
C. In seeking the Kingdom of God, we must learn the
nature of the Kingdom.
1. A Spiritual Kingdom – Not earthly.
a. John 18:36. “Kingdom not of this world.”
b. John 4:24. “Must worship God in Spirit and in
Truth.”
c. Philippians 3:20 “Citizenship in Heaven. (R.V.)
d. Hebrews 12:22-23. “Written or enrolled in
heaven.”
e. Revelation 20:15. “Names written in the book of
life.”
D. In seeking the Kingdom of God, we must learn and do
those things necessary for entrance into the
Kingdom.
1. As an alien we must gain citizenship.
2. Must be born into Kingdom. John 3:3-5
3. Repent and be Baptized. Acts 2:38
4. Baptized into Christ and thus put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27Howard See |