1. What did the Kingdom of God mean to the Disciples initially?
a) Not a whole lot
b) Basic problems
i) Lack of knowledge
ii) Lack of reality
iii) Lack of certainty
2. What the Lord Jesus did:
a) He revealed knowledge about the Kingdom of God
b) The Disciples began to see and understand the greatness of the Kingdom
c) They were willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ to understand more about God’s kingdom
THE THINGS THAT HINDER PEOPLE FROM SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.
23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?
25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
Luke 12:22-28
1. General Worries about this life
a) Food
b) Clothing
c) The answer:
“Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing” Luke 12:23
2. Anxiety
a) Where worrying becomes anxiety
b) The things which are affected when Anxiety sets in
i) It affects our reasoning
“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them.” Luke 12:24a
ii) It affects our perspective of life
“Of how much more value are you than the birds?” Luke 12:24b
iii) It preoccupies the mind and renders us powerless
“And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Luke 12:25
iv) Anxiety becomes a chronic problem
“If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” Luke 12:26
v) It affects our faith in God
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? Luke 12:27-28
vi) We are influenced by the world
29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.
30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.” Luke 12:29-30
THE CHALLENGE TO SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD
31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:31-34
1. Seek the kingdom of God (Luke 12:31)
a) Seek the kingdom of God first
b) Seek in understanding
c) Seek in faith
d) All these things that we need shall be added
2. Seek a deeper Trust in God (Luke 12:32)
a) Don’t give in to fear
b) God is happy to give us the Kingdom
3. Seek the practice of Faith (Luke 22:33)
a) Sell what you have and give alms
b) Provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
4. Seek the kingdom of God with the whole heart
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34)
a) The heart is deeply involved
b) What is the treasure of the heart?
c) Where the treasure is, the heart will be there also
CONCLUSION
1. What does the Kingdom of God mean to you?
a) Heart
b) Mind
c) Soul
2. The Kingdom of God
a) Glorious
b) Eternal
c) Personal
d) Precious
“Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” Daniel 7:27