Seeking god’s Kingdom     Matt. 6:24-33  EBC   Wednesday Night Bible Study

  The greatest concern in our lives should be how fit we are to live our lives. A saved person should make his relationship with God the most important concentration of his life. We aren’t to make the ruling factor what we can get out of life but rather what we can do to make a difference for the glory of God.

  Believer’s Bible Commentary – the Lord makes a covenant with his followers. ‘If you will put God’s interest first He guarantees your future needs will be met”. Phil 3:7-8, John 6:27

I. What Is God’s Kingdom

  A. Scripture describes two aspects;

    1. Present rule in lives of believers

      a. John 3:5 – fulfilling qualifications for righteousness for righteousness living on earth that will be rewarded in the eternal kingdom

      b. 2 Peter 1:5-8 –

    2. Future rule in glory

      a. John 18:36 -

      b. 1 Cor. 6:3 –

      c. Matt. 6:26-30 – God wants to relieve our fears about his provisions for us

II. Mysteries concerning the Kingdom

A.    The reality of God’s kingdom can only be understood by a search of the scriptures

    1. Matt. 13:11; 13:35 -

  B. For explanation Jesus gave key parables

III. Parables concerning the Kingdom

  A. He records levels of fruitfulness

    1. John 15:8; 15:16 -

    2. Matt. 13:19-23 – the determining factor in fruitfulness, or lack thereof, is the condition of the heart. Is the heart prepared to accept what is being given to it?

      a. Prov. 4:23 – Keep thy heart …………

    1. To truly seek His kingdom (rule) is to remove all distractions that would hinder our understanding and applications of scripture

  B. Infiltration of enemies

    1. 1 Cor. 14:24-25 -

      a. It’s hard to weed out all enemies. God’s way is for our fervency to increase. This will bring conviction on those not truly saved or those living in disobedience.

      b. Matt. 13:24-30 –

  C. To grow in faith

    1. Rom. 10:17 -

    2. Matt. 13:31-32- Bill Gothard – each portion of God’s word that we allow to take root in our hearts has potential for producing faith to do great works for His kingdom

      a. Rom. 1:17 -

  D. Expanding our influence

    1. Matt. 13:33 – of Christ lives within us them our lives ought to have a positive influence on those around us

      a. Our lives concerning others should be like leaven in bread

       1. Matt. 5:16 -

  E. Transferring assets

    1. Matt. 13:44:19:21 – when we invest in God’s kingdom we have a far greater reward in Heaven

  F. Discernment of seekers

    1. Matt. 13:47-50 –as our light increases many others should be attracted to us. We need to spend the most time with those who are truly seeking God’s verses those who are just in it for what they can get out of it.

  G. Equal reward for different service-

    1. Matt. 20:1-15 – one of the greatest comforts of being saved is knowing that I can go to Heaven not based on what I do but based on what Jesus did at Calvary.

      a. Heaven is open to those who got saved 2000 years ago as well as that last one that gets saved, we will all be in the same Heaven.

  H. Chosen ones must advance the kingdom through proclamation

    1. Matt. 22:2-14 – we must go into the highways and byways and bring as many people as possible into his kingdom.

  I. Profitability in service

    1. Matt. 25:14-30 – God gave us all talents to use for His glory and He wants us to invest these and multiply them for His kingdom.

      a. Bill Gothard – daily we have opportunities to choose between things that will benefit only now or both now and in the future. Which one will we choose?

      b. 1 Tim. 4:8 -