But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
Matthew 6:33 (CSB)
1) How Do I Make God’s Kingdom A Priority?
…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 (CSB)
2) Why Is Kingdom Living A Challenge?
“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread.”.
Matthew 6:25-28 (CSB)
3) What Are the Rewards Of Kingdom Living?
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
Matthew 6:33 (CSB)
The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
2 Kings 6:9-12 (CSB)
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him…
Psalm 25:14 (NKJ)
Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around.
1 John 4:1 (LB)
So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send men to capture him.” When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan.”
2 Kings 6:13 (CSB)
2. See More Clearly
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17 (CSB)
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.
Psalm 34:7 (CSB)
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.
Ephesians 1:18-19 (CSB)
3. Feel More Deeply
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
2 Kings 6:21-24 (CSB)
By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his transformation he was approved, having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 (CSB)
4 Marks of a Consistent Faith
1. WALK WITH GOD
Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
Genesis 5:22-24 (ESV)
2. BELIEVE GOD
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6
3. SHARE GOD
Now Enoch, who lived seven generations after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Look, the Lord is coming with thousands of his holy ones. 15 He will bring the people of the world to judgment. He will convict the ungodly of all the evil things they have done in rebellion and of all the insults that godless sinners have spoken against him.”
Jude 14-15 (NLT)
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5 (NIV)
4. PLEASE GOD
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists…
Hebrews 11:5-6 (ESV)
After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.’
Acts 13:22 (CSB)
…but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.”
1 Samuel 13:14 (CSB)
1) Faith Over Fear
The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear.
1 Samuel 13:6-7 (CSB)
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel. He will save them from the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of my people, for their cry has come to me.”
1 Samuel 9:16 (CSB)
But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.
Psalm 59:16 (CSB)
2) Waiting Over Rushing
“When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require because God is with you. 8 Afterward, go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice fellowship offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do.”
1 Samuel 10:7-8 (CSB)
He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering…”
1 Samuel 13:8-9 (CSB)
3) Worship Over Religion
So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering.10 Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him.
1 Samuel 13:9-10 (CSB)
God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
Psalm 63:1 (CSB)
4) Responsibility Over Casting Blame
…and Samuel asked, “What have you done? ”Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, 12 I thought, ‘The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, 14 but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.”
1 Samuel 13:11-14 (CSB)
David responded to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
2 Samuel 12:25 (CSB)
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, my friend.
Isaiah 41:8 (CSB)
…and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.
James 2:23 (CSB)
I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.
John 15:15 (CSB)
4 Marks of a Friend of God
1) FAITH
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 (CSB)
He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.
Romans 4:20 (CSB)
2) FELLOWSHIP
The Lord said to Abraham…
Genesis 12:1 (CSB)
Abram continued, “Look, you have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.”4 Now the word of the Lord came to him: “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”
Genesis 15:3-4 (CSB)
The Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre…
Genesis 18:1-8 (CSB)
3) Fear
Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”
Genesis 22:12 (CSB)
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.
Psalm 25:14 (NLT)
4) Followship
“As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.
John 15:12-15 (CSB)
Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran’s son), and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they set out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 Terah lived 205 years and died in Haran. Genesis 11:31-32 (CSB)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
Romans 15:12 (NIV)
2. Hope Fills Us With Joy And Peace
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I don’t give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
3. Hope Grows Through Trust
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 (AMP)
4. Hope Overflows By The Spirit
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
Luke 2:25 (CSB)
And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (CSB)
I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
Galatians 5:16-17 (CSB)
2. I am Guided by the Spirit
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law.
Luke 2:26-27 (CSB)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
John 14:26 (CSB)
3. I am Used by the Spirit
Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:28-35 (CSB)
