Base verse for todays word is Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well
Some verses in bible are spoken more and practiced less.
Many verses in the bible we know and we can quote any time, but very few we practice what the Word says.
Matthew 6:33 is one of that verse. People use it in talk, prayer and very few do what it says.
Actually many people do it reversely. people seek all things of the world and they ask from God and they think they are living for Gods kingdom, because they are asking from God.
When you ask anybody what is this seeking of His Kingdom, and His Righteousness, many will have vague answers, the first answer you get is putting God first in all things (when i get up first i pray, before i eat food i pray, before i goto bed i pray, i give the tithe).
But let us see what bible says about His Kingdom.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Eating and drinking is kingdom of the world.
Eating,drinking actually represents all the worldly things,
Luke 17:26,27
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark
Devil tempted Lord Jesus with bread.
But Since Lord Jesus always looked at the kingdom of God, He said many shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes out of Gods mouth.
You substitute any thing of this world like going after money or anything you name it.
Why people keep going after these things
a) because they are not content
b) because they don't have faith that God can supply all these when they seek after Godly things.
So first let me make things clear, if you are thinking that kingdom of God is about going to God and asking God about all the things of the world then you are actually seeking the things of the world, but not the things of Kingdom.
So we clearly know from this verse is Righteousness,Peace and Joy in Holy Spirit.
So when you say Seek His Kingdom, it means Seek His Righteousness, Seek His Peace, Seek His Joy.
Not the righteousness, peace, joy that the world talks about, but the righteousness, peace and joy that comes from the world.
So what is this Righteousness, peace, joy that Holy Spirit gives.
To understand this
we should know what righteousness of the world.
The righteousness of the world is like this:
It is self righteousness- Any righteousness that does not come with Holy Spirit,is self righteousness.
Doing an act of righteousness for a gain - gain could be some honor, becoming famous, or indirectly gain more money, self satisfaction.
Many people get deceived by lies.
2 Thessalonians 2:
Verse 11,12 - they are deceived from lies.
Verse 10 :Because they did not love the Truth.
Love the truth - When Holy Spirit reveals something in your heart, you love the Truth. Many times the Spirit revealed something i was little hesitant to believe and love it.
But sometimes i loved and sometimes i failed to love and i confessed it.
Verse 13:
But those who love the Truth are saved by Sanctifying work of the Spirit.
Let us look at Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
My Righteousness should surpass the righteousness of pharisees and teachers.
What is the righteousness of pharisees - Matthew 23:25-28
Pharisees always say Do as I Say, they don't say Do as I Do.(they teach but not practice).
Pharisees are more concerned about what people see , what people think about them.
Have you ever gone home after Church, what does people think about my curry i cooked, about the dress i wear, about the songs i sung,
I used to that every time after going home, i used to ask did people got impressed by what i told in psalm reading. but God convicted me and then i repented and now i consider how the psalm that i talk is helping me and others in our lives.
It is like the outside they do all the things. they fast, they give tithe, they pray, but if you go and look at their heart, it is like rotten.
It is like you see a most beautiful person in world, and out side the body is beautiful, but inside all diseases then you will go away.
But when the Holy Spirit came , He convicted a person's sin and thus made realize that a person need in Christ. and it doesn't stop there, If you continue to yield to what Spirit leads you, you will see the fruit of Spirit ( Gal 5:22),
Gives Kindness- and in that kindness , you help the one who is in needy.
Gives Patience and Gentleness - and this helps a believer to be righteous in being patient with those who are provoking, being gentle with others.
All you are deeds of righteousness will come out of the Holy Spirit work in your life.
and one great thing you will notice is for every work of righteousness that you do you will be thankful to God.
The problem with self righteousness is it does not lead me to repentance, it does not lead me to the need of savior.
One good test if we have self righteousness or the righteousness that comes from Holy Spirit is
any act of righteousness which does not need the grace of the savior, but can act on its own is self righteousness. but any act of righteousness that recognizes the grace of the savior and as a result the act of righteous deed is poured out., then it is righteousness from Holy Spirit.
Romans 9:30-32 says
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is [t]by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law
What Righteousness are we seeking today?
I can seek the Kingdom of God that is the righteousness of God through the fruit of HolySpirit, and I can see the fruit of the HolySpirit in my life when I yield to what the Spirit teaches me.
Remember, Isaiah 64:5 - God looks for those who rejoice in doing righteousness.
2) Joy in HolySpirit
Clearly we know that from Galatians 5:22, that Joy is the fruit of HolySpirit.
When we abide in Lord Jesus Christ and continously yield to Holy Spirit, then we can see the fruit of Joy in our life.
John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
How our joy is made full:
When you are full of love, than you can have joy.
for example, the whole day my work will be hectic and will be working hard.
but when i come home and see my daughter and my wife, i am full of love for them and i just rejoice in their presence.
Lord Jesus says, these things I spoke to you, -- these things are.
In John 15:10, our joy can be full when we completely abide in His Love.
How the Joy in Holy Spirit is revealed
1)When you see the power of God working in our lives, rejoice in it.
Acts 8:7,8
7For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city
When they see power of God doing signs and miracles, and people are coming to salvation, then rejoice in it.
I will give a personal testimony, that recently how joyful i was when i see the power of God.
when my wife was going through some leg cramps in the night, and i prayed and declared the she is healed, within moments, the cramps left her and she went to sleep. and similar testimonies, i was just thankful and rejoicing in God, that the power of God is manifested in our lives.
Dont rejoice in what others can do for you in their power.
But rejoice in what God can do for you.
2) Rejoice in your fellow brother/sister.
1 thessalonians 2: 19,20
For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His[z]coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Some people are very joyful when they buy a property, or when they got a expensive gift.
for Paul, his fellow bretheren are his joy.
Actually this kind of joy lets us work more for kingdom of God.
3) Rejoice in every moment, not just when we hear a wonderful message, or some one prophecies about us. Rejoice in every moment.
Sister Sonal sent a whatsapp message it When a small baby is thrown into air, she laughs because she knows you will catch and does not lose her joy.
When we are thrown into situations, if we abide in His Love, we still be joyful.
The key for seeking Gods Kingdom is
1) Setting our minds on the things above.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on the things above.
When faced with provoking situation - you will set your mind on heaven and forgiveness is key and you will act with grace.
John 18:36
Lord Jesus said " My Kingdom is not of this world"
If it is of this world, then I would fight.
Many times we end up fighting with colleagues, spouses, neighbours, relatives.
Why because we always seek the worldly kingdom and forget about the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, I will not argue nor fight for my release because my Kingdom is not of this world.
When seeking for His kingdom we should not fight for this world but should fight for Gods kingdom.
if we keep seeking the things of world, we can never be overcomers.
That is why it says Some take kingdom of God by force.
Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well
Some verses in bible are spoken more and practiced less.
Many verses in the bible we know and we can quote any time, but very few we practice what the Word says.
Matthew 6:33 is one of that verse. People use it in talk, prayer and very few do what it says.
Actually many people do it reversely. people seek all things of the world and they ask from God and they think they are living for Gods kingdom, because they are asking from God.
When you ask anybody what is this seeking of His Kingdom, and His Righteousness, many will have vague answers, the first answer you get is putting God first in all things (when i get up first i pray, before i eat food i pray, before i goto bed i pray, i give the tithe).
But let us see what bible says about His Kingdom.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Eating and drinking is kingdom of the world.
Eating,drinking actually represents all the worldly things,
Luke 17:26,27
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark
Devil tempted Lord Jesus with bread.
But Since Lord Jesus always looked at the kingdom of God, He said many shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes out of Gods mouth.
You substitute any thing of this world like going after money or anything you name it.
Why people keep going after these things
a) because they are not content
b) because they don't have faith that God can supply all these when they seek after Godly things.
So first let me make things clear, if you are thinking that kingdom of God is about going to God and asking God about all the things of the world then you are actually seeking the things of the world, but not the things of Kingdom.
So we clearly know from this verse is Righteousness,Peace and Joy in Holy Spirit.
So when you say Seek His Kingdom, it means Seek His Righteousness, Seek His Peace, Seek His Joy.
Not the righteousness, peace, joy that the world talks about, but the righteousness, peace and joy that comes from the world.
So what is this Righteousness, peace, joy that Holy Spirit gives.
To understand this
we should know what righteousness of the world.
The righteousness of the world is like this:
It is self righteousness- Any righteousness that does not come with Holy Spirit,is self righteousness.
Doing an act of righteousness for a gain - gain could be some honor, becoming famous, or indirectly gain more money, self satisfaction.
Many people get deceived by lies.
2 Thessalonians 2:
Verse 11,12 - they are deceived from lies.
Verse 10 :Because they did not love the Truth.
Love the truth - When Holy Spirit reveals something in your heart, you love the Truth. Many times the Spirit revealed something i was little hesitant to believe and love it.
But sometimes i loved and sometimes i failed to love and i confessed it.
Verse 13:
But those who love the Truth are saved by Sanctifying work of the Spirit.
Let us look at Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
My Righteousness should surpass the righteousness of pharisees and teachers.
What is the righteousness of pharisees - Matthew 23:25-28
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Pharisees are more concerned about what people see , what people think about them.
Have you ever gone home after Church, what does people think about my curry i cooked, about the dress i wear, about the songs i sung,
I used to that every time after going home, i used to ask did people got impressed by what i told in psalm reading. but God convicted me and then i repented and now i consider how the psalm that i talk is helping me and others in our lives.
It is like the outside they do all the things. they fast, they give tithe, they pray, but if you go and look at their heart, it is like rotten.
It is like you see a most beautiful person in world, and out side the body is beautiful, but inside all diseases then you will go away.
But when the Holy Spirit came , He convicted a person's sin and thus made realize that a person need in Christ. and it doesn't stop there, If you continue to yield to what Spirit leads you, you will see the fruit of Spirit ( Gal 5:22),
Gives Kindness- and in that kindness , you help the one who is in needy.
Gives Patience and Gentleness - and this helps a believer to be righteous in being patient with those who are provoking, being gentle with others.
All you are deeds of righteousness will come out of the Holy Spirit work in your life.
and one great thing you will notice is for every work of righteousness that you do you will be thankful to God.
The problem with self righteousness is it does not lead me to repentance, it does not lead me to the need of savior.
One good test if we have self righteousness or the righteousness that comes from Holy Spirit is
any act of righteousness which does not need the grace of the savior, but can act on its own is self righteousness. but any act of righteousness that recognizes the grace of the savior and as a result the act of righteous deed is poured out., then it is righteousness from Holy Spirit.
Romans 9:30-32 says
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is [t]by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law
What Righteousness are we seeking today?
I can seek the Kingdom of God that is the righteousness of God through the fruit of HolySpirit, and I can see the fruit of the HolySpirit in my life when I yield to what the Spirit teaches me.
Remember, Isaiah 64:5 - God looks for those who rejoice in doing righteousness.
2) Joy in HolySpirit
Clearly we know that from Galatians 5:22, that Joy is the fruit of HolySpirit.
When we abide in Lord Jesus Christ and continously yield to Holy Spirit, then we can see the fruit of Joy in our life.
John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
How our joy is made full:
When you are full of love, than you can have joy.
for example, the whole day my work will be hectic and will be working hard.
but when i come home and see my daughter and my wife, i am full of love for them and i just rejoice in their presence.
Lord Jesus says, these things I spoke to you, -- these things are.
In John 15:10, our joy can be full when we completely abide in His Love.
How the Joy in Holy Spirit is revealed
1)When you see the power of God working in our lives, rejoice in it.
Acts 8:7,8
7For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city
When they see power of God doing signs and miracles, and people are coming to salvation, then rejoice in it.
I will give a personal testimony, that recently how joyful i was when i see the power of God.
when my wife was going through some leg cramps in the night, and i prayed and declared the she is healed, within moments, the cramps left her and she went to sleep. and similar testimonies, i was just thankful and rejoicing in God, that the power of God is manifested in our lives.
Dont rejoice in what others can do for you in their power.
But rejoice in what God can do for you.
2) Rejoice in your fellow brother/sister.
1 thessalonians 2: 19,20
For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His[z]coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Some people are very joyful when they buy a property, or when they got a expensive gift.
for Paul, his fellow bretheren are his joy.
Actually this kind of joy lets us work more for kingdom of God.
3) Rejoice in every moment, not just when we hear a wonderful message, or some one prophecies about us. Rejoice in every moment.
Sister Sonal sent a whatsapp message it When a small baby is thrown into air, she laughs because she knows you will catch and does not lose her joy.
When we are thrown into situations, if we abide in His Love, we still be joyful.
The key for seeking Gods Kingdom is
1) Setting our minds on the things above.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on the things above.
When faced with provoking situation - you will set your mind on heaven and forgiveness is key and you will act with grace.
John 18:36
Lord Jesus said " My Kingdom is not of this world"
If it is of this world, then I would fight.
Many times we end up fighting with colleagues, spouses, neighbours, relatives.
Why because we always seek the worldly kingdom and forget about the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, I will not argue nor fight for my release because my Kingdom is not of this world.
When seeking for His kingdom we should not fight for this world but should fight for Gods kingdom.
if we keep seeking the things of world, we can never be overcomers.
Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
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