Pursuit 2022

Priorities – Seeking First God’s Kingdom

It’s an amazing time in which we live. Technology allows us to travel the globe without ever leaving our living room.  In our pocket, we have a device that can answer virtually any question that we can come up with. We have Social-Media that connects us to family members and friends that may be miles away. We have accessibility to healthcare, clean water, food, and clothing online or in stores on every corner. It really is an amazing time to be living.  Yet for all of this we seem to be empty, something is missing.

We are connected through social media, yet distant in real life.  We are full and our cabinets and refrigerators fully stocked, but we are still hungry and can never find what we want.  We are clothed, but still wanting the latest fashion and fad.  We have all the answers at the swipe of a finger or the stroke of a key, but we still are wondering around unfulfilled and feeling clueless.

The greatest tragedy of life is that so many are willing to settle for less than the best. To accept mediocrity, insignificance, the petty when life could have purpose and fulfillment. What you receive depends on your priorities.  One’s priorities affect one’s personal life, business life, church life, and social activities. One’s priorities will dominate one’s life. When they are right, your life will be fulfilled, confident, and rewarded. When they're wrong, your life will result in that which is meaningless. The fun will go out of your life. You will feel flat and empty.  So, let me ask the question this morning, what is it, that is really important to us?

You and I will have our priorities, but we have options when it comes to those priorities.  We can allow the world to set our priorities by what is popular and important to the world.  It is the ambition to pursue everything that appeals to you, to the flesh.  (1 John 2:15 – 17). The second option is to allow God to set your priorities.  This is the priority that takes the pressure and anxiety out of life.  This priority is the key to a life that is lived in harmony with the will and purposes of God.  Whatever the option may be, the bottom line is the choice is yours to make and initiate!

So, what does God have to say about all of this?  I want us to look at two incredible invitations that God gives to us.  One is found in Isaiah 55 and the other is given in Matthew 6 by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.  

• An incredible Invitation from God – Isaiah 55:1 - 3 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”  Notice who the invitation is given to – Everyone who thirsts” and the wonderful provision given: vs. 2 “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.”

• An incredible Invitation from Jesus – Matthew 6:19 – 21; 25 – 33

Both of those incredible invitations are given by God and his Son, Jesus, for us to have and enjoy an abundant life.  And yet, most people seem to fall short of having an abundant life.  Why?  Our problem is priority; we fail to put God first and foremost in all we do and as a result we don’t get all that He intends for us to get out of life, love, relationships, career and even our finances. Notice the clause in verse 6 of Isaiah, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Notice the clause in verse 33 of Matthew, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Here is the answer – Seek God, Put Him first and keep Him first! It sounds simple and it is, but without Him, life becomes unbearable. 

To seek means to pursue, to be intentional, to give attention to, to prioritize!  What’s the first thing you do every day?  God’s kingdom – his rule, his way, his will, his authority.  God tells us to call (petition, pray); forsake (thoughts, habits, bad relationships. What habit do you have that’s preventing you from a closer walk with the Lord?); return (repentance, renewal, revival).

Notice the promise and results that we will receive: Isaiah 55:8 – 13

Matthew 6:33b “and all these things will be given to you as well.”

What would 2022 be like, if we as a church, would start this year off by seeking first God’s kingdom (his will, way of living) for our lives?  Could you imagine those promises being fulfilled in your life this year!  We should anticipate them as we walk in obedience.  Let’s make 2022 an awesome year by seeking first the LORD and watching what He will do with your life!