Dave’s Monday Blast – August 26, 2019
One of my favorite Lauren Daigle songs is entitled First. The message is taken from Matthew 6:33 where our Savior instructs His listeners to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” The Kingdom of God has been our topic for the last few weeks; it is the subject that Jesus talked about more than any other. Daigle describes the Kingdom as our treasure and reward…to receive it we must INTENTIONALLY seek it.
His Word is clear that we must consistently practice specific principles IF we are to be considered “Kingdom Seekers.” Remember the essence of being a Kingdom seeker is to be one who passionately pursues the presence of God.
Key Principles so far:
1. Humility and Fasting (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5)
2. Fervent and Frequent Prayer (Colossians 4:12 & 13)
3. Taking in the Word (Deuteronomy 6:4; Joshua 1:8)
4. Repentance (Luke 15:10)
5. Obedience (James 1:27)
6. Perseverance (1 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 3:12 – 14)
Our Last Principle:
7. Connecting within a community of Believers: Seeking after God is not just an individual pursuit, but a corporate one as well. Puritan Theologian, Jonathan Edwards, wrote that the best Biblical passage on this topic is Zechariah 8:20 – 23. Notice the zeal of those seeking after God. It was not enough that they themselves were seeking after God, but they were compelled to encourage others to seek God as well.
Both the gathering of and the gathering with others is critical. It is important that Christians gather with others on a weekly, if not daily basis to encourage each other in the faith to remain strong in the Lord and to minister to each other, building up the body of Christ. Christians must be regular participants in churches, small groups, and other large and small group gatherings in order to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24 & 25).
