Seek First the Kingdom of God
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 [NKJV]
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
"For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
Bible Study
Seeking the Kingdom of God begins with knowing there is a God, getting to know Him through His Words to us from the Holy Bible, and growing in a loving relationship with Him, just as a child does as they get to know their parents while growing up in a family.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Let’s look at what the Kingdom of God is like to Jesus:
[For a deep dive into this topic, please see Life Walk Lesson 22 The Parables of Jesus, and Life Walk Lesson 71 The Kingdom of God] and several more Lessons within Volume 8 on the right side column of the Webpage.
The Bible Study today is fresh revelation which began last night. In case you came yesterday and only saw a small portion, now you see that the rest has been given this morning - for fresh revelation is given to and for the hungry. Thank You Father.
What to Preach
Matthew 3:1-3
1 "In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Luke 7:28
“For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
What to Pray
Luke 11:2-3
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Give us this day our daily bread…’”
Please feel free to watch my Video on Praying the Lord's Prayer, expanded with the Names of God from the Book, Prayers that Avail Much, by Geraldine Copeland.
Matthew 6:25-34 Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Luke 11:4-9 A Friend Comes to Give
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;
7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?
8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.” [See Song of Solomon 5:2-6; and Matthew 25:1-13]
Prayer of Intercession: Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
The Kingdom of God is from God
11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
The Kingdom of God comes with the Power of God
Zechariah 4:6
“So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
There is nothing in the Kingdom of God that originates with the demonic realm. Everything comes by the Power of God, and His Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer on behalf of God’s generosity, working out God’s outcomes for the good of those who love God; even their enemies. [Matthew 5:44]
If we ask anything of God, He will do it — Jesus promised. [John 14:13-14].
If we ask for provision, God will not send demonic harassment because we asked for something we needed, or would like to have. Spiritual warfare in this regard can make us even feel guilty for asking for things we desire. God never sends us on a guilt trip.
We have been given the authority and power to tread on snakes and scorpions. [Deuteronomy 8:15; Luke 10:19]
The Message is Timeless
Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Believers are Born Again
John 3:3-5
3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?
5"Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom Originates with God Almighty
John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
The Kingdom of God is Within the Believer
Luke 17:20-22
20 "Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
21 nor will they say,‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’”
Luke 4:42-44
42 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them;
43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
The Kingdom of God is given to the Child-like
Mark 10:15
“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
The Kingdom of God is given to the Poor, Hungry, and Grieving, who Believe God
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Luke 6:19-21
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is Good News to Everyone who Believes God
Luke 8:1-3
“Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God…”
The Kingdom of God brings Salvation, Deliverance and Healing
Luke 9:1-3
1 “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
Luke 9:10-11
10 “And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.”
The Kingdom of God is God’s Lifestyle and His Way of Doing Things
Luke 10:1-11
1 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. [Psalm 23:5]
4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.
5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.
8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,
11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’”
Every believer who presents the Word of God to another brings the Kingdom of God near to them, for the Kingdom of God is within them to impart to everything around them — their sphere of influence. Release the anointing in you, then, everywhere you go — into everything you touch, and see what God will do through your obedience to His Great Commission. [Matthew 28:16-20]
The Kingdom of God is Built on Union with God and Unity with One Another
Luke 11:14-23
14 “And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. [Proverbs 31:8-9]
15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
16 Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.
17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.
18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub.
19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace.
22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
The Kingdom of God Naturally Brings the Supernatural
Romans 15:18-21
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient —
19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,
Notes:
1. The area originally designated as 'Illyrian' was roughly located in the region of the south-eastern Adriatic (modern Albania and Montenegro) and its hinterland, then was later extended to the whole Roman Illyricum province, which stretched from the eastern Adriatic to the Danube.
2. In classical and late antiquity, Illyria (/ɪˈlɪəriə/; Ancient Greek: Ἰλλυρία, Illyría or Ἰλλυρίς, Illyrís; Latin: Illyria, Illyricum) was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by numerous tribes of people collectively known as the Illyrians.
3. See also The Cepher: cepher.net on Acts 29 [If you get the Cepher APP, the Chapter comes with the paid version]
There are Rewards for Entering the Kingdom of God
Matthew 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Encouragement:
In the Family Kingdom of God:
Everyone is called a Child of God. [Isaiah 63:16, 64:8; Jeremiah 3:19; 1John 3:1]
Everyone is delivered from Satan’s kingdom of darkness, and transferred to God’s Kingdom of Light. [Colossians 1:12-14]
Everyone has been saved from the punishment of death for their sins, forgiven, and restored to full access with our Father in Heaven.
Everyone has Faith in God [Romans 1:16]
Everyone can have confidence in God to Provide every need [Matthew 6:31
Everyone is Healed of everything [Matthew 4:24]
Everyone is Protected from all harm [John 17:12
Everyone has Ample Provision [Matthew 14:13-21]
Everyone is Empowered to do Good [Mark 16: 15-18; John 14:12; and Acts 10:38]
Everyone has a Friend [John 15:14-15; 21:5]
Everyone is Known and Heard [John 10:27; Nehemiah 9:9; Psalm 106:44]
Everyone is Given Gifts, Talents, Purpose/Assignments, and the Equipping necessary to accomplish what is assigned, for the good of the Kingdom and its jurisdictions. [Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-13; Galatians 5]
If you have already asked Jesus to be your Saviour, and King over your life, you are a Child of God our Father in Heaven, with all the rights and privileges that come with being in the Family Kingdom of God.
If you have never asked Jesus to come into your life and be part of everything you are and do, now is the best time to do so.
Please feel free to watch my video: What it means to Receive Jesus Christ as Lord
