The Priority of Calling-Matthew 6:33

Matthew's Gospel, New Testament, Sermons

“But seek first his kingdom…” (Matthew 6:33). “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously…” (Matthew 6:33, NLT).

In our sermon series on Calling over the past month, we considered the process of calling from Isaiah (Conversion and Calling), the intimacy of calling from Jeremiah (Called Before Conception) and the habit of calling from Ezekiel (Calling and Eating). Today we consider the priority of calling from Matthew 6:33, which is the verse that radically changed the trajectory, motivation and direction of my entire life in 1980.

How consciously aware are you of being called by God? How do you know you are serving God? Consider the following:

  • You serve who [what] you see (Isaiah) (Isa 6:1, 5, 8).
  • You serve the one who knows you (Jeremiah) (Jer 1:5; Gen 16:13; Gal 4:9; Jn 10:14, 27; 1 Cor 8:3).
  • You serve like eating (Ezekiel) (Eze 3:1-3). It’s your life’s habit. It could be good or bad.
  • Pain/stress/hardship/opposition/persecution/disappointment/heartbreak reveals your true self and your true calling (Isa 6:9-11; Jer 1:19; Eze 2:6-8; 3:7, 9).
  • You can never ever serve God out of fear (Isa 41:10; Jer 1:8, 17; Eze 2:6).
  • You don’t serve yourself/by your own strength/human ambition (1 Pet 4:11).
  • You don’t serve for your own expectation/satisfaction.
  • You have an unwavering/unshakable priority in life.

Matthew 6:33

  • Is this a requirement for entering the kingdom?
  • What does it mean to seek God first?
  • Why do you think that God desires that you seek him first?
  • Is seeking God first loving him? Trusting him? What/who are we inclined to trust (Mt 6:1, 5, 16, 19, 32)?
  • What if you do not seek God first?
  • What is your first priority in life?

What is of first and utmost importance in your heart and life?

  • As a Christian, is it: Success in ministry? Number of disciples raised? Church growth?
  • Regarding finances, is it how much money, promotions and recognition you receive?
  • Regarding your family, is it your marriage and how well and successful your children are?
  • Regarding your relationships, is it how honored, regarded and respected you are?

What does not work but is common:

  • Telling others (adults) what to do.
  • Insisting and imposing your will, your opinion and your preference on others.
  • Not being creative, but doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
  • Not willing to embrace or consider an opinion or perspective that is different from yours.
  • Having a rigid and inflexible Either/Or mentality rather than Both/And.
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