THE SEND: Luke & ActsSample

We see way back in Genesis that God made us to be fruitful (Genesis 1:28). But Jesus loves to challenge us about what sort of fruitfulness we should be pursuing.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” (Luke 12:31). These words from Jesus are made up of a command (Seek...) and a promise (he will give...). Those who prioritize God’s Kingdom get to live the life of fruitfulness they were made for.

Let’s look at how Jesus unpacks what it looks like to seek the Kingdom of God first:

1. Seeking his Kingdom means caring about our inner world and what flows out of it. We’re not called to be hypocrites but to live lives where what we believe and what we do match up. (Luke 12:1-11).
2. Humans love to worry about not having enough. But those who seek the Kingdom first know how to choose trust over worry. Jesus’ medicine to those who worry? Look at the world around you. If God cares for and provides for creation, how much more will he provide for you, a beloved son/daughter made in his image. (Luke 12:13-34).
3. Seeking his Kingdom first means being ready for his return. If you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, how would you live differently today? We don’t know when he’s coming back–and we don’t need to live in fear–but we do need to adjust our priorities. (Luke 12:35-48).
4. Seeking his Kingdom first means putting him first. God cares about our loyalty. He wants us to care more about what he thinks than what even our friends or family think. (Luke 12:49-59).
5. Seeking his Kingdom means responding when he speaks. The Jews, as God’s people, were meant to be like a fruitful fig tree. But they had lost sight of their calling. This broke Jesus’ heart. But he also gave them a serious warning: you can’t remain fruitless forever. (Luke 13:6-9).
6. Seeking his Kingdom first means prioritising obedience to God over empty religion. The Pharisees thought it was wrong to heal on the Sabbath as it was “work”. But they’d missed the point. The heart of God’s law is love–loving God and loving people. This is the kind of obedience God is after. (Luke 13:10-17).
7. Seeking his Kingdom first means trusting that small acts of obedience can lead to great impact. God doesn’t need us to feel powerful in order to make an impact. Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God grows like a mustard seed. Every step matters. (Luke 13:18-21).

Which one of these points most resonates with you today?

Take a moment to ask God how he’s inviting you to seek his Kingdom first, and then take a step. It might look like changing a priority, starting a conversation, giving something up, choosing trust over worry, or following a nudge from the Holy Spirit.

How will you seek his kingdom first today?