Primary Concern of Discipleship: As stated in Matthew 6:33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."
God's primary concern is His kingdom.
God's kingdom represents His rule and it must come first.
Prioritizing God's Kingdom
Importance of God's Kingdom: When you prioritize God's rule and standards, you receive the benefits of discipleship.
Example: New York's Saks Fifth Avenue uses window displays (mannequins) to lure customers inside, similar to how Kingdom disciples act as advertisements for God's kingdom.
Concept of Kingdom Disciples
Definition: A Christian learning to live under Jesus Christ's lordship.
Key Element: Binding and loosing (permitting or forbidding) as a form of exercising kingdom authority.
Master Key to Kingdom Discipleship
Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5 - 7, particularly 6:33, gives the key.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."
Importance: Understanding and using the 'master key' simplifies life by aligning with God's kingdom rule.
Kingdom Rule and Standards
Kingdom Pursuit: The Bible centers on the glory of God through the advancement of His kingdom.
Application: Every aspect of life should reflect this pursuit.
Role of Men in the Kingdom
Biblical Instruction: Exodus 34:23-24 emphasizes men coming under God's rule.
When men align under God's rule, they receive protection and blessing.
Challenges by Satan
Satan's Objective: To prevent people from pursuing the kingdom.
Historical Context: Israel's rejection of Jesus led to the church becoming the vehicle for God's kingdom.
Current Role of Christians: Act as God's representatives.
God's Kingdom versus Cultural Norms
Cultural Conflict: God's kingdom often contradicts societal rules.
Christians should adhere to God's standards, not societal norms.
God's Inviolable Laws
God's Nature: Cannot sin and cannot be second.
Priority of God: He must be first in our lives in every aspect, including decisions.
Misuse of God's Kingdom
Analogy of Baseball: Missing first base (God's priorities) invalidates success on other bases.
Warranty Illustration: God's protection is like a warranty that doesn't cover misuse.
Conclusion
Promise of God: All needs will be met when God's kingdom and righteousness are prioritized.
Worry Elimination: Trust in God's provision removes anxiety.
Application: Align life with kingdom standards for God's covering and provision.