Seeking A Kingdom Perspective
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning to live as citizens of heaven while sojourning on earth.
Text: Luke 12:29-31
Date: 12/03/2023, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 129
Occasion: Advent
Description:
As He did with the previous discussion of anxiety, Jesus continues to teach His disciples that their citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, even though they must sojourn for a while in this darkened world. Therefore, they are to seek the Kingdom of God in every aspect of their lives until the Lord takes them home. We will define words like "seek" and "kingdom", and analyze their meaning in a Christian context-- in order to fully understand the metaphors Jesus is using. We will ask ourselves, when Jesus is so explicit about the importance of separation from this world-- why are so many Christians bogged down in the pursuit of of it? Ultimately we will recognize that our perspective is the key and we must therefore strive as Jesus has commanded us to intently seek a Kingdom Perspective.
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I. Introduction, Luke 12:23.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 12:29-34.
A. Context
1. A warning not to covet, Luke 12:15.
2. A command not to be anxious, Luke 12:22.
B. Seeking God's Kingdom.
1. The command of what NOT to seek, vs. 29.
a. Noticing a subtle difference, Luke 12:22.
b. Defining some vital words.
i. Defining "seek".
ii. Defining "worried".
2. Separation from the world, vs. 30.
a. The nations of the world.
i. Defining "nations".
ii. An intense "seeking".
iii. Mandatory Christian behavior.
b. The assurance of compassionate oversight, Luke 11:13.
3. The command of what to seek, vs. 31.
a. A complete separation.
i. A strong adversative, Luke 12:29.
ii. An even more intense "seeking".
b. The Kingdom of God.
i. Defining "kingdom".
1) A Sovereign King.
2) A defined dominion.
3) Loyal subjects.
ii. The importance of "Kingdom ethics", Luke 6:27-31, 35.
c. God's provision.
III. Application
A. Reasons we do not "seek" the Kingdom.
1. The difficulty of expediency and necessity, 2Cor. 4:18.
2. A radically different value system.
3. A matter of perspective.
4. A sign of unbelief.
IV. Conclusion.
A. What is your "life" verse?
B. What is the secret to life?
