Words To Remember - "Order In The House" Part V

Continuing in our series, "Order In The House", we look again at Matthew 6:33 which says, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NRSV).  This verse is the heart of order, for it speaks of placing God as first in our lives.

In our journey through Matthew 6:33, we looked at the words "strive", "first", and "kingdom of God (and his righteousness)."  About "strive (seek)", we said that (according to the BDAG Greek Lexicon) this is to "devote serious effort to realize one's desire or objective."  About "first", we said that in our "first" is also our "last", or in other words, in our "first" is our all or everything.  And about "kingdom of God (and his righteousness)", we said that it speaks of the rule, reign, and will of the king.  So, in putting these things together, we can say that, "In striving (seeking) first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, we are totally consumed with wanting to see God's will done in our lives."  There remains no more room for the self-agenda, but it is all about the God-agenda.  


Now, this is not to say that we are perfect in all of this, but as the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."  And in vs. 14 of the same chapter he says, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." (NRSV).  So we see that in the "press", is the total consumption with wanting to see God's will done in our lives.  


Striving first (seeking) for the kingdom of God (and his righteousness), puts us in a place called "blessing"; for Jesus said as a result of doing this, "all these things will be given to you as well."  "Order In The House."  

Words To Remember - "Order In The House" Part IV

We are still traveling in our current series, "Order In The House."  And one of our main texts has been Matthew 6:33 wherein Jesus said, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NRSV).

In striving first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, means that we will be totally consumed with wanting to see God's will done in our lives.  Of course this takes walking by faith, because our natural mind would tell us that we need to be totally consumed and concerned about seeing our own needs met, and this at any cost.  But God says that as we put Him and His kingdom first, "...all these things will be given to you as well."  "Order In The House."

Words To Remember - "Order In The House" Part III

We are continuing in this series, "Order In The House", which has as one of its main texts, Matthew 6:33, which says, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NRSV).

One of the things we pointed out in our last discussion of Matthew 6:33, was its usage of the word "first."  And with that, we saw that in our "first" is also our "last"; in other words, in striving for the kingdom of God "first", there remains no more room for the "I", but rather the "I" is consumed by the devoted pursuit of the King and His kingdom.  But as we said before, we can do this with the utmost trust and confidence because God knows what need and He will add all these things to us as well.

Now in addition to the above, it bears mentioning Romans 14:17, wherein the Apostle Paul says, "For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (NRSV).  Herein, we see Paul defining both what the kingdom of God is not and what the kingdom of God is.  In defining what kingdom of God is not he says, "food and drink"; these things speak about our personal agendas, desires, ambitions, etc...  However, in defining what the kingdom of God is he says, "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit"; these things speak about God's agenda and desire.  Therefore, in Paul's definition of the kingdom of God, we see further that the "I" has no room, and that it is not about us, but rather it is about God and what He wants.  But again, as was said before, we can relinquish our will and desire to Him with the utmost trust and confidence, knowing that He knows what we need and when we need it, and that as we put Him and His kingdom "first", all these things will be given to us as well.  "Order In The House."

Words To Remember - "Order In The House" Part II

In continuation of the message of this season, "Order In The House", we look again at Matthew 6:33, wherein Jesus says these words, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NRSV).   These words of Jesus are words of Order.  And why are they words of Order?  Because among them is found this one word, "first"; which lets us know the order or priority that the kingdom of God should have in our lives.

Now in looking at this word "first", as it is spoken by the Lord Jesus in relation to how we should strive for the kingdom of God, we need to realize that Jesus is not somehow allowing space for us to begin striving or seeking "things" after we have sought the kingdom of God "first"; but rather we must realize that in our "first" is also our "last."  In other words, when we strive "first" for the kingdom of God (the rule or reign of God in our lives), then there is no more room for us; our lives become consumed in Him when we put Him and His kingdom "first."  But remember, we can do this with the utmost trust and confidence in God because Jesus said at the end of the aforesaid verse, "...and all these things will be given to you as well."  God knows what we need, when we need it, and how to supply it, but we must give Him our all by putting Him "first."  "Order In The House."

Words To Remember - "Order In The House"

In October of 2009, I stated by the grace of God, that the year 2010 would be a year and a season of ORDER.  And that this Order would begin with the house of God (I Peter 4:17), and that it would move into our homes and personal lives; for the house of God is comprised of homes and personal lives.  I also mentioned that in this season of Order, Matthew 6:33 would be a verse of emphasis and meditation, for it speaks of order and priority.

Well, we are now in the year 2010, and it is time for there to be "Order In The House", that is, in God's house, and consequently in our houses.  To be in order is have a proper arrangement, alignment and flow of things.  However, true order begins with having God first; thus taking us to Matthew 6:33.

In Matthew 6:33, we see these words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ in His "Sermon on the Mount", "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NRSV).  In this verse, Jesus is teaching order, and this order involves "striving first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness..."  In striving or seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness, we are going to devote or commit serious effort to realize or cause to come to pass our desire for the promotion of the kingdom of God or the will of God to be done in our lives; this should be done first.  And as this is done, then all the things that we need in this life will be added to us by the one whom we are seeking, our Heavenly Father.  

So let there be "Order In The House."  Let things be set right and even restored in our lives in this year and in this season.  "For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (I Peter 4:17 - NRSV).  Let there be "Order In The House."

Words To Remember - "It's All Good"

In Romans 8:28, we see these words penned by the Apostle Paul, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (NRSV).

In the surrounding passages of this verse, we see the mention of the sufferings of the present (8:18) and the subjection to the sin of the past (8:20).  However, in the midst of it all, we see the salvation of the future (8:18b,21-25), which brings us to those wonderful words aforementioned, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

As we look back over this year, 2009, we see victories, but we also see defeat; we see life, but we also see death; we see joy, but we also see sorrow.  But in the midst of it all, God would have His people to know that It's All Good!  Why?  Because "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are the called according to his purpose."  God has a glorious future for His people, despite the sin of the past and the sufferings of the present.  And this glorious future involves His people being "conformed to the image of his Son..."(8:29); God wants us to look like Jesus.

So no matter what you might have faced in this past year, or even what you might be currently facing in the present, be encouraged in this, that it is all working for good, if you love God, and are called according to His purpose.  There is a bright future ahead.  It's All Good!

Words To Remember - "The Beauty Of Our Salvation"

John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  And John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." (NRSV).  In these verses, we see that the beauty of our salvation, is found in the Incarnation, which is the reason for the Christmas celebration.

What a beautiful thing to know and understand, through the revelation of Scripture, that the Word, who was God, became man (flesh), and settled among humanity, so that He Himself could completely identify with and redeem it.  And as a result of this, we see the comforting passage that is found in Hebrews 4:15-16, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Merry Christmas!