10-24-2019

Good Morning All, 

    Matthew 6:33; “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”.

    Do you remember the movie “City Slickers”? It starred Billy Crystal and Jack Palance among other and came out in 1991. I really liked the movie; the interaction between Billy Crystal’s character (Mitch) and Jack Palance’s character (Curly) was great.  (Mitch to Curly: Hi Curly, kill anyone today? Curly answers: Day ain’t over yet.) The movie was about some men going through life crises so they go on a two-week vacation to a working ranch.  They learn about life while learning about some real work.

    One of the best parts is when Mitch and Curly are talking about life in general.  Curly tells Mitch that there is only one thing that is important everything else is garbage (my word not his).  Mitch asks him what is that one thing and Curly tells him that is what you have to find out.  So, what is that one thing?  What is the “one thing” that is important in your life?

    For many in this world, there is no one thing.  It is about having all things and when we fail at that, we have nothing.  Some think it is money or fame or power or notoriety.  Some think it is having others look to you as smart or wise or funny.  Some think knowledge is the answer some think it is just plain working hard.  Sometimes we fool ourselves by thinking that everything will fall apart if we don’t do it.  So we stress about everything and soon it all comes tumbling down around us.  So, what do we do?  Jesus addresses this in our verse for today.

    Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.  That is our number one thing.  So how do we seek it?  First, we must realize that God has already given it to us through Jesus.  Yet too often we live like he hasn’t.  God gives us the power through the Gospel of forgiveness to seek him out.  Through Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice, God is recreating us into the creatures that he created us to be.  We were created to live in his holy presence with thanksgiving and praise, we are to care for each other and we are to take care of God’s creation.  That is God’s kingdom.  So, through his grace, we should seek it.

    Take the time to be part of God’s holy rhythm for us, the listening to God’s Word and the speaking to God in prayer.  This leads us into the living in praise and thanksgiving part of the kingdom.  Show God’s love to your family, your brothers and sisters in Christ, your neighbors and all those around you; that is the next part. Finally enjoy the world that God has given to you.  Don’t spoil it or waste it or foul it but enjoy it and share it with others; that is the last part. 

    God is a relational being.  He created us to be in a worshipful relationship with him, in a caring and loving relationship with each other and a caretaking relationship with the rest of creation.  This is the kingdom of God.  We are given the freedom form sin so that we can seek this out.  Everything else will work itself out.  Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Gracious Father, too often we are focused on the wrong thing.  Direct us to your holy will and to seek out you and your righteousness.  Bless us as we serve you in your kingdom.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray.  Amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret