Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:44-46
Introduction
A. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that we must seek God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness ahead of all else (Matthew 6:33).
B. This kingdom is the church that Jesus came to build (Matthew 16:18).
C. How important is the kingdom to us? Is it really our top priority?
Discussion
I. How important was the kingdom to Jesus?
A. It was important enough to prepare from the beginning (Matthew 25:34; Isaiah 2:2-3; Daniel 2:44; Micah 4:6-8; 5:2).
B. It was important enough for Jesus to come and herald its approach (Matthew 4:17; 12:28; 16:28).
C. It was important enough for Him to build it Himself (Matthew 16:18; cf. vs. 19; John 4:2; Mark 6:7-12).
D. It was important enough for Him to die for it (John 10:15-16; Ephesians 5:25; Acts 20:28).
E. It was important enough to be proclaimed everywhere (Luke 4:43; Matthew 24:14; 8:11).
II. What should the kingdom be to us?
A. It should be our top priority in life (Matthew 6:33; Luke 18:29-30; Mark 9:43-47).
B. The kingdom is this important because it meets needs that can’t be satisfied anywhere else (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 13:17).
C. We need to remember that we are the kingdom (John 18:36; Luke 17:20-21).
Conclusion
A. Being a part of this kingdom is a privilege that we ought to appreciate (Matthew 13:16; 11:11; Hebrews 11:10,16).
B. If other things have been more important to you than the kingdom, now is the best time to change that.