SEEK HIS KINGDOM
Luke 12:1-59; Key Verse: 12:31
“Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”
Today’s passage has 7 events with the key verse of verse 31, “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” In this world, we Christians seek and desire the very things non-Christians seek: love, our soul mate, our family and children, our career, and we especially long for human honor and glory and recognition. But even if we attain all “these things,” our soul is still like a bottomless pit, longing for more and more. Last week, my family went on a week vacation to Texas to visit my dad and my kid’s grandfather. It had been a long time since we’ve seen him. After seeing him and so many exciting things, like the Houston Space Center, I felt like I needed another vacation from my vacation. Jesus knows and understands our unquenchable desire for “these things,” and he even promises to give them to us. Jesus said, “…and these things will be added to you.” He just asks that we “seek his kingdom.” Let’s read verse 31 with a decision to believe that God will bless us when we seek his kingdom: “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” May God bless you to believe God’s promise and seek God’s kingdom as your utmost passion and joy of life. Today, let’s see 7 glorious results of seeking God’s kingdom.
1st, seek his kingdom and you’ll never be a hypocrite (1-3). Verse 1a says, “In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another…” Jesus’ popularity was growing into the thousands. People were coming from all over to hear the gospel and to be healed. There were so many people, that they began to trample on one another. Naturally, the 12 disciples’ heads began to grow with a burning desire to become famous and popular. So Jesus warned them in verse 2 to “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” What is a hypocrite? When one seeks their value and self worth through their wealth, business, family or even their ministry, they are in danger of becoming hypocrites, because they are not seeking God but their own desires. So a “hypocrite” is basically an “actor.” The Pharisees claimed to seek God. But in reality, they were really seeking man’s approval and recognition. So their appearance of seeking God was only “acting.” They weren’t really seeking God. Jesus warns his disciples that hypocrisy is dangerous and that it cannot be hidden forever. Someday, we will all face the judgment seat of Christ (Acts 17:31) and everyone will know whether or not we were hypocrites and only acting like Christians, or that we were sincerely seeking God’s kingdom.
2nd, seek his kingdom & you’ll never be fearful (4-12). In verse 4, Jesus explained to his friends that they might face death because they believe in him. But he told them not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, because after that, they can do no more. Jesus knows that the fear of death or ridicule for our faith can weaken us. So he said in verse 5, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” Jesus warns us, that the only one whom we should fear, is the one who controls our eternal destiny – God. God has the power to throw us into hell for all eternity. So, we must fear disobeying God more than fearing those who persecute us, or even those who want to kill us.
Though we must fear God because of who he is, we shouldn’t’t be afraid of God. Jesus says in verse 6 that God does not forget about 5 sparrows that have been sold for 2 pennies. Surely, we are more valuable to God than birds! God loves us so much even to the smallest details of our lives, even to the point of knowing how many strands of hair we have on our head (7). Because of God’s love, we should not fear anything. When we seek God’s kingdom, God helps us to overcome our fears. He helps us to acknowledge Jesus before men (8), no matter how authoritative they may be (11). And if we’re arrested, we shouldn’t’t be anxious of what we should say, because the Holy Spirit will be with us to help us (12-13). Jesus also promises that if we acknowledge him before men, then he will acknowledge us before the angels of God. But if we deny him, then he will deny us. And if we speak a word against him, he will forgive us. But if we blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, we will not be forgiven (9-10). This means, if we deny God’s kingdom, we will not be forgiven.
There’s a story about some Christians who were captured in an Islamic nation. Their captors held a sword to each of their necks saying, “If you deny Christ and accept Islam, your life will be spared.” After the first few were killed, one Christian thought to himself, “If I deny Christ, I’ll live. If I live, I can continue to testify about Christ.” But when they came to threaten him to deny Christ and accept Islam, he looked at his captors and said that he would never deny Christ as his Lord and Savior. And so, they cut off his head. When we fear God and seek his kingdom, God helps us to overcome any fear, even the fear of death. May God grant you bold faith to testify to our Lord Jesus Christ.
3rd, seek his kingdom & you’ll never be a fool who lives for money & possessions (13-21). From nowhere, someone in the crowd demanded Jesus saying, “Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” We’re not sure what prompted this person to say this. However, Jesus used it as an opportunity to teach about the universal problem of greed. Greed is the desire to have excessive money or wealth, like Ebenezer Scrooge, in Charles’s Dickens novel, “A Christmas Carol”. Jesus taught that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, but rather it consists of something far better. This person must have thought that if he had his share of the inheritance, then all his life problems would be solved. He could pay off his school debt, his credit cards, his mortgage, and buy a new car. However, Jesus taught him otherwise by telling a parable about a rich landowner. One year, this landowner produced an abundant crop. Out of joy, he tore down his old barns and built bigger ones in order to store his overflowing crops. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with rejoicing when we have an abundance of crops. But this man completely focused on his own wealth and enjoyment rather than seeking God’s kingdom and giving glory to God. He said in verse 19, “And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” This man thought he was a genius and began to plan for an early retirement. He thought he could sit back and relax, eating caviar and drinking margaritas until the day he died. However, Jesus said that this man was not a genius but rather a fool, because that very night his life would be taken. The point of the story is, foolish people build up money and possessions for themselves. They think such things will make them happy. But in reality, they only make them miserable. This man was foolish because he thought his life was set. But he made one fatal flaw: he had forgotten to seek God’s kingdom. Concerned for no one else but himself, when the time came for him to stand before God, he was nothing but a fool.
Jesus concludes by saying in verse 21, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." The one who seeks God’s kingdom is the one who becomes truly rich towards God. But the one who doesn’t is foolish. Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s Pizza, made Domino’s the 2nd largest pizza chain ever, behind Pizza Hut. He said that he had everything that anyone could ever imagine, even a million dollar car. However, he wasn’t happy. One day, after reading, “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis, he was convicted of his wealth, pride, and ego. He repented and got rid of most of his material possessions, including his lavish office suite, and devoted himself to philanthropy, building missions and cathedrals all over the world. Now, he is one of the happiest men alive. On Thursday, we heard the shocking news of two famous people’s death: Charlie’s Angel’s Farrah Fawcett and the King of pop, Michael Jackson. Since a boy, Michael was famous, singing with the Jackson 5. As an adult, he shook and changed both the music and dance worlds. He was rich and popular, even among leaders of other nations. Once on tour, when a girl saw Michael, she fainted. Despite his fame, Michael was an unhappy man. He tried to make himself happy by building a theme park on his ranch and calling it “Neverland”, in tribute to J.M. Barrie’s story, “Peter Pan.” Instead of becoming happy, he only got worse. After ruining his image, he decided to do one last tour in London, at the age of 50, to enhance it. Some have said he could have pulled it off. But just like the rich landowner, his life was suddenly taken. We never know when our life will be over. May God help you to seek his kingdom so that you may be rich towards God.
4th, seek his kingdom & you’ll never have needless anxiety about your life (22-34). In verse 22, Jesus tells his disciples not to be anxious about their lives, what they will eat, about their bodies, or what they’re going to wear. Human beings are naturally anxious about such things. We’re anxious about the economy, our mortgages, what we’re going to eat, the pimples or warts on our bodies, and dressing to look super cute or super cool. But Jesus tells us plainly not to be anxious about anything. As Christians, we must entrust all things to our heavenly Father who promises to meet all of our needs. The command not to be anxious doesn’t mean that we should quit our jobs and rely solely on God or on the generosity of others. Rather what it means is, our priority must always be to seek God’s kingdom, rather than our desires.
In verse 24, Jesus wanted his disciples to realize that just as God provides the ravens with their basic needs, he will also provide for us. Birds don’t create elaborate farming equipment. They don’t have a refrigerator or a pantry to store their food. It’s God who provides for them. To God, our lives are much more valuable than a bunch of dumb birds! God will take care of us! Verses 25 & 26 say, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” Worrying is wasted effort and emotional energy. Worrying doesn’t add a single hour to our lives. If it did, I would be living into my thousands. The only thing worrying does is, it damages our health, our thoughts, our productivity, our happiness, our relationships with others, and our ability to seek and trust in God. Flowers don’t worry. And look how beautiful they are (27). Our lawns don’t worry about their clothes. And look at their healthy grass (28). Why is it that out of all of God’s creation, we human beings are the only ones who worry so much? Jesus says in verse 28, that it’s because we have little faith. Hebrews 11:1 says of faith, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith means, having the assurance that God will provide all the things that we need when we seek his kingdom.
But how can we be sure or how can we have faith that God will provide the things that we need? Verse 31 says, “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Jesus promises that if we seek his kingdom, then God will provide for us all the things that we need. This is the true promise of God. We can be sure of this promise because God kept his promise in giving us his one and only Son, Jesus Christ. As promised, Jesus came to die for our sins and came to give us eternal life in the kingdom of God. To those who accept and believe in Jesus, God’s kingdom is where they will be someday. The kingdom of God is worth making our first priority. When we do, God will provide for us and all of our anxieties will go away. 13 years ago, I was a man filled with all kinds of worries and anxieties. Being fresh out of college, I had no job, I lived with my mom, and I had to pay back my massive school loan debt. Not knowing what to do, I heard Jesus speak to me in verse 31, “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” So I got up, packed my bags, and moved here to Chicago in order to study the Bible. Honestly, it was real hard to seek God’s kingdom over my problems. But when I did, God took away all of my worries and anxieties. He provided me with a good paying job, in a position that I hated in college, computer programming. He provided me with a home, right next to our church. He provided me with a very loving and beautiful wife, Angie, and with 4 wonderful and happy kids, and a wonderful family here. I am one who can testify that God’s promises are true. May God help you to seek his kingdom and help you to believe that he will provide for you all the things that you need when you do.
In verses 32-34, Jesus concludes this part by saying that if we devote our lives to getting, achieving, and protecting what we have, then fear and anxiety will be our best friends. But we must realize that no job or medical plan can protect us from death or from present harm. Only those whose true treasure is in heaven can be truly secure.
5th, seek his kingdom & you’ll be a faithful & wise manager who is always ready (35-48). Verse 35 says, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.” We must always be seeking God’s kingdom. Why is this? Because someday Jesus will return at a day and hour that no one expects him to. When Jesus comes, what will we be doing? Watching the new Transformers movie because we secretly like to look at Megan Fox? Or watching Twilight because of Robert Pattinson? In verse 39, Jesus says that if the homeowner knew at what hour a thief was going to come and break into his house, he would have been sitting and waiting for him. Likewise, we must be ready all the time for Jesus to come. Jesus may come in 5 minutes. He may come tonight. He may come at the end of the year. He may come 2000 years for now. We have no idea. But when he comes, what will you be doing? Will you be ready?
In verses 42-43, Jesus tells us what we should be doing when he returns. He says, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” Here, the master is Jesus who leaves us in charge until he returns again. Jesus wants his followers to share the good news of his kingdom with others. He wants us to seek his kingdom. He wants us to share the gospel. And he wants us to be believe and remain faithful to him. The one who does is a faithful and wise manager and will receive eternal life when Jesus returns. But the one who doesn’t, Jesus will cut into pieces and will give them a severe beating and will throw them into hell (46, 48). Someday, Jesus will return at a day and hour that we least expect him. Are you ready?
6th, seek his kingdom & you’ll have a fiery passion that will cause division (49-53). These verses introduce a section in which Jesus calls us to accept him before our time runs out. It is a quick summary of Jesus’ earthly mission. Jesus came to earth to bring division, not peace. That is because Jesus confronts everyone with a choice. Will you side with Jesus or will you side with the world? Will you have fiery passion to seek his kingdom with all your heart or will you give your time and energy to other things? To Jesus, there is no middle ground. We are either on his side or we’re not.
7th, seek his kingdom & you’ll live for all eternity (54-59). Jesus said to the crowds in verse 56, “You hypocrites!” With this harsh word, Jesus tried to startle his listeners to the urgency of their plight, which was terrible. Instead of seeking God’s kingdom, they were seeking other things. As a result, they were on their way to destruction. But Jesus, God’s only Son, was offering them a way out—the free gift of salvation to all who believe in him. In effect, Jesus was saying, “Wake up! Hell and destruction is right around the corner. Seek God’s kingdom and come to me for salvation.”
Today we studied 59 verses and 7 events, focusing on verse 31 as our key theme, “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” What are the results of seeking God’s kingdom? When we seek God’s kingdom:
1. We’ll never be a fake hypocrite who is acting and pretending
2. We’ll never be fearful, but courageous and humble before anyone, no matter who they are
3. We’ll never be a fool who lives stupidly for money & possessions
4. We’ll never have any anxiety about anything in our lives
5. We’ll be a faithful & wise manager who is always ready
6. We’ll have a fiery passion to seek God‘s kingdom with all our heart and all our strength
7. We’ll live for all eternity, and not for the perishing and transient things of the world
So, are you going to seek God’s kingdom or seek something else? May God help you to believe God’s promise to you and help you to seek his kingdom. Let’s read verse 31 again. “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”