Sermon Notes

AWAKEN | WEEK 1: “Seek First”

MATTHEW 6:25-33

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” -  Matthew 6:25

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” - Matthew 6:26

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” -  Matthew 6:27-29

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” - Matthew 6:30

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” - Matthew 6:31-32

“Indeed the actual word that was used by our Lord is a very interesting one; it is the word used to indicate something which divides, separates, or distracts us…it is a mind which is divided into sections and compartments, and which is not functioning as a whole. “ - Martyn-Lloyd Jones

TENSION QUESTION

What one thing do we need to prioritize so that 2022 can be the year where our financial/material needs are not a distraction to us?

MY BURDEN

Some of you are distracted by attaining financial/material stability.

MY BURDEN

Others of you are distracted by maintaining/increasing financial/material stability.

MY BURDEN

For many followers of Jesus our lives are more characterized by worrying over things than worshipping God. 

BY 2010

Failing business. No benefits.

Two repossessed cars.

Unable to open a checking account.

A distressed, frustrated wife.

A distracted, self-serving faith.

TENSION QUESTION

What one thing do we need to prioritize so that 2022 can be the year where our financial/material needs are not a distraction to us?

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

WHAT IS…

The approach of the one thing?

The definition of the one thing?

The promise of the one thing?

THE APPROACH

“SEEK FIRST”

THE APPROACH

Continually pursue above and before everything else.

WHAT IS…

The approach of the one thing?

The definition of the one thing?

The promise of the one thing?

THE DEFINITION

“THE KINGDOM OF GOD

AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS”

“To seek his kingdom is to seek to live in accordance with his standards, his guidelines.” - Tony Evans

“It means that you live for ‘the spread of the reign of Christ’ throughout the world. It means that you declare with your mouth and demonstrate with your life that you believe in Jesus, that you embrace the eternal King and his everlasting reign, and that you passionately ‘desire that His name should receive from [all people everywhere] the honor which is due to it.’” -  Douglas Sean O’Donnell

“His Kingdom (His activity around me) and His righteousness (His activity in me).” - Vance Pitman

THE DEFINITION

God’s will done God’s way in God’s timing for God’s glory.

OUR TYPICAL APPROACH

God, please bless my will done my way in my timing for my glory.

WHAT IS…

The approach of the one thing?

The definition of the one thing?

The promise of the one thing?

THE PROMISE

“ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU”

THE PROMISE

God will take care of everything else.

Continually pursue before everything else: God’s will, done God’s way, in God’s timing for God’s glory, and God will take care of everything else.

APPLICATION

Surrender your will done your way.

APPLICATION

Surrender your will done your way.

Engage in 21 days of prayer.

APPLICATION

Surrender your will done your way.

Engage in 21 days of prayer.

Join us for a special night of worship and prayer Tuesday, January 18.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” - John 5:19

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” - John 6:38

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” - Luke 22:42