Seek First the Kingdom (Week 1)

Preacher: Daniel Erasmus

Worship:
As part of worship this week, listen to I’ve Witnessed It (by Passion & Melodie Malone). Our good and faithful God is worthy of all our praise.

Check-in:
Sunday’s message was encouraging and challenging. What part of the sermon stood out most for you?

Synopsis of message:
On Sunday, Pastor Daniel started a new 7-part series, called For the Kingdom. When we seek God’s Kingdom and what God wants, all our needs will be met as well (Matthew 6:33). Living for the Kingdom means that we must shape our lives, our priorities and our hearts around the truth of God’s Kingdom. God has so much more for each one of us.

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded the disciples (and all of us as believers) to go out and make disciples. We also see the wonderful promise that God will be with us always. Before we can make disciples, we must be disciples ourselves. Being a disciple means that we experience God and continue to grow in our walk with Him. Seeking God’s kingdom is not about adding anything else to our to-do list or what we do but it is about who God wants us to become. We must be made new and become like Jesus.

Pastor Daniel shared three points from 2 Corinthians 3:16-18. When we turn to the Lord (take a step to walk closer with Him and seek His Kingdom) –

1. We have a deeper relationship with God (belong to Jesus). God desires for us to grow in our relationship with Him.
2. We can experience a life of true freedom (be made new). To experience true freedom, we must live within God’s boundaries and what He designed for our lives.
3. We have a role in God’s mission (do what Jesus did). Living our life on mission for God is to reflect God’s glory to others through what we say and do.

Discussion Questions:

1. When you think about making disciples of others, what ideas come to mind? Remember that our testimonies carry a lot of power because we were one way, then Jesus came into our lives, so now we are different. Or think of a very tough time you’ve experienced where it is only by God’s love and grace that we made it through.
2. With the 3 points discussed by Pastor Daniel, which of these do you feel most challenged by or inspired to focus on this coming week?
3. How do others portray us as followers of Jesus? Do we need more Fruits of the Spirit in our lives? How do we prepare ourselves to live as disciples of the Lord?

Check-out:
What ‘next steps’ are you encouraged to take? Maybe you’ve already taken steps that we’re encouraged to take at Edge Church such as baptism. However, there is always room for further steps in our growth. As Pastor Daniel said, God has more in store for us! Over this time of fasting and hearing the sermon, have you felt that a part of your journey with the Lord needs more attention?

Additional Resources:

• Seek First (YouVersion)