Sermon on the Mount Scripture Reading Mt 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you…”

An Over-riding Commandment Set in context of earthly treasures (v 19), our worry about clothing and food (v 25-32) Gentiles (unbelievers) worry about these But our heavenly Father knows what we need “But seek first…” puts priority on the kingdom of God above material concerns Have faith that God will supply earthly needs The Kingdom is more important than these

Examining the Text “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –“But” contrasts the two areas of concern –Calls for a comparison as to priority –It is not that food & raiment are unimportant –One has a higher priority than the other

Examining the Text “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –Active interest and concern –The kingdom is not left-over business, to be attended to after physical needs are met –168 hours in week: how much is spent in understanding kingdom truths?

Examining the Text “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –How many can truly say that the kingdom of God is first in your life? –Does not require living a monastic life –Do you subject earthly concerns to spiritual matters –Illus: Which friend would you save if both are drowning? What decisions do you make about work and worship…?

Examining the Text “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –Connect “kingdom of God” with the Lord’s church –Do you put the church before your work, before your leisure, before your TV, before sports, before friends, before school activities, before relatives…. –Are you ever watching TV on Wednesday night while Bible study is conducted?

No Actual Conflict Between Spiritual and Material Luke 10:38-42 Mary and Martha: one listens, another serves Which is more important? Martha: “distracted with much serving” Mary: “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” In this conflict, which was right? “One thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good part which will not be taken away from her.”

No Actual Conflict Between Spiritual and Material Acts 6:1-4 All widows should receive proper care Not a matter of “either-or” Should the material overshadow the spiritual? Make provision for both! –Not good to neglect the word –Take care of physical –Continue in prayer and ministry of the word

“Kingdom of God” “Righteousness” “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –“Kingdom of God” = things peculiar to the church and brethren –“His righteousness” = things beyond the church – our neighbor, godly living with others in every walk of life –Being a disciple affects every aspect of our life: husband, worker, citizen, neighbor

“All These Things” “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –God will bless you with food and raiment –Vv 19-20, –Do you have the Martha or Mary syndrome? –Do you make provision for the spiritual above the material?

Now – Some Applications Do you put spiritual things first? –Are you present for Sunday Bible study? –Are you present for Wednesday evening study? –Do you read your Bible daily? –Do you faithfully attend gospel meetings? –Are you concerned about spiritual growth and Bible knowledge –Do you recognize error when it appears –Are you Mary or Martha in attitude?

Where Is Forest Hills Going? Will we be aggressive in evangelism, edification and spiritual growth? Eph 6 Will we have a “common mind” about attendance, contributions, service to Christ? Will I be a part of the visitation of the sick, the weak, those who are discouraged Look at self and not others: do I attend every service? Am I always late? Do I care about my job more than going to heaven?

A Time For Self-Analysis “What kind of church would this church be, If every member were just like me?” Would services start on time? Would there be teachers in classes on time? Could the church meet its budget needs? Would we close Bible classes on Sunday or Wednesday? Would the sick ever be visited?

Seeking the Kingdom Is Not Optional “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” It is possible to put names on church rolls and be recognized as a member But God keeps the Lamb’s Book of Life and only faithful disciples are enrolled Can you honestly say you are seeking the kingdom of God?