1. “Seeking the Kingdom of God”
================================================
Sermon, 30th July 2017
(EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST/ TRINITY)
Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
“Seeking the Kingdom of God”

2. Human is unique and complex;
Complexity is shown by desire that never stops at one point of satisfaction, especially in the two main things of material and pleasure.
Humans even take risky efforts to find wealth and wealth.
Cf. Mel Fisher, the world's legendary treasure hunter in USA.

3. People will never stop to search because the views on material value and wealth have been so strongly marked as part of the achievement of life.
The basic question for us: does all the search provide a guarantee for real life?.

4. Jesus’ parable teaches us to search not of worldly possessions, but the Kingdom of Heaven.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mat 6:33).
Without neglecting the necessity of the every day's life, Jesus emphasized the priority of life and the principle of eternal life.

5. (1) Mustard seeds; grow from small seeds and become big and strong.
Our faith also grow and develop in such a process.
"Process" is a necessity that is often ignored by humans.

6. (2) Yeast that leavens and affects all the dough;
We live in the Kingdom of God and are enabled to influence.
The meaningful life is a life that is capable of giving influence.
The way we influence is by doing our role and show our constructive responsibilities.

7. (3) Treasures in fields and valuable pearls; all properties are old to obtain it.
Can we do it? Or otherwise we lost the precious possessions to get something worthless?
Relationship with God is very valuable to us so that we come before God on Sunday.
Psalmist says: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” (Psalm 84:11).

8. (4) A trawl collecting fish and sorting the good fish into the poultry;
In the Kingdom of God there is selection process to separate good and quality from bad ones.
Each of us as children of the Kingdom are given the ability to know and distinguish what is good and bad.
The mature faith will have the ability and trained to discern God's will and what is good and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:2).

9. Seeking and living in the Kingdom of God;
Paul’s view on the Kingdom of God: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17).
Everyone who lives in the Kingdom of God is conditioned by a life that owns and lives the truth, peace and joy by the Holy Spirit.

10. Reflection on our ministry (to be an elder);
Apostle Peter called us as "Servant of Grace“: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Ptr 4:10).
(Look at back to the process of our nomination to be an elder).

11. According to the apostle Peter, we are a good steward of God's grace.
The status however are not taken for granted for us.
It requires commitment and consistently actualizing the calling of our ministry. AMEN.