Sunday, May 19, 2019 am
LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD
(18)
PUTTING GOD FIRST IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES (2)
Seeking First His Kingdom (2)
We
have begun an examination of putting God first in every area of our
lives. Last week we began
discussing where this begins – seeking FIRST God’s kingdom.
We noted how we need to live with the understanding that it is a
spiritual kingdom. We also
briefly examined Matthew 6:19-34 as a text that helps us understand some
of our responsibilities. Today we
want to notice some factors associated with the spiritual nature of this
kingdom.
a.
Apathy – defined as a
lack of emotion or interest, indifference.
This is the “I don’t care” attitude that seems prevalent today.
Far too many have adopted this type of an attitude in our
society. For some, the
problems they see are so overwhelming, they don’t know what to do, so
they choose to do nothing and/or not care about it.
Many are so wrapped up in themselves that they don’t care.
b.
It is a serious concern.
Apathy causes decline in a congregation, and can lead to their
death (cf. Sardis – Rev. 3:1-3, Laodicea – Rev. 3:16-17, & Ephesus –
Rev. 2:4-5– churches on their way to demise unless they repented).
NOTE: 3 of the churches had problems that could have included
apathy.
Apathy causes
problems to go unchecked or fail to be addressed.
It is also a
condition that makes brethren vulnerable to wolves entering in
and consuming the flock.
c.
As brethren, we are
certainly not immune from this.
Ecclesiastes 10:18, Because of
laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house
leaks.
Proverbs 18:9, He who is slothful
in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
Understand that it doesn’t take a wrecking ball to destroy a building
(that just accomplishes it faster), you can destroy a building by simply
neglecting it or failing to repair it.
Similarly, one doesn’t have to burn down a crop for it to fail – simply
do nothing – don’t weed it, fertilize or water it or don’t plow the
field.
We may not be lazy
people, per se, but maybe in some area of our lives, we are.
Many Christians are apathetic when it comes to their spiritual
lives. Seen in attendance,
preparation for services, diligence in carrying out one’s spiritual
duties, what they do outside of the assemblies.
d.
The Bible and apathy –
Let us give the more earnest heed lest we drift away – Hebrews 2:1
Awake – Romans 13:11 – it is high time to awake,…
Beware, lest you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin – Hebrews
3:12-13
1 Corinthians 15:58 – be steadfast, immovable, always abounding…, Titus
2:14 – zealous for good works.
e.
Is this reflected in our
lives?
How much do I really care: About the church? My brethren? Others?
My own spiritual growth?
a.
What is righteousness?
Simply defined, it means being right.
More specifically, it is related to what we do to be right.
Our goal is to be righteous before God – which means we do those things
which are right in His sight.
NOTE: This is not about meritorious acts.
It is not a checklist that when we complete it, we have earned
our salvation, or if our good works outweigh our bad works, etc.
Titus 3:4-5 speaks of the grace of God has appeared, “not by
works of righteousness which we have done…”
It
is about obeying God! Hebrews 5:9. Romans 1:16-17 – in the gospel we
find the righteousness of God revealed.
Romans 6:16.
b.
By God’s standard.
Matthew 6:33 – we sometimes gloss over this in that text.
We are to “seek first the kingdom of God
AND His righteousness” (Emp.
Mine – TT). Cf. Romans
10:1-4.
c.
Is righteousness
reflected in every area of my life?
Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after
righteousness…
Romans 6:13 – do not
present yourselves as instruments of sin, but righteousness to God.
1 Corinthians 15:34 – awake to righteousness
2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do
not be unequally yoked… what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness?
Ephesians 6:14 – put on
the breastplate of righteousness
1 Timothy 6:11, 2
Timothy 2:22 – pursue righteousness
2 Timothy 3:16-17 –
scripture given…for instruction in righteousness
Titus 2:12 – the grace
of God has appeared…teaching us that we deny ungodliness and worldly
lusts, and that we live soberly, righteously and godly…
d.
This is but a handful of
verses that address our need for righteousness.
As we conduct ourselves in this life, we need to constantly be
asking, “Is this right before God?”
e.
Our goal is to be
pleasing to God – one in whom He is well pleased – 2 Corinthians 5:9,
10:17-18, Hebrews 13:20-21; cf. Matthew 25:21 – “well done good and
faithful servant…”
f.
And that has to
supersede our personal desires and how we deal with others.
Consider that our righteousness means we are living with integrity and
virtue, and so many qualities that make our environment and the world a
better place – humility, genuine caring, self-control, dignity, etc.
But it also means we CHOOSE Him over worldly pursuits.
These are a few things Christians need to consider as we think about
letting our lights shine spiritually.
Are we seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) as we
noted last week? And is that
impacting our behavior in everything we do?
May we resolve that such will be the case.
Think about it.