Sermon on the Mount Seek First His Kingdom

Matthew 6:31-34

So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we
wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you
need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (6:25-34)
Jesus has challenged the disciples to resist the worries of life by acting on their faith (6:25)
In addressing their anxiety about lifes necessities such as food and clothing, Jesus reminds
them that God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the field, and yet God values them
much more than birds or flowers and to doubt God the Father is to be of little faith
(6:30)
The very fact that Jesus says to them, you of little faith reminds us that He is addressing
the disciples the Sermon on the Mount is a message to believers, not the unbelieving
world
Though little faith may not be a flattering description, at least it is implies there is faith
In the same way Jesus challenged the fearful disciples a few days later; they were crossing
the lake and a storm came upon them You of little faith, why are you afraid? (8:26)
Only by faith in Christ can we receive Gods forgiveness for our sin and receive abundant
and eternal life (John 1:12, 3:16, 10:10), and it is this same faith that sustains us every day
Just as you began in Christ Jesus, so walk in Him in simple faith (Col 2:6, J.B.
Phillipps)
This little faith is ultimately due to a failure to apply what we know and claim to believe
to the circumstances and details of life (Martin Lloyd Jones, Studies in the Sermon,p. 403)
A mature and growing faith believes that the same God who offers forgiveness and
salvation will supply all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus
(Phil 4:19)
Worry about food, drink, and clothing is the normal pattern for one who does not know
almighty God, which is the reason Jesus says the pagans run after all these things
Again Jesus follows with the recurring message therefore do not worry about tomorrow
The phrase do not worry or fear not appears 365 times in the Bible a consistent
message
Rather than worrying about food or clothing or what may happen tomorrow, Jesus says
but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to
you
Paul speaks of Gods provision: He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for
us all how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (Romans
8:32)
Our concern should be to know and experience God this was exemplified by Solomon
who asked for Gods wisdom over wealth and long life, and so God rewarded his right
priorities by giving knowledge, power, wealth and longevity (II Chronicles 1:11)
The question for us is what does it mean to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness
o Do we seek eternal life His way through faith in Jesus Christ rather than a self-derived
plan for spirituality through good works or self-improvement? (Rom 10:9-10, Eph 2:8-
9)
o Do we continue in the faith with which we began (Col 2:6), and daily seek to know
God?
o Do we abide in Christ by trusting Him (John 3:16), obeying His word (John 15:10),
remaining in His love (John 15:9-13), and allowing Him to direct us (John 16:13)?
o Is our relationship with God a distinct priority in our lives? Or we pursuing things of the
world? (the pagans run after all these things, and your Father knows you need them
o Do our priorities define our lives as Jesus described the wealthy fool whose life was cut
short (Luke 12:21) as one who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God
o Jesus said: live your life in me and let my words live in your heart (John 15:7)