SEEK HIM FIRST, WATCH HIM WORK

Primary Text: Matthew 6:33

(Study Notes)

“My study can only give you information; your study, guided by the Holy Spirit, can give you illumination, revelation, and ultimately transformation.”

When we intentionally seek God and His kingdom first each day, we position ourselves to watch Him order, direct, provide for, and fulfill His purposes in our lives.

God never intended His children to carry the burden of directing our own lives in this sin-sick world. When we seek Him first, we can watch Him work all things out for our good!

I. SEEK HIM FIRST BECAUSE GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN FIRST

"When God is first, He creates!"

A. Before Everything Was, There Was God
• Genesis 1:1
• John 1:1-3

B. God Being First Produced Order And Goodness Out Of Chaos
• Genesis 1:2-4
• 1 Corinthians 14:33

C. Life Works Best When God's Order Is Chosen
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Psalm 37:23

D. God Still Brings Order Today
• Romans 8:28
• Isaiah 26:3

Key Principle:
The first verse of the Bible teaches the first principle of life:
"In the beginning God."

II. SEEK HIM FIRST BECAUSE HE WILL NOT BE SECOND

A. God Demands First Place
• Exodus 20:3
• Matthew 22:37-38

B. Anything Before God Becomes An Idol
• Ezekiel 14:3
• 1 John 5:21

C. An Inferior Life Always Follows Inferior Priorities
• Haggai 1:5-7
• Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

III. SEEK HIM FIRST BECAUSE HE PROMISES TO BE FOUND

A. God Invites Us To Seek Him
• Psalm 27:8
• Isaiah 55:6

B. Seeking God Requires Intention
• Jeremiah 29:13
• Hebrews 11:6

C. Scripture Repeatedly Commands Us To Seek Him
• Psalm 105:4
• Amos 5:4

D. The Greatest Reward Of Seeking The Kingdom Of God Is Experiencing God Himself
• Psalm 73:25-26
• Philippians 3:8-10

IV. SEEK HIM FIRST EACH MORNING AND WATCH HIM WORK THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR YOUR GOOD

A. Seeking God Must Be Intentional
• Psalm 27:8
• Deuteronomy 4:29

B. Scripture Consistently Connects Morning Seeking With God's Blessing
• Psalm 5:3
• Mark 1:35

C. Every Day Arrives Carrying Unknown Challenges
• Isaiah 46:10
• Matthew 6:34

D. Prayer Is Preparation For The Day
• Philippians 4:6-7
• James 1:5

E. Establish A Daily Appointment With God
• Psalm 63:1
• Luke 5:16

F. Every Morning Is An Opportunity For Fresh Mercy
• Lamentations 3:22-23
• Psalm 92:1-2

V. SEEK HIM FIRST BECAUSE SATAN'S STRATEGY IS TO DISTRACT YOU

A. Satan Understands The Power Of First Things
• Matthew 13:22
• Luke 8:14

B. Satan Does Not Always Attack Directly
• 2 Corinthians 11:3
• Ephesians 6:11

C. Modern Distractions Are Everywhere
• Colossians 3:2
• Hebrews 12:1-2

D. Martha Illustrated The Danger
• Luke 10:41-42
• Psalm 46:10

E. Distractions Cause You To Drift From God
• Hebrews 2:1
• Revelation 2:4-5

VI. SEEK HIM FIRST AND WATCH HIM ORDER YOUR DAY

A. God Knows How To Organize Your Life Better Than You Do
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Isaiah 55:8-9

B. The Creator Is The Master Of Order
• Genesis 1:1-3
• 1 Corinthians 14:33

C. Most People Plan First And Pray Later
• Proverbs 16:3
• Proverbs 19:21

D. God Can Save Us From Wasted Effort
• Psalm 127:1
• John 15:5

E. Listen For Divine Direction
• John 10:27
• Isaiah 30:21

VII. SEEK HIM FIRST AND WATCH HIM PROVIDE

A. Jesus Provides For Our Greatest Human Concerns
• Matthew 6:25-32
• John 6:35

B. God Already Knows What You Need
• Matthew 6:8
• Matthew 6:32

C. The Promise Is Provision, Not Luxury
• Philippians 4:19
• 1 Timothy 6:6-8

D. Consider God's Faithfulness In Scripture
• Deuteronomy 8:4
• 1 Kings 17:14-16

E. When You Seek God First, Worry Becomes Unnecessary
• Matthew 6:33-34
• 1 Peter 5:7

VIII. SEEK HIM FIRST TODAY AND WATCH HIM WORK OVER A LIFETIME

A. Great Lives Are Built One Day At A Time
• Luke 9:23
• Psalm 90:12

B. Today's Decisions Become Tomorrow's Destiny
• Galatians 6:7-9
• Proverbs 4:25-27

C. God Will Redeem Lost Years
• Joel 2:25
• Romans 8:28

D. God's Plans Are Better Than Our Plans
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Ephesians 3:20

E. The Sum Of A God-Directed Life
• Psalm 37:23
• Proverbs 16:9

A DADS principle:

My study can only give you information; your study, guided by the Holy Spirit, can give you illumination, revelation, and ultimately transformation. (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Best Blessings! 

Bishop.