Resurgence - Week 2
Resurgence — Week 2
“Seek First”
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Sermon Notes
Big idea / Bottom line:
Seeking first is trading fear-driven control for kingdom participation—trusting the Father and aligning our lives with what He’s doing in the world.
Setting the Scene (Matthew 5–7)
- Jesus isn’t just giving moral advice—He’s painting a picture of what life in the kingdom of God looks like.
- Picture it: a hillside… birds… wildflowers… regular people under pressure.
- Jesus keeps taking our normal “survival strategies” and turning them upside down.
Key Text: Matthew 6:25–33
Read Matthew 6:25–33 (NIV)
“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry…”
- That “therefore” connects back to what Jesus has been teaching about treasure, focus, and who you’re serving.
- Jesus isn’t dismissing needs—He’s going after what’s underneath worry.
What’s Really Going On Under Worry?
1) Worry is often a signal, not just an emotion
Worry often shows up when we’re trying to answer one big question:
“Am I safe?”
- We don’t just want provision—we want certainty.
- We don’t just want a plan—we want a guarantee.
- We don’t just want enough—we want control.
2) Jesus invites us into a Kingdom (not a coping mechanism)
When Jesus says “kingdom of God / kingdom of heaven,” He’s not talking about “a cloud place you go when you die.” A kingdom is real and tangible:
King — People — Reign
- A kingdom is a king’s reign—where the ruler’s will is carried out.
- Jesus is saying God’s reign is available here and now because the King is on the scene.
3) Two ways to live in a world that isn’t safe
Way #1: Fear-driven control (the default)
- “If I don’t control it, it’ll fall apart.”
- “If I don’t secure it, it won’t be secure.”
- “If I don’t protect myself, nobody will.”
That’s how we start building our own little kingdoms:
- A kingdom of savings
- A kingdom of image
- A kingdom of achievement
- A kingdom of comfort
- A kingdom of “me and mine”
Sometimes we even give it a religious makeover—same kingdom, different outfit.
Way #2: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
- Put God’s reign first.
- Seek His righteousness: right-relationship, integrity, faithfulness toward God and others.
- Not just “God’s will”… but “God’s will, God’s way.”
Why Jesus Can Say “Don’t Worry”
- Jesus points to birds and flowers and says: Look. Consider. Pay attention.
- He’s not promising a pain-free life. He’s promising:
- Your Father knows what you need
- Your Father cares
- Your Father is with you
Seeking First Is Participation
Seeking first isn’t passive—it’s kingdom participation. It’s joining what God is doing instead of anxiously trying to secure life on our own.
Illustration: “Electricity at Hand”
- The power was available… but the house didn’t change until they connected to it.
- Same with the Kingdom: it can be near and real… and we can still live on kerosene.
What’s My First Step?
- Make a little space with Jesus—no agenda, no fixing—just ask:
“Where has worry or control been running the show?”
- Then take one small, concrete “seek first” step:
- a schedule decision
- a money decision
- a relationship move
- a “yes” or “no”
- a conversation you’ve been avoiding
- Start there… and watch the kingdom get traction in real life.
Don’t Do It Alone
God’s kingdom includes a people. Join a team. Jump into a group. Let someone help you find your place.
Small Group Discussion Questions
-
Worry as a Signal
Jesus says, “Do not worry about your life…” (Matthew 6:25).
- Where does worry show up most for you right now (work, finances, family, health, future)?
- If worry is a signal, what might it be revealing you’re trying to control?
-
The “Am I Safe?” Question
The message suggested worry often comes from the question: “Am I safe?”
- What does “safety” look like for you (control, certainty, comfort, approval, security)?
- How has that desire shaped your decisions lately?
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Two Ways to Live
We default to fear-driven control, but Jesus invites us to seek first His Kingdom.
- Where do you see “my little kingdom” tendencies (image, achievement, comfort, “me and mine”)?
- What would it look like to put God’s reign first in that area?
-
Your Father Knows
Jesus says, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:32).
- What’s hard for you about trusting God as Father in the real stuff of life?
- Where do you feel resistance—“I’m fine with God’s will… as long as I can do it my way”?
-
One Concrete “Seek First” Step
Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…”
- What is one specific step you can take this week to live more connected to the Kingdom?
- How can this group help you follow through (encouragement, check-in, prayer, practical help)?
Devotional 1 — “Look at the Birds”
Matthew 6:26 — Paying attention builds trust
Read: “Look at the birds of the air… and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”
Reflect:
Jesus doesn’t start by yelling “Stop it.” He starts by saying, Look. Consider. Pay attention.
Sometimes worry grows because our attention is locked on threats and worst-case scenarios. Jesus gently redirects our attention to the Father’s care—not to deny reality, but to remember who’s reigning.
Ask Yourself:
Where has my attention been living lately—on what could go wrong, or on who God is? What would it look like to “look at the birds” in my real life today?
Prayer:
“Father, train my attention. When worry rises, help me remember Your care and Your presence.”
Practice (Today):
Take 60 seconds outside (or at a window). Notice something in creation. Let it be a reminder: God is present, God provides, God cares.
Devotional 2 — “Your Father Knows”
Matthew 6:32 — Worry says I’m alone; Jesus says I’m known
Read: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
Reflect:
Worry often sounds like: “If I don’t hold this together, no one will.” Jesus answers that fear with a relationship: Father.
Not boss. Not bank account. Not headlines. Father. Jesus isn’t promising a trouble-free life—He’s promising you’re not unseen, unheard, or unsupported.
Ask Yourself:
What do I keep rehearsing like it all depends on me? What would change if I truly believed, “My Father knows”?
Prayer:
“Father, I confess where I’ve tried to carry what belongs to You. Help me trust Your care today.”
Practice (Today):
Write down your top 3 needs/stresses. Pray over each one by name and end each line with: “Father, You know.”
Devotional 3 — “Seek First”
Matthew 6:33 — Participation over control
Read: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…”
Reflect:
Seeking first isn’t a vague spiritual vibe—it’s a decision to live connected to God’s reign. Like electricity running past the house, the Kingdom can be near and real… and we can still live on kerosene. Seeking first is where trust becomes practical: one small step under the reign of King Jesus.
Ask Yourself:
Where am I most tempted toward fear-driven control right now? What’s one “seek first” decision I can make that puts God’s will and God’s way first?
Prayer:
“King Jesus, I want to live connected to Your Kingdom. Show me one next step, and give me the courage to take it.”
Practice (Today):
Choose one concrete seek-first step (schedule, money, relationship, words, next yes/no). Do it today—small, simple, obedient.