“But seek first the kingdom of
 God and his righteousness
     and all these things
   shall be yours as well.”


                   Matthew 6:33
V
AND THIS IS NO
SMALL FIGHT
PAUL OPENING UP ABOUT THIS FIGHT with the Romans

15For I do not understand my own actions. For I
do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I
hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree
with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no
longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
18For I know that nothing good dwells in me,
that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do
what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I
do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I
do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells within me.
                   Romans 7
PAUL OPENING UP ABOUT THIS FIGHT with the Romans

21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do
right, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the
law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my
members another law waging war against the
law of my mind and making me captive to the
law of sin that dwells in my members.
24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me
from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God
through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I
myself serve the law of God with my mind, but
with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
                          Romans 7
The issue isn’t food and clothing




  Something inside of you has
    become dysfunctional
“But seek first the kingdom of
 God and his righteousness
     and all these things
   shall be yours as well.”


                   Matthew 6:33
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

  GOD’S
 REVEALED           THIS
NATURE AND        WORLD’S
 PURPOSE           ORDER
WHAT DOES IT ACCOMPLISH?

  GOD’S
 REVEALED        SOMETHING
NATURE AND          ELSE
 PURPOSE
Questions
KINGDOM QUESTION
If God got to do what he wanted in this situation
what would the outcome look like?

RIGHTEOUSNESS QUESTION
What aspects of God’s nature are needed here
to make it happen?
SOMETHING ELSE JESUS SAID ABOUT THE SAME SUBJECT

MATTHEW 16
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people
say that the Son of Man is?”14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others
Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter
replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you,
Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he
strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things
from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter
took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to
you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are
not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his
cross and follow me.25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it.26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall
a man give in return for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of
his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.28Truly, I say to you, there
are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. ”
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he
asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man
is?”14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say
Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to
them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter replied,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus
answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and
blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in
heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20Then
he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the
Christ.
21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must
go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying,
“Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23But
he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a
hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things
of God, but on the things of man.”
24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.25For
whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for my sake will find it.26For what will it profit a man if he gains
the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in
return for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come with
his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each
person according to what he has done.28Truly, I say to you, there
are some standing here who will not taste death until they see
the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
You need to get over yourself
               1. What/who you think
                  you are
               2. What this world’s
                  order says you are
               3. What circumstances
                  and people have made
                  you to be
               4. What is convenient
               5. What feels good
Take REDEMPTIVE RISKY OPTIONS
               1. What will give someone
                  else a chance at being
                  rescued.
               2. You take the blame so
                  that someone else can
                  get the blessing.
               3. What involves setting
                  aside of personal safety
                  and security.
               4. What may be
                  misunderstood by just
                  about everyone.
STAY GLUED TO DOING IT THE JESUS WAY
                  1. What will give someone
                     else a chance at being
                     rescued.
                  2. You take the blame so
                     that someone else can
                     get the blessing.
                  3. What involves setting
                     aside of personal safety
                     and security.
                  4. What may be
                     misunderstood by just
                     about everyone.
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will
    it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his
                                 soul?
Kingdom First: Session #3

Kingdom First: Session #3

  • 2.
    “But seek firstthe kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well.” Matthew 6:33
  • 3.
  • 4.
    AND THIS ISNO SMALL FIGHT
  • 5.
    PAUL OPENING UPABOUT THIS FIGHT with the Romans 15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. Romans 7
  • 6.
    PAUL OPENING UPABOUT THIS FIGHT with the Romans 21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7
  • 7.
    The issue isn’tfood and clothing Something inside of you has become dysfunctional
  • 8.
    “But seek firstthe kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well.” Matthew 6:33
  • 9.
    WHERE DOES ITCOME FROM? GOD’S REVEALED THIS NATURE AND WORLD’S PURPOSE ORDER
  • 10.
    WHAT DOES ITACCOMPLISH? GOD’S REVEALED SOMETHING NATURE AND ELSE PURPOSE
  • 11.
    Questions KINGDOM QUESTION If Godgot to do what he wanted in this situation what would the outcome look like? RIGHTEOUSNESS QUESTION What aspects of God’s nature are needed here to make it happen?
  • 12.
    SOMETHING ELSE JESUSSAID ABOUT THE SAME SUBJECT MATTHEW 16
  • 13.
    Peter Confesses Jesusas the Christ 13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection 21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus 24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.28Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. ”
  • 14.
    13Now when Jesuscame into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
  • 15.
    21From that timeJesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
  • 16.
    24Then Jesus toldhis disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.28Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
  • 17.
    You need toget over yourself 1. What/who you think you are 2. What this world’s order says you are 3. What circumstances and people have made you to be 4. What is convenient 5. What feels good
  • 18.
    Take REDEMPTIVE RISKYOPTIONS 1. What will give someone else a chance at being rescued. 2. You take the blame so that someone else can get the blessing. 3. What involves setting aside of personal safety and security. 4. What may be misunderstood by just about everyone.
  • 19.
    STAY GLUED TODOING IT THE JESUS WAY 1. What will give someone else a chance at being rescued. 2. You take the blame so that someone else can get the blessing. 3. What involves setting aside of personal safety and security. 4. What may be misunderstood by just about everyone.
  • 20.
    but whoever loseshis life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?

Editor's Notes

  • #4 I was doing some work in Christchurch, in New Zealand a few years ago. During a session being taken by one of the local pastors I heard this kiwi Baptist guy start paying out on AustraliaCLIVE HAMILTON: Affluenza – when too much is never enoughThe Western world is in the grip of a consumerism that is unique in human history. We overwork, we spend huge amounts on things we never use, then we chuck them out. The author of the bestselling Growth Fetish pries into our wardrobes, kitchens and backyards, and shows us what choice really means. 

Our houses are bigger than ever, but our families are smaller. Our kids go to the best schools we can afford, but we hardly see them. We've got more money to spend, yet we're further in debt than ever before. What is going on?

The Western world is in the grip of a consumption binge that is unique in human history. We aspire to the lifestyles of the rich and famous at the cost of family, friends and personal fulfilment. Rates of stress, depression and obesity are up as we wrestle with the emptiness and endless disappointments of the consumer life.

Affluenza pulls no punches, claiming our whole society is addicted to overconsumption. It tracks how much Australians overwork, the growing mountains of stuff we throw out, the drugs we take to 'self-medicate' and the real meaning of 'choice'.I contacted Clive and some of us met with him down at the ANU.At the conclusion of the discussion I read to him the words of Jesus from Matthew 6