The Bias of First - Seeking God [Sermon]

Glen Arm, Maryland, USA

August 2017

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The truth is what we need, it is the end of mystery

You know the truth will set you free

The truth is out there

The truth is out there. D.C. Talk, “Truth, 1998 Supernatural

1. Bias of Temperament

Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Matthew 6:25“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Ephesians 5:16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

2. Bias of Ego

Acts 10. Peter on the rooftop.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

3. Bias of Comfort

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.

In religion, as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth— only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair. CS Lewis

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

It never was about the oil dripping from my head

I never did dream beyond the pastures I could tend

It never was about the praise, not about the street parade

I didn’t really need a crowd when Goliath fell down

I never meant to wear a crown, or try to bring armies down

It never was about me and who I hoped to be

At the end of the day, I want to hear people say

My heart looks like Your heart

When the world looks at me, let them agree

That my heart looks like Your heart - Chris Tomlin, Your Heart, Music inspired by the story

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”

Luke 22:42 “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash