A. Seek First the Kingdom of God And His Righteousness
1. Matthew 6:24-34 -- "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (v.33).
2. Jesus assumes that if you have a choice, then you'll choose God.
B. It is the Father’s Good Pleasure to Give You the Kingdom
1. Luke 12:31-32 -- "Fear not, Iittle flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (v.32).
2. It Is God's will for you to own that Kingdom.
C. We are Residents of that Kingdom Now.
1. John 17:13-23.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
a. Jesus prayed that we would be delivered from the evil of this world.
2. Jesus answered this prayer by submitting Himself to death.
3. Galatians 1:4 -- "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, accord Ing to the will of God and our Father."
4. Colossians 1:12-13 -- "…hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (v.13).
D. We Have Kingdom Rights Now
1. Most Christians don't know their Kingdom rights.
a. Luke 15:11-32.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
(1) The older son had the same Inheritance as the younger, but didn't know his rights.
2. You are an heir to that Kingdom and all of its resources are yours now.
a. Deuteronomy 28:11 (Amp.) -- "And the Lord shall make you have a surplus of prosperity…"
b. Keys to prosperity:
(1) Joshua 1:8 -- "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that Is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
3. Your needs should be met now as If you were already In heaven.
a. Philippians 4:19 -- "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches In glory by Christ Jesus."
4. Don't wait until you get to heaven to use your Kingdom rights.
E. Seek His Righteousness
1. Romans 10: 10 – We believe unto righteousness
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2. II Corinthians 5: 17-21 – We are made righteous in Christ
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3. Romans 5:17-19—Righteousness is a Gift
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
4. Romans 3:21-26 – We are to declare His righteousness to the world
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
5. Righteousness: Right-standing with God. The ability to stand before God as if sin never existed.
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says it is to be: honorable and free from guilt.
6. You should reign over the affairs of your life as a king reigns over a domain.
a. Romans 5:17 (Amp.) -- "For If, because of one man's trespass death reigned through that one, much more surely wlll those who receive God's overflowing grace and the free gift of righteousness (putting them into right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life through the One, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One."
7. The Christian has a Bill of Rights in the Kingdom of God that is called the New Testament or New Covenant.
8. These rights will work for anyone who will put them to work.
9. Jesus Is the surety or guarantor of these rights.
F. What Belongs to Us In Christ
1. You are a partaker of His divine nature.
a. II Peter 1 :4 -- "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust…"
2. You can stand in the presence of God without a sense of guilt, fear or condemnation.
a. Romans 8:1-2 -- 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3. You have the power of attorney to use the name of Jesus.,
a. John 16:23 -- "…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
b. John 14:12-14 -- 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
4. You have access to the very Spirit of God.
a. Luke 11:13 -- " ••• how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
b. I John 4:4 -- "…greater Is he that Is In you, than he that is in the world."
5. You have the wisdom of God.
a. I Corinthians 1:30 -- "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God Is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption "
6. You have been blessed with all spiritual blessings.
a. Ephesians 1:3 – “BIessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places In Christ."
G. A Child's Legal Rights
1. Father's protection:
a. Matthew 28:20 -- " ••• and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
b. Psalm 91:11 -- "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee In all thy ways."
2. Jesus' Intercession:
a. Hebrews 7:25 -- 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
3. Family lawyer:
a. I John 2:1—" 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:..”
4. Son's place in the royal family:
a. I John 3: 1 -- "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…"
5. We have a son's Inheritance:
a. Galatians 4:7 -- "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
6. We are enabled to live a worry-free life:
a. Philippians 4:6 (Amp.) -- "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving continue to make your wants known to God."
b. I Peter 5: 7 (Amp.) -- "Casting the whole of your care -- all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.”
Understanding our Right-Standing with God can forever change your confidence in the Lord’s acceptance of you. It will challenge you to press through tradition an uncover the truth about who you are In Christ.
1. Matthew 6:24-34 -- "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (v.33).
2. Jesus assumes that if you have a choice, then you'll choose God.
B. It is the Father’s Good Pleasure to Give You the Kingdom
1. Luke 12:31-32 -- "Fear not, Iittle flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (v.32).
2. It Is God's will for you to own that Kingdom.
C. We are Residents of that Kingdom Now.
1. John 17:13-23.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
a. Jesus prayed that we would be delivered from the evil of this world.
2. Jesus answered this prayer by submitting Himself to death.
3. Galatians 1:4 -- "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, accord Ing to the will of God and our Father."
4. Colossians 1:12-13 -- "…hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (v.13).
D. We Have Kingdom Rights Now
1. Most Christians don't know their Kingdom rights.
a. Luke 15:11-32.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
(1) The older son had the same Inheritance as the younger, but didn't know his rights.
2. You are an heir to that Kingdom and all of its resources are yours now.
a. Deuteronomy 28:11 (Amp.) -- "And the Lord shall make you have a surplus of prosperity…"
b. Keys to prosperity:
(1) Joshua 1:8 -- "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that Is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
3. Your needs should be met now as If you were already In heaven.
a. Philippians 4:19 -- "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches In glory by Christ Jesus."
4. Don't wait until you get to heaven to use your Kingdom rights.
E. Seek His Righteousness
1. Romans 10: 10 – We believe unto righteousness
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2. II Corinthians 5: 17-21 – We are made righteous in Christ
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3. Romans 5:17-19—Righteousness is a Gift
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
4. Romans 3:21-26 – We are to declare His righteousness to the world
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
5. Righteousness: Right-standing with God. The ability to stand before God as if sin never existed.
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says it is to be: honorable and free from guilt.
6. You should reign over the affairs of your life as a king reigns over a domain.
a. Romans 5:17 (Amp.) -- "For If, because of one man's trespass death reigned through that one, much more surely wlll those who receive God's overflowing grace and the free gift of righteousness (putting them into right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life through the One, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One."
7. The Christian has a Bill of Rights in the Kingdom of God that is called the New Testament or New Covenant.
8. These rights will work for anyone who will put them to work.
9. Jesus Is the surety or guarantor of these rights.
F. What Belongs to Us In Christ
1. You are a partaker of His divine nature.
a. II Peter 1 :4 -- "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust…"
2. You can stand in the presence of God without a sense of guilt, fear or condemnation.
a. Romans 8:1-2 -- 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3. You have the power of attorney to use the name of Jesus.,
a. John 16:23 -- "…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
b. John 14:12-14 -- 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
4. You have access to the very Spirit of God.
a. Luke 11:13 -- " ••• how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
b. I John 4:4 -- "…greater Is he that Is In you, than he that is in the world."
5. You have the wisdom of God.
a. I Corinthians 1:30 -- "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God Is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption "
6. You have been blessed with all spiritual blessings.
a. Ephesians 1:3 – “BIessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places In Christ."
G. A Child's Legal Rights
1. Father's protection:
a. Matthew 28:20 -- " ••• and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
b. Psalm 91:11 -- "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee In all thy ways."
2. Jesus' Intercession:
a. Hebrews 7:25 -- 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
3. Family lawyer:
a. I John 2:1—" 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:..”
4. Son's place in the royal family:
a. I John 3: 1 -- "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…"
5. We have a son's Inheritance:
a. Galatians 4:7 -- "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
6. We are enabled to live a worry-free life:
a. Philippians 4:6 (Amp.) -- "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving continue to make your wants known to God."
b. I Peter 5: 7 (Amp.) -- "Casting the whole of your care -- all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.”
Understanding our Right-Standing with God can forever change your confidence in the Lord’s acceptance of you. It will challenge you to press through tradition an uncover the truth about who you are In Christ.
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