Summary:

This sermon emphasizes the concept of the Kingdom of God as God’s sovereign rule, both present and future. It challenges listeners to evaluate which kingdom they truly seek and serve in their daily lives. The core message is to prioritize seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, promising that all other needs will be met, and encourages genuine living out of this faith as a testimony of God’s reign in the world.

Questions for Group Discussions:

Text: 1 Samuel 8; Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 6:33

Theme: What is the Kingdom of God?

Ask your group what comes to mind when they hear the phrase “The Kingdom of God”.

Bob Robinson asks these questions about the Kingdom:
Is the kingdom present or future?
Is the kingdom individual or social?
Is the kingdom particular for those under the reign of God (that is, Christians), or is the kingdom universal for the entirety of the cosmos (for the sake of the common good)?

-How does your group wrestle/respond with these questions?

Open The Scriptures:

What is the significance of the Israelites rejection of God as their king when they asked for a human king instead in 1 Samuel 8?

In what ways did God show His sovereignty and kingship throughout the Bible?

Discuss the role of Jesus in bringing the kingdom of God to fulfillment. How does this align the human desire for a king and a savior?

What did Jesus and John the Baptist mean when they both preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”?

Open Your Lives:

Reflect on the Lord’s Prayer and the phrase: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” How can you incorporate seeking God’s kingdom into your daily life and decisions?

There are various “kingdoms” we often pursue, such as beauty, work, and recreation. Identify one such kingdom you often place first and discuss how you can reorient your priorities to seek God’s kingdom first.

Jesus talked about the kingdom of God more than anything else in his ministry. In what practical ways can we make the kingdom of God a focal point in our life and community?

Consider the claim that “God still reigns whether you regard Him as king or not.” How does this truth bring comfort or challenge you in your current life circumstances? What steps can you take to submit to His reign in areas where you struggle?