Connect Luke 17:20 with Matthew 6:33 about seeking God's kingdom first. Seeing the Kingdom: Luke 17:20 “Now having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs.’” • Jesus corrects an expectation of an outward, dramatic arrival. • He highlights the kingdom’s present, spiritual nature—real, but not packaged in political spectacle. Seeking the Kingdom: Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” • Jesus shifts focus from material worries (vv. 25-32) to a singular priority: God’s reign and rightness. • “First” sets every other pursuit in second place, promising provision without anxiety. How the Two Verses Interlock • Luke 17:20 explains where the kingdom is found—within and among God’s people (v. 21). • Matthew 6:33 explains how to live in that kingdom—by actively prioritizing it. • Put together: – Stop scanning the horizon for outward drama. – Start aligning heart, choices, and values with the King already present. Living It Out 1. Internal Alignment • Daily surrender of will (Romans 12:1-2). • Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). 2. Relational Kingdom Presence • Extend forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). • Serve “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). 3. Material Perspective • Treat possessions as stewardship, not security (Luke 12:32-34). • Practice generosity, trusting the “added” things to God. 4. Ongoing Expectation • While the kingdom is present, its fullness is future (Revelation 11:15). • Seek it now; anticipate its visible completion later. Supporting Scriptural Threads • Romans 14:17 — “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” • Colossians 1:13 — “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” • Hebrews 12:28 — “Since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude.” |
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