What Jesus Said We Are to Pursue

09/10/23 • 28 min

Summary: This episode provides a biblical definition of the term kingdom of God and when that becomes clear, we will see why Jesus said that PURSUING THE KINGDOM OF GOD is the most valuable objective anyone could ever build his life around!

For further prayerful thought.

Why is seeking the kingdom of God like a pearl merchant pursuing and finding a fabulous pearl?
What Scripture comes to mind to support the idea that the kingdom where Jesus wants righteousness to prevail is Adam’s kingdom, earth?
How would you answer, the objection, “seeking righteousness” is at its core depending upon yourself instead of Christ?
We saw that a clear understanding of our mission to seek first the kingdom of God leads to a) sharing the gospel, b) a high view of “secular” work, c) a high view of the physical word, d) realizing that salvation is not about escaping from the world but engaging the world seeking to spread Christ’s righteousness, e) that as agents of reconciliation Christians are to help others restore their relationship with themselves, God, others, and creation. Which of these five do you most want to remember from this episode? Why?

Resource Used for this Episode:

Discipling Men’s Hearts Through Kingdom Discipleship
For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left).

For further prayerful thought.

Why is seeking the kingdom of God like a pearl merchant pursuing and finding a fabulous pearl?
What Scripture comes to mind to support the idea that the kingdom where Jesus wants righteousness to prevail is Adam’s kingdom, earth?
How would you answer, the objection, “seeking righteousness” is at its core depending upon yourself instead of Christ?
We saw that a clear understanding of our mission to seek first the kingdom of God leads to a) sharing the gospel, b) a high view of “secular” work, c) a high view of the physical word, d) realizing that salvation is not about escaping from the world but engaging the world seeking to spread Christ’s righteousness, e) that as agents of reconciliation Christians are to help others restore their relationship with themselves, God, others, and creation. Which of these five do you most want to remember from this episode? Why?

Resource Used for this Episode:

Discipling Men’s Hearts Through Kingdom Discipleship
For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left).

Previous Episode

Shaping Day-By-Day Life to Seek First the Kingdom

Summary: Hall of Fame NFL stars, besides excelling at unrelenting commitment to becoming the best they can be at their position, usually have developed a high football IQ, which helps them put playing their position in context. Jesus’ job description for his followers is to seek first the KINGDOM OF GOD and his righteousness. But it is impossible to go hard to succeed at this mission without a concrete understanding of what the kingdom of God is. What is the target on the wall? This episode seeks to develop our KINGDOM IQ—so we can better understand the mission that Jesus said was to be our top priority in life.

For further prayerful thought:

How would you try to persuade a brother in Christ that it was important to understand the full background behind the term kingdom of God?
What stood out most to you about the parallel between the first Adam and the second Adam?
The word gospel means good news. How is the good news of the kingdom, which Jesus taught and proclaimed, a richer concept than just saying the gospel is that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone?
In what ways is our mission to spread “rightness and wholeness” (the kingdom of righteousness) over every square inch of the planet a compelling challenge? Are you ready to accept the challenge to pursue rightness—the agenda of Christ in every sphere of your life?

Primary Resource Used for this Episode:
Discipling Men's Hearts Through Kingdom Theology by Dr. Gary Yagel
For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Next Episode

Living Out of OUR CALLING Instead of DRIVENNESS

Summary: On the night before he died, Jesus made the astonishing claim that he had completed the work the Father gave him to do. We wonder how Jesus could have talked about a completed work. His three-year ministry seemed all too short. For every prostitute whose heart he touched, hundreds remained untouched. For every blind man enabled to see, hundreds were still blind. Yet on that last night, with many urgent human needs unmet and useful tasks undone, the Lord said he had completed the work God had given him. How did he do that? That is the subject of today’s episode as we consider how best to be focused and effective in the mission assigned to us by King Jesus.

For further prayerful thought.

In what ways is the term seek, the opposite of haphazard, unfocused living?
Why do the pressures of life seem to take us everywhere but to the masters’ feet to talk with us about our mission?
Almost everything about life, e.g. just buying groceries, is more effective with a plan (a list). Why don’t we think about a game plan for growing in Christ or loving our wives well?

Resource Used for this Episode:

The FOCUS Notebook.
For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)