A Message by Student Pastor, Scott Hamilton

Given to Green Ridge Baptist Church

June 7, 2009

“Seek God’s Kingdom First!”

I. Opening: Pray.

Story: During Impact one afternoon, our speaker was sharing about following his passion for food and relating it to having passion for Godly things. Student asked a question about the best bread sticks in the valley.

If you are like most people, you have a easier time thinking about the things that you would like to get out of life than about Godly things. We have a long list of goals and dreams that include many expensive items.

Read Luke 12:13-21. God is trying to speak to us, but we are wrapped up in ourselves and many times do not listen.

II. Seeking God on our own TERMS. Luke 12:13

A. VS 8-12 – Jesus was TEACHING about Spiritual issues.

1. VS 8-9 – Sharing about JESUS.

2. He was telling them to share about Him.

3. VS 11-12 – The Holy Spirit gives the right WORDS.

4. God tells us what to say.

5. The man interrupted Jesus from His teaching to talk about his favorite subject – himself.

6. Story: Talking to Courtney at Cold Stone the other night.

B. VS 13 – The man was focused on POSSESSIONS.

1. Someone had DIED. The man was not happy about his inheritance. He should have focused on family.

2. The dispute shows GREED.

3. We are discontent with the wrong things. We are content with the person we are, but not with the items we have. This is totally backwards. We should be discontent with who we are, not what we have.

4. Story: What are you going to do if we don’t get the new building or the new bus?

III. Seeking God reveals the PROBLEMS inside us. Luke 12:14-15

A. VS 14 – Jesus did not want to get involved in this family matter. How do you please two greedy people? He was tried to turn it back to the spiritual.

B. VS 15 – The real problem was in the HEART.

C. Covetousness is never being satisfied with what you have.

D. Read Luke 12:34. Our heart will follow our affections!!

E. VS 15 – A man’s life is not about his STUFF.

F. Story: The new coin and people are upset – “In God we Trust”

IV. Seeking God’s ANSWER to our sin. Luke 12:16-20

A. VS 16-18 – The man wanted to BUILD bigger barns.

B. We need to be careful that we are not just building bigger barns thinking that people will attend just due to our facilities. We must stay focused on Christ and caring about people the way He does.

C. VS 19 – He planned to live his life at EASE.

D. Story: The goal in Brazil is to get to where they don’t have to work.

E. VS 20 – God calls this man a FOOL.

F. We must focus on Godly things or according to God – we are a fool.

V. Seeking to be RICH toward God. Luke 12:21

A. In order to be rich in God, we must realize that everything we have comes from God. We use all that we have to help others and bring glory to God each and everyday!!

B. Read Luke 12:31.

C. God will give us what we need, if we will seek Him first.

VI. Closing Statement: Are you ready to put things back in the right order? Can you set pride aside and let God rule your life? Story: After graduation, I bought a new vehicle to replace the old one. Let’s realize that when we put our desires first, we will get only what we can do. When we put God’s Kingdom first, we will get everything that God can do. Trust Him right now!! Pray.

A. Ask for responses:

1. Those who need to come to know Christ.

2. Those who are believers who need repentance.

3. Those who would like to join our church and belong to this body of believers.

B. You respond to the Lord as our praise team come to lead us in this response time.