( a ) Mt. 6:33 - But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all
                        these things will be given to you as well.

                ( i ) There's a lot of things that would distract us from the intimacy of
                relationship with the Lord. Worries and concerns about the basics of
                human life can do that! In the parable of the sowing of seed we're
                told, "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is
                the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the
                deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful" (Mt.13:22).

                
                ( ii ) Our priority is first spiritual and eternal not natural and temporal.
                That's not to say that temporal things have no importance at all,they
                do, but they must come in the right order of things and be kept in
                the right perspective.
        NIV
        Mt.6:28-33 - "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they
         grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29  yet Solomon in all his glory
        was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30  And if God cares so wonderfully
        for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care
        for you? You have so little faith! 31  "So don't worry about having enough food or
        drink or clothing. 32  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about
        these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33  and he will
        give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of
        God your primary concern.

        NLT
        Mt.6:28-33 - "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they
        grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29  yet Solomon in all his glory was
        not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30  And if God cares so wonderfully for
        flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for
        you? You have so little faith! 31  "So don't worry about having enough food or
        drink or clothing. 32  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about
        these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33  and he will
        give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of
        God your primary concern.


                ( iii ) When we gave our heart and life to the Lord we became new
                creations, (2 Cor. 5:17) and with that came new priorities, new
                values, new directives, new goals and a whole new understanding
                of what has real lasting and eternal value.

        ( b ) Rom. 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and
        drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy IN the Holy Spirit.

                ( i ) The kingdom of God is much more that righteousness peace
                and joy. It's all of these being produced and brought to life in us by
                the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Righteous, peace and joy IN the
                HOLY SPIRIT.

                ( ii ) We're encouraged in Eph. 3:18 to "be filled with the Spirit".
                The comparison with being drunk with wine is interesting. In the
                natural, wine produces results. If you're filled with wine you will do
                "wine filled" things. If on the other hand, you're filled with the Spirit
                you'll do "Spirit filled" things.

                ( iii ) The key to seeking the kingdom of God is seeking to be "BEING
                FILLED" with the Holy Spirit. That is a continual filling.

                ( iv ) The golden lamp stand in the Old Covenant temple was to be
                made from pure gold, (NO DROSS). Impurities in the gold would
                have caused it to be porous, allowing the oil to drain out. We
                happen to be in the purifying process and as a result we have a
                tendency to be some what porous. For this reason we need to be,
                "BEING FILLED" with the Holy Spirit. This "BEING FILLED" is a priority                 with us.

        ( c ) Gal. 5:22,23 - But the fruit OF the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
        kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

                ( i ) Isa. 60:21 & Isa. 61:3 refer to us being trees of righteousness.
                There's a sense where we can say we're trees of the kingdom.
                These trees produce kingdom fruit. Ps. 104:16 in the Amplified Bible
                says,"The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly and are filled
                with sap, ...". For us this sap, this life giving substance, is the Holy
                Spirit. He produces in us His fruit. We partake of it, enjoy it, live in
                it. It becomes our experience in Christ. It becomes our daily life in
                the "Present Kingdom" of God.

                ( ii ) Ph. 1:11 - filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes
                through Jesus Christ.

                ( iii ) Christ in us is our hope of glory, (Col.1:27) not only in the
                future, but right now as well! The righteousness of God is a
                righteousness we have because we're "IN" Christ. This
                righteousness is released within us through the power of the Holy
                Spirit producing the spiritual fruit of God's kingdom.

                ( iv ) Isa. 32:17 - The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect
                of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

CONCLUSION: There is an eternal kingdom, a kingdom that is not of this world. It's the kingdom of God and we need to seek it. Mt. 11:12 says: "the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it". We need to aggressively seek the kingdom of God! We need to lay hold of it. We need to live in the reality that through Christ it belongs to us!

Christ died on the cross to purchase the right for us to be apart of the kingdom of God. His blood was poured out that we might enjoy newness of life! His life flowing through us! His power released within us! Jesus said: " The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold everything he had and bought that field. "Agian, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (Mt. 13:44-46)

If there was ever a time to be "SOLD OUT FOR GOD" it's now! NOW is the time to seek the kingdom of God and not the kingdom of this world.

( 2 ) Establishing & Maintaining Priority

The grace of God is so wonderful and powerful! Like Isaiah, one day, we too will say: "All that we have accomplished you have done for us," (Isa.26:12).

It was the Apostle Paul who said: "by the grace of God I am what I am", (1 Cor.15:10).God has lavished His powerful grace upon each one of His children, (Eph. 1:7,8). It's God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose, (Ph. 2:13). With ALL that God does there's some things He requires of us. He will not decide for us! He will not make up our mind! Oh, He'll help, but the actual doing is for you and me. We must be the ones , not only say yes, but also to do the will of God!

Humanity makes many new years resolutions only to find weakness gives way under pressure. This is where it's different for us! When we respond in obedience to the will of God He will back us up with His strength. When we decide to make the quality decision to establish Kingdom Life Priorities, Christ will help us maintain this decision and commitment.

        ( a ) Col. 3:1,2 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, SET your
        HEARTS on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God
        SET your MINDS  on things above, not on things on the earth.

                ( i ) This setting of our hearts and minds on things above, (that is
                the spiritual eternal things) is something the Lord requires of us.
                The Amplified Bible bring out the fuller meaning of "SET" when it
                says: "set your minds and keep them them set on what is
                above".

                ( ii ) Ps. 84: 5 - "Blessed are those... who have SET their HEARTS
                on pilgrimage". That is those who have decided that this present
                earth is not their home and understand that they're merely passing
                through. Their heart is set on the eternal King and His kingdom.

                ( iii ) Heb. 11:9, 10 {Abraham's priority}

                ( iv ) Heb. 11:13 - 16 {Abraham's descendants}

                ( v ) Heb. 11:27 {Moses' priority}

                ( vi ) The closer we live in fellowship with the heart of Christ the
                more we'll find our hearts and minds fixed upon Him who is seated
                at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

                ( vii ) Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world", (Jn.18:36). That
                being the truth then our kingdom is not of this world either.

        ( b ) Heb. 3:1 - ... FIX your thoughts on Jesus

                ( i ) Our "thought life" is a whole other world! As born again
                Believers we need to have our minds renewed, (Rom. 12:1,2).We
                have been given power from our God to be able to control our
                thought life. Every thought and imagination can be brought into line
                with the the Word of God, (2 Cor. 10:4,5). It's possible for us to FIX
                our thoughts on Christ! We've been empowered to do so!

                ( ii ) One of the positive effects of a mind fixed upon the Lord is
                seen in Isa. 26:3 (PEACE).

                ( iii )The adverse affects of a mind that is trying to be fixed on two
                places at once is seen in Jms. 1:6,7 {the dangers of a double mind}

                ( iv ) Have you ever hear it said of someone: "Oh that person is so
                heavenly minded they're no earthly good". Well Christ was pretty
                heavenly minded and He's sure done a lot of good.

                ( v ) It's a challenge to keep our thoughts out the gutters of this
                world. Christ did it and He's given us the power to do it as well! It
                can happen! We can live as Christ did!

        ( c ) Heb. 12:2 - Let us FIX our eyes on Jesus

                ( i ) Pr. 4:25 - Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze
                directly before you.

                ( ii ) Where you're looking is where you'll go! The old plowman
                new the secret to straight rows! Keep looking straight ahead at a
                fixed point and don't allow yourself to wander off that course.

CONCLUSION: In this Section we've looked at Scripture encouraging us to FIX our mind and thoughts, our hearts and our spiritual eyes on the eternal things, on Christ who is seated on His throne in the heavenlies.

There's a lot in this world that the enemy will try to use to distract use from a FIXED life in Christ. It's good for us to be reminded from time to time what our spiritual priorities are, what's really important, and where we're really going.

( 3 ) Significance of Spiritual Priority

One thing is certain, God is for us! He doesn't keep things from us that will enhance our spiritual well being! He clearly reveals the things that will profit our lives. He shows us the things to avoid and the things to embrace!

It's amazing how human intelligence will challenge the Word of God, as though the wisdom of fallen humanity knows what's best for us! The world says: "Why through your life away? You need to invest your talents, your time, your resources into this world, into this life!" What the world doesn't see is eternity. It can't see into the kingdom of God like we can. It has no spiritual perspective of eternity and places little or no valve on Christ and His kingdom. We need to hear the voice of God! We need to hear what the Lord says concerning where we should invest.

        ( a ) Mt. 6:19 - 21 - Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
        where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But
        store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not
        destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. FOR where your
        treasure is there your heart will be also.

                ( i ) When we put our investments into the eternal things of God
                they can't be taken from us. No one can steal or rob us. The
                investment is secure.

                ( ii ) Parable of the Rich Fool
        NIV
        LK.12:13-21 - Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to
        divide the inheritance with me." 14  Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a
        judge or an arbiter between you?" 15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on
        your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance
        of his possessions."16  And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich
        man produced a good crop. 17  He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no
        place to store my crops. 18  "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my
        barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19  And
        'I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life
        easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 20  "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night
        your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for
        yourself?' 21  "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but
        is not rich toward God."

        NLT
        LK.12:13-21 - Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my
        brother to divide our father's estate with me." 14 Jesus replied, "Friend, who made
        me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" 15  Then he said, "Beware!
        Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we
        own." 16  And he gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced
        fine crops. 17  In fact, his barns were full to overflowing. 18  So he said, 'I know! I'll
        tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store
        everything. 19  And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored
        away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!' 20 "But God
        said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?' 21 "Yes,
        a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with
        God."
.


                ( iii ) Lk. 9:25 - "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world,
                and yet loose or forfeit his very self".
                The challenge in all our activities and involvement is to maintain our
                spiritual priority. There's a lot of things in life that in and by
                themselves are not wrong , however, if we are not able to keep
                them in the right perspective then we're better off without them.
                They will keep us from investing all that we should in the eternal
                investment house of glory.

        ( b ) Heb. 12:26 - 28 - ..."Once more I will shake not only the earth but also
        the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be
        shaken - that is created things - SO THAT what cannot be shaken may
        remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

                ( i ) It's right for the scientist and engineers of this world to try to
                build structures to withstand earth quakes. There is however a time
                coming in the not too distant future when God Himself will rise to
                shake this earth. So severe will the shaking be that all that's left is
                the kingdom of God.

                ( ii ) Embracing the Truth will help to keep things in the right
                perspective.

                ( iii ) 2 P. 3:10,11- But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. the
                heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed
                by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. SINCE
                EVERYTHING WILL BE DESTROYED IN THIS WAY, what kind of
                people ought you to be? ..."

                ( iv ) Where are we investing? Where is our treasure? In our hearts
                is it all right if God chooses to shake things up a bit. Where do we
                consider our home to be?

        ( c ) 2 Cor. 4:18 - So we FIX our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
        unseen. FOR what is seen is temporal but what is unseen is eternal.

                ( i ) 1 Cor. 13:13 - And now these three remain: LOVE, FAITH,
                HOPE

                ( ii ) When we start to look at things through the eyes of Christ
                everything falls into two categories, temporal and eternal.

                ( iii ) Only the spiritual things of the kingdom of God have any real
                enduring substance. After our life is over or this world as we know
                comes to an end (and it will) then what's left? Glory, everything is if
                we take the opportunity Christ has given to us and invest heavily into
                our relationship with Him.

CONCLUSION: The Lord has graciously shown us were, and told us how to invest. As Moses left behind all the treasures of Egypt to live for God, he did so aware of the fact of eternal reward, (Heb.11:26). He knew that as he invested his life in obedience to God in the end it would pay big dividends.