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Seeking God's Kingdom and His Government
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
When Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God, we must understand what kingdom actually means. The word translated as "kingdom" in our Bibles comes from the word meaning "government"—it is the king's domain, the king's sphere of influence and rulership.
Democracy makes it difficult for us to have a clear concept of kingdom today. Democracy was invented because humans failed at functioning as kings. The French Revolution happened because people grew tired of monarchical rule. The founders of the United States left England to escape the oppressive control of monarchy and created a democratic system. But when you become a citizen of God's kingdom, you must be conscious that you now belong to a higher system of government and a higher culture.
Back in 2010, during an extended stay in the UK, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about something defining. He said: "The church in Nigeria is being limited by the culture within which it exists. Culture defines success mainly by the material—the cash, the cars, the houses. And sadly, you have brought that also into the ministry."
He pointed out that if we organize a crusade with half a million people attending, that is significant by any standard globally. But if another half a million people listen to a CD of that message, we have reached one million people. However, he mentioned a pastor in the US who speaks to 12,000 people in his church on a Sunday. When that message is put on major television networks like TBN and Day Star World Network, potentially a billion people could be hearing him. So ultimately, the person speaking to 12,000 physically reaches far more people than one who spoke to half a million.
The Holy Spirit said: "It's time for Daystar to go global, and you have to leverage technology and media." He also said something profound: "Who people see is who people follow."
Once the Holy Spirit said that, my part was action. We dissolved our media department completely and hired consultants. We bought new equipment and upgraded our systems. Eventually, we divided our Communications Department into two whole departments because it had become so essential to our mission.
When we did this upgrade, my good friend Pastor Glenn Aaron came from the US to preach. After the service, in my office, he asked: "Pastor Sam, you have a very good teaching ministry. Would you want your messages to go on TV around the world?"
I said, "That's what the Holy Spirit and I are discussing right now."
He replied, "Well, on my way to the US, I'm studying through London. I know someone who can help you. His name is Stuart." A few days later, Stuart called. We sent some video samples, and within a few weeks, we were on a world network in the US. A few months later, we were on Day Star Television with global coverage—exactly as the Holy Spirit had spoken.
What amazed me was the ease. I didn't have to chase anyone. He brought the means to meet me here, just from one conversation.
Later, Stuart took me to lunch in London and said, "Pastor Sam, do you know what just happened to you? Your ministry just went global all over the world. You weren't the first person I presented to Day Star, but yours is the first ministry out of Africa to go on Day Star. When they looked at your videos from the least person right up to Marcos, the founder, they all gave your video a pass because of the quality."
He also said something I've never forgotten: "Pastor Sam, make sure you don't do anything stupid. The way the media blows you up is the way it takes you down."
Culture is a powerful thing. It affects you in ways you don't even realize. It's the prism through which you see everything. When the governor general of Great Britain came to Nigeria as the Queen's representative, he didn't just enforce her rule—he established a culture. That's what we inherited.
Our grandparents, when they were in primary school, sang: "God Save the Queen." Why? Because Nigeria was under the Queen's government. She had a representative here called the governor general. The culture of government and many other things were established by this colonial system. Even now, we drink tea three or four times a day in this hot climate—it's part of what we learned from that culture. We even wear suits in this hot weather, sweating, because that's the culture we inherited.
But here's the point: we are not meant to be subsumed by the culture that exists in the world. We are meant to influence this world with the culture of Heaven.
The disciples observed something remarkable in Jesus. They said, "Master, we see that God answers your prayers. We see that anything you do goes beyond the capacity of human ability. We see miracles happening around you. Teach us to pray."
After this, Jesus taught them the Lord's Prayer, which begins: "Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Let Your kingdom come. Let the government of heaven come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Set the world right. Do what's best as above, so below.
When Israel asked for a king, God warned them it would not turn out well. According to 1 Samuel 8:10-20, Samuel told them:
"This is how a king will reign over you. The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers. Some will be generals and captains in his army. Some will be forced to plow his fields and harvest his crops. The king will take your daughters and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his own officials. He will demand a tenth of your flocks and you will be his slaves. When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the Lord will not help you."
But the people refused to listen. They said: "We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle."
They didn't know what they were dealing with—power in the hand of sinful human nature. This is the challenge we still face today. It takes courage to go countercultural. When a hundred people are shouting at you and insulting you, it's not easy. Fear of missing out drives us: we want to be like everyone else, because the group will consume you if you stand alone.
But here's what many don't realize: God was asking to be their King himself. In 1 Samuel 8:4-7, God said to Samuel: "Do everything they ask of you, for they are rejecting me, not you. They don't want me to be their King any longer."
That statement—"they don't want me to be their King any longer"—applies to many people today.
When Christ came, what was his message? Matthew 4:17 records it: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."
Change your life. God's government is here. You guys have tried and tried. Look at what the kings in the Old Testament did to you. The Bible is full of leadership failure. And then Christ comes and says: "You've seen the hopelessness of human leadership when it is not under God's influence. Change your thinking. Change your way of life. God's government is here now."
Many of us Christians have mastered the message that says: "Repent, and you will go to heaven." That's the ultimate goal we emphasize—going to heaven. But if that was God's plan, that you give your life to Christ, receive forgiveness from your sin, and then the most important thing is for you to go to heaven, then God would have killed you the moment you got saved so you could go there.
That was not Christ's message. His message was: Change your life. Heaven is here now. He brought heaven to the people. There are no sicknesses and diseases in heaven, so he removed sicknesses from people's bodies. There's no poverty in heaven, so he fed people. He brought heaven to the people. That is God's message to us.
If you don't understand this, then it's not likely you will make the most of your Christian experience, because this was the core of Christ's message. Many times he would say: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who did this..." or "The Kingdom of Heaven is like this..." He was trying to get them to understand how this government works and how the culture of His kingdom functions.
The difference between our King and the kings in this world is crucial. Our King is sinless. Secondly, our King is love—love personified. That's why God warned Israel: "Your king will not love you. He will consume most of your resources. He will turn some of you into slaves."
We still see this mostly with leadership in our world today. But our King loves us. The culture of His kingdom is love. The number one value that governs behavior in His kingdom is love.
When the disciples asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment, He answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul. And the second one is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two hang all the law and the prophets."
Our King sacrificed His own only son for us. Romans 8:32 says: "If God did not spare His only son but gave Him up for us, how will He not with Him also freely give us all?"
This is a worry-free system. If somebody sacrifices his son, what else can he not give you? A small car? Come on!
Jesus Christ gives us just one condition to enjoy this worry-free system: Focus on God. Put God first. Prioritize God. Make God your king.
Listen to Matthew 6:24-34 from The Message:
"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one fits contempt for the other. You can't worship God and money both. If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion.
"There's far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds—free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds.
"Has anyone by forcing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Your real value is intrinsic, not in the things you wear.
"Walk out into the field and look at the wildflowers. They never preen or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never seen and appreciated—don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you?
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving."
You are so focused on getting that you are missing God's giving.
This is what happened to Eve and Adam. Satan said: "Did God say that you should not eat of any of the fruits of the trees in the garden?" She said: "No, we can eat the fruits from all the trees. It's only this one."
Satan said: "That one. Until you eat it, you are missing out. Your life is not complete."
So they focused on getting that one and then missed out on all that God was giving.
Some of us have to unlearn this lie. Relax. Stop comparing yourself with other people whose standards for success, whose definition for success, are completely different from God's definition for success.
Maybe something's going wrong in a relationship with somebody else. You're not asking: "How does God see it? What does God want me to do?" You're using your own brain to run it and enjoying the results—which are bad.
You're not involving God in making your financial decisions. You're not involving God in making decisions about your business. And then you enjoy the results.
You have fear of missing out. You're busy comparing yourself with others. And then you accept all that pressure. But put God first. Let Him be your King. This is a worry-free system.
The disciples saw miracles in Jesus because He had invited the Father to be His King in every area of His life. He lived under Heaven's government.
So here's where we often cheat ourselves: something is going wrong in a relationship, and we're not asking God how He sees it or what He wants us to do. Something is wrong financially, and we're not involving God in the decision. Something is wrong in our business, and we're not asking God for direction.
But when you put God first—when you make Him your King—that system is worry-free.
Tell the person sitting next to you: Relax.
Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Some of you here have known Jesus as Savior. You've received forgiveness from your sins. But you need to ask Him now: Be my King. I want Heaven to be the atmosphere around my life. Whatever cannot be found in heaven will not be found around me anymore.
Make this commitment: "I pledge my allegiance to You. I will prioritize You over all manmade systems. I will prioritize Your word and instructions over all man-made instructions. I'll put You first. I'll put You first. I'll put You first."
Every human being was born with sin. Every human being was born with the sin nature. God sent Jesus to die for us. One day we hear the truth, and God expects us to ask Him for forgiveness. If you want to make that commitment right now, you can pray:
God, I believe that Jesus paid for my sins. I ask You to forgive me and to accept me as Your child. Thank You for hearing my prayer in Jesus' name.
Continue exploring
Connected by scripture or shared themes.
Seeking God's Kingdom and His Government
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
When Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God, we must understand what kingdom actually means. The word translated as "kingdom" in our Bibles comes from the word meaning "government"—it is the king's domain, the king's sphere of influence and rulership.
Democracy makes it difficult for us to have a clear concept of kingdom today. Democracy was invented because humans failed at functioning as kings. The French Revolution happened because people grew tired of monarchical rule. The founders of the United States left England to escape the oppressive control of monarchy and created a democratic system. But when you become a citizen of God's kingdom, you must be conscious that you now belong to a higher system of government and a higher culture.
Back in 2010, during an extended stay in the UK, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about something defining. He said: "The church in Nigeria is being limited by the culture within which it exists. Culture defines success mainly by the material—the cash, the cars, the houses. And sadly, you have brought that also into the ministry."
He pointed out that if we organize a crusade with half a million people attending, that is significant by any standard globally. But if another half a million people listen to a CD of that message, we have reached one million people. However, he mentioned a pastor in the US who speaks to 12,000 people in his church on a Sunday. When that message is put on major television networks like TBN and Day Star World Network, potentially a billion people could be hearing him. So ultimately, the person speaking to 12,000 physically reaches far more people than one who spoke to half a million.
The Holy Spirit said: "It's time for Daystar to go global, and you have to leverage technology and media." He also said something profound: "Who people see is who people follow."
Once the Holy Spirit said that, my part was action. We dissolved our media department completely and hired consultants. We bought new equipment and upgraded our systems. Eventually, we divided our Communications Department into two whole departments because it had become so essential to our mission.
When we did this upgrade, my good friend Pastor Glenn Aaron came from the US to preach. After the service, in my office, he asked: "Pastor Sam, you have a very good teaching ministry. Would you want your messages to go on TV around the world?"
I said, "That's what the Holy Spirit and I are discussing right now."
He replied, "Well, on my way to the US, I'm studying through London. I know someone who can help you. His name is Stuart." A few days later, Stuart called. We sent some video samples, and within a few weeks, we were on a world network in the US. A few months later, we were on Day Star Television with global coverage—exactly as the Holy Spirit had spoken.
What amazed me was the ease. I didn't have to chase anyone. He brought the means to meet me here, just from one conversation.
Later, Stuart took me to lunch in London and said, "Pastor Sam, do you know what just happened to you? Your ministry just went global all over the world. You weren't the first person I presented to Day Star, but yours is the first ministry out of Africa to go on Day Star. When they looked at your videos from the least person right up to Marcos, the founder, they all gave your video a pass because of the quality."
He also said something I've never forgotten: "Pastor Sam, make sure you don't do anything stupid. The way the media blows you up is the way it takes you down."
Culture is a powerful thing. It affects you in ways you don't even realize. It's the prism through which you see everything. When the governor general of Great Britain came to Nigeria as the Queen's representative, he didn't just enforce her rule—he established a culture. That's what we inherited.
Our grandparents, when they were in primary school, sang: "God Save the Queen." Why? Because Nigeria was under the Queen's government. She had a representative here called the governor general. The culture of government and many other things were established by this colonial system. Even now, we drink tea three or four times a day in this hot climate—it's part of what we learned from that culture. We even wear suits in this hot weather, sweating, because that's the culture we inherited.
But here's the point: we are not meant to be subsumed by the culture that exists in the world. We are meant to influence this world with the culture of Heaven.
The disciples observed something remarkable in Jesus. They said, "Master, we see that God answers your prayers. We see that anything you do goes beyond the capacity of human ability. We see miracles happening around you. Teach us to pray."
After this, Jesus taught them the Lord's Prayer, which begins: "Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Let Your kingdom come. Let the government of heaven come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Set the world right. Do what's best as above, so below.
When Israel asked for a king, God warned them it would not turn out well. According to 1 Samuel 8:10-20, Samuel told them:
"This is how a king will reign over you. The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers. Some will be generals and captains in his army. Some will be forced to plow his fields and harvest his crops. The king will take your daughters and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his own officials. He will demand a tenth of your flocks and you will be his slaves. When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the Lord will not help you."
But the people refused to listen. They said: "We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle."
They didn't know what they were dealing with—power in the hand of sinful human nature. This is the challenge we still face today. It takes courage to go countercultural. When a hundred people are shouting at you and insulting you, it's not easy. Fear of missing out drives us: we want to be like everyone else, because the group will consume you if you stand alone.
But here's what many don't realize: God was asking to be their King himself. In 1 Samuel 8:4-7, God said to Samuel: "Do everything they ask of you, for they are rejecting me, not you. They don't want me to be their King any longer."
That statement—"they don't want me to be their King any longer"—applies to many people today.
When Christ came, what was his message? Matthew 4:17 records it: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."
Change your life. God's government is here. You guys have tried and tried. Look at what the kings in the Old Testament did to you. The Bible is full of leadership failure. And then Christ comes and says: "You've seen the hopelessness of human leadership when it is not under God's influence. Change your thinking. Change your way of life. God's government is here now."
Many of us Christians have mastered the message that says: "Repent, and you will go to heaven." That's the ultimate goal we emphasize—going to heaven. But if that was God's plan, that you give your life to Christ, receive forgiveness from your sin, and then the most important thing is for you to go to heaven, then God would have killed you the moment you got saved so you could go there.
That was not Christ's message. His message was: Change your life. Heaven is here now. He brought heaven to the people. There are no sicknesses and diseases in heaven, so he removed sicknesses from people's bodies. There's no poverty in heaven, so he fed people. He brought heaven to the people. That is God's message to us.
If you don't understand this, then it's not likely you will make the most of your Christian experience, because this was the core of Christ's message. Many times he would say: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who did this..." or "The Kingdom of Heaven is like this..." He was trying to get them to understand how this government works and how the culture of His kingdom functions.
The difference between our King and the kings in this world is crucial. Our King is sinless. Secondly, our King is love—love personified. That's why God warned Israel: "Your king will not love you. He will consume most of your resources. He will turn some of you into slaves."
We still see this mostly with leadership in our world today. But our King loves us. The culture of His kingdom is love. The number one value that governs behavior in His kingdom is love.
When the disciples asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment, He answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul. And the second one is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two hang all the law and the prophets."
Our King sacrificed His own only son for us. Romans 8:32 says: "If God did not spare His only son but gave Him up for us, how will He not with Him also freely give us all?"
This is a worry-free system. If somebody sacrifices his son, what else can he not give you? A small car? Come on!
Jesus Christ gives us just one condition to enjoy this worry-free system: Focus on God. Put God first. Prioritize God. Make God your king.
Listen to Matthew 6:24-34 from The Message:
"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one fits contempt for the other. You can't worship God and money both. If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion.
"There's far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds—free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds.
"Has anyone by forcing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Your real value is intrinsic, not in the things you wear.
"Walk out into the field and look at the wildflowers. They never preen or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never seen and appreciated—don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you?
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving."
You are so focused on getting that you are missing God's giving.
This is what happened to Eve and Adam. Satan said: "Did God say that you should not eat of any of the fruits of the trees in the garden?" She said: "No, we can eat the fruits from all the trees. It's only this one."
Satan said: "That one. Until you eat it, you are missing out. Your life is not complete."
So they focused on getting that one and then missed out on all that God was giving.
Some of us have to unlearn this lie. Relax. Stop comparing yourself with other people whose standards for success, whose definition for success, are completely different from God's definition for success.
Maybe something's going wrong in a relationship with somebody else. You're not asking: "How does God see it? What does God want me to do?" You're using your own brain to run it and enjoying the results—which are bad.
You're not involving God in making your financial decisions. You're not involving God in making decisions about your business. And then you enjoy the results.
You have fear of missing out. You're busy comparing yourself with others. And then you accept all that pressure. But put God first. Let Him be your King. This is a worry-free system.
The disciples saw miracles in Jesus because He had invited the Father to be His King in every area of His life. He lived under Heaven's government.
So here's where we often cheat ourselves: something is going wrong in a relationship, and we're not asking God how He sees it or what He wants us to do. Something is wrong financially, and we're not involving God in the decision. Something is wrong in our business, and we're not asking God for direction.
But when you put God first—when you make Him your King—that system is worry-free.
Tell the person sitting next to you: Relax.
Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Some of you here have known Jesus as Savior. You've received forgiveness from your sins. But you need to ask Him now: Be my King. I want Heaven to be the atmosphere around my life. Whatever cannot be found in heaven will not be found around me anymore.
Make this commitment: "I pledge my allegiance to You. I will prioritize You over all manmade systems. I will prioritize Your word and instructions over all man-made instructions. I'll put You first. I'll put You first. I'll put You first."
Every human being was born with sin. Every human being was born with the sin nature. God sent Jesus to die for us. One day we hear the truth, and God expects us to ask Him for forgiveness. If you want to make that commitment right now, you can pray:
God, I believe that Jesus paid for my sins. I ask You to forgive me and to accept me as Your child. Thank You for hearing my prayer in Jesus' name.
Continue exploring
Connected by scripture or shared themes.
