Rhythms: Luke 12:31-34

The Solution
Lance Terry

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give
you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.
Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a
treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief
approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.—Luke 12:31-34 (ESV)

Today we continue our 5-week series called “Rhythms.” In
summary, here’s what Witte identified as our problem last week.
First, the reality for all of us is that we possess limited amounts of
Time, Energy, and Resources. Second, most of us want to live
meaningful lives filled with purpose and significance in who we
are and the things we do.

Those two create tension because we must figure out how to
experience that meaningful life with limited resources. We try to
do this by organizing our lives around major categories like work,
finances, family, and church. Whether consciously or not, we
prioritize everything around an Organizing Principle. Something
rules our hearts. When one of the categories rules, our lives get
out of rhythm.

WATCH—This clip from today’s message: 

A life managed with limited resources is a life of anxiety. This has
always been true. How stunning it must have been when Jesus
told the crowds not to worry. Like us, their lives were filled with
worry! He said, “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about
your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will
put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than
clothing.”(Luke 12:22-23) He said, “Instead, seek his kingdom,
and these things will be added to you.” (Luke 12:31). The single
word “instead” meant Jesus offered a better way.

QUESTION—What are your worries? What worries you the
most?

READ— Luke 11:2-3

QUESTION— How did the prayer Jesus taught resemble His
teaching in our passage today?

QUESTION—What did Jesus mean by “seek his kingdom”?

QUESTION— We seek the kingdom by making Jesus the

Organizing Principle of our lives. So how did He live, and how
does that help us answer life’s questions?

READ— John 6:38 and Ephesians 5:2

QUESTION—In Luke 12:32, Jesus begins by saying, “Fear not.”
What kind of worries bring fear into your life?

QUESTION—Jesus said, “it is your Father’s good pleasure to
give you the kingdom.” In what sense did the Father give them
the kingdom?

QUESTION—So, are we commanded to sell everything we own?

QUESTION—In many countries, starvation and lack of shelter
are real problems. What are the real problems in our area?

QUESTION—What is the connection between one’s treasure
and heart?

QUESTION— Have you ever benefitted from someone’s
generosity? Tell the group about it. What lasting effect has that
had on you?

QUESTION— What specific ways will you make Jesus the
Organizing Principle of your life?

Dig Deeper: Little Flock

QUESTION—Why did Jesus call his disciples a “little flock?”
(Luke 12:32)

READ— Psalm 77:20, Jeremiah 13:17, Micah 4:8

READ— Ezekiel 34:11-31, Ezekiel 34:22-24

READ— Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34, John 10:11-18