07/05/2026
26/04/2026
FIRST THINGS FIRST, LITTLE THINGS LAST
Matthew 6:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you”
(Matthew 6:33). These are the words of Jesus Christ, which give assurance that when priority is given to what God desires, heavenly blessings will follow. Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness is not a mere suggestion but a divine command and a heavenly instruction that must take first place above all else, recognizing it as a personal call for anyone who desires to fulfill their spiritual purpose on earth, and therefore placing God first, His righteousness first, His salvation first, and His calling above every other pursuit as the highest priority of life. There are eternal matters and temporal matters. The kingdom of God is everlasting, while earthly things are only for a short time, so focus first on the things that have eternal value, for heavenly matters are higher and more worthy of priority than earthly concerns. We must therefore give top priority to what truly matters, especially the righteousness of God, instead of continually pursuing earthly things,
and be mindful that in life there are essential things and non-essential things. We need to respond to the call to turn completely and align with God by seeking what is eternal and setting aside temporary gains. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. Our attention must be directed toward eternal benefits rather than short-lived rewards.
This is a personal call, not a pursuit of the crowd, and while others may chase after things that are not truly necessary, you remain committed to seeking what carries eternal value, choosing to prioritise what God has commanded instead of what others pursue, and live as one set apart, distinct, and focused, fixing full attention on the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
1. SEEK FIRST TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Matthew 6:33; Luke 13:24-25; John 3:1-8; Romans 14:17.
Seeking the kingdom is not optional but a command. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). The kingdom of God is the domain where the King rules and exercises authority, where His will is done. His reign is established in the heart and life, just as it is expressed in prayer, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”. Pursue it diligently, make it the highest priority, not postponing or treating it as secondary, but giving it first place above all concerns, striving earnestly to enter
into it as instructed, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto
you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24). This means seeking it now without delay, pressing in with determination, because the kingdom belongs to those who value it above all and pursue it with wholehearted commitment.
At this present time, if anything must be pursued urgently, the first and most
important priority is to enter the kingdom of God; before leaving this world, God must already be enthroned in your heart, and His kingdom must be established within. This is the highest and most necessary focus in life, and it must take first place above all else. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). This establishes the central priority of life: to seek, pursue, and experience the
kingdom of God with full determination until it is attained. A person must be born again, truly renewed by the Spirit of God, born from above, and made new to see and experience this kingdom. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). Entry into the kingdom is not achieved by human effort, personal strength, or by waiting until after death, but must happen now through spiritual rebirth, being cleansed by the Word and renewed by the Spirit, making the kingdom of God the foremost and urgent pursuit in life. We are born again through the Spirit and experience true spiritual rebirth. The word of God comes to us, declaring that all have sinned and fall short of His glory, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. No matter how much effort is made through personal works, self cannot bring salvation, because justification does not come by human effort, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight”.Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him, as it is written: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. There is no other name given under heaven by which salvation can be received except the name of Jesus, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. These truths bring
conviction and lead the heart to Christ, leading to a sincere confession that self cannot save and that salvation is found only in Christ. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”. Through this word, you experience salvation, become transformed, born again, and justified, becoming a child of God, with the Spirit bearing witness within. The kingdom is not about outward things like food and drink, but something far deeper, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). Do not define the kingdom by physical provisions or outward association, but
by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, which become evident in a life fully yielded to the King. In thekingdom of God, you are transformed into a life of righteousness. The kingdom of God is that state where, in the past, the heart lacked peace and rest, but upon coming near to God and His church, peace, calmness, and
true rest entered within, and every form of conflict departed, and this experience is the very expression of the kingdom of God, accompanied by joy in the Holy Ghost, a joy that is not like the temporary happiness gained from material things such as receiving money, which brings only momentary excitement, but rather a lasting and
abiding joy that remains continually in God. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost define this kingdom, and as life continues in this way, there is a growing experience of this kingdom; therefore, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, not material things, but these spiritual realities, and as this pursuit continues, God establishes His righteousness in your life and causes steady progress.
2. SURRENDER AND EXPERIENCE THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Galatians 1:15-16; 2Corinthians 5:14-15; Titus 2:13-14; Galatians 2:20.
We must realise that God is great and His kingdom is great, that God is love and His kingdom is love, and that the extension of His kingdom is not limited to heaven alone but spreads across the earth and wherever it is desired. God is the Creator, Controller, and Director of all people, nations, and systems on earth, guiding and leading all, and His kingdom extends throughout the entire universe, where every angel in heaven submits to His authority, power, and royalty, continually bowing before Him. All
creation operates under His sovereign rule, with no personal agenda, as even the sun, moon, and stars function in submission to their Creator; therefore, as you seek the kingdom of God, the King of the kingdom becomes the King of your life. To enjoy this kingdom, there must be full surrender and submission to God, allowing Him to reign completely. Saul of Tarsus did not realize that he was fighting against God and opposing Christ, even though God had already declared concerning His Holy Son, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion”, but he was resisting that divine authority and contending against the King and His kingdom as he journeyed toward Damascus with official authority and a personal plan to persecute, until Jesus met him on the way, called him by name, and showed that He knew his identity, his actions, and the course of his life; past, present, and future. Then the King of heaven asked him a searching question, “Why are you doing this, and what is the purpose of your life?”, and for the first time he heard the voice of God’s kingdom concerning all his deeds from birth, leading him to surrender and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”, acknowledging Christ as the Lord and King of his life, ready to obey whatever he was commanded, and in that moment, he entered into the kingdom of God. He was later
addressed as brother Saul by Ananias because Christ had become both the King and controller of his life. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I
might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh
and blood” (Galatians 1:15–16). His calling was not delayed for personal plans or human consultation, but marked by immediate surrender and complete submission to the authority of Christ. We should not depend on the opinions of friends, colleagues, or even family when it comes to following Christ. Do not seek human approval before obeying His call, but recognise the call of Christ into His kingdom and respond without hesitation. Surrender completely to Jesus Christ as Lord, King, and Controller of your life, acknowledging that He alone is the Lord of the kingdom of God and giving Him
full authority over every aspect of life, because the love of Christ compels such a response, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15). He left the glory of heaven, came into the world, suffered, and gave Himself on the cross for humanity, and since no other person has ever done this, we must willingly submit and yield entirely to Him without conditions, offering our lives fully to the One who gave Himself completely to
us, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). No silver, gold, wealth, or human effort can redeem from sin, for no works of humanity have the power to save, but deliverance comes only because Jesus Christ gave Himself willingly to redeem us from sin, to remove the punishment of sin, to cleanse completely from its pollution, and to break the power of sin over our lives. No one in the past, present, or future can ever do this except Him, we must therefore respond by yielding completely in return, offering our lives wholly to God because He first gave Himself, This message of salvation has been carried across nations by those who left their comfort, homeland, and possessions to proclaim the gospel so that many may hear and turn to God, and now the responsibility is present to respond fully and without delay, surrendering entirely without any reservation, coming into a life of complete submission to Christ, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”
(Galatians 2:20). This crucifixion with Christ is not a physical display but a true spiritual surrender where the old self no longer rules, and Christ alone lives and reigns within, taking full control of the heart and life. Remove yourself from the throne of your heart and enthrone Christ as Lord, living no longer for self but by faith in the Son of God who lives within, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”.
3. SHARE AND EXTEND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Luke 9:59-60; Acts 8:4,12; 28:30-31; Luke 4:42-43.
Actively share and spread the kingdom of God by proclaiming the good news that Christ died and rose again for all, making salvation available to everyone. Do not keep this joy to yourself, but declare it to others, understanding that you remain on earth to testify of the King, His sacrifice, and His salvation, expanding His kingdom everywhere because it is not limited but global. If the kingdom truly dwells in your heart, it must reach homes, households, neighbourhoods, the nation, and the world. Do not confine the gospel within the walls of the church, but proclaim it widely since Christ died for all, and give first priority to following Him without delay or excuse, “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59–60). In the Kingdom of God, the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that higher spiritual priorities must always come first, even above natural or family responsibilities: “Let the dead bury
their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God”. When Christ becomes the Lord of our lives, every other concern must be placed in proper order under Him, and first things must truly come first, with eternal and essential matters taking priority over all else. Therefore, when Jesus is recognised as King and Lord of our lives, His rule establishes the right ordering of priorities, so our lives are governed by
what is eternal, necessary, and aligned with His will. The kingdom focus leads
believers to continually advance God’s work, even in times of pressure, loss, or
displacement, as seen in the early church, where scattered believers did not retreat in silence but continued the mission. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4), Even when earthly possessions, homes, and livelihoods belonging to these disciples were lost, the joy of Christ remains
active within, and the mission of the Kingdom continues without interruption. Naturally, they should have been sorrowful and deeply troubled in such situations, and they ought to have been filled with grief rather than indifference or distraction; they should have been depressed and overwhelmed by the weight of circumstance. When priorities are misaligned, even the smallest matters can seem significant and
become sources of unnecessary anxiety. The life of the kingdom does not depend on external possessions, but on Christ who lives within, and therefore, even in loss, there is joy because Christ is present. “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). “Preaching the kingdom of God,
and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all
confidence, no man forbidding him”
(Acts 28:31). The message of the Kingdom of God is being declared and made known widely, proclaiming the gospel of sacrifice, substitution, and redemption through Christ Jesus, making it known that Christ offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice for every sinner on earth. This truth is being boldly shared by the disciples. The early church’s work recorded in Acts 28 is
remembered, and there is a call for such works to continue even today, as though an “Acts 29” generation is rising to continue the mission of God’s servants in this present age, committed to advancing His Kingdom in every place. Christ is not only Saviour but also King and Lord, who gave Himself completely as a sacrifice for humanity, redeeming people from sin and purifying them for Himself; even amid ministry demands and human expectations, His focus remained on proclaiming the Kingdom.
When crowds sought to keep Him with them, His response was centered on His divine assignment, “I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent” (Luke 4:43). Therefore, the work of the Kingdom continues beyond the early church and extends into every generation, calling believers to live as a continuation of that same mission, faithfully advancing God’s rule on earth with Christ as Lord, King, and central priority of every life. The message of the Kingdom cannot be confined to one location but must reach all cities and nations. This present
moment is therefore a divine challenge and a call to mission, requiring full surrender and a deeper pursuit of God’s Kingdom, seeking it first. We are to be fully surrendered, completely controlled by Christ, with no competing voice against His lordship, living under His authority in all things, sharing the gospel of the Kingdom with others, and
continuing the mission of making Jesus known as King, Lord, and Saviour to all
people everywhere, while committing fully to the assignment for which believers have been called.
Quotes from Pastor (Dr) W. F. Kumuyi
Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness is not a mere suggestion but a divine command and a heavenly instruction that must take first place above all else. Placing God first, His righteousness first, His salvation first, and His calling above every other
pursuit as the highest priority of life.
The kingdom of God is everlasting, while earthly things are only for a short time, so focus first on the things that have eternal value.
Heavenly matters are higher and more worthy of priority than earthly concerns.
Our attention must be directed toward eternal benefits rather than short-lived rewards.
This is a personal call, not a pursuit of the crowd. Seeking the kingdom is not optional but a command. Pursue it diligently, make it the highest priority, and give it first place above all concerns.
The kingdom is not about outward things like food and drink, but something far deeper.
Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost define this kingdom.
To enjoy this kingdom, there must be full surrender and submission to God, allowing Him to reign completely.
No silver, gold, wealth, or human effort can redeem from sin.
We must respond by yielding completely in return, offering our lives fully to the One who gave Himself completely to us.
Remove yourself from the throne of your heart and enthrone Christ as Lord.
Actively share and spread the kingdom of God by proclaiming the good news that Christ died and rose again for all. Do not keep this joy to yourself, but declare it to others.
Christ is not only the Saviour but also King and Lord.
When Christ becomes the Lord of our lives, every other concern must be placed in proper order under Him, and first things must truly come first, with eternal and essential matters taking priority over all else.
The message of the Kingdom cannot be confined to a single location; it must reach all cities and nations.
A Call to a Decision
This message, delivered by the Lord through His servant, aims to guide unbelievers to recognize Jesus Christ as the Sole Path to escape eternal judgment. It also provides believers with guidance for victory in life and ministry. Young people can learn principles of success in academics and careers, while ministers can find ways to be role models by embodying the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
If you feel convicted of your sins after reading this message outline, pause and say this simple prayer of faith for your salvation and forgiveness of sin:
“Father, thank You for revealing my true state through Your Word. I acknowledge my sins and recognize that Jesus died and rose again for my redemption. I repent and put my faith in Jesus' sacrifice. Thank you for saving me, in Jesus' name, Amen.”
Connect With Christ If you just gave your life to Jesus Christ as a result of this Message, kindly click on the link
https://gckhq.org/connect/. to help assist you further in your walk with the Lord
Note:
This is an outline from the message preached by Pastor (Dr) W. F. Kumuyi, the General Superintendent
of Deeper Christian Life Ministry Worldwide, during the Global Sunday Worship Service in India, on
26th April 2026.
Watch the GS Message video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49orMWKUd7M
