Kingdom Minded: Living for God’s Kingdom Above All Else

When Jesus taught about the kingdom, He wasn’t describing a distant fairy tale place with castles and dragons. The kingdom of God is wherever His rule and reign are recognized. Many of us get pulled in different directions, building our own little kingdoms while forgetting about the greater Kingdom we’re called to be part of.

What Does It Mean to Pray for God’s Kingdom?

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

This prayer reveals something profound: earth doesn’t set the culture of heaven; heaven sets the culture for earth. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to align ourselves with God’s priorities. When we pray for His kingdom to come, we’re not asking for an escape from earth but for heaven’s reality to break through into our present circumstances.

How Does God’s Kingdom Manifest on Earth?

Matthew 4:23 tells us: “Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”

Healing on earth is accessing what’s already available in heaven. Revelation teaches that heaven has no sickness, pain, or suffering. When we pray for healing, we’re asking for heaven to touch earth—for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done here as it is in heaven.

Even if miraculous healing doesn’t come immediately, God may heal gradually through doctors and time. And if healing doesn’t come in this life, we have the promise of eternal healing in heaven.

Are You Just Attending or Truly Representing?

Here’s a crucial distinction: “You weren’t invited to attend a kingdom gathering. You were appointed to represent the King.”

Church isn’t just an event you attend once a week for an hour. The purpose of gathering is twofold:

• To help you know God through Jesus
• To prepare you to go back into the world as His representative

Out of 168 hours in a week, you might spend just one in church. The goal is to equip you to live for Christ during the other 167 hours.

What Does It Mean to Be Christ’s Ambassador?

2 Corinthians 5:20 says: “We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God.'”

An ambassador takes kingdom values and carries them into every space of their life. This isn’t just for pastors or those in ministry—it’s for everyone who calls on Jesus. If the only time someone encountered Jesus was through encountering you, would they actually meet Him?

Why Do Some Christians Feel Purposeless?

Perhaps you feel like you lack purpose because you’re trying to reap the benefits of the kingdom without submission to the King. Many treat Jesus like Saul treated David—fine with Him as long as He’s slaying giants and making us feel better, but resistant when He tries to take His rightful place as King.

You don’t get the benefits of the kingdom without the King.

What Does Being Kingdom Minded Look Like Practically?

As kingdom minded people:

• We place the King’s standards over our satisfaction
• We value His word over our wants
• We execute His priority over our plan
• We choose faithfulness over feelings
• We seek justice over personal justification
• We build with sacrifice over chasing success

Matthew 6:33 instructs us to “seek first the kingdom of God above all else.” The word “all” means exactly that—everything. Your relationship with Jesus should be prioritized above everything else in your life.

Does Seeking God’s Kingdom Really Work?

When you build His kingdom, He’ll bless your castle. This principle works both for churches and individuals. When we seek first His kingdom, everything we need is supplied.

Even without a permanent building, this church has seen over 250 decisions for Jesus and 75 baptisms in just two years. That’s because the focus has been on kingdom impact rather than building a comfortable castle.

God has provided for countless individuals who chose to live for a kingdom bigger than themselves. When you shift your thinking to focus on God’s kingdom above all else, your life aligns with proper priorities.

Life Application

For some, your next step is to shift your thinking to focus on God’s kingdom above all else. For others, it’s time to actually make Jesus King of your life—not just someone you know about, but the One you submit to completely.

Christianity isn’t meant to be casual. Following Jesus requires surrendering your will, which might be the hardest part because dethroning yourself isn’t easy. But when the King is in His rightful place, He ensures the kingdom is covered with peace, protection, and provision.

Ask yourself these questions this week:

• In what areas of my life am I still calling the shots instead of Jesus?
• How would my daily decisions change if I truly sought God’s kingdom above all else?
• What one step can I take this week to be a better ambassador for Christ in my everyday environments?
• Am I building my own castle or contributing to God’s kingdom?

The challenge is clear: Move beyond being a mere attendee to becoming a true ambassador. Seek first His kingdom in everything you do, and watch how He provides everything you need.