Any preaching or teaching about God as a way of getting anything is demonic,
a car, a job, success, “leveling up”,
or even things that are considered good or godly such as a better marriage, or peace.
“[Those] who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourselves.”
— 1 Titus 6:5
But, the purpose and offer of an introduction is to know the person.
How utterly selfish and evil is it to look past a person in pursuit of what they can do for you?
And that is exactly what so-called churches all over the world, America especially, are doing this morning. They’re busy with many things but forfeiting the good part.
“Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.'”
— John 6:26-27
The sole offer of Christ, therefore the sole aim of any pure and undefiled ministry is God, it is encountering, knowing, and having Him.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
— John 10:10
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
— John 17:3
The benefits we enjoy are not the true treasure but are merely its effects.
I see this beautiful day simply by virtue of being in the presence of light. The benefit of seeing the beauty of this day cannot be had apart from the light.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
— James 1:16-17
The benefits we enjoy come by virtue of being with a person in whom there are so many wonderful things.
So, the principal thing is the person, not the benefit.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33
The common misunderstanding of this verse is “put God first” and then go after “all these things”.
And, we low-key look over God, seeing Him merely as a means to get “all these things”.
But if you read the entire passage, Jesus says don’t seek “all these things” at all:
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
— Matthew 6:31-32
Jesus says, therefore I say,
“Seek God”
Full stop.
Pray for a heart that does not seek anything else because it sees that God is everything and then walk with God through YOUR life rather than wishing, stressing, scratching and clawing for a different one.