Jeremy R. Treat - Seek First

When Jesus invites his followers to seek his kingdom first, he is after much more than a mere rearranging of our priorities. Rather, his intent is to give us a new way of seeing everything, a new center around which every part of lifefamily, work, friendship, money, leisure, power, play, and all the restmust revolve. Few books do as good a job as this one in not only telling us, but showing us, how giving up everything for Christ and his kingdom is the pathway to Gods greatest glory, the worlds greatest cultivation and care, and our greatest gain. I highly commend Jeremys work to you. Seek First is a gem.

Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and author of Befriend and Irresistible Faith.

Its one of lifes disorienting paradoxes: some of the most tormented souls are also some of the most successful. Long-term joy, fulfillment, and human flourishing can never be found in constructing our own kingdoms. So where is true joy and renewal found? In winsome ways, my friend Jeremy Treat shows us, by reminding us of another paradox. Yet this one is far more beautiful and fulfilling: it is when we put down our own kingdoms and seek first Gods kingdom. Seek First is an inspiring reminder to keep first things first.

Bryan Loritts, author, Insider Outsider

If (like me) youve prayed thy kingdom come hundreds of times without really grasping the transformative scope of those words, then you need to read this book. With the same clarity, insight, and passion he exudes at the pulpit, Jeremy practically and powerfully reveals howand more importantly, whywe ought to reorient our lives and reprioritize our loves around the one thing God tells us to seek above all else.

Marielle Wakim, deputy editor, Los Angeles magazine

In my day people searched for themselves by going to India, practicing Transcendental Meditation, or just going surfing. Today people surf the internet, search for themselves online, hire personal life coaches, and attend enrichment seminars in a never-ending quest for self-fulfillment. Jeremy Treat speaks a prophetic and urgent note to the generations: what matters most is seeking not yourself but the kingdom of God. Seek First is a clearly written and much-needed book that explains what Jesus meant by commanding his disciples to seek first the kingdom of God. Spoiler alert: its not about doing one more thing but about inhabiting the framework that makes sense of and rightly orients everything else. Treat offers the best kind of life coaching: pastoral, theological direction for experiencing the reign of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. Read this book, seek the kingdom, and discover the meaning of life.

Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

In Seek First, Jeremy Treat brings theology to the streets. He presents the message of the kingdom in a way that is both profound and practical, casting a grand vision for life and bringing majesty to the mundane, whether in the workplace or on the basketball court. I believe God will use this book to show people the tremendous joy, peace, and contentment that comes from seeking first the kingdom of God.

Chris Broussard, NBA analyst and sports broadcaster, founder and president of The K.I.N.G. Movement

Threading the kingdom story through the history of Israel and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, Jeremy Treat deepens and widens our kingdom vision here and now. Reading this book, youll want to stop and sing, Rejoice, the Lord is king!

Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Theology, Westminster Seminary California

With the theological vision of The Crucified King, it became clear Jeremy Treat is a first-rate theologian of the Word. In Seek First we see the fruit of years putting that vision to work at the heart of Los Angeles as a pastor-theologian of the church. With clear prose, careful theological and biblical exposition, vivid illustration, and relevant application, Jeremy invites regular Christians to focus on the one thing that really matters: the kingdom of God. Wide-ranging and surprisingly comprehensive, Seek First gives us an integrative vision of what it means to embrace, experience, and seek the kingdom of God in our everyday lives of work, play, service, and worship. Most importantly, he does this in every chapter by fixing our eyes firmly on the person and work of King Jesus, who is the kingdom in his very person. I really hope folks get their hands on this book.

Derek Rishmawy, PhD student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, columnist for Christianity Today, and cohost of the Mere Fidelity podcast

To explain something important, you usually must choose between being incisively passionate or comprehensively balanced. But this book chooses both and puts everything in its proper place. This is big-picture theology for everyone.

Fred Sanders, professor, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University

Seek First is a wonderful gift that the extraordinary and innovative pastor Jeremy Treat has given the modern church. With this book, he reveals the concepts of Gods kingdom along with how in practice God governs his people. As readers go through this book, they will come to know that Gods kingdom is not a far, metaphysical, or futuristic phenomenon. They will firmly grasp that it is Gods reign that is governing this land. Furthermore, Christians of all ages will know they are invited into the restoration of his kingdom and will receive a burning desire to serve the Lord. I recommend this book to all Christians who dream of our Fathers kingdom.

Sanghoon Lee, professor, author, futurist for the Korean Missional Church Movement

Seek First is a work of love that is biblically solid and globally informed. The kingdom is not provincial but universal. Christian theology, therefore, ought to reflect the diversity of Gods royal family. That is certainly the case for this book by Jeremy Treat. It is rooted in a particular social location and yet engages with global, theological, multiethnic voices simultaneously. It is a delightful experience to learn new names from around the world. Healthy family conversation with diverse past and present Christian theologies truly enriches the kingdom-of-God narrative. This evokes African wisdom known as Ubuntu: I am, because we are.

Treat writes with clarity, beauty, and even poetryreflecting a theology in the service of the mystery of the kingdom of God and the crucified and resurrected king. I shall remember the words of Jeremy Treat, a poet-theologian and pastor: The cross is the throne from which the king of the world rules with grace. This is a book to reread, suited for contemplation and discussion.

Tekletsadik Belachew, researcher at Capuchin Franciscan Research and Retreat Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and PhD student in patristic history of exegesis, Concordia Seminary

Before Jeremy Treat is a pastor who has written a book about the kingdom of God, he is a man who seeks to build his life around it. As someone who had the pleasure of working alongside Jeremy in Los Angeles for years, I got to see this first hand and benefit from his life. And that is what makes his writing so compelling. As a friend, I know that this book is not only the result of long hours poured out in reading and study (which it is) but also the fruit of learning to live it out in the community he leads in LA. In a restless and conflicted culture, Seek First is like a field guide for living life as Jesus intended.

Tim Chaddick, lead pastor, Reality Church London