What do you think?
Rate this book
Seek First: How the Kingdom of God Changes Everything
FIND WHAT MATTERS MOST. BUILD YOUR LIFE AROUND IT.
In an age of distraction, everyone is looking for something that gives purpose and perspective on life. Jesus says it's the kingdom of God. But the kingdom is not just another religious idea. Rather, God's loving reign brings clarity and coherence to all of life - identity, work, play, relationships, justice, character - in a way that is profound and practical. Seek First brings theology to the streets, giving a vision for the kingdom that will truly change your life.
"Treat presents the message of the kingdom in a way that gives us a grander vision for life, whether in the workplace or on the basketball court." - CHRIS BROUSSARD, NBA analyst and sports broadcaster
"Few books do as good a job as this one in showing us how giving up everything for Christ and his kingdom is the pathway to our greatest gain. Seek First is a gem!" - SCOTT SAULS, author and senior pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church
"With insight and passion Treat reveals why we ought to reorient our lives and reprioritize our loves . . . practical and powerful." - MARIELLE WAKIM, editor, Los Angeles magazine
"A prophetic and urgent note to the generations . . . a clearly written and much-needed book!" - KEVIN J. VANHOOZER, professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
In an age of distraction, everyone is looking for something that gives purpose and perspective on life. Jesus says it's the kingdom of God. But the kingdom is not just another religious idea. Rather, God's loving reign brings clarity and coherence to all of life - identity, work, play, relationships, justice, character - in a way that is profound and practical. Seek First brings theology to the streets, giving a vision for the kingdom that will truly change your life.
"Treat presents the message of the kingdom in a way that gives us a grander vision for life, whether in the workplace or on the basketball court." - CHRIS BROUSSARD, NBA analyst and sports broadcaster
"Few books do as good a job as this one in showing us how giving up everything for Christ and his kingdom is the pathway to our greatest gain. Seek First is a gem!" - SCOTT SAULS, author and senior pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church
"With insight and passion Treat reveals why we ought to reorient our lives and reprioritize our loves . . . practical and powerful." - MARIELLE WAKIM, editor, Los Angeles magazine
"A prophetic and urgent note to the generations . . . a clearly written and much-needed book!" - KEVIN J. VANHOOZER, professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2019
98 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy R. Treat
7 books22 followersJeremy R. Treat (PhD, Wheaton College) is a pastor at Reality LA in Hollywood, California, and an adjunct professor at Biola University in La Mirada, California. Before earning his PhD in systematic theology from Wheaton College, Jeremy was a pastor for seven years in the Seattle area and earned degrees from Seattle Pacific University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 23, 2024
Best intro to kingdom of God I’ve seen! Up there with “Delighting in the Trinity” for books every Christian should read.
December 14, 2020
This is an easy-to-understand, succinct, and engaging entry to the story of the Bible and what it means for you. I never get tired of learning about this! Great for those new to understanding the Kingdom of God and for those who are already living as part of it.
February 10, 2025
This book was a really accessible but still ultra important look at the ultimate mission of both God and man, the Kingdom of God. Throughout reading I was continually prompted of more people that I wanted to recommend this book to. Treat instructs us that in order to participate in bringing about the Kingdom of God we must destroy our individualist approach to faith and acknowledge that God’s desire is for the Kingdom. To do this we need to live generously, do justice, seek community and more
May 27, 2019
Very accessible "treat"ment of the kingdom. It will stir your affections for Jesus and his way and give you hope for the unfolding of his kingdom.
November 15, 2021
(Full review at SpoiledMilks, 6/8/20)
What matters most to us is what we think of and talk about the most. What Jesus talked about more than anything else was the kingdom of God. "The kingdom is God's reign through God's people over God's place" (15). God is the king who rules and reigns over his people and through his people to those around them. We are saved by the death and resurrection of Christ for life, glory, and freedom to follow our savior in the kingdom of light (17).
There are three sections to Treat's book:
1. Kingdom Perspective: we live in a grand narrative. Treat briefly covers the Bible’s story, what Jesus did, and how we participate in Christ's and in his kingdom, even in the most mundane acts of life.
2. Kingdom Purpose: we learn that disciples remain with, learn from, and become like Christ (87). With the gospel as the center, we aim to stop sinning because we love Jesus. Jesus comes to us through his Spirit, and shows us that we are complete in him. We develop our character in every-day mundane acts. We look for a community to whom we can contribute. We both receive and give. We aim for justice for all people along with the proclamation of the gospel.
3. Kingdom People: we see how we are sons and daughters who have been adopted by the good and wise King who is now our loving and gracious Father through our union with Christ, his eternal Son. We are sojourners and exiles waiting for the return of our king. We are to faithfully proclaim the kingdom gospel amongst many who are ambivalent or malicious against Christianity. There is tension and struggle even within ourselves, but God is at work.
Recommended?
Treat fills his book with clear thinking and cultural references to create a bridge between what the Bible teaches and the very familiar culture we live in. He shows how the kingdom of God really changes everything for us.
This book would be good for students, teachers, and in Bible studies.
What matters most to us is what we think of and talk about the most. What Jesus talked about more than anything else was the kingdom of God. "The kingdom is God's reign through God's people over God's place" (15). God is the king who rules and reigns over his people and through his people to those around them. We are saved by the death and resurrection of Christ for life, glory, and freedom to follow our savior in the kingdom of light (17).
There are three sections to Treat's book:
1. Kingdom Perspective: we live in a grand narrative. Treat briefly covers the Bible’s story, what Jesus did, and how we participate in Christ's and in his kingdom, even in the most mundane acts of life.
2. Kingdom Purpose: we learn that disciples remain with, learn from, and become like Christ (87). With the gospel as the center, we aim to stop sinning because we love Jesus. Jesus comes to us through his Spirit, and shows us that we are complete in him. We develop our character in every-day mundane acts. We look for a community to whom we can contribute. We both receive and give. We aim for justice for all people along with the proclamation of the gospel.
3. Kingdom People: we see how we are sons and daughters who have been adopted by the good and wise King who is now our loving and gracious Father through our union with Christ, his eternal Son. We are sojourners and exiles waiting for the return of our king. We are to faithfully proclaim the kingdom gospel amongst many who are ambivalent or malicious against Christianity. There is tension and struggle even within ourselves, but God is at work.
Recommended?
Treat fills his book with clear thinking and cultural references to create a bridge between what the Bible teaches and the very familiar culture we live in. He shows how the kingdom of God really changes everything for us.
This book would be good for students, teachers, and in Bible studies.
October 4, 2019
Excellent introduction to the theme of Jesus’ life and ministry: the Kingdom of God. This is an accessible and laymen-friendly treatment of the topic out in the context of discipleship.
Treat does a great job of summarizing a sprawling topic in ways that give new definition to what it means to follow Jesus. Treat’s more scholarly work, The Crucified King” remains accessible as well, but “Seek First” is presented with a pastor’s heart, great turns of phrases, and encouragement to follow Christ the King.
This will be not only my go-to book to give to people who are interested in learning more on this important topic, but also one of the tools I’ll use for basic discipleship training.
Treat does a great job of summarizing a sprawling topic in ways that give new definition to what it means to follow Jesus. Treat’s more scholarly work, The Crucified King” remains accessible as well, but “Seek First” is presented with a pastor’s heart, great turns of phrases, and encouragement to follow Christ the King.
This will be not only my go-to book to give to people who are interested in learning more on this important topic, but also one of the tools I’ll use for basic discipleship training.
January 25, 2022
The “kingdom of God” is such a thrown-around phrase, i feel like... and it was the first time I read a book that honed in on it to break it down. Talks about Kingdom Perspective, Kingdom Purpose, and Kingdom People.
“The kingdom of God is not the culmination of human potential and effort but the intervention of God’s royal grace into a sinful and broken world.”
“The kingdom of God gives us a humble confidence; confident because God is accomplishing his royal purposes, and humble because we can do nothing apart from him.”
Overall, it wasn’t extremely deep or eye-opening, but I think it helped me to re-focus on His Kingdom once again.
“The kingdom of God is not the culmination of human potential and effort but the intervention of God’s royal grace into a sinful and broken world.”
“The kingdom of God gives us a humble confidence; confident because God is accomplishing his royal purposes, and humble because we can do nothing apart from him.”
Overall, it wasn’t extremely deep or eye-opening, but I think it helped me to re-focus on His Kingdom once again.
August 28, 2020
One of the best and most helpful books I have read recently. I'm teaching a Bible study through the book of Exodus and this has become one of my main resources in understanding how all the stories fit together. The Kingdom theme makes sense of the Bible, even some of the most challenging parts. It helps me be able to verbalize the story of God's work in the world, why the Old Testament is relevant for our lives today, why Jesus had to die, and so many more. I'm going to be recommending this one to many people!
December 8, 2022
Good, clear, and concise. I appreciate Treat and his practical focus of how Christians can usher the kingdom in some capacity here and now. He does a good job of being practical while being gracious often seeking to find a faithful middle ground. Ultimately you finish this book better understanding our mission as Christians and that’s worth reading.
December 15, 2019
Four and a half stars! The Kingdom of God is something I have always wondered about. While this book was a good introduction to the concept it didn’t go in depth enough for my taste. But that was the goal of the author, not go too deep but go deep enough. So I will keep reading on this
January 14, 2020
WRECKED. With each turn of the page I was left with a sweet conviction that leads to repentance or a reminder of the joy found only in the Lord. I have read several non-fiction Christian books, but this one is different. I want to read it over and over again.
October 21, 2019
Well written and I'm sure it's helped a lot of people, but far more anecdotal than I usually prefer. Would recommend it for people just beginning to try and understand the kingdom.
March 19, 2021
In a world marred by sin, God’s kingship is resisted. It’s the intervention of God’s gracious rule into a rebellious world.
Adam and Eve were representatives of the king, but they chose their own kingdom. It’s a rescue project now, drawing people in.
The kingdom of God is experienced whenever God’s redemptive reign overcomes our resistance. It’s present in daily moments, and the evidence is that it brings transformation.
When God’s reign is received it is experienced as grace, when it is resisted, it’s experienced as judgment.
The church is a signpost, and foretaste of the kingdom. It is a sneak preview of the future/eternity, Christ’s return. We are called to mission. The final chapter is heaven and earth coming together.
The final picture is Jesus reigning over and through redeemed people from every tribe, nation, language, people, a world renewed by grace.
Kingdom: replace your mental image with a person: Jesus. (healing, freedom, restoration)
The resurrection is about vindication and participation, but also restoration. When Jesus rose from the grave, the new creation broke through into the middle of the story. The bodily resurrection is the beginning of worldwide resurrection. It’s the beginning of the renovation of the cosmos.
“Jesus reigns in my heart” Our culture uses the word heart more for feelings, emotions, surrendering to your desires, following your gut. It’s not this. Jesus is king over our emotions, and the seat of emotions, the control room, the steering wheel, all of you! He reigns from the heart.
There is not a square inch in the whole of human existence over which Christ does not cry, Mine! Abraham Kuyper
You are special, be true to yourself, this is the gospel of self-trust.
Many in our culture are acting like disciples; Discipleship is to be with Jesus, learn from Jesus, and be like Jesus.
We need need habits, patterns, rhythms.
The english word fair means just/beautiful. Fair trial, or fair dress. Justice is order restored, giving people their due, it’s about punishing and promoting.
We believe that all people are made in the image of God, and deserving of dignity, respect, and value. John Perkins says We don’t give people dignity, we affirm it.
The vision that God gives us is a renewed creation, redeemed people, and reigning king.
Adam and Eve were representatives of the king, but they chose their own kingdom. It’s a rescue project now, drawing people in.
The kingdom of God is experienced whenever God’s redemptive reign overcomes our resistance. It’s present in daily moments, and the evidence is that it brings transformation.
When God’s reign is received it is experienced as grace, when it is resisted, it’s experienced as judgment.
The church is a signpost, and foretaste of the kingdom. It is a sneak preview of the future/eternity, Christ’s return. We are called to mission. The final chapter is heaven and earth coming together.
The final picture is Jesus reigning over and through redeemed people from every tribe, nation, language, people, a world renewed by grace.
Kingdom: replace your mental image with a person: Jesus. (healing, freedom, restoration)
The resurrection is about vindication and participation, but also restoration. When Jesus rose from the grave, the new creation broke through into the middle of the story. The bodily resurrection is the beginning of worldwide resurrection. It’s the beginning of the renovation of the cosmos.
“Jesus reigns in my heart” Our culture uses the word heart more for feelings, emotions, surrendering to your desires, following your gut. It’s not this. Jesus is king over our emotions, and the seat of emotions, the control room, the steering wheel, all of you! He reigns from the heart.
There is not a square inch in the whole of human existence over which Christ does not cry, Mine! Abraham Kuyper
You are special, be true to yourself, this is the gospel of self-trust.
Many in our culture are acting like disciples; Discipleship is to be with Jesus, learn from Jesus, and be like Jesus.
We need need habits, patterns, rhythms.
The english word fair means just/beautiful. Fair trial, or fair dress. Justice is order restored, giving people their due, it’s about punishing and promoting.
We believe that all people are made in the image of God, and deserving of dignity, respect, and value. John Perkins says We don’t give people dignity, we affirm it.
The vision that God gives us is a renewed creation, redeemed people, and reigning king.
May 4, 2019
Seek First is a well rounded series of reflections on the life in Christ. I can commend it highly by noting that it reminds me of C.S Lewis' classic The Weight Of Glory. Dr Jeremy Treat, a young Pastor in L.A, pilots us down pleasant pathways opened up by the in-breaking of Isho's Kingdom. In an age of distraction, everyone is looking for something that gives purpose and perspective on life. An earlier American Pastor, Eugene Peterson, called for a long obedience in the same direction. Jeremy Treat follows the same road of discipleship. He notes correctly that Jesus says it is the kingdom of God that is central and seeks to apply that practically in a twenty first century urban American context. Whilst still considering the global church and reflecting helpfully on the health of The Faith throughout the world and across the generations. Pastor Treat recognizes that the kingdom is not just another religious idea. Rather he acknowledges, God's loving reign brings clarity and coherence to all of life - identity, work, play, relationships, justice, character - in a way that is profound and practical in equal measure. There are some little gems of particular import today. After lamenting the common state of inept fathers, and even worse the pervasive problem of fatherlessness, he points to God as the antidote: The father to the fatherless, who offers a real presence and a standard to live up to. If only we would listen. True fatherhood must be balanced: "Intimacy and reverence are the ways of a loving father.'' Let us listen to Treat, Voddie Baucham Jr and others who remind us of the truth of Scripture about such important issues.
August 13, 2025
I loved thinking about the Kingdom of God and was thankful for a book on it. It felt like lighter reading, which may have been the author's intention. Each chapter had substance without being difficult to get through. A few sentences were marked as "keepers" and could be quoted in a talk. This was the first book I read by Jeremy Treat, and it was notable that he quoted theologians and writers from all over the world. Perhaps this was meant to show that God's kingdom is being built globally. The chapters on seeking community (Chapter 6) and being sons and daughters (Chapter 8) were the favorites. The least favorite was Chapter 7, which focused on pursuing justice. Overall, it was a worthwhile read.
March 23, 2023
(3.5)
Treat does a very good job and writing an assessable book on the Kingdom of God.
IMO Chap. 4 is worth the whole book (on primarily vocation)
One of my issues was it’s lack of a thread pulling me from one chapter to the next. Obviously the continual theme was the Kingdom of God and that was in every chapter. But nothing pulled me from one chapter to the next.
It seems to be a book for laymen who have never read anything on the Kingdom of God and if that’s the case, Treat nails it.
This book isn’t bad, it’s not not tackling a new topic or offering anything new to an old topic.
Depending on the audience i could see myself recommending this book to others.
Treat does a very good job and writing an assessable book on the Kingdom of God.
IMO Chap. 4 is worth the whole book (on primarily vocation)
One of my issues was it’s lack of a thread pulling me from one chapter to the next. Obviously the continual theme was the Kingdom of God and that was in every chapter. But nothing pulled me from one chapter to the next.
It seems to be a book for laymen who have never read anything on the Kingdom of God and if that’s the case, Treat nails it.
This book isn’t bad, it’s not not tackling a new topic or offering anything new to an old topic.
Depending on the audience i could see myself recommending this book to others.
April 9, 2025
Really enjoyed the first half of the book. A lot of helpful language on just what is the Kingdom of God, how it was established and how we become a part of it. I struggled to get through chapters 6-9. His points were good but seemed dragged out and could have been summarized in one chapter instead of 4.
February 10, 2020
This is a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is a helpful look at what the "kingdom of God" means and why it matters. It's short, it's witty, it's compelling, it's powerful.
Tolle lege.
This is a helpful look at what the "kingdom of God" means and why it matters. It's short, it's witty, it's compelling, it's powerful.
Tolle lege.
February 4, 2021
A good little book explaining the kingdom of God and how seeking the Kingdom first affects very aspect of how we live. Not as in depth as other similar books I've read on the topic, but a good introduction and look at how Jesus was kingdom minded in his ministry, and how we can follow his example.
October 7, 2023
I highly recommend this book! I read it alone but would be great for a small group discussion. There are just some topics every follower of Christ would greatly benefit from and understanding the kingdom of God and why/how we seek it is one of those.
March 16, 2024
Fabulous! Powerful! Much needed truth!
This book is powerful and beautiful. It is filled with scripture and solid Biblical truth. It showed me hope when I was feeling discouraged. This book is going in my keepers collection ASAP!
This book is powerful and beautiful. It is filled with scripture and solid Biblical truth. It showed me hope when I was feeling discouraged. This book is going in my keepers collection ASAP!
August 9, 2025
Treat writes about how individuals should "seek first the kingdom of God" in their lives and how this will transform one's life. Doing this provides a perspective on life filled with deep meaning and purpose. I learned so much from this book and could read it again.
August 26, 2019
I enjoyed Seek First ... Jeremy Treat has a compelling writing style, accessible combination of theology, stories, and application.
April 29, 2020
Read for book discussion.
July 4, 2020
This book has a lot of good principles in it and motivates regarding social justice. A lot of it feels like things I already know but are good reminders.
December 2, 2020
Amazing read! Had to be one of the best books I read all year. Thankful for Jeremy Treat and this contribution to the body of Christ!
April 29, 2021
Excellent
July 23, 2022
More broad than deep, but a good reminder of our purpose on earth and how it plays out in every day life.
January 22, 2023
A brilliant primer on how the kingdom of God changes everything. This is a fantastic discipleship resource for new and seasoned Christians alike.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews