Putting God First
Introduction.
(Matt. 6:33). After teaching that His disciples should not worry about the
necessities of life, Jesus commands, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This shows the
importance of putting God first in our life.
I. Means God’s First in
Our...
A. Priority
List. The Latin word prior is the comparative form of the Latin word primus
meaning “first.” In lists of at least two things it means “first.” When
used in other contexts it can mean “something before another thing.” In one
sense it refers to that which is “more first (when compared to something
else). Our priorities show what we set before other things—what
is more first in our lives. How do we put God before other things?
1. In
assembling to worship Him (Heb. 10:24-25).
2. In
learning from His word (2 Tim. 2:15).
3. If
these things are not priorities we are not putting God first in our lives.
B. Daily
Lives.
1. The
grace of God is shown in how we live (Titus 2:11-12)
2. While
we are not to live to be seen by others, we are to let our light shine (Matt.
5:14-16).
C. Our
Worship.
1. Nadab
and Abihu worshipped in accordance with their wishes and it displeased God (Lev.
10:1-3).
2. This
type of worship is vain or idle (Matt. 15:8-9).
3. Worship
that is not according to God’s word does not put God first.
II. When We Put God First...
A. We
Show God How Important He is to Us.
1. Job
feared God (Job 1:6-8). This demonstrated His devotion to God.
2. The
one who loves God adores His word (Ps. 1:1-3).
B. We
Show Others How Important God is to Us (1 John 2:4-6).
C. We
Please God (Heb. 11:5-6). Enoch pleased God—we must have faith to please Him.
We must put God first to please Him.
III. If We Don’t Put God
First...
A. He
is Displeased (Ps. 14:2). When David sinned with Bathsheba it displeased God (2
Sam. 11:27). When he conducted a census without God’s command it displeased God
(1 Chron. 21:7).
B. We
May Cause Others to Stumble (Gal. 2:11-13).
C. We
Can Lose Our Soul.
1. Putting
God first is a command (Mark 12:30).
2. We
can be cheated out of our reward if we do not put Him first (Col 2:18-19).