First Things First Series

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Hands…who is glad 2019 is over and never coming back? Who had an amazing 2014

• WHAT KIND OF YEAR WAS THIS LAST YEAR FOR YOU SPIRITUALLY?

_____ Spiritually Apathetic

_____ Spiritually Inconsistent

_____ Spiritually Consumed

God has to be first…if He is first in every area…order. If he isn’t first in ANY area…disorder

Order Matters-anyone married knows this…

• How we load the dishwasher.

• The order in which you grocery shop

• Vacuuming last so you see the lines

A life God blesses= it’s not just what we offer to God but the order in which we offer it

But seek first (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

1) FIRST OF THE DAY: SEEK GOD

Not legalistic command! Bathroom, alarm

Special about early—tone for day.

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Ps 63:1 NKJV

Most repetitive behavior of Christ in 4 gospels…got away and got alone w father…when?

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

First 15 min, 30 min hr…doesn’t belong to anyone but Jesus

About 3 years ago… best decision ever… great coffee, YouVersion, prayer before anything else

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Miss a day… do it the next day.

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2) FIRST OF THE WEEK: WORSHIP

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.

Acts 20:7

48% of American church-goers attend church once a month.

Acts 2….every day devotion…wasn’t that they were more holy…they were more honest that they needed each other…

We need to get better at needing each other

Hear God’s word together… worship together!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…Heb 10:25

We have church here Sunday @ 11.

We Stream our service LIVE on FB

It is STORED on FB!

People Share it!

If you can’t get to church at 2nd Chance—you aren’t trying!

In town… worship at church… not—church online.

Here’s a question that’s never asked in our home: Should we go to church? Do you want to go to church?

Just like we never say—do you want to eat today?

We never miss an opportunity to be in God’s presence, hear his word—fellowship with his people, and praise Him for his goodness.

3) FIRST OF THE MONTH: TITHE

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Lev 27:30

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthinans 9:7

Have to rearrange my life… Constant reminder… heart and trust.

Test the Lord:

Malachi 3:10 – Bring the full tenth (tithe) into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not

What if December wasn’t the biggest month in giving…what if January was? before I even know what my year will be or how You will bless me….i choose to put you first.

4) FIRST OF THE YEAR: FAST

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other…Galatians 5:16-17

Denying our body… devoting time to God… makes your spirit more in tune to God’s spirit.

1 day, 3 day, 7 days, some version of a 21 day fast starting _____

At least 3 occasions, 40 days (Moses/10 commandments, Elijah encountering God, Jesus overcoming Satan in wilderness)

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14

I believe that if we FAST – a Strategic FAST – Every one of us – ME – YOU – ALL OF US – FASTING IN PRAYER

This WILL change our church!

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matt 6:17-18

Power… focus… intensity…