Jesus, First, Last, And In Between. A Message About Keeping Things In Focus. Matthew 6:33

Stand with me now and repeat after me.

This is my Bible.

I am what it says I am.

I can do what it says I can do.

I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.

Today I will learn more of the word of God.

The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.

I will never be the same.

I will never be the same.

In Jesus Name

Amen?

Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.

"Jesus First, Last, and In Between: A Life Fully Centered on Christ"

Good morning, church family! It’s a true blessing to stand before you today and share the word of God.

Today, we’re going to dive into a message that I believe has the power to transform our lives: A life where Jesus is not just one part of our day, but where He is first, last, and present in every moment.

We know that life in this world can be overwhelming—it's filled with responsibilities, distractions, and challenges.

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind and forget about what really matters. But Jesus offers us a better way.

A way of life where He is the center, guiding us, completing us, and empowering us in all things.

As we turn to God’s Word today, I pray that each of us will experience the peace and clarity that come when we place Jesus in His rightful place: the first, the last, and everything in between.

Let’s open our Bibles to Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

This verse doesn’t just encourage us to seek Jesus first in moments of need, but to make Him the ultimate priority in every area of our lives. He doesn’t want to be a part of our lives—He wants to be the center of them.

Point 1: Jesus First – The Priority of Our Hearts and Minds

Friends, when we say “Jesus first,” we are talking about a deliberate choice to make Him the priority in all things. Seeking Jesus first means that He is the filter through which we view the world, our relationships, and our decisions. It’s more than just saying, “I’m a Christian”; it’s about living with an unwavering commitment to put Him ahead of everything else.

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus tells us: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Give Me part of your heart” or “Make Me just a piece of your life.” No, He wants us fully surrendered, all in. When we seek Him first, we acknowledge that everything else, our career, our relationships, our finances—are secondary to the purpose He has for us.

Here’s the truth: When we place Jesus first, He makes everything else fall into its proper place. We begin to see everything through His eyes. The troubles that once seemed insurmountable become opportunities for faith. The relationships that need healing are touched by His love. The work we do becomes an offering to Him.

Point 2: Jesus Last – The One Who Completes Us at the End of Each Day

Jesus is not just the beginning of our lives—He is the end. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last.

But what does it mean for Jesus to be last? It means that when the day is done, when everything is over, He is the one we turn to for rest, peace, and completion.

In Revelation 22:13, Jesus says: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

At the close of every day, we should be looking to Jesus to bring meaning and peace to all we’ve experienced. The struggles, the victories, the unanswered questions—all of it is held in the hands of the one who completes us. And when we lay our heads down at night, knowing that He holds our future and our past, we find true rest.

Is your heart weary today? Do you feel the weight of life’s challenges? Jesus is the one who offers you rest. He is the one who brings fulfillment not only at the start of your journey but at the end, reminding you that in Him, everything is made whole.

Point 3: Jesus In the Middle – The Sustaining Presence for Every Moment

What about the middle?

The middle is where life happens—the daily grind, the hustle, the routine. It’s easy to forget about God when things seem ordinary or when we feel we can handle things ourselves. But Jesus didn’t just come to be with us at the beginning and end; He wants to walk with us in the middle of every single moment.