PP0911 DATE
CHRIST FIRST AND FOREMOST!
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (KJV)
INTRODUCTION: As I pondered a message to begin the year 2008 I came up with several different thoughts and have settled on this one. For the last several months I have preached messages with the theme or at least along the thought of “CHRIST FIRST AND FOREMOST” Most of your frustrations and dissatisfactions would be resolved if you would do this one thing and that is to put Christ first and foremost in everything you do. No one will be happy when their devotion is divided between two different efforts or goals.
When you see or hear of someone dropping out of church it is because they are not happy with their spiritual life. They may give some other reason, but the real core of the matter is their relationship with Jesus Christ. They have left the Bible out of their life and they have left prayer out of their life as well.
It is not a matter of our “want to” in giving Him the preeminence. It is a command. It is expected of each of us. To fail to do this is to commit sin that will hinder your personal walk with Him, and will hinder your prayers being answered. Does it matter to you that in most cases none of us are satisfactory in the sight of God in this one matter? Each of us will either give Him preeminence or someone or something else will be the object of our preeminence. That’s why I say, “Christ, First and Foremost!”
Let me give you a few ways in which you can make the matter of preeminence for Christ to be real to you this year.
I. FIRST IN OUR PERSONAL LIFE
A. Your Plans For The Year.
As you plan your calendar for the year 2008, will you plan it around Christ and Him first? If you do not plan on putting Him first, you won’t put Him first. If you don’t make a great effort in this matter, then He will be pushed way down the list of priorities.
1. Plan a time for the Lord everyday. Ps 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee….. Don’t allow anything to cause you to side-step the devotion to the Lord.
2. Have a certain time in which you read the Bible. I have told you this dozens of times. Without a set time you will not be consistent in the matter. You will hit and miss. How many of you would get to work at 8:00 in the morning if it wasn’t the bosses rule? You wouldn’t. One day you would get there at 8:00 the next at 9:00. Without a schedule everything will be hit-and-miss, and spasmodic.
3. Set aside a time for prayer. It will be best to pray before, during and following your Bible reading time.
Make yourself do these things. Don’t take the approach that you must do it, rather because you want to, or it won’t be effective. If that is the way you do it, then you will not accomplish much, because you will always let something else other that the matters of God rule out. I know this, and so do you. Make yourself do it. You make yourself go to work every morning. I know that most of you don’t want to go to work. You would like to not have to go to work, but you do have to and so you make your self go. That’s called discipline.
Dr. Lee Roberson was the Pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church, in Chattanooga, TN for 40 plus years. One night he woke from sleeping realizing he and his wife had not had their daily Bible reading and prayer time together, he woke her up and they got out of bed and got their Bibles and read a portion of Scripture and prayed. That’s what I am talking about. Making it work.
Crawl out of bed earlier, or stay up a little later at night but get the job done.
Here’s something everyone could do.
4. Plan your days off and your vacation around the matter of putting Christ first. Instead of planning on taking a sight-seeing vacation – plan to go to some mission project. Don’t just go some where because you want to – make it a project for the Lord. The Lord must be object of all we do.
Rick Carter in The Dalles Oregon – two or three families take vacation time and go there and pass out tracts 3 or 4 days.
Duane Gibson in Mexico – go down and help bro. Gibson in some project he has going there.
Don’t go anywhere – just stay home and take that $2000 or $3000 you plan on spending and give it to some missionary work somewhere. Put it on some college students tuition. Give it to some widow woman. Some will say, “Bro. Ivan, you’ve got to be kidding.” No, I am serious. That’s putting Christ first and fore-most in your plans.
B. Program Your Will.
Programming you will – will bring:
1. Action on your part. Ro 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (KJV) You will have to crucify the flesh. It will take action from you.
2. Attitude on your part. “deny yourself”. Mt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (KJV)
Don’t allow the desires of your flesh to control, or rule what you do in 2008.
C. Practice Your Plans And Your Will.
In Bible School we were told over and over the way to being victorious in our Christian life was:
1. Establish a plan – or set a goal – something to reach for – to establish a goal.
2. Determine how to reach that plan – or goal.
3. Keep working the plan. Put your plan into practice.
4. Victory will come.
This same thing will work in your Christian life. That plan is not for just those who may be studying for the ministry, but for everyone. The one main reason most do not have a great or even a good year is they do not follow a biblical plan. The successful Christian life is a matter of routine.
D. Your Thoughts.
1. What do you think on or about?
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV) If you follow this verse you will eliminate anything of no value. By doing so you will only think of biblical matters.
Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
2. Thoughts become actions. Pr 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: ……... (KJV)
3. Control your thinking. You can think the right kinds of thoughts. People have come to me and said that they can control their thinking. Sure you can. Php 4:8 tells you how.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (KJV) If each of us have the mind of Christ that does our thinking for us then it is reasonable that we will have Christ first in our life. When you adopt Php 2:5 then your thoughts will be controlled by the mind of Christ.
Put Him first in your personal life.
II. FIRST IN OUR HOMES
Our homes should reflect the preeminence of Christ. Can a visitor come into your home and immediately see that Jesus Christ is the center of that home?
Let’s look at a couple of homes in the Bible.
A. David’s Home.
1. Absalom, David’s son, rose up against his father and tried to take over the kingdom. Absalom rebelled against his father. I see this in churches today – homes where fathers who allow it to happen. Dads – God has given you the responsibility to lead your home in all matters.
2. Amnon, David’s son, lusted after his sister and eventually raped her.
3. Absalom had Amnon killed.
Imagine a home like that. This all happened in the home of David, the greatest king that ever lived. David, the man after God’s own heart. David’s home was a shambles.
What happened? He was a good king, but not a very good father. He didn’t practice the things in the home that produce a good home.
America is being destroyed because of the failure of homes over the last 40 years. The average Baptist home is far from what God has instructed it to be.
Our homes have adopted the age of technology, and have left the teaching of the Bible. Technology controls the home. When technology and gadgets takes time that should be given to God and to the Bible, then our home is moving the wrong direction. If it continues to move in that wrong direction – you will lose your children, and your home will fail. If your children don’t grow up serving the Lord they will not serve the Lord when they are adults. You must train them in that direction. You better make sure that Christ is first and fore-most in your home else you may well lose your children.
Don’t let your children spend hours playing electronic games. I won’t totally rule them out, but make them a reward time. Maybe one night a week – at night when the home work is done and the home responsibility has been completed – then perhaps some game time. Don’t let the children decide the time – many homes use these gadgets as baby setters. That shouldn’t be.
There are too many gadgets today. These gadgets occupy the time, energy and minds – not just our children, but each of us also. These gadgets are satan’s tools to steal time from God.
B. John The Baptist’s Home.
Jesus gave testimony of this home. Lu 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:………... (KJV)
What was it that this home did that got the attention of the Lord and caused Him to make a statement such as this?
Let me show you:
1. Both Parents were saved. Lu 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (KJV)
a. Righteous parents rear righteous children.
b. Ungodly parents rear ungodly children.
c. Disobedient parents rear disobedient children.
d. You must make Christ first and foremost in your homes – otherwise it won’t happen. If Christ is not first – the world’s system will be.
You can observe a child and pretty tell what kind of home they came from. Noisy homes produce noisy children. You watch a child that is always loud and uncontrolled – where did he/she learn that? In the home. You should have a certain time everyday as “be quiet time”. Have them set down and be quiet. Home work time – be still and quiet. During meal time – make it a conversation time and not a time of seeing who can be the loudest. What you allow at home will be accepted by your children as normal.
Don’t holler back and forth from room to room.
Every person is a product of the home.
2. Both parents were faithful in their duty to God vs. 8-9.
Lu 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (KJV)
Zacharias’ duty — to burn incense in the Temple. Vs. 9. He was performing that duty. Vs. 8.
When the children see the mother and father doing the work of God – it will become more normal for them to do that. Mom and dad did. They will become what the dad and mom are.
It’s my prayer for this coming year that you as a member of this church will be actively and precisely doing your work for the Lord. You may ask, “What is my duty?” I don’t know, you must determine that.
3. The Holy Spirit was present in the home. Luke 1:41, 67.
Lu 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: Before John the Baptist was born his mother was filled with the spirit of God.
Lu 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, (KJV)
4. They followed the will of God when it was contrary to their peers vs. 13, 59, 60, 63.
Lu 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Lu 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Lu 1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
Lu 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. (KJV)
Criticism didn’t change them. Zacharias was a priest. He was breaking tradition. The Lord said, “Thou shalt call his name John”, verse 13. His friends chided with him about naming the baby a name that wasn’t in Zacharias’ family. He didn’t listen to them. He said, “His name is John.”
C. Adam’s Home.
This home produced two boys – Cain and Abel. Cain was bad and Abel was good. Adam’s home was once a perfect home. It was exactly as God would want any home to be – then something happened and two completely different sons were produced from that home. Sin came into that home and destroyed it.
First in our personal life –
First in our home life -
III. FIRST IN OUR CHURCH
A. He Is To Be Preeminent In All Things.
No other person or personality can occupy this position.
When someone or something takes the place of Christ in the church – there will be great problems. Do you know why churches have splits? Christ is removed from His position of preeminence. When Christ is in the center of anything it will work
3Jo 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
“To be fond of being first, i.e. ambitious of distinction:--love to have the preeminence.”
3 John is the only other usage of the word “Preeminence” – Here it means to “Love the preeminence.” Always wanting the attention on himself. If someone or something diverts the attention away from him he will always do something to recapture it. I have seen this in some people all of the time I have been in the ministry.
In Vs. 10 “.... prating against us with malicious words:” This meant that he was always talking about someone. Complaining about someone’s actions. I hear this so much. It is so depressing after having preached and the Spirit of the Lord was here and someone comes up with some meager complaint.
When you have a problem with someone take it to the Lord. Don’t bring it to me. I can’t change people. I’ve tried. I’ve been working on you for years and you haven’t changed yet, so how could I change the person you want changed. Take it to God and let Him deal with it. Don’t be a Diotrephes. Don’t be prating against others
B. Praise Him In The Church
If a person is praising the Lord daily they will not place themselves preeminent over Christ.
Turn to Exodus 20:3 - Ex 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (KJV)
Vs 14 - Ex 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. (KJV)
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, (KJV)
Are either of these verses emphasized by maybe a bold font or larger fonts than other verses? God never says that a certain verse is to be emphasized more than others. There is no more emphasis on one than there is the other. Had God intended for a certain verse to be preeminent over another He would have so marked the verse or word.
Look at Psa 146:1 - Ps 146:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. (KJV)
Ps 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. (KJV)
Ps 148:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. (KJV)
Ps 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. (KJV)
Ps 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. (KJV)
Ps 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (KJV)
Is there any more emphasis on any of these verses than any of the others. No! What am I saying? It is just as important to God that each of us “Praise the Lord” as it is not to take His name in vain – nor commit adultery – nor fail to tithe. He has the same expectation for each of us on all of His instructions and commands as any other verse in the Bible.
I would hope that you will begin taking the matter of praising the Lord serious in 2008. I am not saying to start running up and down these aisles – or jumping over pews. That’s not what I am saying. You certainly can praise the Lord during the song service by the attitude and mood in which you sing the hymns. Open your mouth in singing songs of praise. When the Word of God is read and preached and something is there that you want to emphasize – then say, “Amen.” You can even stand up and say “Amen” if you want to.
What I am saying is that one way we can show that Christ is first and foremost is to praise Him openly and publicly. No one is going to laugh at you if you stand up and say “Praise the Lord”! If they do we will stop the service and laugh at them.
C. He Died For The Church.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (KJV)
I would imagine God will be particular how people treat the church that His Son gave His life for.
IV. FIRST IN OUR SACRIFICE
We need more that would be willing to make a sacrifice. A real sacrifice will cause a change in your life-style. I am not talking about a permanent lifestyle change, although that certainly should be considered, but a change of certain plans, or a certain area of spending money. I mentioned your vacation time and money a few minutes ago. That is the kind of sacrifice I am talking about. What would happen in this church if each member would make a sacrifice of one week of your life given solely to God? Every penny you spent, every ounce of energy you expended was done so in some effort for God.
V. FIRST IN OUR INVESTMENTS
I am not talking about monetary things.
A. Invest In Someone’s Life.
Choose someone and invest in their life this year. Go to great effort to make a difference in their life. Do more that say, “I’m praying for you”. Probe into the matter and see what you can do to help them draw closer to the Lord, or to point them to Christ. A couple of weeks ago a couple of families came to me, at different times, and ask me if there was someone in the church that needed financial help.
1. Invest your time. There is no more investment you could do for someone that to give them your time. Don’t assume that everyone is as fortunate as you and that they do not need what you could give them.
Die to yourself – don’t let your own well-being be part of your decision.
Choose a missionary and correspond with them this year – weekly – monthly – send them a birthday card or letter – check on their children. Call a missionary on the phone long distance once a month. What would that tell them? That you care about them.
2. Invest your prayers.
B. Make Your Investment That Of A Sacrifice.
Don’t just make it a prayer investment only – that’s not enough. You should already be praying for people. Make it an investment that will cost you something. Someday you will need someone to make a sacrifice for you. This will be an installment on that day.
Choose a shut-in. Make it a matter of sincerity. Make it a matter of commitment. Maybe it’s a neighbor – a neighbor that needs the Lord. Invest in them.
All I am trying to do is to get some of you to brake away from self – and always thinking of self.
I am going to ask those that will make this investment to come to the altar and make it a commitment. Maybe you don’t have a name or names yet of people in mind yet – but you will be open unto the Lord. Some of you should commit to more than one. Make a regular investment – not just this week and then forget the rest of the year – but consistently all year. Put some money in the offering for a missionary’s wife and children. Invest – invest – invest.
You young people this is for you also – you can do this - make a commitment to invest in someone’s life. Go over to some of the old people and sweep off their drive way for them. Rake the leaves in their yard. Invest in someone’s life. You older people if some young person does do that – don’t offer to pay them – they are investing in your life.
Make a commitment.
Remember you are offering a sacrifice unto the Lord. So do so with holy hands, and a holy heart.
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