Walking with Jesus; Making Him First in our lives.
Stand with me and hold your Bible up 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.
"Walking with Jesus: Making Him First in Our Lives"
Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 6:33 and say, "Amen" when you are there.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Introduction:
Good morning, beloved family in Christ.
It is such a joy to be here with you today, as we gather to reflect on the powerful invitation that Jesus gives to each of us: to make Him the first priority in our lives.
In the midst of our busy world—full of distractions, pressures, and responsibilities—Jesus calls us to a life that is rooted in Him, where He is at the center of everything we do.
When we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, He promises that everything else will fall into place.
Today, we’re going to talk about what it means to walk with Jesus, to make Him first, and to trust that His presence in our lives changes everything.
I. The Call to Put Jesus First
Matthew 6:33 presents a challenge and a promise. Jesus doesn't suggest, He commands us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." To “seek first” means to prioritize, to put Him above all else.
But why does He call us to do this?
Because He knows that nothing else in this world can satisfy us like He can.
So often, we allow the things of this world—our jobs, our relationships, our pursuits for wealth or status—to take the front seat. But Jesus tells us that when we make Him the priority, He will take care of everything else. Our worries, our needs, our desires—they are all understood by Him, and He promises to provide for us.
The key is to trust Him fully by making Him the center of our lives.
II. Walking with Jesus: A Daily Commitment
To walk with Jesus isn’t about a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment.
It's about choosing to follow Him each morning, saying, "Lord, today, I want to walk with You." Walking with Jesus is an active choice to align our thoughts, decisions, and actions with His will.
It means to consistently ask, “What does Jesus want for me today?” instead of being driven solely by our own desires or fears.
Walking with Jesus also doesn’t mean life will be free from struggles. In fact, there will be times when following Him leads us through challenging valleys. But the beautiful truth is that in those moments, Jesus is right there with us, guiding us, strengthening us, and reminding us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
I want to share a testimony with you today that exemplifies the power of making Jesus first. This is the story of Michael, a young man who grew up in a broken home and struggled with a deep sense of inadequacy. From a young age, Michael turned to alcohol and parties, seeking solace in the world’s distractions. But despite all the partying, he felt empty—lonely, lost, and without direction.
One day, Michael's co-worker invited him to church, and although he was skeptical, he reluctantly agreed to attend. During the service, the worship songs touched his heart, and when the pastor preached about how Jesus could fill the emptiness inside, Michael felt the weight of his own life. That evening, he prayed for the first time, asking Jesus to come into his heart and make Him the Lord of his life.
From that moment on, Michael chose to walk with Jesus daily. He put away the alcohol, he stopped seeking approval in unhealthy relationships, and he began to trust that Jesus would lead him to a better path. As he made Jesus his first priority, everything started changing. Michael’s life became full of peace, purpose, and hope. He found a new sense of purpose and began to serve others, helping people who were in the same place he had been.
Today, Michael is not only sober but is an active part of his church, sharing the love and hope of Jesus with others.
Let me share another testimony of transformation, this time from Grace, a woman in her 40s who had spent years living for success and perfection. Grace worked in a fast-paced corporate environment and had spent her entire life chasing promotions and accolades. She prided herself on being self-sufficient, believing that the harder she worked, the more successful she would be. However, despite her achievements, Grace felt empty and disconnected.
One day, Grace attended a church retreat with her friend, who had been praying for her for years. The retreat was focused on the theme of surrendering control and placing Jesus at the center of our lives. For the first time, Grace realized that her success and her self-sufficiency were no substitute for the love and peace Jesus offers. In a moment of prayer, she let go of her need for control and asked Jesus to take first place in her life.
That decision marked the beginning of a powerful transformation. Grace found peace and rest in knowing that she didn’t have to carry the weight of everything on her own. She learned to trust God with her career, her relationships, and her health. Over time, her priorities shifted, and she began to invest more time in relationships and serving others, rather than chasing after her own ambitions. She’s seen God’s favor in her career, but more importantly, she’s experienced His joy and peace like never before. Jesus became her first priority, and her life has never been the same.
III. The Blessings of Walking with Jesus First
When we walk with Jesus, there are amazing blessings that follow.
Putting Him first:
Brings peace, even in the midst of life’s storms.
Provides purpose that aligns our desires with God’s will.
Heals wounds, both old and new, as we rest in His love.
Leads us to joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances but on His presence in our lives.
Jesus is not just the Savior who rescues us; He is the Shepherd who leads us in the way everlasting. When we follow Him, He leads us into abundant life—not a life of ease, but a life filled with His presence, His peace, and His power.
Will You Walk with Jesus Today?
So, I ask you today: Is Jesus truly first in your life?
Are you ready to make that commitment to put Him at the center of everything?
You may be here today, like Michael or Grace, feeling the weight of this world’s pressures or the emptiness of a life lived for yourself.
But today, Jesus offers you a new way—His way.
Altar Call:
I want to invite you to respond to Jesus’ call.
If you are ready to make Him first in your life, whether for the first time or as a renewed commitment, I invite you to come forward.
Lay down the distractions and the things that have taken His place, and allow Him to fill you with His love and purpose.
Don’t wait for another moment—now is the time to seek first His kingdom.
Prayer for those coming forward:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today, recognizing that we have often put other things before You. We confess that we have sought fulfillment in the things of this world, but we know that true life is found in You alone. Today, we make the decision to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. We invite You into every area of our lives. Please forgive us for the times we’ve placed our desires ahead of Your will. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and guide us to walk with You every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As we close, remember this: walking with Jesus is not just a decision we make today, but a daily commitment to place Him first in every area of our lives. He promises that when we seek Him first, everything else will fall into place. Trust Him, follow Him, and watch as He transforms your life.
May the peace and presence of Jesus be with you as you walk with Him each and every day. God bless you.
