Honoring God with the Firstfruits
Honoring God With The Firstfruits
Pastor Keith Hassell
Foundation Scripture: Romans 11:16; Leviticus 23:10-14
I. The principle of firstfruits is a powerful principle in Scripture
A. Leviticus 23:10-14
B. Exodus 22:29-30 “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.”
C. Numbers 13:20-23 The spies brought out the firstfruits of the land
D. Ezekiel 44:28-30 “It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, that I am their inheritance. You shall give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession. They shall eat the grain offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering; every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs. The best of all firstfruits of any kind, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifices, shall be the priest’s; also you shall give to the priest the first of your ground meal, to cause a blessing to rest on your house.”
E. Pentecost is the Feast of Firstfruits
F. Joshua 6:1819 Jericho was a firstfruits city to the Lord as Israel came into the land (everything belonged to God. There was a curse upon those who kept any of it for themselves.)
G. The nation of Israel is the firstfruits nation to God
1. Jeremiah 2:3 “Israel was holiness to the Lord, the firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them, says the Lord.”
2. Hosea 9:10 “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season.”
H. Psalm 105:36 “He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land, the first of all their strength.”
I. 1 Kings 17:3 The widow gave to the prophet the first of the food in her preparations. It released a harvest of provision.
J. Romans 11:16 “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”
K. Romans 8:23-25“Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
L. Romans 16:5 “Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.”
M. 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 “I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—16that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.”
N. 1 Corinthians 15:20 “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
O. Revelation 14:4 The 144,000 are the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb
P. Principles involved in the firstfruits
1. God wants to be first in our lives
2. The first of what we have belongs to God
3. Firstfruits is a way of honoring God in our lives
4. If the first is holy, then the rest will be holy
5. If the first is NOT holy, neither will the rest
6. Firstfruits is a principle of consecration to God
7. Firstfruits speaks of our future strength
8. Firstfruits declares our faith and hope in what is yet to come
9. Firstfruits releases the blessing and provision of harvest
10. Honoring God with the firstfruits brings a blessing on your house
11. There is a spiritual battle over the firstfruits.
II. Honoring God with the Firstfruits
A. Of all our increase (Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”)
B. Of our week: Sunday is the firstfruits of the week (Genesis 1:5)
C. Of our day: Spend the first of your day with God (Mark 1:35)
D. Of our faith and obedience: There is a blessing in being first to believe or to give to the Lord (1 Chronicles 11:6 Joab was the first to attack the Jebusites and was made captain over David’s army)
D. Of our pursuits (Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom)
E. Of our choices (Matthew 6:33 Seek first His righteousness)
F. Of our love (Revelation 2:4 Leaving our first love; Matthew 22:38 The first commandment is to love the Lord)
I. Of ourselves (2 Corinthians 8:5 the Corinthians gave themselves first to the Lord and then their offering)
J. Of becoming a people set apart unto the Lord (1 Peter 4:17 Judgment begins first in the house of God)