Making Jesus First in Three Areas
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But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Introduction
Introduction
Almost 100 years ago, a family with three boys lived on a farm in the state of Ohio in the days before every family owned a car. Once a week or so, the family would hitch up a buggy and ride to town for food and supplies. On one of those trips to town it was winter and the ground was covered with snow. The whole family piled into the horse drawn sleigh. Mom, dad, the 12 year old son Elmer , the ten yr old son, and baby Orville.
As usual, they followed the river for about a mile and crossed at the bridge. The river was frozen over, so on the way home they took the short route over the ice. This was a serious mistake. As they crossed the water, the ice caved in. The mother was thrown from the sleigh. She was holding baby Orville who fell from her arms into the fast-running water.
The two older boys, 12 and 10, were able to make their way to safety on the bank. Their parents stayed in the ice-clotted river, trying desperately to save baby Orville. He was in the water along with all the contents of the sleigh.
What happened next would is what makes this story so interesting. The little brother Orville, was rescued alive from the water and went on to marry and raise a family.
But it was what happened there on the bank of the river while baby Orville was bobbing in the icy water. His 12 yr old brother Elmer’s concern was that the new groceries were thrown into the water and were being carried downstream. Elmer, seeing the gravity of the situation, began to call out instructions from the bank. He was shouting, “Save the Post Toasties. Hey, somebody, save the Post Toasties.”
Sometimes we get caught up in the moment and the things that should be of first importance get pushed to the side in order to pursue those things that in retrospect are found to be temporary, unimportant, insignificant.
First things first, that what Jesus wants us to do in . And you will never experience true spiritual victory and blessing until you intentionally put first things first.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Why do we not have spiritual victory in the Christian life that we know is possible?
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
You will never experience true spiritual victory and blessing until you intentionally put first things first.
You will never experience true spiritual victory and blessing until you intentionally put first things first.
1)_Jesus needs to be first
1)_Jesus needs to be first
Jesus is the who of what we seek
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2
When you open your heart you realize Jesus is the greatest need of your heart.
If sin is the satisfying of a legitimate need in an illegitimate way...
then Worship must be characterized as the desire to have Jesus as the greatest priority, the greatest relationship, the greatest satisfier.
Put Jesus first:
My first source of salvation
My first source of wisdom
My first source of satisfaction
2)_You need to have a plan
2)_You need to have a plan
Seek - a continual action
seek first does not mean first in order but first priority
3)_Replace control with obedience and purity
3)_Replace control with obedience and purity
his kingdom and his righteousness
his kingdom and his righteousness
his total control over your life - driving lessons
His righteousness - his model of purity and holiness
1. Seek the present kingdom not the future kingdom
2. Seek the spiritual kingdom
3. Reject Satan’s kingdom
the moral lines are being blurred. Can a Christian couple live together, can I fudge my expense reports, how far is too far in a dating relationship, should a Christian drink alcohol? We get downright self righteous about this stuff but what about HIS righteousness?
how we think
how we talk
how we treat others
- A clear commandment, A precise commandment, An abundant promise
4)_Trust Jesus for spiritual victory and blessing
4)_Trust Jesus for spiritual victory and blessing
- all these things, what we worry about, what we are anxious about, the earthly treasures we strive to accumulate.
I will never experience true victory and blessing
I will never experience true spiritual victory and blessing (all these things) until I intentionally put (seek) first things (his kingdom and his righteousness) first.
Conclusion
What has Jesus done? Jesus has promised to look after us and to meet the deepest needs of our heart.
What if this verse wasn’t in the bible? I would start to think that I am the source of what I need, that no one cares when I am in distress, that I need to do it on my own.
What is the sinful response to this verse?
God doesn’t care about me. God is the source of my spiritual misery.
How do we fix this?
Put Jesus first:
3 Areas where Jesus needs to be first:
My first source of wisdom
My first source of satisfaction
3 Areas where Jesus needs to be first.
Jesus needs to be first:
Each morning
Each sabbath
Each relationship