Above All Else

Above All

Matthew 10:37–39 NIV

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

We saw this lived out this past weekend, when we took a look at Abraham and Isaac.

For Christ to be above all in our lives, we must…

Identify what you love the most.

Genesis 22:1–2 NIV

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

God pointed out to Abraham what he loved the most, his son. And God asked him to sacrifice him.

What do you love the most?

check your screen time, what are you viewing the most?

What do you get excited about?

what does a typical day look like for you?

who do you spend them most time with?

For instance, Linlee and I love movies...

How would you know that?

Well, we spend time at the movies, we spend money on the movies.

Let’s take a few moments to answer these questions…

2. Be willing to lay it on the alter.

Genesis 22:3–10 NIV

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Abraham got up with every intention of sacrificing Isaac.

cut wood

he loaded up the donkey

carried the fire and the knife

We’ve identified what we need to sacrifice, but now it’s time to actually start the process.

We talk about laying it down, but now we must cut the wood, we have to load up the donkey, and bring the knife and fire.

That may mean we set screen time limits

we allow someone to hold us accountable for what we are watching on tiktok and on our phones.

We talk with someone with what we are struggling with.

We start putting God above our sports, by packing a dinner or run to taco casa after practice so we can make it to church.

Set reminders on our phones to get in God’s word.

We have a tough conversation with our boyfriends and girlfriends about some boundaries we need to set so that our relationship glorifies God.

start the process. Don’t just talk it, Live it.

3. Allow God to use your passions for His glory.

Genesis 3:11–14 NIV

And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.

God used what Abraham loved the most for His Glory, when He put God first.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

How can God use your gifts?

How can he use your passions if you don’t give them to him, because guess what?? He gave them to you in the first place.