Sermon Tone Analysis

Principle of Firsts

This is a teaching based off of Robert Morris’ book Living a Blessed Life.

Now before we get into this I understand this is the Levitical Law.

Christ came to Fulfill the Levitical Law We are no longer under the Law, but we are under grace.

Principle

However, There are principles in the law that we can understand that when worked within the confines of God we can use to become closer to God.

That’s what we are learning and the title is the principle of Firsts not the law of Firsts.

The first Born must be sacrificed or redeemed.

Understand this means that these things are set apart for God’s exclusive possession.

There were a list of clean animals like a lamb and unclean animals like pig.

The clean animal had to be sacrificed.

The unclean animal had to be redeemed.

Why is this important?

In NT terms Jesus is the clean we are the unclean.

Jesus was the sacrifice we are the redeemed.

But how does this translate into time, talent, and Treasure?

God doesn’t state see which one produces the worst and give me that one.

See which one doesn’t behave and that one is mine.

He just asks for the first.

2. The first fruits must be offered

Exodus 23:19 (NKJV)

19 The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.

We must understand what God is emphasizing here: The first of the first.

Before anything else happens.

It must be presented

This is Key

There are several things we need to notice.

Why was Cain’s offering rejected and Able’s offering accepted?

Notice when Cain gave his offering and how he gave it.

In the process of time-When he wanted to

An offering-How he wanted to.

Able Gave the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.

Able gave according to God’s word Cain gave according to Cain’s desires.

God couldn’t accept Cain’s offering because it went against his word.

When we give our time, talents, and money we have to give it according to scripture not according to our desire.

This is God’s order to us when it comes to use of our gifts.

Use your gifts to serve one another- But then as Good stewards.

What does that statement mean?

As Good stewards means:

According to Scripture

Use your gifts to serve one another First before you use your gift to benefit you.

This is time, Talent, Treasure.

Now there are times and gifts where God will ask for more than your 10%.

If you are gifted in finance I know there are people who God spoke to and said you need to give 20%, 50%, 80% of your income.

There are people in this church who say: I give more than my 10% of my time and talent.

But there are those who God requires more of because it comes tot he scripture.

Of God’s varied grace.

God may give you time, talent, treasure that is more than he has given to others and may expect more back, the important thing is that it’s your time, talent, treasure is submitted according to the word of God and that God recieves the first fruits.

God cannot be put second

It’s in the nature of who God is that he has to come first.

He has to come before self benefit.

He has to come before serving to giving to others.

He must come first in order for the sacrifice to come to accepted by God.