First Things First Part 1Posted by Paula White - Sun, December 06, 2009 at 07:15 PM Click here to download the sermon notes for “First Things First Part 1”. • Wouldn’t it be nice to know where your going in life? • It is possible A simple principle from God’s word holds your answer…(to transform your life) Its imperative …critical…vital to understand…for it is fundamental….foundation And that is = keep first things first and God will take care of the rest Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you… C.S. Lewis: “When first things are put first…2nd things are not suppressed but increased Your success does not depend on what happens on “Wall Street” or in Washington…but on your obedience to your understanding of God’s word Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom…and with all thy getting, get understanding When you put God first by obeying His principle and following His divinely established pattern…= your life becomes aligned with His plan and promises for you… A principle is (from the root word prince, meaning dominion or monarch) = a fundamental truth or law on which others are based…A rule of conduct. The method something operates. It is a “prescribed way of living” A pattern = is an order or arrangement of parts… a model or design from which copies can be made For every pattern = there is a design..and for every design = there is a designer – God has a plan and that plan is always working and you are a part of His plan It’s not your job to design or develop but to discover and implement or put the decision and plan of god into effect Patterns are established from concept…ie = the original intention, though or notion God’s original intention is His final decision…that means God doesn’t change His mind Hebrews 13:8 Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever He is consistent, constant, steady and stable His word endures forever according to I Peter 1:25 His patterns are permanent…they were established long before man had a revelation or vision of them All that God creates is perfect…including you You were created with a God-intended position and purpose That intention will not change!!! Period In other words…as you live a yielded surrendered life to God…If its part of your destiny you cant loose it…if not you cant keep it What a release from trying to make life happen or force something to fit… Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails Plans – (Hebrew) = contrivance of a mentally fabricated plot What a waste of time, energy, resources, and life = when God’s ultimate intention will always succeed for a child of God All you need to do is = flow with the determinations of God You have been positioned or accurately arranged to walk out the pattern of your destiny thru Jesus…ie John 10:10 – an abundant life in Christ Jesus Jesus declares…I am come that they (put your name here) might have life and that ehy might have it more abundantly Abundantly (Greek) = in the sense of beyond superabundant in quantity or superior in quality. By implication, it means = excessive… God has an excessive life for you Are you ready to live it = 2010 is going to be your year of excess You do so by implementing His principles Life is governed by laws…they are working FOR and AGAINST you When you implement a divine principle = you reap a divine result (or) reward So what is God’s original intention for you? (found in Gen 1:27/28 – that you will live in His image…ie = complete and whole That means = you will be fruitful…you will grow an increase in the abundance and anointing of God You will be replenished… i.e. = full, overflow, satisfy and you will take dominion…ie = prevail against, reign, rule over and subdue = ie = conquer, keep under and bring into bondage When you follow the pattern you see the manifestation of the promises from being in position… You have great promises…according to II Peter 1:3-4 The precious and magnificent promises of God allow us to become more like Him and less like the world. Through Christ…these promises give us everything we need…But without the true knowledge of His word…many of His promises go unrealized in your life Its not so much doing wrong that nullifies the promises and provision of God…as it is not doing enough of what is right Hosea 4:6 reminds us My people perish…lack of knowledge…note v. 3 says = there was no…no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.. While you are looking for God to be faithful…He is looking for you to be faithful Gods covenant is = His word All covenant privileges / promises are released and received by believing and activating the Word of God… God moves in order, principles and patterns to achieve His intentions God has an arrangement for things in your life…when something is arranged = it is put into a proper systematic order The pattern of God or = ie = the accurate order and arrangement of parts…is always in all tings First Things First It is the principle of Firstfruits… Firstfruits is more than an offering…although it inclusive of that..) = it is the foundation principle Firstfruits (heb) = ray-sheeth First = is defined as = the 1st occurrence or item of a kind = fundamental = basic essential…ie = serving as a basis supporting existence…or determining essential structure or function So…all things that exist are supported by the basis…(ie = foundation) Psalm 11:3..declares If the foundation be destroyed…what can the righteous do? God is very serious about things being in order in our lives That is why it is so critical to understand the principle of “First things First” “firstfruits” When you do not put first things first = everything in your life is out of order = or confused The Greek term for confusion = often means disorder James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, (strife) there you find disorder (confusion) and every evil practice KJV = says “strife” – a division, a faction, a pulling away Where there is division there is confusion disorder which opens the door for every evil work and evil spirit We are going to shut that door and get in order…How? By putting first things first…ie keeping the “main thing” the main thing and God is the main thing… Again firstfruits means the first in place, order and rank…the beginning, chief or principle thing God declares… all first things belong to him in order to establish redeeming covenant with everything that comes after That means the first day of the week, first minutes of day, first month of year, first of your finances, talents, service, family…It is ALL firsts Lev 27:28, Lev 23, Ex 23, Ex 34:26, Num 28:26, Neh 10:35-37, Pr 3:9, Ez 20:40 Ex 22:29 – do not hold back offerings from your grainaries or your vats..you must give me the first born of your sons…do same with cattle and sheep Ex 13:1-3 NIV - The Lord said to Moses, consecrate to me every first born male, the first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me whether man or animal. Here are the principles: This means whatever the first portion is used for determines what happens to the rest… All firsts belong to God Remember a first is a fundamental principle or a basis supporting existence Principles have policy…policy comes from the word “police” Police = means a department that provides order.. It’s a governing agency…so the way you govern your life must be by the fundamental laws or truths of the word of God…in order to see or receive His rewards Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first…His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added Seek first = (gr) = chiefly, first of all…firstly (in time, place, order or importance From 2 words – foremost in time, place, order or importance It is a life of His presence as priority When something’s has priority = precedence – superiority in rank, position or privilege Seek first…the kingdom of god…what is the Kingdom of God = royalty, realm and rule…it is an extension of God’s rule or dominion in the earth…ie = the kings domain or an area or sphere in which one holds a preeminent position… It denotes…God’s purpose (the extension of God’s rule The church is the instrument, vehicle and means of the kingdom A kingdom has… We are in the greatest display of god manifesting Himself in the earth You have been brought to the kingdom for such a time as this…you are called to inherit You are the remnant who are governed by His presence = which remained and were not removed by the shaking of His word Only that which is part of this unshakable kingdom cannot and will not be moved This kingdom is going to stand…because His presence, power and provision rules in it You are going to stand because you have a foundation = First Things First Share This!
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