Putting God First

Introduction. (Matt. 6:33). After teaching that His disciples should not worry about the necessities of life, Jesus commands, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This shows the importance of putting God first in our life.

I. Means God’s First in Our...

A.      Priority List. The Latin word prior is the comparative form of the Latin word primus meaning “first.” In lists of at least two things it means “first.” When used in other contexts it can mean “something before another thing.” In one sense it refers to that which is “more first (when compared to something else). Our priorities show what we set before other things—what is more first in our lives. How do we put God before other things?

1.      In assembling to worship Him (Heb. 10:24-25).

2.      In learning from His word (2 Tim. 2:15).

3.      If these things are not priorities we are not putting God first in our lives.

B.      Daily Lives.

1.      The grace of God is shown in how we live (Titus 2:11-12)

2.      While we are not to live to be seen by others, we are to let our light shine (Matt. 5:14-16).

C.      Our Worship.

1.      Nadab and Abihu worshipped in accordance with their wishes and it displeased God (Lev. 10:1-3).

2.      This type of worship is vain or idle (Matt. 15:8-9).

3.      Worship that is not according to God’s word does not put God first.

II. When We Put God First...

A.      We Show God How Important He is to Us.

1.      Job feared God (Job 1:6-8). This demonstrated His devotion to God.

2.      The one who loves God adores His word (Ps. 1:1-3).

B.      We Show Others How Important God is to Us (1 John 2:4-6).

C.      We Please God (Heb. 11:5-6). Enoch pleased God—we must have faith to please Him. We must put God first to please Him.

III. If We Don’t Put God First...

A.      He is Displeased (Ps. 14:2). When David sinned with Bathsheba it displeased God (2 Sam. 11:27). When he conducted a census without God’s command it displeased God (1 Chron. 21:7).

B.      We May Cause Others to Stumble (Gal. 2:11-13).

C.      We Can Lose Our Soul.

1.      Putting God first is a command (Mark 12:30).

2.      We can be cheated out of our reward if we do not put Him first (Col 2:18-19).