PUTTING GOD FIRST
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Believers' attitude should be a response to the awareness of God's
unconditional love and grace.
TOPIC: PUTTING GOD FIRST
TEXT: Matt 6:33,
Prov 3:5-6; Mk 10:17-22
INTRODUCTION:
The concept of putting God first is rooted in a reciprocal relationship. It is not just a one-way street where we are expected to prioritize God. It is an acknowledgement of the fact that our love and devotion to God are not arbitrary or forced. It stems from the recognition that God, in His infinite love, has already taken the initiative to save us. It's a response to God's grace and mercy (1 John 4:19; Romans 5:8).
Hence the obligation to put God first is not just a
test of obedience but an
invitation to experience the richness of a life centred on God.
It is an acknowledgement that the pursuit of God brings fulfilment of purpose and alignment with His divine plan. Our response to this obligation involves a deliberate decision to reorder our priorities in the light of
God's infinite worth.
Putting God first is not an event but an ongoing
process. At the end of this
lesson, we will have a
renewed commitment to
putting God first in our lives as well as trusting in God's promises as we navigate the journey of faith.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
Atthe end of this lesson, believers will be able to:
- have a clear understanding of the concept of putting God
first, - explore the various components involved in the consciousness of putting God first.
- identify the consequences of not putting God first, and
4 highlight the benefits of prioritizing God in the life of believers
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PUT GOD FIRST? (Matt. 6:33; Prov.3:5-6)
Putting God first involves prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness above all other concerns. It
signifies acknowledging
God's rightful position as the primary focus in one's life. It rejects the idea of relegating God to a second place or alternative, emphasizing that God should be of foremost consideration.
Putting God first is not a mere religious duty but a
profound commitment to
align every aspect of one's life.It entails seeking and trusting God with all our hearts.
Q2. WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF PUTTING GOD FIRST?
A. SEEKING GOD: Seeking
God is an active and
intentional commitment. It
involves earnestly desiring a deeper understanding of God's character, will, and presence.
Believers are encouraged in Matt 7:7 to ask, seek, and knock, indicating a proactive engagement with God. This commitment goes beyond
mere acknowledgement and translates into a continuous quest to know, love, and align our lives with God's purposes
through regular prayer,
worshipping, studying the
scriptures and meditation.
Seeking God is a dynamic and ongoing process, an active commitment to understanding His will and presence in our daily lives. (Phil.3:8-10).
B.TRUSTING GOD:
Central to putting
God first is an unwavering trust in His character, faithfulness and
promises. Children of God
are advised to trust in the
Lord with all their hearts and lean not on their
understanding, emphasizing a confident reliance on God's guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trusting God involves
surrendering our wories
fears and desires (Matt.
6:25); submitting to His will, acknowledging His
unchanging nature, and
yielding to the direction of
the Holy Spirit.
C. PRIORITIZING GOD
IN MAKING DECIS ION:
Putting God first extends to decision-making; where believers should consciously seek divine
guidance before making
choices, whether major life decisions or daily actions
(Proverbs 16:3). This
involves aligning all
decisions with God's values and principles as outlined in the Scriptures,
acknowledging God's
sovereignty in determining
life's course. A commitment to
prioritizing God in decision-making reflects a recognition of His authority and willingness to yield to His directicon in every aspect of life.
D. LIFESTYLE OF
WORSHIP AND
OBEDIENCE:
A life centred on putting God first is marked by continuous worship and obedience. We are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices,
emphasizing that such a
lifestyle is spiritual worship(Romans 12:1). This extends beyond formal practices,
encompassing daily actions that reflect obedience to God's
commands and a devotion
permeating every aspect of life.
E. FELLOWSHIP:Putting
God first is not just only a
solitary journey of faith but
also a communal effort. The book of Hebrews highlights the importance of fellowship,
admonishing believers to
meet together for mutual
support and encouragement(Heb 10:25) Engaging in community and collective worship strengihens the commitment to prioritize
God and fosters a sense of shared purpose (Prov 26:17)
F. CONTINUOUS
REFLECTION AND
ADJUSTMENT: Reflection
on personal thoughts, actions and priorities is vital to putting God first. Psalm 139 guides believers in this pocess, encouraging self-
examination and seeking
God's guidance (Psalm
139:23-24). Continuous
reflection allows for
repentance and adjustments, ensuring a constant realignment with the commitment to put God first
Q3. WHAT ARE THE
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PUTTING GOD FIRST?
(Prov 14:12; Gal 6:7; Heb 10:25)
The consequences of not
putting God first can be
profound and far-reaching.
affecting various aspects of a believer's life.
a. It can lead to a sense of
spiritual emptiness and lack of fulfilment in life
b, It could lead to choices that are not in line with Gods purposes.
c. Can result in a lifestyle
marked by disobedience and a lack of consistent worship.
d. It might also lead to a
struggle in resisting
temptation and overcoming sinful patterns in believers' lives.
e. Individuals may remain
stagnant in their spiritual
journey.
04 WHAT ARE THE
BENEFTS OF PUTTING
GOD FIRST?
(Philippians 4:7: Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 37:4; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 11:6)
a. Primarily, prioritizing God can lead to a deep sense of spiritual fulfilment and inner peace, transcending the transient concerns of the
world.
b. The practice of putting
God first opens the door to abundant tblessings in various forms.
c. Trust and reliance on God's faithfulness strengthen one's faith, fostering a deeper and
more resilient spiritual
journey
d. Prioritizing God leads to
the transformation of
character, as individuals align their lives with His values and principles. This
transformation yields traits such as love, compassion, integrity, and humility, reflecting the fruit of the Spirit.
e. Ultimately, prioritizing
God holds the promise of
eternal rewards; as believers who prioritize God will one day experience the joy of
eternal life in His kingdom.
DAILY LIV ING APPLICATION:
Our God has promised never to leave nor
forsake us, and that He is the very present help in time of trouble. In light of this promise, let us prioritize starting each day with God, sharing our joy and concerns.
When you are faced wih
decisions, take a moment to pause and ask how can I honour God in this? Seek His guidance in Scripture, and draw strength from fellow believers. As we put God first, His peace envelops us, guiding our steps through life's jouney.
MEMORY VERSE:
Jeremialh 29:13.
"And you will seek Me and
find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."