FIRST THINGS / SERMON NOTES

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

1. SEEK GOD FIRST

31Don't worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. 33But more than anything else, put God's work firstand do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Matthew 6

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”

 9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. Kings 3....

1. JUDGE YOURSELF FIRST

Firstremove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Matthew 5:46

III. RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS FIRST

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. Firstbe reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

1. LOVE GOD FIRST

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23

1. BIND THE STRONG MAN FIRST

Taking Spiritual Authority

But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. Mark 3

19 I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Luke 10

Thieves who get caught must pay back seven times what was stolen and lose everything. Proverbs 6:31

From the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. Matthew 11

1. SERVE GOD FIRST

Jesus said “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:59-

VII. CLEANSE THE INSIDE FIRST

25“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Matthew 23

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God--what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Romans 12

VIII. THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FIRST DAY.

On the evening of that first dayof the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

24Now Thomas one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”.  26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. John 20

How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, Deuteronomy 32:30.

Revelation, insight, wisdom, understanding comes in the fellowship of believers.

1. OFFERING FIRSTFRUITS.

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first and best part of all your income.10Then your barns will be full, and your vats will overflow with fresh wine. Proverbs 3

One tenth of all the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, belongs to the LORD. Leviticus 27-30