First Things to do first First Things First

First Things to do first

First Things First After obeying the gospel expected by God Matt. 6: 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. All Christians should memorized & seek to understand it. Context: Put the things of God 1 st & material things 2 nd. Matt. 6: 25 -34 “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ” “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ”

First give yourself to the Lord No longer our own after we obey the gospel 1 Cor. 6: 19 -20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. Glorify God in your body Greeks look down on the body - corpse - didn’t matter - do what you like “the body is not for immorality” 1 Cor. 6: 13 Body & personality are made for unity with Christ now & in the future. Christ died to save the whole man. The Spirit has fellowship with the body & makes it sacred. We do what Christ likes - Purchased with His blood, Acts 20: 28; 1 Pet. 1: 18, 19

First give yourself to the Lord Example of the Macedonians 2 Cor. 8: 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Gave beyond Paul’s desire or expectation 1 st set themselves apart for God’s service - kept nothing back No trouble giving any material things. Gave themselves to the help the apostles Prompted by God’s will - gracious work in them Other things will come easier if we 1 st give ourselves to the Lord

First have a willing mind Readiness - willing mind 2 Cor. 8: 12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have. KJV - first a willing mind, readiness - prothumia - eagerness, willingness, inclination; readiness of mind, disposition to give, the heart in it, prepared & willing to act No gift is acceptable without readiness behind it A willing mind is the first & main thing in all our duty. Without it our actions are vain, hypocritical & offensive. Service is judged acceptable by our will & ability God has always required a willing mind

First have a willing mind Giving for the tabernacle Ex. 35: 5 'Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD’S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze, David to Solomon 1 Chron. 28: 9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. God demands all service be done with a willing mind - gratefulness

First cleanse the inside Obeying the gospel purifies the soul 1 Pet. 1: 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, God’s word, the gospel - the truth sanctifies, Jn. 17: 17 They obeyed the truth - Acts 2: 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. purified - hagnizo - to remove moral impurities, to reform. Perfect tense - action in the past, with existing results purification of soul - seat & center of life that transcends the earthly

First cleanse the inside The inside must be kept clean Matt. 23: 25, 26 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. ” Clean outwardly by traditional washings - appeared clean & neat on the outside but were full of hypocrisy, robbery & selfindulgence in their hearts. Be clean in your principles - thoughts & motives within & holy conduct without Keep your thoughts pure, Phil. 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

First take the log out of your own eye First look at & correct our behavior before finding fault with others Matt. 7: 3 -5 "And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do notice the log that is in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye, ' and behold, the log is in your own eye? "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. speck - piece of chaff, dust, grain, log - a large stick of timber. The worldly man more quickly condemns the small offenses of other than his own larger ones. 1 st correct our own faults - then consistently help others correct theirs. Remove hypocrisy - consistent & candid by judging ourselves first Allows us to see clearly to help others & helps us appreciate the weakness & imperfections of others.

First things first First give yourself to the Lord First have a willing mind First cleanse the inside First remove the log from your own eye First pray for all men First find your brother First seek the kingdom & His righteousness

Invitation Hearts cleansed by faith - Acts 15: 7 -9 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Jews on Pentecost - heard, believed & obeyed - Acts 2: 36 -38 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified. ” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do? ” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Invitation Christian hearts are cleansed through repentance & praying to the Lord - Acts 8: 21 -24 “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity. ” But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me. ”

First Things to do first

First things first First give yourself to the Lord First have a willing mind First cleanse the inside First remove the log from your own eye First pray for all men First find your brother First seek the kingdom & His righteousness

First be reconciled to your brother Strive to be at peace with all men Rom. 12: 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. We cannot control others. Have peace as much as you have power to The Lord requires us to constantly work for peace. Never cause a break in peace because of our personal actions. Some people would not be at peace because of the gospel Never let the cause of hard feeling be ourselves and not the gospel or the other person.

First be reconciled to your brother Reconciliation with our brother come before worship Matt. 5: 23, 24 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Having the heart right more important than outward worship. If we sin against another, we are to seek them out & make things right. A proper confession or satisfaction for the injury - make restitution if necessary. Misconception about action, explained. Do all in our power to be at peace - no acceptable worship without it To obey is better than sacrifice - jealousy, malice or hatred pollute worship Must treat our brethren with justice to acceptably worship

First offer prayers for all men Pray for leaders & all men 1 Tim. 2: 1 -2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. first of all - before anything else, of utmost significance Pray that God would bestow on them what is for their good. Pray for their obedience, Matt. 5: 44 -48. Justin Martyr - no one can feel hatred toward those for whom he prays. . . A better world & country if we were praying for our leaders rather than criticizing them. If the country is secure, the gospel will more easily be spread. If persecutions are not present, it will help some weak ones to have time to grow strong.

First offer prayers for all men Pray for the salvation of all 1 Tim. 2: 3 -4 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. good - excellence, usefulness, pleasing, commendable, admirable - beautiful because of its purity acceptable - agreeable, received willingly by God Plead for their salvation through Christ. Give thanks for all of God’s grace toward all men. All can be saved through Christ & the gospel.

First find your brother We are saved to save. We need to find others to share the truth with. 2 Tim. 2: 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. - teach fundamental truths taught by Paul to trustworthy men who will not change the teaching - Men with ability to teach should teach others 1 Tim. 4: 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. - Holy living & sound teaching go together - practice the truth - Study - be accurate - teach truth

First find your brother Each needs to be an Andrew Jn. 1: 40 -42 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). Shared his wonderful find with his brother - put first Nature of our religion - desire others possess it Leads to trying to share it - want others to come to the Savior Should not wait for them to come, but go to, seek them out & tell them a Savior is found. First seek friends, neighbors & relatives - then the whole world

First seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness Matt. 6: 32 -34 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ” The worldly man makes food & clothing his first concern. The Christian knows His Father is in heaven. He believes God will provide his needs & knows & feels his troubles.

First seek the kingdom of God & His righteousness Matt. 6: 32 -34 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ” Kingdom of God - the favorable reign of God reigns with favor upon those in Christ’s church. Should seek entrance into the kingdom & seek the things promoting its success. It should be first in time, interest & thoughts. God’s righteousness - forgiveness of sins & holiness comes from faithfully obeying Christ.

Putting the church or kingdom first Attending regularly, Heb. 10: 24, 25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. God expects his people to attend the services faithfully We can attend services when we make them our priority consider them - take careful note how to stimulate - stirring up, inciting, rousing to love, good deeds

Putting the church or kingdom first Giving purposely and liberally, 2 Cor. 9: 6, 7 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 1 Cor. 16: 1 -2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. Acts 20: 35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive. '" Lk. 6: 38 "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. "

Putting the church or kingdom first Studying often, 2 Pet. 3: 18 a but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 2: 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. Acts 17: 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Rev. 1: 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Putting the church or kingdom first Zealous in the work of the church, Tit. 2: 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Acts 2: 42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 1 Cor. 15: 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Putting the church or kingdom first Making time for God Ps. 90: 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom. Eph. 5: 15, 16 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.