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First Things First Introduction: This is the first day of the New Year and the 1st worship service. We sang the 1st songs, had our 1st prayer together, observed the Lord's Supper the 1st time this year, etc. We want to look at some first in the Bible. I) The Importance of First A) Being before all others in respect to time, order 1. Recipes often require the right elements to be combined in the right order. Get the order wrong and you will not get the desired results. 2. The order of our day is often important. B) God's order of creation, Genesis 1.1-4 1. Shows us God's power and His order of creation. 2. Each day of creation was important for the survival of what God created. C) The physical body is first and then the spiritual body, 1 Corinthians 15.35-49 1. This is used to refute the idea that there is no resurrection. 2. The Old Testament was more physical in nature while the New Testament is more spiritual. Outward versus inward. 3. The physical body is used as proof of a spiritual body at the resurrection. D) First comes the hearing of the word of God, 1 Corinthians 15.3-4 1. Hearing -- believing -- repenting -- confessing Christ -- being baptized for the remission of sins = salvation. 2. Some want to re-order the way to salvation. But can a person believe until the hear what they are to believe? Will a person repent before they are convicted of their sins? How can a person confess Jesus as the Son of God if they do not believe He is the Son of God? What good is baptism if a person is not willing to repent of their sins? Why be baptized if a person is already saved? 3. The first step in becoming a Christian is hearing the word of God, Romans 10.10,14ff. II) First -- importance, priorities A) We shall first seek the kingdom of God, Matthew 6.33 1. The order of seeking the kingdom of God is important. a. A lot of people seek first a good time, or a job, or popularity, or something else. b. In that case the kingdom of God is not first but often last. 2. God requires our obedience, love dedication, 2 Corinthians 8.5. a. This can be hard when we have to make choices and decisions. b. What comes first, obeying God or having a good time? Or, loving God or getting a job? Or, dedication or popularity? 3. Halfhearted Christianity is not Christianity. B) We need to take care of our relationships, Matthew 5.25 1. Husbands/wives need to maintain their relationship. Keep it strong. 2. Brothers/sisters in Christ must seek to have unity, 1 John4.20-21. 3. If I find a brother or sister has something against me I must first go and take care of the problem. C) First take care of sin in our lives and then we can teach others, Matthew 7.1-5 1. Do not pretend to be a Christian. 2. You want to convert others, be a light on the hill to your children, family, friends, etc, be a true Christian. 3. Admit your faults and work on them and then you will have more influence on others. Conclusion: Where will you be on the first day of each week? How much time will you spend in service to God? Will you take time to study your lessons, or teach a class/ How important is heaven to you? John 3.16
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