First Things First!

 5^th Sunday after Pentecost!

                      

Intro:

A.   Have you ever heard of getting the cart before the

horse? What does that expression mean?  Let them respond.

 

B.   It usually means that we leave out or leave to later

     an important detail that we should do first.

 

C.   In life, we sometimes get the cart before the horse.

 

Trans.

In our scripture today, Christ gives some instruction

concerning getting the cart before the horse.

 

                            Prayer

                  Matt 6:31-34 & Acts 11:19-30

Text: vs. 33  NRSV

"But strive first for the kingdom of God and his            righteousness, and all these things will be given to you    as well."

 

I.   What other things might we seek first?

 

A.   Necessities of life (food & raiment): "needs."

1.   In verses 31 & 32, Jesus had just said, "Don't

     worry; your needs will be supplied."

2.   We are to trust that God will provide a way for

     our needs to be met!

     a.         God usually does!

              b.   Another job or a raise.

              c.   God meeting the need through others such as

                   the Food Pantry, our free food shelf or

                   Thrift store, or a Christian friend.

 

     B.   Material possessions; "wants."

1.   The "american dream."  If you want it, you can

     Get it!  A new car, A better house, Keep up with

     the Joneses!

2.   We have an obsession with getting more!  Credit

     cards make it easy for a while . . . .

3.   Before we know it, we can be spread so thin that

     we no longer have time or money for God, and we

     don't have enough to meet our needs along with

     our wants!

4.   One of the main reasons people can’t support the church and missional things is that they have gotten themselves in a financial tight because of wants so much so that they can’t support the things of God.

     a.   If you find yourselves there, make a plan to

          pay off your debt and stay with it.

     b.   Figure out what you can pay for God’s work now, and when you get things paid off, take another look at it and see what you can do then.

     c.   Make God a priority.

 

C.   Popularity, especially for young people;  Social

     Standing, for older people.

1.   We want to be popular; we want to fit in!

2.   When being accepted by a certain group of people                 becomes more important to us than God, we may                   sacrifice morals and values to be a part!

 

3.   We are told to seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness first and all these other things will fall into place and our needs will be supplied!  What does this mean?

 

II.  What does it mean to seek the Kingdom of God:

     A.   Are we Christians? 

1.   Christ followers were first called

     Christians at Antioch. Acts 11:26

     a.   They were reaching the Hellenists, not just

          people like themselves!

     b.   They sent financial relief back to the

          church in Judea. They weren’t just taking

          care of themselves!

2.   Before this, they were called disciples,

     saints, believers, brothers, or the way!

3.   Methodists were first called Methodists as a

     slur for their methodical ways!

4.   Some think Christians were first called

     Christians as a slur because they were

     acting like Christ!

     a.   We need to be believers!

     b.   But as we are seeking the Kingdom, we

          need to act like Christ!

     3.   Are we acting like Christ?

     B.   If we get so wrapped up in the world and leave God

          out, we've missed it all!  First become Christian:

          believer and acting like Christ!

 

III. What does it mean to seek his righteousness:

     A.   This applies to our daily lives after we become                  believers!  How do we act like Christ?

1.   Reading the Bible Daily; Bible Study.

2.   Prayer life.

3.   How we treat people:  fair, honest, friendliness,                and goodness. 

4.   Do we care for people?

5.   Are we sharing the Love of God!  Bottom line!  God is more concerned with this than all the do’s and don’ts in the world!

6.   If we Love God first and Love others, we have fulfilled all the commandments!  That is what Jesus said! Not about dos and don’ts but about acting out of Love!

     a.   If we do this, it fulfills the ten

          commandments!

     b.   If we do this, it affects how we live!

     c.   If we do this, it affects how we vote!

          1)   Do we vote for people who act like

              Christ and care for the marginalized,

     for the least among us like Christ, like the church at Antioch was doing?

          2)   Or do we vote for those who say they

              are Christian, but don’t really act

              like Christ?

     d.   If we do this, it affects how we spend our

          money and what we support!

     B.   Lastly, as for seeking God’s righteousness, it means

          giving to God first in all areas of our lives!  Don’t

          just give God the leftovers.  It means making God 1^st

          priority in all areas of our lives!

 

IV.  Do these things matter to us, or are we so wrapped up in "things" that we've left God out?

 

A.   Christianity is a new life, change!

 

B.   When we seek God 1st, these other things will be taken care of!  We just need to trust God and be willing to walk through the doors that God opens to us.

 

C.   When we seek God 1^st, God will show us all these other things as we are led by Christ’s Spirit in us!

 

Conclusion:

A.   Is God first priority in our lives, or are we getting

     the cart before the horse?

 

B.   Verse 24 says, "No one can serve two masters." It

     sounds like there is no grey area as to who we are

     serving!

 

C.   This calls us to seriousness about our Christian lives!  It calls us to a deeper commitment!

 

D.   Which master are we serving?

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

 

Eternal Treasures!

 Father’s Day!

                                                                Intro:

A.        Shortly after we moved here almost 5 years ago now, we did some work on the house.

            1.         I replaced damaged boards on the deck, and we painted it with Deck-over!

            2.         I power washed the house!

            3.         Among many other things.

 

            B.        This Spring, I noticed the house is needing power washed again!  The deck has some soft spots and needs some more boards replaced and at least part of it then repainted.  Things do not last forever!

 

            C.        Today is Father’s Day.  As fathers, many of us do those kinds of jobs around the

                        house.  It is kind of disheartening when we have to do them again! Let's look at

                        some of these things that do not last forever this morning, and maybe, by doing

                        this, it will point us to some things that do last forever!

 

            D.        We do need to do these things, but what things do we not need to forget to also

                        do?

                                                                         Prayer

                                                                   Matt. 6:19-21

I.          What are some of these things that don't last forever?

 

            A.        Jobs.

                        1.         No matter how secure we may feel, nothing in this life is secure!

                        2.         Our jobs aren't secure:

                                    a.         Company could file bankruptcy.

                                    b.         Poor management.

                                    c.         Imports can push us out.

                                    d.         Place of business burn.

            B.        Social Standing.

                        1.         Many times, when the money goes, this goes.

                        2.         Other times, it only takes a rumor to ruin our reputation!

 

            C.        Popularity.

                        1.         Very important to young people.

                        2.         Sometimes to older people too.

                                    a.         We want to do something to please people.

                                    b.         So we will be liked!

                                    c.         In life, this doesn't last; many times, the most popular person in

school won't be the most popular when they get out in life!

            d.         Sometimes, the things we have to do to be popular aren't pleasing

to God and aren't best for us in the long run!

 

            D.        Personal Possessions.

                        1.         These may be very important to us.

                        2.         But fire or a natural disaster can take these away instantly!

                        3.         Some things can never be replaced.

                        4.         For those things that can be replaced, we have insurance, but even

insurance isn't 100% secure!

 

            E.         Our scripture says:

                        1.         It is foolish to make these things most important to us (to make them our

treasures) because they will not always be there!

                        2.         It is like putting money in a pocket with holes in it!

 

II.        What are some things that will last forever and nothing can destroy?

 

            A.        Our relationship to Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8:38-39)

                        1.         Nothing can separate us.

                        2.         This relationship will last forever!

                        3.         We need to build on that relationship!

                                    a.         Prayer

                                    b.         Bible Reading

                                    c.         Worship

                                    d.         Service

                        4.         We need to invite people to that relationship by what we say and how we

                                    live!

                        5.         Men, well all of us, that is something worth giving our lives to!

 

            B.        That that we have done to the Glory of the Lord.  This covers a lot!

 

                        1.         Helping someone in need.

 

                        2.         Helping someone find the grace and love of God in Christ.

 

                        3.         Supporting through our financial means the ministry

                                    of the church so that ministry can go on beyond our walls!

a.         It blesses us to give!

b.         It is one way of investing in something that lasts!

 

                        4.         Ministering to those who are hurting: food, talk, prayers.

                                    a.         Sometimes life can get people down; they might even give up!

                                    b.         A word of encouragement, thoughtful food at a hard time, praying

with them may be just what they need to point them to a God who cares and loves them and can get them through!

 

                        5.         Ministering through the local church: doing children’s moment,  singing

                                    specials, doing bulletins, playing musical instruments, preaching, helping

                                    with lawn maintenance and inside cleaning of the church, working at

                                    Thrift Store, helping in tech booth, praying, calling on the sick &

                                    shut-ins, helping the poor, and so much more!

                                    a.         Because of the things we do through the local church, lives have

and will be changed for the good!

                                    b.         It will have eternal consequences!

                                    c.         What we do in God's name will not be in vain!

 

            C.        Welcoming all of God’s people into our church: making sure that all people

                        encounter the love of God through God’s people!

                        1.         We may be the only Bible some people read.  When they read us, do they

                                    know God loves them?

                        2.         Are we welcoming to immigrants to our country?

                        3.         Are we welcoming to people not like us: Blacks, Whites, Asians,

                                    Hispanics, different social class, or different gender or sexual orientation?

                        4.         In a world where people who call themselves Christians want to exclude

                                    women from God’s ministry and from certain rights and freedoms, and

                                    want to support unfair treatment of immigrants and people unlike

                                    themselves, we have an opportunity to really show the love of God shown

                                    to and lived among us in Jesus Christ!

                        5.         Many have been hurt by the church!  They are out there!  Somehow, by

                                    the way they experience us, they need to see that things might be different

                                    here.  Otherwise, they think we are just like the church who hurt them!

Conclusion:

 

            A.        Fathers, Men, well all of us, where are we placing our treasures?

            B.        What holds 1st priority in our lives?

            C.        Are we putting our lives into a pocket with holes in it?

D.        If we are, God's grace can change that this morning; just give it to God as we encounter Christ at the table this morning! What we do for Christ, will last!

 

                                                             Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

 

Moved By What?

 

Introduction:

     A.   What was Christ motivated by?  What should we be motivated

by?

 

     B.   This morning I think this second scripture gives us

          some insight into the compelling force upon which our

          Savior acted.

 

     Trans.

          As we look at this, I would like for us all to examine           ourselves as to whether or not we share this

          compelling force with our Savior!

 

                            Prayer

                         Matt. 9:36-38

 

I.   Many messages have been preached from this passage.

 

     A.   This passage has been used to make people realize the

          urgency and need for laborers in the kingdom of God

          To do something! Which is a good message!

 

     B.   This passage has been used as an appeal to pray for

          laborers; perhaps we aren't praying enough!

 

     C.   This passage has been used to make us realize that the           harvest is there; it is ready, and we the church can

          grow!  This too is a good message!

 

     D.   But this morning, I would like to look at what was

           said about Jesus here that caused the Savior to feel

          this deep need and examine what the motivations or

          compelling forces are and aren't that would have

          caused Jesus to say this.

 

II.  What was said about Christ?

 

     "he was moved with compassion on them, because they

      fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no

     shepherd."

A.      Moved with Compassion!

B.       

          1.   Because they grew tired, because some gave up the                road was so hard, because Christ saw people who

              needed direction, people that needed to know how

              to grow!  They needed to know what to do!

 

              a.   Life is hard sometimes!

 

              b.   People need someone who cares and is willing

                   to help  

    

          2.   If someone didn't go to them, some might fall or

              turn away or they might not ever even know the

              way to God!

 

     B.   Love!

 

          1.   Love is always the bottom line for the Lord!

 

          2.   That is why Christ was touched and moved with

              compassion.

 

          3.   That is why Christ came for us!  Christ loved us

              and was moved with compassion!

 

          4.   Because Christ saw where we were headed, our need

              of direction, and our need for salvation.

 

     C.   This should be what moves us to see the need for

          service and compels us to serve!  Because we are

          "moved with compassion," because we see people who do

          not know the love of God and are without direction,

          because we see people who have no purpose, and we want

          to serve to meet their need and help them find the

          love of God!

 

III. Oh, but too many times today this isn't what can be said

     about our service!  What sometimes can be said about our

     service? These were and are "not" the compelling forces of

     Jesus!

 

     A.   They are just serving for the money!

 

1.      This is sometimes said of preachers who are

always asking for money (on T.V. & etc.).

 

2.      This is sometimes said of preachers when they

leave a congregation in hopes of getting one that pays more!

 

 

          3.   The sad thing is that this is sometimes true and

              this is the compelling force.

 

     B.   Another, they are just serving for the power!

 

1.      This is sometimes said of preachers who try to

run the show and who want people to look to them as the supreme authority. What they say goes!

 

          2.   This is sometimes said of other leaders in the

              church who have the same attitude!

 

          3.   The sad thing is that sometimes this is the

              compelling force, and when that feeling of power

              is threatened, they become angry, bitter, and

              uncooperative.  Sometimes, they just want to

              leave if they can't run things!

 

     C.   Another, they are just serving for recognition!

 

1.      When the going gets tough and the recognition

runs low or the credit goes to someone else, these are weeded out.

 

          2.   Is it so important that we get the credit or that                the job gets done?

 

     D.   Lastly, they are just serving out of obligation!

 

          1.   Some do this so that it will get done.

 

          2.   But this isn’t a real pure reason for service!

 

          3.   Might be better than no service.

 

     E.   But let's be sure that these things can't be

          Truthfully said about us.

 

Conclusion:

 

     A.   We need more who are like our precious Lord who will

          serve with sacrifice, moved with compassion, because             of the job that they see that needs to be done,

          because of the lives who need to be touched, because

          of Love.

 

          1.   When we do, we won't worry if the money is best!

 

 

2.      We won't be bothered if we don't have all the    

power as long as ministry is being done!  We will see ourselves as part of a team striving together to get the job done! Matter of fact, we will be glad to let others be involved!

 

          3.   We won't have to have worldly recognition to

              continue doing our best for the Lord!

 

C.      Are we like this?  Do we share this compelling force

with our Savior?  Compassion?  Love?  How long has it been since we have been moved to do something because of compassion?

 

     C.   Why do we serve?

 

D.      As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, do

we need to ask the Lord into our lives for the first time? Do we need to ask Christ to fill us with His Spirit of service this morning?

 

     E.   Someone has said,   "[People are] never nearer the

                             Divine than in [their]

                             Compassionate moments." 

                                      Joseph H. Hertz

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion