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