First Things First

First Things First
Matthew 6:33

Command within a Context:
Sermon On The Mount (Chapters 5-7)
Competing Kingdoms

• Kingdom of Thingdom (6:19-21, 24)
• Kingdom of God (6:33)

What Is The Kingdom of God?

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, ESV)

Rightful Rule of the Rightful King

It is to be:

• Expressed in my life
• Expanded through my life

What Habits or Practices Help Me To Seek First The Kingdom of God?

1. Choose to spend quality time in God’s Word
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, ESV)

2. Converse regularly with God in prayer
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

3. Connect with other obedient believers
“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25, ESV)

4. Change the way you view problems
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)

5. Commit to pleasing God in all my actions
“I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.” (Psalm 119:106, ESV)
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9, ESV)
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

6. Charge through my quitting points
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13–14, ESV)

7. Count on God’s faithfulness
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

A Place to Begin - Give God The:

The first Thought of each day
“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” (Psalm 5:3, ESV)

The first Day of every week
“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7, ESV)

The first Part of every paycheck
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;” (Proverbs 3:9, ESV)

The first Place in every decision
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, ESV)

Disciplines and habits give Direction to my life and develop the Desires of my life