FIRST THINGS FIRST

Sermon Notes : 06-28-09 SUN. A.M.

I. THE KEY TO SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE IS DENYING SELF.

1. DENYING SELF DOES NOT MEAN WE DO NOT ENJOY LIFE.

2. WE MUST DENY THE FLESH IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE GREATER THINGS IN LIFE.

3. THE GREATEST ATHLETES HAVE DENIED THEIR FLESH IN ORDER TO ENJOY VICTORY.

II. TODAY WE WANT TO LOOK AT THIS THOUGHT: WHEN WE DENY SELF FOR THE THINGS OF GOD, GOD PROVIDES EVERYTHING WE NEED TO ENJOY LIFE.

A. WE ARE COMMANDED BY JESUS CHRIST TO SEEK GOD’S KINGDOM FIRST.

#1 WHY DO SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE SERVING GOD MEANS GIVING UP THE GOOD LIFE?

1. Matt 6:24 (NIV)

#2 WHY DID JESUS SAY DENY YOURSELF AND TAKE UP YOUR CROSS.

2. Matt 16:24 (KJV)

B. OUR HEARTS WILL BE WHERE OUR TREASURE IS AND EVENTUALLY WE WILL BE THERE TO.

#3 WHY DID GOD CALL THE RICH MAN WHO WANTED BIGGER BARNS A FOOL?

1. Luke 12:16 (NASU), Luke 12:33 (MESSAGE)

2. Luke 16:19 (NIV)

C. WHEN WE TAKE CARE OF GOD’S WORK, GOD’S MAN, AND GOD’S HOUSE; GOD TAKES CARE OF US.

#4 WHY MUST WE NEVER PUT OUR AMBITIONS AHEAD OF GOD’S KINGDOM?

1. 1 Kings 3:11 (NIV)

#5 IS IT EVER GOD’S WILL FOR US TO GIVE WHEN WE CANNOT AFFORD IT?

2. 1 Kings 17:13 (NIV)

3. Hag 1:2 (NIV)

#6 HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT YOUR BARNS WILL BE FILLED?

4. Prov 3:9 (KJV)

III. WHEN WE DENY SELF FOR THE THINGS OF GOD, GOD PROVIDES EVERYTHING WE NEED TO ENJOY LIFE.

1. WE ARE COMMANDED BY JESUS CHRIST TO SEEK GOD’S KINGDOM FIRST.

2. JESUS SAYS OUR HEARTS WILL BE WHERE OUR TREASURE IS.

3. WHEN WE TAKE CARE OF GOD’S WORK, GOD’S MAN, AND GOD’S HOUSE; GOD TAKES CARE OF US.

4. WHAT HAVE WE GAINED IF YOU GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND LOSE OUR SOUL?