Firstfruits Season: A Guide to Prioritizing God in 2025
As we prepare for the new year, it’s essential to reflect on our priorities and ensure that God remains at the center of our lives. This week’s sermon, based on Matthew 6:33, emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s kingdom first. By doing so, we align our lives with His principles, prioritize His ways, and receive His promises. Let’s delve into the key points of the sermon and explore how we can apply these lessons to our daily lives.
Understanding the Principle
Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This verse highlights a fundamental principle for Christian living: putting God first. When we prioritize God in our decisions and actions, we align ourselves with His will and trust that He will provide for our needs.
The Priority of God’s Kingdom
Seeking God’s kingdom means making His way of living our top priority. This involves consulting God in every decision, whether it’s about marriage, career, or daily choices. By keeping God at the center, we ensure that our actions honor Him and reflect His righteousness.
The Promise of Provision
When we live by the principle of seeking God’s kingdom first, we receive the promise that “all these things shall be added to you.” This means that God will take care of our needs, freeing us from the worries that often consume those who do not trust in Him.
Prioritize God’s Concerns Over Your Own
To seek God’s kingdom first, we must prioritize His concerns over our own. This means repenting from self-centered living and dedicating our lives to God’s purposes. By doing so, we become influencers for Christ, rather than being influenced by the world.
Meditate on His Word
Meditating on God’s Word helps us make godly decisions. Joshua 1:8 encourages us to meditate on the Word day and night, ensuring that we observe all that is written in it. This practice aligns our thoughts and actions with God’s will, leading to prosperity and success in His terms.
Live a Simple Life
A principle of discipleship is living a simple life. Jesus exemplified this by not accumulating material possessions. By simplifying our lives, we avoid the distractions that come with prosperity and focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God.
The Dangers of Materialism: Temporal vs. Eternal Focus
Material things can easily become the center of our lives, driving our decisions and actions. However, Jesus warns against this, reminding us that true prosperity is not about earthly comforts but about aligning our lives with God’s kingdom.
The Enemy of Prosperity
Prosperity can be an enemy to the kingdom of God if it distracts us from our spiritual commitments. The more we focus on material wealth, the less we prioritize our relationship with God. True discipleship involves living a life that is not driven by the pursuit of material gain.
Life Application: Challenge for the Week
As we move into 2025, let’s commit to seeking God’s kingdom first in every aspect of our lives. Here are some practical steps to help you apply this principle:
- Evaluate Your Priorities: Reflect on how you spend your time, money, and energy. Are these areas aligned with God’s kingdom?
- Consult God in Decisions: Before making any significant decisions, seek God’s guidance through prayer and His Word.
- Simplify Your Life: Identify areas where materialism may be distracting you from your spiritual commitments and make necessary adjustments.
Questions to Reflect On
- How am I putting God first in my daily life?
- In what ways can I simplify my life to focus more on my relationship with God?
- How can I ensure that my decisions and actions honor God and reflect His righteousness?
By prioritizing God’s kingdom and living according to His principles, we can trust that He will provide for our needs and guide us through the challenges of the coming year. Let’s make 2025 a year of spiritual growth and deeper commitment to God.
Conclusion
As we prepare for the new year, let’s remember the importance of seeking God’s kingdom first. By prioritizing His principles, we align our lives with His will and receive His promises. Reflect on the questions above and take practical steps to keep God at the center of your life. May 2025 be a year of spiritual growth and deeper commitment to God. Amen.