4 Steps to Putting Christ First (Step Up Series)

4 Steps to Putting Christ First

We are beginning a new series for the new year at church.  This new series is called "Step Up."  If you are a Christ follower, do you think God is calling us to step up as believers?  If you believe God is calling you to step up, you can.  You can concentrate on moving forward.  God can do big things in small steps.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Christ First.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Christ First

Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14

Sometimes we need to step away from something.  We might need to step away from a bad habit or a bad relationship.  Maybe you need to step away from bitterness. Do you feel stuck?  Then take a step into God's Word. 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6

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But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. - Matthew 6:33

"Our first step is to put Christ first in our lives.  The only thing Christ cannot do is to be second." - Tony Evans

Present your everything to God.

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2

1.  In Romans 12:1, I request is made.  

 

God is asking us, through Paul, to present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is our Spiritual service of worship.  If we don't hear God's Words, why would He hear our words?  The Holy Spirit speaks to God's people.  

 

2.  A reason is given.

Why should we do this?  God is merciful.  We deserve separation, judgement, and Hell, but God is merciful.  Therefore, we present our bodies to Spiritual service willingly.  We don't like sacrifice.  We are an entitled people, but we must know and remember that God's love is not pampering.  God's love is perfecting.  God wants all of you.  He wants your strengths and your weaknesses.  He wants everything.  God wants you all the time.  He wants your good days and your bad days.

Be holy and be wholly His.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? - 1 Corinthians 6:19

3.  God is clear on His requirement.

  

Worship is not just a song or an event.  Worship is a lifestyle.  How do you know your worship is pure?  You know your worship is pure when what you do on Sunday shows up through the week.

 

4.  A result is seen.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

Don't be conformed to the world.  Here, God is talking about an anti-God culture and it's everywhere.  We will get sucked into it if we aren't careful. 

Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its mold. - J.B. Philips

The world is after one thing and that one thing is to damn our souls.  Why give our everything to a world that will not last?

Give everything to God.  A renewal of the mind must be daily.  

Get into the Word this year. The Word transforms us.  When we renew our mind, the power and glory of Jesus shines through.  

Don't be afraid of God's will.  Be afraid of stepping out of God's will.  

Stay in step with God.

 

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