If He’s Not First… He’s Last | Week 1 |The Blessed Life Series
When we recognize God is first with all that we are… He redeems all that we have.
How to approach a King
You shall redeem with a lamb the firstborn from a donkey; and if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem all the firstborn of your sons.
Exodus 34:20
However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will certainly buy it from you for a price; for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
2 Samuel 24:24
Our approach to God should be with reverence, acknowledging His sovereignty.
The Tale of Two Offerings: Cain and Able
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy.
Genesis 4:3-5
Abel’s offering reflected devotion and faith by giving the first of his flock. Cain’s offering lacked this level of honor and dedication.
God values the recognition that He gets your first and your best.
The Sacrifice of the Firstborn: A Redemption Symbol
you shall devote to the Lord every firstborn of a womb, and every firstborn offspring of an animal that you own; the males belong to the Lord. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn among your sons you shall redeem.
Exodus 13:12-13
Every tithe and every offering is a tangible statement that we remember that it was God that bought our freedom and not ourselves.
The Gifts of the Wise Men: Symbols with Deep Meanings
And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and the one who receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person shall receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:41-42
Giving to God What is God’s
They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Matthew 22:21
We are made in God’s image, our whole being belongs to Him.
Words of Knowledge:
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having pain in their left ear.
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been suffering with heart palpitations.
We believe the Lord is going to heal someone who is suffering with anxiety.
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with stomach issues that is causing severe nausea.
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who had an injury to their leg that affected their knee and ankle.
We believe the Lord wants to set someone free of being disgruntled and of chronic complaining.
Words of Encouragement:
We believe we heard the Lord say, “Trust. Rest. Rejoice. I have an inexhaustible supply being poured into your life in an endless stream! You will live and not die! There is no expiration date on the dreams and visions that I have given you. The purposes I have sown into your life will be accomplished, and you will never be turned back or defeated!”