New Covenant Church
Join us online at wearencc.com, or at one of our three in-person services: 9:30AM or 11:15AM at our South Campus, or at 9:30AM at our North Campus.
1 Kings 17:8-16 ESV
3 truths about the first in this passage
1. The first requires a sacrifice
The woman needed that flour, oil and water. To give it first meant it was sacrificial.
What if she hadn’t given him food & water first? - Story would have ended very differently.
- What you need most is on the other side of trusting God first
2. The first activates our faith. Give without seeing the result, your faith is activated.
FEAR IS THE ENEMY OF THE FIRST- you will never give the first if you live in fear.
3. The first blesses the rest.
The Principle of the first: The first has the power to bless the rest.
Proverbs 3:9-10 ESV
v 16 - The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty
Romans 11:16 ESV
When withholding the first of anything we reject the blessing associated with giving to God first.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
When God is first in your life…everything else can come into alignment.
When He isn’t first, nothing else can come into alignment.
4 Challenges in the first
1. Give God the first of the day - Seeking God daily
Mark 1:35 ESV
Psalms 5:3 NLT
• Daily time with God through prayer, time in the word. - Let prayer be the first thing you do. Prayer is the first response when you run into a problemI’m not a good husband, father, friend, pastor - without time with God
• First of my Thoughts.
2. Give God the first of the week - Church/ Corporate Worship
Hebrews 10:25 ESV
Plan your week - But First
3. Give God the first of the month - Tithe - budget monthly - plan for the tithe first
Leviticus 27:30 NKJV
Malachi 3:10 ESV
This is the test - Will you give to God first…to activate your faith for the rest?
Matthew 23:23 NLT
• Plan your finances for month - But first
4. Give God the first of the year - 21 days
• Determine to give this year to God in service to Him - Get on a team & serve people. Commit to leading a group or being in a group every semester
• When I give God my left overs…I don’t like what I started with. When I give God the first…I like what I have left over.
Would you be willing to say today? - I’m going all in by giving Him the first in every area of my life.