Climbing the Mountain: Prioritizing God Above All
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to New Life Church! Today, we celebrate Father's Day and continue our teaching series called "Mountaintops," focusing on the profound moments in the Bible where God asks people to climb a mountain to seek and find Him. The essence of our existence is to seek God and find Him, and this series explores how these biblical stories relate to our lives.
Today, we delve into the concept of the "priority war"—the internal struggle we face daily to make the right decisions based on our convictions and biblical principles. This war is not just about minor choices like choosing between vegetables and dessert but extends to significant life-altering decisions, such as putting God first above all else.
The greatest priority war we face is against our faith. We have an enemy who wants to destroy our faith, but every time our faith is tested and we make the right choice, our faith endurance grows stronger. This is illustrated in James 1:3, which tells us that the testing of our faith produces endurance.
One of the most profound examples of faith being tested is found in Genesis 22, where God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. This story is not about a cruel God but about testing Abraham's faith to see if he would put God first above all things. Abraham's willingness to obey, even in such an extreme test, shows us what it means to put God first.
To put God first above all things, we must:
1. Hear God's Voice: We need to put ourselves in a place where we can hear God's voice, such as setting aside time for worship and listening to Him.
2. Act Now: Immediate obedience is crucial. Delaying obedience is a sign of a rebellious heart.
3. Have a Heart of Worship: We should see our sacrifices as acts of worship, not as burdens.
4. Follow Through: We must follow through with our commitments to God, just as Abraham did.
Abraham's story is a foreshadowing of God's ultimate sacrifice—sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Just as Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, God offered Jesus for our salvation. This story challenges us to examine what we are holding onto that prevents us from putting God first. Let's climb the mountain, lay our lives at the altar, and declare that God is first above all things.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Priority War: Every day, we face a priority war within us, where we must choose between our desires and God's will. This war is not just about minor decisions but extends to significant life choices that can affect our faith and relationship with God. Winning this war strengthens our faith and aligns us with God's purpose. [27:29]
2. Immediate Obedience: Abraham's immediate response to God's command to sacrifice Isaac teaches us the importance of acting now. Delaying obedience is a sign of a rebellious heart. God values the intent of our hearts more than the outcome of our actions. Immediate obedience shows our trust in God's plan and purpose. [46:07]
3. Worship Through Sacrifice: Abraham saw his willingness to sacrifice Isaac as an act of worship. We should view our sacrifices not as burdens but as opportunities to worship God. Offering back to God what He has given us is a profound act of worship that pleases Him. [51:28]
4. Follow Through: Just as Abraham followed through with God's command until the very last moment, we must also follow through with our commitments to God. God is never late, and He honors our perseverance and faithfulness. Following through demonstrates our trust in God's timing and His ultimate plan. [55:24]
5. Foreshadowing of Jesus: The story of Abraham and Isaac is a foreshadowing of God's ultimate sacrifice—sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. This story challenges us to put God first, just as God put us first by offering Jesus. It reminds us of the depth of God's love and His call for us to trust Him completely. [58:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:50] - Father's Day Celebration
[26:22] - Introduction to Mountaintops Series
[27:29] - The Priority War
[31:02] - Testing of Faith
[33:06] - Abraham's Test
[36:29] - God's Test of Abraham's Faith
[43:59] - Hearing God's Voice
[46:07] - Immediate Obedience
[51:28] - Worship Through Sacrifice
[55:24] - Follow Through
[58:30] - Foreshadowing of Jesus
[01:00:03] - Climbing the Mountain and Putting God First
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 22:1-12 - The story of Abraham being tested by God to sacrifice his son Isaac.
2. James 1:3 - "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."
3. Hebrews 11:17-19 - "It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, 'Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.' Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the specific command God gave to Abraham in Genesis 22:2? How did Abraham respond to this command? [34:54]
2. According to James 1:3, what is the result of our faith being tested?
3. In Hebrews 11:17-19, what reasoning did Abraham have that allowed him to proceed with God's command to sacrifice Isaac?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose such an extreme test for Abraham's faith? What does this reveal about the nature of faith and obedience? [33:06]
2. How does the concept of the "priority war" described in the sermon relate to the testing of Abraham's faith? [27:29]
3. What does Abraham's immediate obedience to God's command teach us about the importance of acting promptly when we hear God's voice? [46:07]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a "priority war" in your life. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? How can you apply the lessons from Abraham's story to similar situations in the future? [27:29]
2. Abraham acted immediately upon hearing God's command. Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been delaying? What steps can you take to act now? [46:07]
3. Abraham saw his willingness to sacrifice Isaac as an act of worship. How can you reframe your sacrifices and challenges as acts of worship in your daily life? [51:28]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of following through with our commitments to God. Is there a commitment you have made to God that you need to follow through on? What practical steps can you take to ensure you do so? [55:24]
5. The story of Abraham and Isaac is a foreshadowing of God's ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. How does this understanding deepen your appreciation for God's love and sacrifice? How can this perspective influence your daily walk with God? [58:30]
6. What are some practical ways you can put yourself in a place to hear God's voice more clearly, as Abraham did? [43:59]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to put God first. What specific actions can you take this week to prioritize God in that area? [30:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Priority War Within Us
Every day, we face a priority war within us, where we must choose between our desires and God's will. This war is not just about minor decisions but extends to significant life choices that can affect our faith and relationship with God. Winning this war strengthens our faith and aligns us with God's purpose. The enemy seeks to destroy our faith, but every time we make the right choice, our faith endurance grows stronger. This is illustrated in James 1:3, which tells us that the testing of our faith produces endurance.
One of the most profound examples of this priority war is found in Genesis 22, where God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. This story is not about a cruel God but about testing Abraham's faith to see if he would put God first above all things. Abraham's willingness to obey, even in such an extreme test, shows us what it means to put God first. We are called to examine our own lives and identify the areas where we need to prioritize God above all else. [27:29]
James 1:3 (ESV): "For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself struggling to prioritize God's will over your own desires? How can you take a step today to put God first in that area?
Day 2: Immediate Obedience
Abraham's immediate response to God's command to sacrifice Isaac teaches us the importance of acting now. Delaying obedience is a sign of a rebellious heart. God values the intent of our hearts more than the outcome of our actions. Immediate obedience shows our trust in God's plan and purpose. When we delay our obedience, we are essentially telling God that we do not trust His timing or His plan for our lives.
Immediate obedience is crucial because it demonstrates our faith and trust in God. Abraham did not hesitate or question God's command; he acted immediately. This kind of obedience requires a deep level of trust and faith in God's goodness and sovereignty. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask whether we are willing to obey God immediately, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. [46:07]
Psalm 119:60 (ESV): "I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt God prompting you to act. Did you respond immediately, or did you delay? What can you do to cultivate a heart of immediate obedience to God?
Day 3: Worship Through Sacrifice
Abraham saw his willingness to sacrifice Isaac as an act of worship. We should view our sacrifices not as burdens but as opportunities to worship God. Offering back to God what He has given us is a profound act of worship that pleases Him. When we sacrifice something valuable to us for the sake of God, we are acknowledging His lordship over our lives and expressing our trust in His provision.
This perspective transforms our understanding of sacrifice. Instead of seeing it as a loss, we see it as a way to honor and worship God. Abraham's story challenges us to examine what we are holding onto that prevents us from putting God first. Are we willing to lay down our most valuable possessions, relationships, or dreams at the altar as an act of worship? [51:28]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you find difficult to sacrifice for God? How can you reframe this sacrifice as an act of worship and trust in God's provision?
Day 4: Follow Through with Commitments
Just as Abraham followed through with God's command until the very last moment, we must also follow through with our commitments to God. God is never late, and He honors our perseverance and faithfulness. Following through demonstrates our trust in God's timing and His ultimate plan. It is easy to start strong in our commitments to God, but it takes faith and perseverance to see them through to the end.
Abraham's story reminds us that God often tests our faith to see if we will follow through with our commitments. It is in these moments of testing that our faith is strengthened and our character is developed. We are called to be faithful and persevere, trusting that God will honor our obedience and fulfill His promises in His perfect timing. [55:24]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: Reflect on a commitment you have made to God. Are you following through with it, or have you grown weary? What steps can you take to persevere and remain faithful to your commitment?
Day 5: Foreshadowing of Jesus
The story of Abraham and Isaac is a foreshadowing of God's ultimate sacrifice—sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. This story challenges us to put God first, just as God put us first by offering Jesus. It reminds us of the depth of God's love and His call for us to trust Him completely. Just as Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, God offered Jesus for our salvation.
This profound act of love and sacrifice calls us to examine our own lives and ask whether we are willing to put God first. Are we willing to trust Him completely, even when it requires great sacrifice? The story of Abraham and Isaac serves as a powerful reminder of God's love and His call for us to live lives of faith and obedience. [58:30]
1 John 4:10 (ESV): "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: How does the story of Abraham and Isaac challenge your understanding of God's love and sacrifice? What steps can you take to put God first in your life, trusting Him completely?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Did you know that your primary reason for being here on earth and for breathing and for being alive is to seek God and to find him? And so, that's why the Bible's full of these stories of God challenging man to come and seek him and to find him in front of God in profound ways." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We're in a constant war. You and me are in a constant war. And I'm not talking about a physical war with another country. I'm not talking about a cultural war. Right. I'm not talking about a societal war. I'm talking about a war that's happening inside of every single one of you. Every single one of you that's watching. All of you at all of our campuses. There's a war inside of each and every one of us. And it's called a priority war." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The greatest priority war though that you are in above everything else is a priority war against your faith. That you have an enemy and an enemy that wants to take you out. An enemy that doesn't want to see you win. An enemy that wants to rip you apart so he can rip your family apart. He can rip your marriage apart. He can rip generations apart." (21 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you want to run a marathon, which I never want to, I never, I've never dreamt of it, never had a desire to, although there are other guys in this church that do and I admire them deeply. But you don't just accidentally wake up one day and start running a marathon. You start out with the small wins and you keep working your endurance up until your endurance is at a place where you can actually accomplish what seems impossible." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's asking you, will you climb the mountain and offer to me everything that's important today? Will you put me first above all things? Will you trust my plan and my purpose above all things? Push come to shove, will you put me first above all things? That's your question and that's your mountain to climb." (19 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What God was doing is that God was testing Abraham to see where his faith was at. It starts out like that and it ends like that. Says sometime later, God tested Abraham's faith. That's how it starts. And then in verse 12, it ends with, okay, Abraham, whoa, whoa, stop for a moment, buddy. You know, I'm never, I never really intended for you to kill your son. I just wanted to know where your faith is at. And he goes, now you fear me. Now you put me first. Now I'm above all things. Now I know, Abraham, you will follow me to the end of the earth." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you want to put God first above all things, you have to act now. Act now. We like to push things off. You know, we'd like to kind of say, ah, you know, it's just not a good time for me right now. We'd like to push things off. We'd like to push things off. We'd like to, I mean, I got a lot of things going on to put God first above all things. I mean, I got too much going on at work. I got too many things going on with my kids in sports. I got too many things. Like, coming this fall, I'll be able to put God first." (23 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You have to have a heart of worship. God finds no pleasure, by the way, in us reluctantly putting him first. Well, if I have to, God. Or I don't want to do this, but I will. Or like, I'm only doing this because you want me to. When we come to God with that kind of heart, which by the way is like a toddler whining, if I have to, I'll do it. Like, what do you want? You want God to change your diaper too? Like, come on. Like, well, stop being a toddler. Right? Like, that's not what God's looking for. God wants worship and he wants the worship to come from the depth of our heart." (44 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God is rarely early, but God is never late, church. It might seem like you are up against a wire. And am I going to keep putting God first or am I going to take over? God rarely comes through super early. But I'm going to tell you this, what I've discovered in my life and what Abraham discovers is that God is never late. So if you want to put God first above all things, you can't follow God until it gets uncomfortable. You can't stop halfway." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Isaac is a very deep picture in the Old Testament all the way back in Genesis of this beautiful picture of Jesus. See, because Mount Moriah, Mount Moriah is where Jerusalem is built today. What happened on the hill where Jerusalem is built today? Jesus was crucified on that hill. What was happening in Genesis was a foreshadowing picture of what was getting ready to happen with Jesus so that your sins and my sins might be forgiven." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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