Prioritizing God: A Journey of Transformation in 2025

 

Summary

As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's a time not just for reflection but for anticipation of what God is about to do in and through our church. This year, instead of looking back, we are focusing forward, preparing our hearts and minds for the unique journey God has planned for us in 2025. Our mission remains steadfast: love God, love people, and serve others. Yet, this year, we are called to delve deeper into the first part of our mission—loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

In 2025, we will embark on a five-month teaching series titled "God First," a journey designed to explore what it truly means to prioritize God in every aspect of our lives. This series is not just about sermons; it will include podcasts, Bible studies, and community groups aimed at fostering spiritual growth and deeper connections within our church family. The principle of first things is clear: whatever we prioritize will shape the rest of our lives. This year, we are called to ensure that God is not just a part of our lives but the priority.

The danger for many believers is not outright abandonment of faith but slipping into a casual, mundane relationship with God. This subtle drift can lead to a mediocre version of Christianity, far from the vibrant, fulfilling life God intends for us. Our focus this year is to reignite our passion for God, ensuring He is first in every area of our lives. This is not just a call for individual transformation but a collective journey as a church community.

As we prepare for this journey, I urge each of you to take time this week to pray and seek God's guidance. Let us come together next Sunday, ready to embark on this transformative journey. Invite others to join us as we seek to make 2025 a year of profound spiritual growth and renewal. Together, we will witness God moving in our lives, our families, and our church in ways we have not seen before.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prioritizing God in Our Lives: The principle of first things teaches us that whatever we prioritize will shape our lives. By putting God first, we align our lives with His purpose, leading to true fulfillment and satisfaction. This year, we are called to ensure God is not just a part of our lives but the priority. [41:55]

2. Avoiding a Casual Faith: The greatest danger for believers is not abandoning faith but slipping into a casual relationship with God. This subtle drift can lead to a mediocre version of Christianity. We are called to reignite our passion for God, ensuring He is first in every area of our lives. [39:17]

3. The Call to Love God Fully: Our mission begins with loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This foundational commandment is essential for loving others and serving effectively. Without a deep, committed relationship with God, our efforts to love and serve others fall short. [33:39]

4. The Power of Community: Gathering together as a church family is vital for spiritual growth. While online services are a supplement, they cannot replace the unique experience of worshiping together. In community, we experience God's presence in powerful ways that transform our lives. [45:33]

5. Preparing for Transformation: As we embark on the "God First" series, we are called to prepare our hearts and minds for transformation. Through prayer and intentional focus, we can open ourselves to the work God wants to do in us, leading to a year of profound spiritual growth. [50:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:15] - Introduction to Sabbath Sunday
- [03:30] - Reflecting on God's Work
- [05:45] - Looking Forward to 2025
- [08:00] - The Mission of Canvas Church
- [10:20] - The Call to Love God
- [12:45] - The Principle of First Things
- [15:00] - Avoiding a Casual Faith
- [17:30] - The Power of Community
- [20:00] - Preparing for the "God First" Series
- [22:15] - Invitation to Join the Journey
- [24:30] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 10:27 - "He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
2. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
3. Revelation 2:4 - "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the greatest danger for believers in their relationship with God? [39:17]
2. How does the sermon describe the principle of "first things," and why is it important for our spiritual lives? [41:55]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the "God First" series for the church in 2025? [43:37]
4. What examples from the Bible are used in the sermon to illustrate the importance of prioritizing God? [36:41]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength in Luke 10:27? What does this look like in practical terms? [33:39]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a casual relationship with God can lead to a mediocre version of Christianity? [39:17]
3. How does the sermon explain the connection between seeking God's kingdom first and experiencing fulfillment in life, as mentioned in Matthew 6:33? [36:41]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of community in spiritual growth and transformation? [45:33]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where you have become casual or complacent? How can you reignite your passion for God this year? [39:17]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of putting God first in every area of life. Identify one specific area where you struggle to prioritize God. What steps can you take to change this? [41:55]
3. How can you actively participate in the "God First" series and engage with the church community to foster spiritual growth? What specific actions will you take? [43:37]
4. Consider the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you contribute to and benefit from the church community in a way that enhances your relationship with God? [45:33]
5. The sermon calls for preparation through prayer and seeking God's guidance. How will you incorporate prayer into your daily routine this week to prepare for the upcoming year? [50:10]
6. Think about someone in your life who might benefit from joining the church's journey in 2025. How can you invite and encourage them to be part of this transformative experience? [52:55]
7. Reflect on the idea of "first love" mentioned in Revelation 2:4. Have you forsaken your first love for God? What practical steps can you take to restore that love and make God the priority in your life? [39:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing God Shapes Our Lives
In the journey of faith, the principle of prioritizing God is foundational. When God is placed first, every other aspect of life aligns with His purpose, leading to true fulfillment and satisfaction. This is not merely about including God in our daily routines but making Him the central focus of our existence. By doing so, we allow His wisdom and love to guide our decisions, relationships, and actions. This year, the call is to ensure that God is not just a part of our lives but the priority, shaping everything we do. [41:55]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can intentionally prioritize God today, and how will you do it?


Day 2: Reignite Passion to Avoid Casual Faith
A subtle danger for many believers is the drift into a casual, mundane relationship with God. This drift can lead to a mediocre version of Christianity, far from the vibrant, fulfilling life God intends. The call is to reignite our passion for God, ensuring He is first in every area of our lives. This involves a conscious effort to deepen our relationship with Him, moving beyond routine practices to a heartfelt commitment. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that God offers, avoiding the trap of a lukewarm faith. [39:17]

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." (Revelation 2:4-5a, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way your relationship with God has become routine. What specific step can you take this week to reignite your passion for Him?


Day 3: Loving God Fully as the Foundation
The mission begins with loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This foundational commandment is essential for loving others and serving effectively. Without a deep, committed relationship with God, our efforts to love and serve others fall short. This year, the focus is on delving deeper into this aspect of our mission, ensuring that our love for God is genuine and all-encompassing. By doing so, we can better fulfill our calling to love and serve those around us. [33:39]

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your love for God today, and how might this impact your ability to love and serve others?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Community
Gathering together as a church family is vital for spiritual growth. While online services are a supplement, they cannot replace the unique experience of worshiping together. In community, we experience God's presence in powerful ways that transform our lives. This year, the call is to engage more deeply with the church community, fostering connections that encourage spiritual growth and mutual support. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of shared faith and collective worship. [45:33]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community this week to foster deeper connections and spiritual growth?


Day 5: Preparing for Spiritual Transformation
As we embark on the "God First" series, we are called to prepare our hearts and minds for transformation. Through prayer and intentional focus, we can open ourselves to the work God wants to do in us, leading to a year of profound spiritual growth. This preparation involves seeking God's guidance and being open to change, allowing Him to mold us into His likeness. By doing so, we position ourselves to witness God's movement in our lives, our families, and our church in unprecedented ways. [50:10]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prepare your heart and mind for the spiritual transformation God wants to bring about in your life this year?

Quotes



"Our mission statement comes from Luke chapter 10, and it starts with this young Jewish lawyer who approaches Jesus, and he asks him, what do I got to do to inherit eternal life? And the first thing Jesus said is, he said, man, man, you know the law. You're a lawyer. What did Moses say? And he said, well, Exodus in the Torah says that we're to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all our soul, and mind, and our strength. And Jesus said, yeah, that's right. That's where it begins." [00:33:39] (23 seconds)


"Honor God above everything else and obey his commands. I've now discovered this is the true way of life above everything, Solomon said. I now understand. You can pursue it in any way that you want. You can go as extravagant as you want. But until you come to the understanding that your creator created you to be in relationship with him and you honor God above everything else in your life, you'll never know true fulfillment." [00:35:52] (28 seconds)


"The greatest danger for a follower of Christ is not that we would abandon our faith and walk away from God altogether. That's probably not going to happen for most of us that go to church and that have been around the church and have, you know, have this somewhat of a relationship with God. That's not the greatest danger, that we would abandon it and walk away. I want you to hear this. The real danger for the believer is that we would slip into a casual and cavalier and mundane relationship with our heavenly father and settle for a mediocre version of what Christianity and our faith is really supposed to be." [00:39:17] (35 seconds)


"Over and over and over again. Here it is, the Bible, Old Testament, New Testament. Put God first. Make God first. Seek God first. Pursue God above everything else in your life. Why? Because, ladies and gentlemen, you know this. There is no power in the partially surrendered life. Christ will never satisfy you or I in second place." [00:41:55] (23 seconds)


"Whatever we put first in our lives will ultimately direct, shape, and mold the rest of our lives. And at 52, I've lived long enough to confirm that it's absolutely true. There have been moments in my life that certainly I love the Lord. I've been in ministry for 30 years, but I'm old enough and trained and transparent enough now to tell you there's been areas of my life, even as I've been in ministry, that have not been fully devoted to Christ." [00:42:59] (27 seconds)


"God's not trying to get money out of our wallets. He's trying to get idols out of our hearts. Idols out of our hearts. Why? Because an idol is anything that we love, fear, or serve more than God. It means God's not first. It means God's not first." [00:47:49] (14 seconds)


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Transcript
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