Prioritizing God: The Key to True Intimacy

Summary

In life, we are presented with countless moments where we must choose between God and the circumstances before us. This choice is not a one-time decision but a continuous act of devotion, demonstrating our love for God through obedience and action. It is in this obedience that we experience a reciprocal love and an intimacy with God, where He unveils Himself and reveals the secrets of Heaven to us.

However, there is a stern warning for those who fail to prioritize their relationship with God. If we do not listen and realign our lives to put God first, our light as believers will be snuffed out. We may be engaged in church activities, raising our children in the faith, and enduring hardships, but without God at the center, it is all for naught. Christ's warning is clear: repent and return to your first love, or risk losing your place in His presence.

The call to repentance is urgent and necessary. It is a call to confess, to turn away from our sins, and to realign our priorities so that God is not merely fitted into our schedules but is the cornerstone of our lives. This realignment is not about grand gestures but about daily, small, yet genuine actions that connect us with Jesus, the lover of our souls. As we do this, we will see restoration, power, and authority seep into our lives, transforming us into mature believers who conquer and partake in the Tree of Life in Paradise.

To seek first the kingdom of God is to love Him above all else, without exception. This love is evidenced by keeping His commands, which leads to a deeper revelation of God to us. It is a love that is rewarded with the Father's love and the indwelling presence of God Himself.

The church in Ephesus was commended for its hard work, endurance, and sound doctrine, yet it was rebuked for having abandoned its first love. We, too, must heed this message and ensure that our love for God remains paramount. We must not allow the busyness of life or the pursuit of other things to dethrone God from being first in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- God demands to be the first priority in our lives, not out of a desire for control, but out of a deep love that knows the fullness of life can only be found in Him. When we place God first, all other aspects of our lives fall into their proper place, blessed and enriched by His presence. [49:33]

- True intimacy with God is not found in religious activities or lip service, but in a genuine, obedient relationship where we experience His presence and revelation. As we align our actions with our professed love for God, we grow in spiritual maturity and authority. [37:09]

- Repentance is a call to action, not just a feeling of remorse. It requires us to acknowledge where we have placed other things before God and to make the necessary changes to restore Him to His rightful place as our first love. [37:51]

- The warning to the church in Ephesus serves as a sobering reminder that even good works, sound doctrine, and religious fervor are meaningless without a primary love for Christ. We must continually evaluate our hearts to ensure that our devotion to God remains fervent. [03:18]

- The act of seeking first the kingdom of God is a daily decision to prioritize our relationship with Him over all else. It is in this daily decision that we find the strength, provision, and guidance to navigate all other responsibilities and challenges in life. [32:13]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Revelation 2:1-7 (ESV)
> "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What commendations does Jesus give to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:2-3?
2. What is the main criticism Jesus has against the church in Ephesus according to Revelation 2:4?
3. What are the consequences mentioned in Revelation 2:5 if the church does not repent and return to their first love?
4. How does Jesus describe the reward for those who conquer in Revelation 2:7?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "abandon the love you had at first" in the context of the church in Ephesus? How might this apply to modern believers? [03:18]
2. How does the call to "repent and do the works you did at first" challenge the church's current practices and priorities? [14:49]
3. In what ways does the warning to the church in Ephesus serve as a reminder for contemporary Christians about the importance of maintaining their devotion to God? [37:09]
4. How does the promise of eating from the tree of life in the paradise of God serve as an encouragement for believers to remain faithful? [03:57]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where you have "abandoned your first love"? What steps can you take to rekindle that love? [14:49]
2. Consider the daily actions and decisions you make. How can you ensure that God remains the cornerstone of your life rather than just fitting Him into your schedule? [23:16]
3. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate your love for God through obedience and action in your daily life? [35:29]
4. Identify any "little stones" in your life that may have taken precedence over your relationship with God. How can you realign your priorities to put God first? [17:44]
5. How can you incorporate small, genuine actions into your daily routine to connect more deeply with Jesus? Share specific examples. [33:47]
6. Reflect on the concept of repentance as a call to action. What specific changes do you need to make in your life to restore God to His rightful place as your first love? [26:55]
7. How can you encourage and support others in your small group to seek first the kingdom of God in their lives? What practical steps can you take together as a group? [33:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing God's Primacy in Life
God's desire for primacy in our lives is not about His need for control but stems from His deep love, knowing that true fulfillment is found only in Him. When God is placed first, every other aspect of life aligns, becoming enriched and blessed by His presence. This is not merely about attending church or participating in religious activities; it's about making God the central focus of every decision, every relationship, and every action. It's about letting His will and His love guide the way we live our lives, ensuring that our priorities reflect our devotion to Him. This realignment may require changes in our daily routines, sacrifices, and even letting go of certain things that we hold dear, but the promise of a life fully blessed in His presence is worth every effort. [49:33]

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This passage encourages believers to prioritize their spiritual life above all else, with the assurance that God will provide for their needs.

Reflection: What is one tangible step you can take today to rearrange your priorities to ensure God is at the forefront of your life?

Day 2: Cultivating True Intimacy with God
Intimacy with God goes beyond religious observance and lip service; it is rooted in a genuine, obedient relationship where we experience His presence and revelation. This relationship is built on daily decisions to obey God's commands and to live out our professed love for Him. As we do so, we grow in spiritual maturity and authority, becoming more like Christ. This growth is not always easy; it often involves sacrifice and the willingness to trust God's plan over our own desires. But the reward is a deeper connection with the Creator, a sense of peace and purpose, and the ability to impact the world around us through His power. [37:09]

James 4:8 draws us closer to this truth: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This verse reminds us of the promise that as we seek God with sincerity, He reveals Himself to us.

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your love for God in a practical way that goes beyond mere words or attendance at church services?

Day 3: The Imperative of Repentance
Repentance is not just a feeling of regret but a decisive action to turn away from sin and realign one's life with God. It involves acknowledging where we have placed other things before God and making the necessary changes to restore Him as our first love. This process is crucial for maintaining a vibrant relationship with God and for experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. It's about confessing our sins, seeking forgiveness, and committing to a path that honors God above all else. Repentance is the gateway to transformation and renewal, allowing us to enter into a deeper fellowship with God. [37:51]

Ezekiel 18:30-31 offers a call to repentance: "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!" This passage emphasizes the urgency and necessity of turning away from sin and embracing a new way of life in God.

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to repent and what steps will you take to begin this process of change?

Day 4: Fervent Devotion Over Religious Fervor
The warning to the church in Ephesus is a sobering reminder that our actions and religious efforts are meaningless without a primary love for Christ. It's not enough to be busy with church activities or to have sound doctrine if our hearts are not passionately devoted to God. We must continually examine our hearts to ensure that our love for God remains fervent and that our spiritual practices are expressions of that love, not substitutes for it. This requires a daily commitment to nurture our relationship with God, to spend time in His presence, and to let His love and Word shape our lives. [03:18]

Revelation 2:4-5 warns, "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first." This passage calls us to remember our initial devotion to Christ and to return to that level of commitment and love.

Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are they driven by a deep love for God or have they become mere routines?

Day 5: Daily Decisions for the Kingdom
Seeking first the kingdom of God is a daily decision that involves prioritizing our relationship with Him over everything else. This choice affects how we approach our responsibilities, challenges, and interactions with others. It means that each day, we consciously choose to live in a way that honors God and advances His kingdom. This commitment provides us with the strength, provision, and guidance we need to navigate life's complexities. As we make this daily decision, we find that our lives are built on a firm foundation, and we are better equipped to handle whatever comes our way. [32:13]

Colossians 3:1-2 encourages us with these words: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." This passage reminds us to focus our lives and thoughts on God's kingdom and His righteousness.

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that will reflect your commitment to seeking God's kingdom first?

Quotes

- "Life is constantly going to throw us moments where we have to choose God or the circumstance... God wins. That's us speaking with actions, saying 'God, I love you.'" [36:21](Download | Download)

- "If you do not have an ear to hear, if you are not willing to realign, I will remove your lampstand... Christ is giving us this warning now." [37:09](Download | Download)

- "To seek first the kingdom of God is to love God above everything, no exceptions... Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me." [35:29](Download | Download)

- "God is saying, 'I am the solid rock, I am the Cornerstone, I am the foundation... anything else that you try and do is secondary must be secondary to me.'" [17:44](Download | Download)

- "God is saying, 'I don't fit in your life. I am not first in your life... I am the Alpha, I am the Omega, I am the beginning and the end.'" [23:16](Download | Download)

- "Whatever we put before God becomes God in our lives... where is God in our life today? Is he first, second, last? Be honest." [24:44](Download | Download)

- "We must confess and then repent... it's going back, changing our ways, saying 'Lord, I know you gave me this family... but I put them before you.'" [27:38](Download | Download)

- "Jesus is saying we need to repent and then realign... go back to when it was just you and God... let's put it all back in the right way." [29:13](Download | Download)

- "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all the other things will be added unto you... we kept the main thing the main thing." [31:19](Download | Download)

- "This year, God is looking for a group of people... who are ready to realign their priorities so that God is not fitted into your calendar but is actually first." [33:01](Download | Download)

Chatbot

Transcript

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