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Morning Worship - 5/11/2025 - "Putting God Second" - Pastor Billy Hesketh

by New Paris COB
on May 12, 2025

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Morning Worship - 5/11/2025 - "Putting God Second" - Pastor Billy Hesketh

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism as an Outward Sign of Inward Faith

Baptism is a public declaration of a personal, inward transformation—a visible act that proclaims to the world the change Jesus has made in your heart. It is not just a ritual, but a step of obedience that follows a confession of faith, signifying that you have chosen to follow Jesus and live under His lordship. This act is a powerful testimony, both to the church and to the world, that you belong to Christ and are committed to walking in newness of life. [02:26]

Romans 6:1-11 (ESV)
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one way you can publicly live out your faith this week, showing others the inward change Christ has made in you?

Day 2: God’s Jealousy Is for Our Good

God’s jealousy is not like human jealousy; it is a perfect, passionate desire for our best, rooted in His love for us. He longs for us to put Him first, not because He is insecure, but because He knows that only in Him will we find true life, purpose, and blessing. When we allow other things—even good things—to take His place, we miss out on the fullness of what He has for us. God’s jealousy is an invitation to choose Him above all else, trusting that His way is always better. [44:04]

Exodus 34:12-14 (ESV)
Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God).

Reflection: Is there something in your life—even something good—that has taken God’s place in your heart? What step can you take today to put Him first again?

Day 3: Keeping Priorities in Godly Order

God calls us to keep our priorities in the right order: God first, then family, then work, then rest and hobbies. When these priorities get out of balance, we can feel tired, discouraged, or disconnected from God’s joy and abundance. It’s easy for even good things—like work, family, or rest—to become idols if they overshadow our relationship with God. By intentionally inviting God into every area of our lives and keeping Him at the center, we experience the peace and purpose He intends for us. [51:28]

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

Reflection: What is one practical way you can seek God first in your family, work, or rest this week?

Day 4: Identifying and Removing Idols

Idols are not always obvious; sometimes they are good things that have taken the wrong place in our lives, providing comfort, security, or identity that should come from God alone. To discern if something has become an idol, ask: Does it draw me closer to God? Does it provide comfort or security I should seek from Him? Could I give it up if God asked? Removing idols means not just cutting out the behavior, but addressing the root and replacing it with deeper trust and satisfaction in God. [54:47]

1 John 5:21 (ESV)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Reflection: What is one thing you rely on for comfort or security that you need to surrender to God today?

Day 5: Embracing God’s Personal Love and Goodness

God’s love for you is deeply personal—He knows your name, your every thought, and every tear. He has a specific plan and purpose for your life, and His goodness is not just a grand idea but a daily reality meant for you to embrace. Even when you fall short, God’s love remains steadfast, and He invites you to walk in the certainty of His goodness, letting it shape your identity and your response to Him. [01:05:28]

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

Reflection: How can you make God’s personal love and goodness more real to you today—perhaps by spending time in prayer, worship, or simply reflecting on His faithfulness in your life?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day of celebration—of new life, of faith, and of the goodness of God. We witnessed two young men, Declan and Zachary, publicly declare their faith in Jesus through baptism, a powerful outward sign of an inward transformation. Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a confession that Jesus is both Savior and Lord, and a commitment to live in obedience to Him. This act is a reminder to all of us of the importance of beginning our journey with Christ in full surrender, and of the joy that comes when we see others take that step.

On this Mother’s Day, we also recognize the profound influence mothers have in nurturing faith. Statistics and experience both affirm that mothers are often the greatest spiritual influence in a child’s life, guiding them toward Jesus through conversation, example, and love. This is a gift beyond measure, and today we honor that legacy.

But as we celebrate, we are also reminded of the challenge to keep God first in our lives. Life is full of good things—family, work, hobbies, responsibilities—but even good things can become idols if they take the place that belongs to God alone. The passage from Exodus 34 warns us not to be ensnared by the culture around us or to let anything, even something good, become an object of worship. God’s jealousy is not petty or insecure; it is a perfect, holy desire for our best, rooted in His love for us. He wants to be first in our hearts because He knows that is where we will find true life and joy.

We must regularly examine our priorities. Are we seeking comfort, security, or identity in something other than God? Are we willing to surrender anything He asks of us? The process of rooting out idols is not just about removing what is wrong, but about replacing it with deeper devotion to Christ. We are called to make our faith the lens through which we approach every area of life—family, work, rest—so that God is not just first in order, but first within each priority.

God’s goodness is not an abstract idea; it is personal and real. He knows our names, our struggles, our needs, and He has given everything for us. Let us hold on to that goodness, walk in it, and celebrate the new life He brings.

Key Takeaways

1. Baptism as a Declaration of Surrender and Obedience Baptism is more than a symbolic act; it is a public confession of faith and a commitment to live under the lordship of Jesus. It marks the beginning of a life of obedience, where we willingly submit ourselves to God’s will, trusting Him with our future and identity. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily posture of the heart. [01:13]
2. The Subtlety of Idolatry in Good Things Idols are not always obvious or evil; often, they are good things—family, work, even ministry—that become ultimate things. When anything other than God becomes our source of comfort, security, or identity, it takes His rightful place. The test is whether we can surrender it if God asks, and whether it draws us closer to Him or distracts us from Him. [52:19]
3. God’s Jealousy Is Perfect Love, Not Insecurity Unlike human jealousy, God’s jealousy is an expression of His perfect love and desire for our best. The Hebrew word for God’s jealousy is unique, signifying a holy intensity that seeks our good. God wants to be first in our lives not for His ego, but because He knows that only in Him do we find true fulfillment and purpose. [43:13]
4. Keeping Priorities in God’s Order Life’s demands can easily shift our priorities, but God calls us to keep Him first—not just in a list, but as the center of every relationship and responsibility. Whether in family, work, or rest, our faith should shape how we engage, ensuring that each area honors God and reflects His character. This requires intentional reflection and sometimes difficult realignment. [47:07]
5. Replacing Idols with Deeper Devotion It is not enough to remove idols; we must replace them with a greater love for God. This means identifying the root causes—why we let something become too important—and intentionally filling that space with practices and relationships that draw us closer to Christ. Only then can we experience the fullness of God’s goodness and the freedom He desires for us. [62:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:25] - Celebrating Baptism and New Life
[01:13] - The Meaning of Baptism
[02:54] - Confirmation and Prayer for the Baptized
[03:45] - Mother’s Day and Spiritual Influence
[04:28] - Baptism of Declan
[05:55] - Baptism of Zachary
[08:12] - Announcements and Ministry Updates
[10:09] - Worship: God So Loved
[13:19] - Prayer Concerns and Praises
[18:02] - The Significance of Kneeling and Submission
[24:39] - Worship: My Testimony
[35:01] - Scripture Reading: Exodus 34
[36:31] - The Danger of “Christian-ish” Living
[41:07] - Understanding God’s Jealousy
[47:07] - Priorities: Family, Work, and Faith
[52:19] - Identifying and Addressing Idols
[59:23] - Getting to the Root of Idolatry
[63:14] - Making God’s Goodness Personal
[66:12] - Practical Steps for Keeping God First
[68:53] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[71:03] - Worship: The Goodness of God
[75:03] - Rebirth Party and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Exodus 34:12-14 (NIV) — > Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Romans 6:1-11 (NIV) — > (Read in transcript at [25:29])

Observation Questions

In Exodus 34:12-14, what specific actions does God command the Israelites to take regarding the culture and idols of the land they are entering?
According to Romans 6:1-11, what does baptism symbolize about our relationship to sin and new life in Christ? ([25:29])
The sermon described God as a “jealous God.” How is God’s jealousy described as different from human jealousy? ([43:13])
What examples did the pastor give of “good things” that can become idols in our lives? ([52:19])

Interpretation Questions

Why does God warn the Israelites so strongly against making treaties and adopting the practices of the surrounding culture? What is at stake for their relationship with Him? ([35:39])
The pastor said that baptism is a public declaration of surrender and obedience. Why is this act of surrender so important at the beginning of the Christian journey—and why is it not just a “one-time” event? ([01:13])
The sermon explained that God’s jealousy is rooted in His perfect love and desire for our best. How does this understanding of God’s jealousy challenge or encourage your view of God? ([43:13])
The pastor talked about how even good things—like family, work, or hobbies—can become idols if they take God’s place. How can someone recognize when a good thing has become an idol in their life? ([52:19])

Application Questions

The pastor asked, “Are we seeking comfort, security, or identity in something other than God?” Take a moment to reflect: Is there something in your life right now that you tend to look to for comfort or security before you look to God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? ([54:12])
Think about your daily or weekly priorities—family, work, rest, hobbies. Is God truly first within each of these areas, or does He sometimes get pushed aside? What is one practical step you could take this week to put God at the center of a specific area? ([47:07])
The sermon challenged us to not just remove idols, but to replace them with deeper devotion to Christ. If you sense something has become too important in your life, what is one spiritual practice or relationship you could intentionally pursue to fill that space with God? ([01:02:50])
The pastor described God’s goodness as personal and real—He knows our names, our struggles, our needs. When was the last time you experienced God’s goodness in a personal way? How can you remind yourself of His goodness in the week ahead? ([01:03:14])
On Mother’s Day, the sermon honored the spiritual influence of mothers. Who has been a spiritual influence in your life? How can you thank or encourage them this week? ([38:33])
The pastor asked, “Could you give it up without hesitation if God asked you to?” Is there something in your life you would struggle to surrender if God asked? What would help you trust Him more in that area? ([56:50])
The sermon encouraged us to examine our priorities regularly. What is one way you can make this a regular habit—maybe through prayer, journaling, or accountability with a friend? ([51:28])