BLESSED TO BLESS

“Winning Where It Matters Most”
Pastor Doug Heisel – November 19, 2023

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race.
Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.
1 Corinthians 9:24

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

Right PERSON — Right KINGDOM — Right ORDER.

1. RIGHT PERSON: The LORD your GOD.
   
   Deuteronomy 8:11-18 – Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey His commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. … He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
   

2. RIGHT KINGDOM: HIS CHURCH.
   
   Matthew 16:18b – (Jesus said) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
   
   Two core ways I demonstrate my commitment to building the church with Jesus and my desire to stay on mission.
   
   I honor Jesus with TIME.
   
   Isaiah 58:13-14 – Honor the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Lord in everything you do, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. If you do this, the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!
   
   I honor Jesus with MONEY.
   

   Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
   
   

3. RIGHT ORDER: GOD FIRST.

   
   Proverbs 3:6 – In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

   
   Deuteronomy 4:40 – Obey His laws and commands that I am giving you today so that things will go well for you and your children…