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“The Benefits of Living a God-First Life”
Pastor Doug Heisel – May 7, 2023

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

Why “God-First” Living is the Better Way

1. We were CREATED for God-First living — including being in a real and rich relationship with our HEAVENLY FATHER.
   
   Matthew 6:32 — These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
   
   The starting point to a relationship with God the Father is SALVATION through Jesus, the Son.
   
   John 14:6 — Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
   
   Ephesians 1:4-5 — Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose us to be His very own through what Christ would do for us; He decided then to make us holy in His eyes, without a single fault--we who stand before Him covered with His love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And He did this because He wanted to!”
   

2. Putting God first can eliminate WORRY as we trust in His goodness and faithfulness.
   
   Matthew 6:25-27 — Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
   

3. DECISIONS are easier and better because we don’t have to figure it all out on our own.
   
   Matthew 6:33 — …His kingdom and His righteousness…
   

4. God-First living produces a strong FOUNDATION and superior outcomes.
   
   Matthew 6:24-27 — Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”