INTRODUCTION: Share the story of Monday morning prayer.
Matthew 6:31-33– “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
In talking about our greatest relationship there is this Principle of Priority!
God wants us to put Him first, above all else! This is a principle that runs through all of scripture!
It’s a principle of God that the first belongs to Him! This is because God is a God of order!
He doesn’t think his order is the right way or the best way; He thinks it’s the only way! And that’s what He blesses! If you want to be blessed do things God’s way!
We read in the Old Testament that God had an order for the Tabernacle. He had an order for eating and preparing the food!
He had an order for offering sacrifices and prayers and worship!
BUT MOTIVES ARE EVERYTHING!!!
While we’re no longer under the Old Covenant, when it comes to pleasing God and operating in line with His Kingdom principles, heart motivation is still what matters.
If we seek God first, He will not only provide for us but he will bless us.
Hebrews 11:6– “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
WHY WOULD’T SOMEONE WANT GOD TO BE THEIR MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP? WHY WOULDN’T WE SEEK HIM AND PUT HIM FIRST?
MANY TIMES IT’S BECAUSE OF OUR PERCEPTION OF GOD!
WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN I TALK ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
- Fence
When many people think of a relationship with God they think of a fence. There’s this tall fence between them and God.
And they see no way over the fence to get to God! When we see God from this perspective we see God as unreachable!
My friend this is a wrong picture of God!
Genesis 3:8– “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”
God jumped the fence! Mankind didn’t want to find God, God wanted to find mankind!
God will jump the fence to get to you!
- Ladder
This is the person that says I can get to God. I will climb the ladder of good works to get to God!
So they work hard at being good!
The hope is that if they’re good enough, they can work their way up the ladder and someday get to God!
This too is a wrong picture of my relationship with God!
There is nothing you or I can do on our own to get to God!
We can never be good enough or do enough to earn our way to God!
Ephesians 2:8-9– “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- Garbage Can
I’m not worthy of God’s attention! I’m not attractive to God. There’s too much junk in my life for God to want a relationship with me.
It’s like they’re looking at a filthy garbage can and they’re ashamed!
GOD DOESN’T WANT ME!
This too is a wrong picture of God! Why? Because no matter what you’ve done, God still loves you!
Luke 5:31-32– “Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Luke 15:4– “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?”
THAT’S THE CHARACTER OF GOD! HE REACHES OUT TO US, HE WANTS TO SAVE US!
- Our Insurance Agent
The only time we talk to God is when we need him!
John 15:7– “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.”
AN INVITATION FROM FROM JESUS FOR A RELATIONSHIP!
- A Door
Revelation 3:20– “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
God is standing at the door of our hearts knocking! NOTICE HE’S NOT MAKING A DELIVERY! HE WANTS TO COME IN AND DINE WITH YOU!
Jesus wants to be “TOGETHER AT THE TABLE” WITH YOU!
Notice what Jesus says, “I will come in!!!!
James 4:8– “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”
CONCLUSION: God really does want to be your most important relationship!
Share the story of the Quest event “Under an open Heaven!”
James 4:8– “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?