FINAL WEEK

The Problem People often hope that one day they will change but don’t choose today because they are waiting for an outward sign before they have faith “order matters” “what you put first determines your future” foolish pride, self pity, sinful habits Paul knew this

The Truth If you want to put God first you have to go first by faith (because that is faith) We know it -

Background In Chapter 13 King Saul & his son, Jonathan (the only two with swords), are with their army of 600 in the valley as their enemies are at the top of the mountain (v6) Overwhelmed - hiding in caves (v15) Under A Curse - Saul’s foolish decision (v5) Outmanned - 30,000 chariots + troops (v7) In Fear - they are trembling with fear

Choosing to “GO FIRST” / 1 Samuel 14 One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s GO over to where the enemies have their outpost [on the land God gave us] . . . 2 Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts . . . 3 Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest of God . . .  

6 “Let’s GO across the valley to the outpost of our enemies,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. God can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor- bearer said. “GO ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

8 “All right then,” Jonathan told him 8 “All right then,” Jonathan told him. “We will GO and cross over the valley and let them see us. 9 If they say to us . . . ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the Lord’s sign that he will help us have victory over them.” [that’s what happens so . . . ]

“Come on, [let’s GO!] and CLIMB right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!” 13 So they CLIMBED up using both hands and feet

They defeated some twenty men in all, They defeated some twenty men in all, . . . And just at that day and time God sent an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified. . . 20 Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle . . . 23 So the Lord gave a great VICTORY to Israel that day

To “Go First” You Must Choose . . . To bring Jesus to your past defeat to get to God’s future victory “Let’s go across the valley to the outpost of our enemies,” Jonathan said. . . “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” (v7) I’m the biggest problem from keeping God releasing healing, grace or pink slip to the relationships in my life. I have one hundred percent power to choose my relationships But I keep putting me first in them and I ruin them Feeling you have the same problem Your wisdom, your tv, or your religion – giving you the wrong way We’ve got to order our relationships God’s way Put him first – let him be the first to tell us how it goes 4 most common out-of order

Go first in faith because Jesus is with you! Don’t let the enemy have the high ground in your life! Overwhelmed Under a curse Outmanned In Fear Go first in faith because Jesus is with you!

To “Go First” You Must Choose . . . a friend of faith instead of a crowd of fear “God can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” All right then,” Jonathan told him. “We will go . . .” (v7-8) I’m the biggest problem from keeping God releasing healing, grace or pink slip to the relationships in my life. I have one hundred percent power to choose my relationships But I keep putting me first in them and I ruin them Feeling you have the same problem Your wisdom, your tv, or your religion – giving you the wrong way We’ve got to order our relationships God’s way Put him first – let him be the first to tell us how it goes 4 most common out-of order

Crowds One of the greatest enemies of going first is the crowd - create comfort but don’t produce courage - gravitate to fear instead of encouraging faith - focus on the past instead of believing for the future

Pastor/Writer Erwin McManus "Jesus, who courageously faced the greatest pain of the cross never meant for His victory to be known any other way for His followers. Yet Christianity over the past two thousand years has moved from a tribe of courageous renegades to a crowd of religious conformists...A quick survey of the modern Church would lead you to believe that Christ's invitation was “Come and Listen” instead of “Go & Risk!”

To “Go First” You Must Choose . . . 3) To “GO TO GROW” “One day Jonathan said ‘Come on, let’s go’” “His armor-bearer said. ‘Go ahead’” “Let’s go and cross the valley” “Come on, let’s go and climb” I’m the biggest problem from keeping God releasing healing, grace or pink slip to the relationships in my life. I have one hundred percent power to choose my relationships But I keep putting me first in them and I ruin them Feeling you have the same problem Your wisdom, your tv, or your religion – giving you the wrong way We’ve got to order our relationships God’s way Put him first – let him be the first to tell us how it goes 4 most common out-of order

“You can’t go with God and stay where you are” – Henry Blackaby God doesn’t give you - a friend for victory until go - a sign of victory until you go - a miracle for victory until you go

God has a life of victory you have to grow into God has a life of victory you have to grow into! To grow, you have to GO FIRST! Healing in your marriage – apologize first More of the Holy Spirit – come to the altar first Water Baptism – leave the crowd Sermon series: Keep Growing! New attenders course: 10-11am to connect

To “Go First” You Must Choose . . . 4) Choose to climb today instead of complaining tomorrow “Come on, [let’s go!] and climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the LORD will help us defeat them!” So they climbed up using both hands and feet (v12-13) I’m the biggest problem from keeping God releasing healing, grace or pink slip to the relationships in my life. I have one hundred percent power to choose my relationships But I keep putting me first in them and I ruin them Feeling you have the same problem Your wisdom, your tv, or your religion – giving you the wrong way We’ve got to order our relationships God’s way Put him first – let him be the first to tell us how it goes 4 most common out-of order

You pay the price to climb today You pay the price to climb today. Or pay the price for not climbing tomorrow CLIMB! - First Wednesday in prayer (this Wednesday) - the habit of “First Fifteen” - the decision to find healing (Victory Life Group) - The choice of our church to grow

“True victory in life is rarely a spontaneous event” It comes from spiritual preparation, determination and consecration [CLIMB!].” – Pastor Steve Andres “The greatest indictment of Christians isn’t that they fall short of the mark, but they don’t care about reaching [CLIMBING TO] the mark. Jesus died for you to have more & the Holy Spirit lives to give it to you!” - Pastor Brian Harbor story adoption – climb shawn – on your hands and feet Story of Ethiopia – climb shawn story of church p=lant climb shawn story of small groups – climb Story of your life - CLIMB

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. 29 With your help I can advance against a troopd; with my God I can scale [climb] a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the Lord?

32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect 32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to [climb and] stand on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Ps 18:28-35