Reset 3 – Getting the First Things Right
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Pastor Troy Brewer, OpenDoor Church, Burleson, TX
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works (actions) to the LORD, and your thoughts (plans) will be established
(succeed).
Better Choices For a Better Future
We may feel like our lives are tottering on the edge, but we still have the rest of our lives to
make better choices for a better future. YES? It is never too late to change, and God will honor
us as we bow low, repent, and submit to Him.
Stephen R. Covey made a mint in his amazing book, seven habits of highly effective people.
We’ll look at the first three habits today.
HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE
Your life doesn’t just “happen.” You have choices to make so
start doing the right thing.
The Bible says, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.”
God blesses pursuit.
Better Choices For a Better Future
HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
Go after real goals and define your mission.
The Bible has so much to say about us being a people who accomplish vision. You and I were
made to accomplish vision. God literally made us to be people who create and finish things.
I am made to accomplish vision:
Every born-again believer is physically and supernaturally formed to achieve the ridiculous.
Being on vision is all about pressing forward toward the mark past excuse and circumstance.
Selfishness translates into a work ethic that can’t complete objectives and a life that can’t multi-
task or move with God on endless levels. None of that is for us.
HABIT 3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
Habit 3 is about life management as well–your purpose, values, roles and priorities. What are
“first things?” First things are those things you personally find of most worth. If you put first
things first, you are organizing and managing time and events according to your personal
priorities.
FIRST THINGS
Lining up our priorities in the right place really requires help from the Lord.
THE FEAR OF THE LORD
To love what God loves and to hate what God hates
To be passionate about what He is passionate about.
To prioritize what He prioritizes.
To care about what God cares about.
Putting God’s heart first changes everything.
KING DAVID GIVES US THE SECRET TO HIS SUCCESS IN PSALMS 16:8
Psalms 16:8
I have set the LORD always before me…
- The “fear of the Lord,” or “putting God first,” is the beginning of knowledge.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
WHEN YOU TAKE ON THE PURSUIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD, YOU TAKE ON THE
HEART OF A TEACHABLE PERSON AND IT MAKES YOU SMARTER IN EVERYTHING. - The “fear of the Lord,” or “putting God first,” will cause one to hate evil.
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
The fear of the Lord is not just to love what God loves, but to hate what God hates. - The “fear of the Lord,” or “putting God first,” will prolong life.
Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
There are several instances where God literally adds years to peoples lives. He added 15 years
to Hezekiah’s life. - The “fear of the Lord,” or “putting God first,” provides strong confidence and is a fountain of
life.
Proverbs 14:26-27
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. 27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.
THERE IS CONFIDENCE IN KNOWING GOD’S HEART.
A fountain speaks of a momentum. It means you’ve turned something on you can’t turn off.
- The “fear of the Lord,” or “putting God first,” prompts one to depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:6
In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. - The “fear of the Lord,” or “putting God first,” leads to a satisfying life and spares one from
much evil.
Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be
visited with evil. - The “fear of the Lord” or “putting God first,” is the way to riches, honor and life!
Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.
David was a man after God’s own heart and God made him king.
When we get the first things right, everything tends to get made right.
The first things in Christianity are not the 611 of the 613 Old Testament laws.
Jesus said if you can get the first two right, you automatically get all of the other 611 right.
Luke 10:27
So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’
WE CAN’T JUST BE A GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH.
WE MUST BE A GREAT COMMANDMENT CHURCH.
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