Priority #1

First things are first for a reason and are to be kept there. Our first priority is not something we learn and do only to move to the next step. No! First things are always first things.

Scripture is replete with commands to worship God and to give Him our praise. The first commandment given by God reveals our first priority.

Exodus 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Jesus reflected this in his answer to the question, What is the most important commandment? (Mark 12:28-31)

We need to be reminded from time to time that the purpose of the church is to minister to God – to gather around Him, to serve and obey Him, and to enjoy fellowship with God.

Keith Green, theologian, musician, and preacher said:

Loving Him (Christ) is to be our cause. He can take care of a lot of other causes without us, but He can’t make us love Him with all our heart. That’s the work we must do.

The church has a first priority and it is God. Not people. Not ministry. Not growth. Not success. God and God alone occupies the place of ultimate and absolute priority in the church. However, this biblical ideal does not receive much attention in the highly people-centered, growth-dominated, success-oriented church of today. From our preaching, our discussions, and our lifestyle, it would appear that today's church is preoccupied with other matters.

We need to be reminded that the purpose of the church is not to “market” itself to the world. Jesus is not an action figure in need of the right ad campaign to make Him popular or desirable. The church does not need a slick ad campaign developed by Madison Avenue. Marketing by nature calls attention to itself. The church must first and foremost call attention to Christ through its people.

If the church is to accomplish its great mission in the world, God must be its first priority. James Denny, a noted theologian, wrote:

No church can bear witness to Christ and to itself at the same time. No church can give the impression that the church itself is unique, or the best in the area, or has the best children’s programs, or gives the most to missions, or whatever, and at the same time witness to the fact that Christ is mighty to save.

To put that in personal terms, How can you influence others with a message of the transforming power of a Christ-centered life, if you are not modeling regular habits that reflect the priority of Christ in your life?

So, where do you begin in the process of modeling these habits as an individual and as a church? First things must be first.

The priority of worship must be the number one priority in our personal lives and in our corporate life as a church. Worship is the most visible and transparent portion of the church. If the church was only good at one thing, shouldn't it be worship?

Worship is more than just the form, the liturgy, the music, or more importantly – you! Worship is about God and keeping first things, first. Worship is not what we do. Worship is not what we experience. We are the performers in worship and not the recipients.

But there is more to putting God as priority than worship once a week. So what do you say to someone who says, “I’m finding it hard to make God a priority in my life – Have you seen my schedule?”

Let me just say that if you can’t find time for God and His word on a daily basis … then it must not be a big priority in your life. We find time in our busy life for the things that matter. AND if you’re not finding any time because your schedule is packed, then it’s time to give your ‘to-do’ list a major overhaul. You need to place a high priority on spending time with God each day. So if you’ve acquired the habit of trying to “squeeze” God into your life, it’s time to reshuffle the items on your priority list by placing God first. Make it a priority everyday to place God into your schedule.

So how does one begin to do that?

The first thing beyond being a faithful participant in worship is to have a daily devotional time. During this time you pray, read your Bible and study. (I have challenged our church to chronologically read the Bible through this year - I will be posting on the blog comments from my own expereience of reading and invite you to participate)

Another thing to do to keep God your first priority is to pray. Don't just pray at the beginning and end of the day and at meals but pray constantly throughout the day. f you're a student then pray before every class or if you work then pray before every task that you do. And don't just pray that you pass the test you forgot to study for or pray for that raise you want. Pray that God will help you be a good example to others, that you'll be a good friend, that you'll work hard so that you can strive to be the person that God wants you to be.

If you do these few things then pretty soon God will be your first priority.

But I thought we were talking about keeping God the priority in the church? It seems to me that you are just meddling into my personal life!

How many times have you been asked, “Where is your church?” I know I hear that question all the time. Just yesterday when someone found out I was a minister, they said, “So where is your church?”

As I answered, that's when it struck me, Church isn’t about a location. It's about the – people! (Duh!)

There is so much more to church than what takes place every Sunday. So many people think church is something you only do on Sunday. To them doing church consists of attending, singing, praying, assembling, giving, communing and preaching.

But church is so much more. Church happens seven days a week, not just Sunday morning. Church is not where, but who. So where is my church?

The church where I have the privilege to preach and pastor is everywhere. Here are a few places my church will be this week…

My church is teaching a classroom full of students.
My church is in Florida, Richmond, Indianapolis, Muncie, you name it.
My church is at Truck stop.
My church is caring for sick people.
My church is having a conversation over a cup of coffee.
My church is driving a tractor.
My church is at the construction site.
My church is in the classroom.
My church is at the bank.
My church is selling building supplies, antiques, and food.
My church is at home caring for kids.
My church is waiting on me to get to the office.

Now periodically we all get together at a building on South Perry Street, but most of the time you find us out in the community.

Can you commit to putting first things first in your life and being church?

(For more on Church Priorities read Ray Ortlund's book 3 Priorities for a Strong Local Church)