Don’t Forget to Set Your Clocks Ahead Saturday Night

 

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Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Ephesians Part 11

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - F.I.R.S.T.

F.I.R.S.T.

No one can serve two masters; 

for either he will hate the one and love the other, 

or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. 

(Matthew 6:24)

[So] seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… 

(Matthew 6:33)

What is really meant by seeking “first” the kingdom? In one instance, “first” has been broken down in this manner.*

Finances - How often do many people spend their entire lives working day and night to increase their wealth? People spend years working toward careers, toward advancement and prosperity. Yet how often do they forget God in the process? The Bible states clearly that:

…the earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. 

(1 Corinthians 10:26) 

Therefore putting God in to a financial plan often leads to a greater benefit than otherwise would occur because, after all, He’s the one who really controls the purse strings.

Interests - Everyone these days seem to have multiple interests. We all get involved in our favourite sports, shows, or plays; our favourite restaurants and places to shop, in fact, we often seem to be going in multiple different directions every day. This frequently displaces any time people might have for God and as result these interests become an alternative deity.

The Bible states that God is:

…a holy God. He is a jealous God… 

(Joshua 24:19)

and that we are to 

…meditate in [the Book of the Law] day and night… 

(Joshua 1:8)

Do we make God and His Word part  of our daily interests?

Relationships - True Christianity is considered a relationship and not a religion. A relationship that exists between God and ourselves and is perhaps best stated this way:

I’ve known You as a Father

I’ve known you as a friend**

The Bible states that:

 

Abraham believed…and was called the friend of God. 

(James 2:23)

If one considers God a friend, then the interests of that person should certainly involve an interest in having a relationship with God.

Schedules - We all have a schedule to keep each day even if we don’t consider it in that context. We have classes to make or work to clock into or after hours events to go to. We have times for meals and TV and bed, but do we fit God into our schedule? Often, He is the last one thought of. How can we maintain a good relationship with God if we don’t fit Him into our schedule? It would be like trying to keep a relationship with your fiancé but never seeing them.

Troubles - We all have these. The Bible says in Psalm 34:6:

[The] poor man cried out, and the Lord hears him,

And saved him out of all his troubles. 

This because…

…My yoke is easy and My burden is light. 

(Matthew 11:30)

If we can do this with our finances, our interests, our schedules, and can enter a relationship as mentioned then we know He will help with our troubles and we can truthfully say that Christ is first in our lives.

And that is something we should all think about.

*Adapted from a talk by Canon J. John on Sharing Your Faith-Invitation
**Lyrics from The Goodness of God by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson, 2019

Matthew and Jasmine Trott's Ordination with Rev. Bill Annis March 2, 2025