Christian Life Church
January 11, 2026 at 9am & 11am
“Put first things first and we get second things throw in. But put second things first and we lose both.” C.S. Lewis
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
SUNDAY JANUARY 11, 2025
THE PRINCIPLE OF FIRST
SCRIPTURE
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33
Scripture carries a theme of “firsts”: sons, fruits, animal offspring, day, love, etc.
“Put first things first and we get second things throw in. But put second things first and we lose both.” C.S. Lewis
The father of chaos is disorder. Order produces peace in the lives of Christians.
SECOND THINGS FIRST
Christians should prioritize certain things. But we should prioritize God in those things.
“Are my finances in order?” vs “Are my finances in God’s order?”
THE PRINCIPLE OF F.I.R.S.T.
Faith: Do I seek God?
Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has chosen what is better.” Luke 10:38-42
U.S. adults spend 5.1 hours on devices. Or 35 hours per week. (Nat’l Lib of Medicine)
Prayer & Praise
“Come up to Me on the mountain and be here.” Exodus 24:12
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Worship
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Submission
Give us this day our daily bread.” This is about needs. Needs
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Repentance & Confession
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Warfare
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, & the glory, forever & ever. Amen. Worship
Scripture
The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. Psalm 19:7
I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
How sweet Your words taste to me. They are sweeter than honey. Psalm 119:103
This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:50
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
A centerforbibleengagement.org survey of 40,000 people says there are dramatic effects on loneliness, anger, porn, and faith when reading the Bible 4 times per week.
Gathering
Church attendance doubled since 2020 (U.S.). But average is 1.6 times per month.
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish. Psalm 92:13
Investments: Do I seek God in my finances?
Tithes & Offerings
A tithe is the first 10% of income. An offering is anything beyond 10%.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
Budgets
Relationships: Do I seek God in my relationships?
In relationships, Augustine talks about “Rightly Ordered Loves”. When things are out of order, chaos ensues.
Spouse
Do I love and sacrifice for my wife as Christ did for the Church?
Do I love and submit to my husband as the Church submits to Christ?
Is it clear that my marriage is the most important relationship?
Am I investing in our friendship?
Children
Do I sacrificially love my children?
Do I give uninterrupted time to my children?
Do I discipline my children?
Am I teaching my children the way of the Lord?
Parents, Extended Family, Friends, & Co-workers
Do I honor these people, in spite of differences?
Do your best to forgive and love and strengthen your relationships!
Strength: Do I seek God in my health?
Exercise & Diet
Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you. 1 Corinthians 6:19
Doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Mental & Emotional
“People’s lives collapse when their inner world does not have the power to handle the pressure of the outer world.” Jon Tyson
Troubles: Do I seek God in my difficulty?
Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. Psalm 55:22
40% of the Psalms are lament. God can handle our troubles!
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you.” Psalm 50:15
THE PRINCIPLE OF FIRST
SCRIPTURE
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33
Scripture carries a theme of “firsts”: sons, fruits, animal offspring, day, love, etc.
“Put first things first and we get second things throw in. But put second things first and we lose both.” C.S. Lewis
The father of chaos is disorder. Order produces peace in the lives of Christians.
SECOND THINGS FIRST
Christians should prioritize certain things. But we should prioritize God in those things.
“Are my finances in order?” vs “Are my finances in God’s order?”
THE PRINCIPLE OF F.I.R.S.T.
Faith: Do I seek God?
Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has chosen what is better.” Luke 10:38-42
U.S. adults spend 5.1 hours on devices. Or 35 hours per week. (Nat’l Lib of Medicine)
Prayer & Praise
“Come up to Me on the mountain and be here.” Exodus 24:12
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Worship
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Submission
Give us this day our daily bread.” This is about needs. Needs
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Repentance & Confession
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Warfare
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, & the glory, forever & ever. Amen. Worship
Scripture
The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. Psalm 19:7
I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
How sweet Your words taste to me. They are sweeter than honey. Psalm 119:103
This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:50
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
A centerforbibleengagement.org survey of 40,000 people says there are dramatic effects on loneliness, anger, porn, and faith when reading the Bible 4 times per week.
Gathering
Church attendance doubled since 2020 (U.S.). But average is 1.6 times per month.
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish. Psalm 92:13
Investments: Do I seek God in my finances?
Tithes & Offerings
A tithe is the first 10% of income. An offering is anything beyond 10%.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
Budgets
Relationships: Do I seek God in my relationships?
In relationships, Augustine talks about “Rightly Ordered Loves”. When things are out of order, chaos ensues.
Spouse
Do I love and sacrifice for my wife as Christ did for the Church?
Do I love and submit to my husband as the Church submits to Christ?
Is it clear that my marriage is the most important relationship?
Am I investing in our friendship?
Children
Do I sacrificially love my children?
Do I give uninterrupted time to my children?
Do I discipline my children?
Am I teaching my children the way of the Lord?
Parents, Extended Family, Friends, & Co-workers
Do I honor these people, in spite of differences?
Do your best to forgive and love and strengthen your relationships!
Strength: Do I seek God in my health?
Exercise & Diet
Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you. 1 Corinthians 6:19
Doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Mental & Emotional
“People’s lives collapse when their inner world does not have the power to handle the pressure of the outer world.” Jon Tyson
Troubles: Do I seek God in my difficulty?
Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. Psalm 55:22
40% of the Psalms are lament. God can handle our troubles!
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you.” Psalm 50:15