Summary:

Faith cannot work without love. Purpose to put "first things first" by seeking God rather than His blessings. When you pursue Him, those "things" will pursue you.

  1. Love is greater than faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).
    1. Everything in the kingdom of God operates by faith; however, your faith cannot work without love (Galatians 5:6).

    2. God's commandment is for you to love Him and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).

    3. Every plan of God for your life is anchored in your love walk.

    4. God reveals good things to those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

  2. There is a price to pay to be like Jesus (Luke 14:22-35).
    1. It is God's will for you to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

    2. If you love anything more than you love Jesus, you can't be His disciple.

    3. If you are not loving God with all your heart, then your faith cannot operate.

  3. Don't chase "things;" chase God!
    1. Faith that is always chasing after things is questionable.
      1. You are operating in mature faith when you seek the expansion and the promotion of the kingdom of God.

    2. When you make the Lord your Shepherd, you will not lack any "thing;" goodness (the glory of God) and mercy will follow you (Psalm 23:1-6).

    3. You have not been programmed to follow things; things have been programmed to follow you.
      1. They will follow you when you follow God.

  4. You must love others if you claim to truly love God (1 John 4:20).
    1. If you say you love God, Whom you can't see, but don't love those whom you can see, then you are a liar.

    2. Your love for others reflects your love for God.

  5. Where is your heart?
    1. Matthew 6:21 says that your heart resides with your treasures.
      1. Your priorities show where your heart is.
    2. The love of God within you determines the results your faith can attain.

    3. God wants your heart.
      1. He knows what you need; He will provide you with the things you need and want.

      2. If God is not your focus, then the "things" may never come.

  6. It is dangerous to make things your focus instead of God.
    1. The love of things will pull you away from God.

    2. Make sure you don't have the wrong relationship with the material world.
      1. A wrong relationship with money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

  7. There are three main forces that establish victory in your life: faith, hope and love.
    1. A threefold cord can't be broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

    2. It is time to curse "self" in your life, because selfishness is your enemy!

    3. If you obey and serve God, prosperity and years of pleasure will automatically come (Job 36:11).

Scripture References:

  • 1 Corinthians 13:13
  • Galatians 5:6
  • Matthew 22:37-40
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
  • Luke 14:22-35
  • Psalm 23:1-6
  • 1 John 4:20
  • Matthew 6:21
  • 1 Timothy 6:10
  • Ecclesiastes 4:12
  • Job 36:11

Pastor Bagonza Robert

Redeemed Church

www.mrolec.org