BEGINNINGS – Starting the New Year Right, Pastor John Fanous
Message 1 of 5: Centering on What Matters Most
Acts 2:41-47, January 4, 2009
CENTERING ON WHAT MATTERS MOST
Acts 2:41-17: Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The Overall Theme: ________________________________
You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
The Promise: In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Proverbs 3:6 (The Living Bible)
HOW DO I MAKE GOD THE CENTER?
Give God priority in 5 areas
C___________________
Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barn… Proverbs 3:9-10 (The Living Bible)
The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. Deuteronomy 14:23 (The Living Bible)
E___________________
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus… Colossians 3:17 (NLT)
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Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15
T___________________
Make every minute count…find out what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:16-17 (CEV)
Very early in the morning…Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
R___________________
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)
The righteous should choose his friends carefully… Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV)