06 Jul The Biblical Principle of First #5

Biblical Principle First Overview

In this transformative sermon on Biblical Principles of First, Pastor Holman explores the profound connection between giving God our first time each day and experiencing His renewed love. Building on the foundation of Kingdom economy principles, this message serves as a bridge between understanding biblical firsts and recognizing God’s expressions of love. The pastor emphasizes how the Ephesian church lost their ‘first love’ despite religious activity, and how we can return to this intimate relationship through morning devotion. Using powerful illustrations like the Green Stamp Redemption Center, he demonstrates that spiritual satisfaction cannot be purchased with money but only through time spent with God. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond religious routine to authentic relationship, showing how God’s mercies are renewed every morning for those who seek Him first. Through practical applications and biblical insights, Pastor Holman reveals how redeeming our time through early morning prayer and Bible reading becomes the foundation for experiencing God’s love throughout each day.

Biblical Principle First Outline

• 0:00 – Transitional Message Introduction: Connecting Kingdom economy principles to biblical firsts and God’s love expressions.
• 5:00 – The Redemptive Power of Giving First: Understanding how giving our first and best to God redeems everything else.
• 12:00 – Ephesus and Lost First Love: Examining how religious activity without first love leads to spiritual emptiness.
• 18:00 – Walking Circumspectly and Redeeming Time: Practical application of giving God our time first, especially morning hours.
• 25:00 – The Green Stamp Redemption Illustration: Understanding that spiritual blessings cannot be purchased with money.
• 35:00 – God’s Love Renewed Every Morning: Exploring how God’s mercies are fresh each morning for those who seek Him.
• 42:00 – Love Finds Expression: Beginning to understand how authentic love with God transforms daily living.

Scripture References

Revelation 2:4, 1 John 4:19, 1 John 4:16, Ephesians 5:15-16, Isaiah 55:1-3, Lamentations 3:22-23, John 3:16

Key Takeaways

• Religious activity without first love becomes meaningless ritual that God will not recognize.
• God’s mercies are renewed every morning for those who seek Him first in their day.
• Spiritual satisfaction cannot be purchased with money but only through time invested with God.
• Walking circumspectly means living with divine perspective and wisdom in every situation.
• The principle of giving God our first applies especially to our time, beginning each morning in His presence.
• True redemption comes through relationship, not religious performance or material solutions.
• Love always finds a language to express itself, and God’s love seeks expression through our lives daily.

Biblical Principle First Notes

Pastor Holman presents this sermon as a transitional message connecting the Kingdom economy series with Biblical Principles of First, while introducing God’s expressions of love. The central theme revolves around the critical importance of maintaining our ‘first love’ relationship with God, moving beyond mere religious activity to authentic spiritual intimacy.The foundation begins with understanding the redemptive principle: when we give God our first and best, everything else in our corrupted world finds redemption through that offering. This mirrors God’s ultimate gift in John 3:16, where He gave His best first – His only begotten Son – making redemption available to all who receive Him. However, Pastor Holman clarifies that universal redemption doesn’t mean universal salvation; individual acceptance remains essential.The Ephesian church serves as a powerful warning. Despite their commendable works, doctrinal soundness, and religious dedication, God had one complaint: they had abandoned their first love. This illustrates how easily believers can slip into religious routine without maintaining the heart connection that makes their service meaningful to God. The pastor emphasizes that going to church or performing religious duties without this first love element lacks the redemptive portion that God recognizes.Central to restoration is the concept of redeeming time, particularly our morning hours. Drawing from Ephesians 5:15-16, Pastor Holman explains that walking circumspectly means living with eyes all around our heads – having divine perspective and wisdom. This connects to Ezekiel’s vision of wheels within wheels, representing how God’s eternal nature intersects with our temporal existence. He is present everywhere, at all times, throughout history.The Green Stamp Redemption Center illustration powerfully demonstrates spiritual economics. Just as the redemption center wouldn’t accept money for merchandise – only stamps earned through shopping – spiritual blessings cannot be purchased with money but only through relationship currency. Isaiah 55:1-3 reinforces this principle, calling people to come buy wine and milk (representing Holy Spirit empowerment and wisdom) without money or price.Pastor Holman addresses the common trap of seeking natural solutions for spiritual problems. When depleted by work, family stress, or relationship tensions, people often think vacations or spending money will restore them. While rest is important and biblical, true restoration comes through daily time with God, allowing Him to empower, refill, and restore us spiritually.The sermon emphasizes that God’s steadfast love and mercies are renewed every morning according to Lamentations 3:22-23. The Hebrew word ‘kadash’ means fresh, rebuilt, repaired, renewed – indicating that each morning offers opportunity for spiritual refreshing, rebuilding, and renewal through time spent in God’s presence. Morning devotion isn’t merely religious discipline but practical necessity for spiritual vitality.First John 4:16 becomes a focal point: ‘We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.’ Pastor Holman assigns practical homework: read 1 John chapter 4 twice daily for a week to experience transformational growth in divine intimacy. This prescription promises measurable spiritual development and deeper relationship with God.

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