First Things First

Date: 10 January 2021

Speaker: Duane Lowe

As a child’s heart and brain develops in its mother’s womb, our eternal identity in Christ develops as we live out our lives on this earth. The heart receives information, and this information is stored in the brain.  

• What we do with the information stored is huge! It’ll either bring “Life” or “death.” 

What is an Altar? – A place of “offering” and “sacrifice.” 

What is an idol? Thing of vanity; good for nothing; has no value; thing of insignificance. 

NIV Judges 6 

At one point in Gideon’s life, Israel is in a very dark time in their existence because Israel doesn’t want God’s advice and input in their lives. Israel wanted a king and their own military so they could be in control of their destiny. 

• Isn’t it interesting that we have ideas of our destiny that are full of self-will and selfish motives?
• What’s the problem? It’s too much trouble to depend on God when you’re self-willed and your passions are selfish. God gets in the way. 

God found “One man” he could work with to help Israel, Gideon!

Jesus is always looking for an OPPORTUNITY to tell us the TRUTH about what is happening to us! 

Truth comes to me only when I get honest and truthful with God. 

What do we need to fight the enemy? We need Identity! 

God will show up to people that get hungry and thirsty for Him 

Here are your first things:

1. Identity

• God shows Himself to Gideon and the first thing He does is give Identity to Gideon! Mighty man of valor! 
• Gideon is challenged to accept his identity with a plan and purpose… Gideon does what we all do… I’m not sure what to do with what I’m hearing and feeling…   Hearing

  2. Hearing

• What is the reason Gideon needs to “know” his real identity? If he doesn’t know his identity, he will either not hear or always reject and doubt what Jesus is saying to Him. 
• After Gideon visitation with the angel, he now recognizes the “voice” of God readily! Gideon is experiencing “freedom” for the first time in his life. 

      3. Destroy Altars

• Gideon is realizing that God talks all the time now.
• Gideon in his identity interacts with God directly and God begins to show Gideon how He wants to bring “peace” to Israel… I WANT YOU TO TEAR DOWN THE “ALTARS” OF Baal. 
• For there to be “Peace,” there can be no other god’s in this place. 
• This is how we fight our enemy! When Jesus ushers us into His Kingdom, He gives us identity, empowers us with His Spirit and we’re able to tear down all altars, strongholds and lies so that there are no other gods before Him! 3. 
•  
• 3. Build an Altar

(NLT) Ephesians 2:14 

(NLT) Luke 14:16 

What would happen in this moment if I agreed on who Jesus says I am as a child of His Kingdom, and I ask Him to reveal what the idols and altars are in my life?