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Putting the First Back in the First Day. Acts 20:7. First Priorities. Seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33) Loving God is the first and great command (Mt. 22:38) Give yourself first to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5). The First Day of the Week.
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Putting the FirstBack in the First Day Acts 20:7
First Priorities • Seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33) • Loving God is the first and great command (Mt. 22:38) • Give yourself first to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5)
The First Day of the Week • Many no longer put the “first day of the week” first in their life • Blue laws once existed in this country to limit secular business activities on Sunday; many used to work just five days a week • How can you put the first back in the “first day of the week”?
Worship on the First Day • The “first day of the week” is not the Old Testament Sabbath day • The Old Testament Sabbath was for the Jews of the Mosaic dispensation (Ex. 31:15-17; Deut. 5:2-3,12-15) • The Old Testament Sabbath ended with the cross (Col. 2:14-17) • Do not forsake the first-day assembly (Heb. 10:25)
The First Day is the Lord’s Day • The Lord was resurrected on the first day (Mk. 16:9; Lk. 24:1) and assembled (Jn. 20:1,9) • The Lord’s church was established on the first day (Acts 2:1,42; Lev. 23:15-21) • The Lord’s supper was eaten on the first day (Acts 2:42; 20:7) and a collection made (1 Cor. 16:1-2) • Focus on the Lord on the first day (1 Cor. 11:26; Rev. 1:10)
Give Your Best on the First Day • New Testament Christians gathered on the first day of the week with a positive attitude (Acts 2:42,46; 20:7) • Rejoice and be glad (Psa. 118:24) • Give God your first-fruits of self (Jas. 1:18; Rev. 14:4)
When First Becomes Second • When the newness wears off, some forsake the day of worship (Neh. 13:15-22) • When the newness wears off, some no longer focus on the Lord (Neh. 13:10-14; Haggai 1:4,8-9; Zech. 7:5-6) • When the newness wears off, some no longer give God the best (Mal. 1:6-14; 3:10) • Put the first back in the first day!