First Things First is a two-part sermon series from the book of Haggai about putting God back in His rightful place in our lives.
The people of Judah had returned from exile and begun rebuilding the temple, but over time the work stopped. Their attention shifted to their own homes, comfort, and priorities while the house of God remained unfinished. Through the prophet Haggai, God called His people to stop, examine their lives, and consider what their priorities revealed about their hearts.
Haggai’s message is just as relevant today. It is possible to be busy, responsible, and even religious while allowing lesser things to take the place that belongs to God. Yet Haggai is not only a call to reorder our priorities—it is also an encouragement to remain faithful when obedience feels difficult, progress seems small, and the results are not what we hoped.
Together, these messages remind us that God deserves first place, faithful obedience is never wasted, and His presence is greater than anything we could accomplish on our own.
The people of Judah had returned home with every intention of rebuilding the temple, but somewhere along the way, their priorities changed. God’s house remained unfinished while they poured their time, energy, and resources into building comfortable lives for themselves.
Haggai confronts the subtle danger of spiritual drift. Through repeated calls to “consider your ways,” God challenges His people to examine why they were working harder yet finding less satisfaction.
This message reminds us that misplaced priorities will eventually reveal themselves in our hearts and lives. God lovingly calls us to stop, take an honest look at what has become most important to us, and put first things first.