God First isn’t a catchy church phrase — it’s the spiritual order that produces holy living, healthy thinking, and a strong witness. In this second message in the Conduct in the House of the Lord series, Ps Larry reminded us that holiness is not something we “put on” for Sunday. Holiness begins on the inside, and it shows up everywhere else — in our choices, our words, our posture, and even what we transmit to others.
If we want our conduct to honour God, we don’t start by polishing the outside. We start by making a decision: God First — in our devotion, our thoughts, our purity, our family life, and our priorities.
Conduct is a whole-life witness
The anchor Scripture 1 Peter 1:14–17, calls believers to live as obedient children — not slip back into old desires — because the One who called us is holy, and we’re called to reflect Him.
Ps Larry unpacked “conduct” as more than outward behaviour. It includes:
- how we manage and organise our lives (direction, leadership, order),
- how we behave (actions, posture, position),
- and what we convey to others (what our lives transmit).
That’s why our outer life matters: how we dress, how we speak, what we normalise online, where we go, and what we celebrate. Not because Christianity is “image management”, but because your outside is often communicating your inside.
A helpful heart-check: If someone watched my life for one week, what gospel would they learn from me?
Holiness is God First — from the inside out
Here’s the defining line from the sermon: “Holiness is putting God First!”
Many Christians reduce holiness to outward rules, but the message was clear: conduct is a manner of life, so holiness can’t be merely external. It must first be an inward condition — a surrendered heart, aligned priorities, and a devoted mind.
Ps Larry also challenged us to think honestly about purity and consecration. For example, choosing celibacy before marriage isn’t about “being old-fashioned”! It’s about honouring God with your body, protecting your future marriage, avoiding spiritual and emotional entanglements, and staying free from regret and unnecessary damage.
As Ps Larry said so plainly: “God does not bless what is convenient — He blesses what is consecrated.”
What you put first sets the root (and protects the fruit)
Romans 11:16 teaches that if the first portion is holy, the rest is affected — root and branches are connected.
Ps Larry’s point was simple and strong: When we put God first, the root becomes holy and the fruit is preserved.
So the big question becomes:
What is first in your life?
And the key Scripture response is Matthew 6:33
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
This isn’t a motivational quote. It’s a spiritual order. When God is first, everything else finds its rightful place.
God First isn’t a slogan — it’s alignment
The sermon pushed back hard against “clip-it Christianity”: Putting God first is not a social media line — it’s a lifestyle of devotion and order.
And this series is about conduct — how we live in the house of the Lord and beyond it. That’s why Ps Larry framed this season as:
- not a year of adjustment, but a year of alignment,
- where God isn’t asking for “more”, but asking to be first.
Practical ways to live God First
Ps Larry gave three simple “firsts” that build a holy pattern:
- First day – The Lord’s Day: church as a family, leading into family devotion
- First time – Daily devotion: prayer + Word + worship
- First fruits – Tithes and offerings: honour God first with our increase
Consistent routines shape Christian conduct. Learn more about 3C Church and our conduct.
Holiness in your thought life
Then Ps Larry narrowed it down: if you want to see real conduct change, start with your mind. Holiness in your thought life is where battles are won or lost.
Two key Scriptures anchored this:
- Isaiah 26:3 — perfect peace comes when your mind is stayed on God.
- Hebrews 12:3 — consider Jesus, so you don’t grow weary or discouraged.
And then the heart prayer:
Psalm 19:14 — “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart…”
He warned that a passive mind becomes a scattered mind — and that scattered thinking often produces worry, anxiety, and fear.
That’s why Scripture calls us to spiritual action:
- Put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6), including the helmet of salvation.
- Take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:3–5).
- Put off old conduct and be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:21–24).
Practical takeaways from the message:
- Assess your thoughts in the light of the Word.
- Don’t “water” wrong thoughts with worry or fertilise them with anxiety.
- What begins in the mind can take root in the heart and shape your actions.
In simple terms: Putting God First in your thinking means choosing God’s Word over your feelings.
God First in church conduct: reverence, participation, order
When God is changing us from the inside out, it affects how we treat the house of the Lord — not as a marketplace, but as a sacred place.
Ps Larry highlighted practical behaviours:
- Prepare your heart (and arrive with reverence),
- Participate actively in worship,
- Maintain order and respect.
This isn’t about being “religious”. It’s about honouring God’s presence and building up the community of believers through our actions and words.
Cell Groups: discussion questions (God First)
Use these to help members talk, reflect, and apply:
- When you hear “God First”, what area of life do you immediately think of (time, relationships, money, thought life, purity, habits)? Why?
- 1 Peter 1:14–17 calls us to be holy in all our conduct. What’s one “old way” you’re tempted to slip back into? What practical boundary could help?
- Romans 11:16 speaks about root and fruit. What does “first” look like in your week practically (church, devotion, decisions, content you consume)?
- Ps Larry asked: “Is your mind stayed on God, or is it starved?” What has been feeding your mind lately — and what needs to change?
- What’s one Scripture (from this sermon) you can use this week to take a thought captive?
- Action step: What will you do for the next 7 days to put God first — and who will keep you accountable?
“Lord, align my heart and habits. Be first in my thoughts, my decisions, my purity, and my worship. Change me from the inside out.”
Will you put God First — truly first?
Today’s message ends with a decision: Will I put God First — truly first? Not when it’s convenient, not when it’s trending, but as a daily consecration.
- If you need to rededicate your life to Jesus, don’t delay — pray, speak to a leader, and make it real.
- If you want to grow, commit to daily devotion (one hour if you can: Word, prayer, worship) and watch your mind and conduct shift.
- If you’re not in a cell group, join one this week — holiness is cultivated in community.
Next step: Reply to this recap with your one “God First” decision for the week — and let’s believe for alignment, peace, and increase where God is first.
