“Who’s on first?” is an old Abbott and Costello skit. It doesn’t matter too much who is in what position in our lives until we settle the matter of who is on first. In other words, we need to know who is in first place in our lives. This issue must be settled! If anyone, or anything, occupies first place in our lives ahead of God, than our lives are out of control and out of balance. This is the gist of the first Commandment. God wants to tell us who must be on first if our lives are to be everything they can be for His glory.

1 – God’s requirement (vs. 3)

• God’s requirement is very simple. He demands to be in first place in every area of our lives. He knows that all men must have a God of some sort, and He demands that it be Himself. See Exodus 34:14 – Jealous – God alone is worthy of our love and devotion. He will allow no interlopers.
• Some would ask, “Well, isn’t there only one God?” Yes, there is only one true God, but there are many false Gods! “Our God is the thing, or the person, which we think most precious, for whom we would make the greatest sacrifice, and who moves our heart with the warmest love. He is the person, or thing, that if lost would leave us desolate.” – Alan Redpath. “Whatever we make the most of is our God.” – Martin Luther.
• Man, by nature, is a religious creature. He will find someone, or something, to give his worship to. Often, things and people occupy first place in our lives. Notice some things we elevate to the status of Godhood in our lives –

1. The God of pleasure – See Philippians 3:18-19 – Pleasure is like a drug. It often requires more to get the same effect. (Can include: sensual, sexual, sports, entertainment, etc.) See Hebrews 11:25.
2. The God of possessions – See Matthew 6:24. The gift of grab dominates many lives. People who place money and things first are idolaters!
3. The God of personal worth – See Romans 1:25 – When a person feels that the world revolves around them and that they must always come out on top, that person is an idolater.
4. The God of plans and projects – Anything that occupies the mind and life ahead of God is an idol!
5. This list is practically endless. Man can make a God out of anything. Yet, we must allow ourselves no God but the Almighty!

• If we conducted a poll and asked each person to name the person or thing that dominated your life, what would the answer be? Whatever it is, that thing or person is your God!

2 – God’s reason (vs. 2)

• God could make this demand of Israel because He had paid the price for them. He had purchased them unto Himself and they were His. He chose them, loved them, delivered them and blessed them. Therefore, they owed Him absolute reverence and worship.
• How much more do we, the blood-bought Church of Jesus Christ, owe to Him? We owe Him our total devotion! Notice the price He paid:-

1. He came down from Heaven – See John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5-8.
2. He endured poverty and hardship – See Matthew 8:20.
3. He was rejected by the very people He came to save – See John 1:11.
4. He was scourged – See Matthew 27:26; Psalm 129:3.
5. He was beaten – See Luke 22:63-64.
6. He was spat upon – See Matthew 27:30.
7. He was mocked – See Matthew 27:26-29.
8. He was humiliated – See Matthew 27:35.
9. He was crucified – See Luke 23:38.
10. His beard was plucked out – See Isaiah 50:6.
11. He died – See John 19:30.
12. He loved us – See Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16.
13. He called us – See Matthew 11:28; John 6:44.
14. He received us – See John 6:37.
15. He saved us – See Ephesians 2:8-9.
16. He cleansed us and forgave us every sin – See Colossians 2:13-14.
17. He adopted us – See Ephesians 1:5. He keeps us – See 1 Peter 1:5.

• He has every right to demand exclusive worship from His children. Wouldn’t you agree? See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

3 – Man’s response

There are only two possible ways in which man can respond.

• Man can continue to place everything in the world before God. This is rebellion and will end in hell for the lost man and a life of chastisement and loss of reward for the saint – See 1 Corinthians 3:13-15.
• Man can comply with God’s demands. To do so will result in a blessed life and a glorious eternity.

As you look into your heart right now, what, or who, do you see on the throne of your heart? Anything or anyone other than Jesus is an idol! Okay, who’s on first? The only solution to idols is to bring them to God and leave them before Him. He excels in destroying them and replacing them with His wonderful presence and glory. Remember, He will tolerate no one but Himself on the throne of your heart.

Categories: Exodus