TEXT: James 1: 17 -18

THEME: ‘FIRSTFRUITS’ Sermon # 1

INTRODUCTION:

First things are prototypes. They are models upon which

all that follow it are built. In short, first things “provide
the fundamental principle or a basis supporting existence or
determining essential structure or function” of that which will
follow. The first represents the total. It governs everything that
follows it. It sets the pace. It sets the pattern.

Consequently, if these axioms are true, then God has an absolute

right to claim, yea, even demand, that the first fruits be devoted
to Him. Anytime something is a first thing, a first fruit, or a
devoted thing, it belongs to God. “If a first thing is consecrated to
the Lord then it sanctifies the rest, or covers it with His presence,
endorsement and blessing”. God sees the first things as the root
of governing all the rest.
The first is so powerful that Adam’s fall dictated the entire pattern
for all mankind.

The Hebrew word for first fruits, ‘bikkurim’ means “a promise to

come,” and shares the same root, ‘bekhor’ as the word meaning
“firstborn.”
First things belong to God in order to establish redeeming covenant with everything that comes after. In
God’s pattern, whatever is first establishes the rest. The first is the root, from which the rest is
determined.

When God instituted the first fruit ceremony, Israel was still
wandering in the wilderness: they had no land, grew no crops,
they had no home, just the PROMISE. It was observed in faith
that God would lead the people to the land He had promised.

By giving God the first fruits, Israel acknowledged that:

 all good things come from God

 everything belongs to God.
Giving the first fruits was also a way of expressing trust in God's
provision; He who provided the first fruits, so He would provide
the rest of the crops that was needed. Giving the first fruit is a
prayer to God to provide protection for the rest of the crop.

WHY DO YOU GIVE FIRST FRUITS?

 TO HONOUR GOD. (Pro 3:9-10)

 WE HONOUR GOD BY HONOURING HIS SERVANTS.
 PHILLIP.4 - Epaphraditus, Onesiphorus and Macedonian church gave directly to Paul.
Deu 26:1-19
HOW DO WE GIVE FIRST FRUITS?

 The celebrant brings his TITHES AND FIRSTFRUITS to the priest. On his way he will
sing “I was glad when they said to me let us go into the house of the Lord.
 He would come before the priest to preach – to declare his position – that God had kept
His promise. His offering was a declaration of his accurate position and God’s wonderful
faithfulness.
 The celebrant declared:
 · He had not eaten his tithe in mourning(during difficult times, not spent on medical bills
or other living expenses)
 · He had not used it for unclean purposes – paid i.e. water and lights, rent, telephone bills
etc. Prefer to stay in the dark.
 · He had not used it to pay for funeral expenses or to waste it upon things of this world
that has no life.
 This act proclaimed the Lord to be your God and your source.
 After this act God proclaimed that you were his special people.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION OF FIRST FRUITS

• NEW JOB – FIRST CHEQUE – GIVE 100 PERCENT. - THEREAFTER YOU TITHE
OF THE GROSS.
• NEW CHURCH – ALL OF FIRST TITHES AND OFFERINGS OF FIRST MONTH
GIVEN TO THE APOSTLE.
• WHEN GET AN INCREASE – FIRST INCREASE GIVE 100 PERCENT.
• THEN FIRST RIPE FRUITS IS THE BEST YOU CAN GIVE OF THE FIRST OF 12
MONTHS. E.G 1 WEEK SALARY OF JANUARY i.e. one part of 52 parts OR THEN
THE FIRST WEEK OF YOUR FINANCIAL YEAR IN A BUSINESS.

CONCLUSION: The Old Covenant sets a PATTERN for us New

Testament believers. While, strictly speaking we are under no
obligation to do this. This is not a matter of law but of conscience.
“This is a practical demonstration of the fact that we are putting
God first. This is not a commandment but an issue of conscience.
New covenant believers must demonstrate superior commitment.
Start in the law and finish in the Spirit.” (Preached First Sunday, January 02, 2011)