Every single one of us has experienced countless "firsts" throughout our lives. Some of these moments stand out so clearly in our minds, while others have faded with time. Think about it: how many of those firsts do you truly remember? There are some you probably don’t, like your first breath, your first cry, your first sight, your first sound, your first taste, your first touch, your first meal, your first word, or even your first steps. These milestones are unforgettable, yet only those who witnessed them can recall them in full, even though you were the one who lived through them.
But there are other firsts you likely remember, like your first friend, your first love, your first kiss, your first date, your first job, your first apartment, your first car, your first TV, your first phone, your first paycheck, your first business deal, your first promotion, or your first committed relationship or roommate. Some of these memories may make you smile, cringe, or even cause a moment of "OMG!" But then, there are other firsts that you might wish you could forget, like your first punishment, your first whooping, your first traffic ticket, your first car accident, your first loss in the family, your first job termination, your first argument, your first fight, your first lawsuit, your first arrest, and even your first breakup.
Let’s be real—some of these firsts are things we just don't want to remember. There are also some firsts that we never want to experience again, like your first divorce, your first major illness, your first eviction or foreclosure, your first repossession, your first business failure, or the loss of your first parent, grandparent, or sibling. The list goes on, and we’d rather not relive them.
But here’s the truth: every aspect of life comes with its own first. And the one person who should always be at the top of your list of firsts is God. Genesis 1:1 reminds us, "In the beginning, God!" Everything in your life should start with God. When you’re ready to begin anew, start fresh, and start over, always remember to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be added to you.
Let's take a look at the first place—the Garden of Eden—and meet its first inhabitants. We’ll explore valuable lessons from the first relationship, the first problem, and the first mistake. Eden was the first place, a perfect place created by God for Adam, the first human being. It was his domain. Now, let's take a moment to dive into this idea: a kingdom is a place of sovereign authority. "King" represents authority, and "dom" represents domain—so a kingdom is where someone has ultimate authority. Your house is your kingdom. Think about how your parents would say, "What goes on in MY house stays in MY house!" The emphasis was on "MY!" Your possessions, your space—they’re part of your kingdom. Even if you shared a room with siblings, you’d fight if someone touched your stuff.
Sometimes, we forget that we live in our own little kingdom. You are the king or queen of your life. You have your own rules, your own laws, and if anyone breaks them, you become the police, prosecutor, and judge. And you don't hesitate to punish the violator. You might give a warning, but if you’re anything like me, one strike and you’re out. This is MY world! I know, I know… some of you are thinking, "But you're a pastor!" Yes, I am, but don't think I'm going to let anyone take advantage of that. Let me borrow a phrase from my former bishop: “People get shocked when they keep mistreating you, and then you walk away from them. They say, ‘But you’re a pastor!’ as if that makes us immune from feelings and emotions. Being a Christian ought to give us enough discernment to know when to walk away, when to leave people alone, and when to be done with them.”
Some people can watch others mistreat you and still get mad at you for walking away. But let me tell you this: being done means being done. And when you’ve given chance after chance, don’t expect to come back later and try to make up. Some people you just have to walk away from for good.
Now, some of us live in our own minds, and that can be dangerous if we're not careful. But what’s worse is letting others live in your mind, rent-free. We are God’s temple, designed and created by Him, where His Holy Spirit dwells. In the words of comedian Robin Harris, "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go!”
The Garden of Eden was perfect. It was where Adam and Eve lived, where they met with God, where they experienced the beginnings of life, love, intimacy, relationship, responsibility, accountability, and prosperity. But Eden was also where Adam faced his first problem, made his first mistake, and had his first confrontation with God. This led to his first disappointment, first pain, and first life-altering experience.
Problems come uninvited. They’re inevitable. But the way you handle problems determines your outcome. Adam didn’t consult God before making decisions, and that’s when everything began to fall apart. Had he consulted God, the result could have been very different. Uninvited problems—problems we didn’t ask for, didn’t want—can knock on our door, just like they knocked on Adam's.
When Adam was away, Eve was left to protect their domain. Everything was perfect until a stranger knocked on her door. She had everything—an ideal life created by God, with a man specially made for her—but one day, a visitor came uninvited. This visitor wasn’t just any stranger; it was the serpent, and it brought temptation with it.
How often do we open the door to something uninvited? Just like Eve, we may be left alone, vulnerable to the wrong influences. Eve didn’t realize that her idle time was a target for temptation. Proverbs 31:27 says, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” It’s in our moments of idleness when the enemy knocks, looking for a way in.
What’s the lesson here? Problems, temptations, and challenges will always knock at your door uninvited. The choice is yours whether you open it or not. You don’t have to entertain every thought, every temptation, or every problem that comes your way. Like a Jehovah’s Witness at your door, you can choose not to answer.
The key is to protect your domain—your mind, your thoughts, and your desires. Psalms 1:1 tells us that the blessed man doesn’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly. In other words, be careful who you let into your space—whether physically, emotionally, or mentally. Your mind is your domain, and once you let the wrong things in, they can wreak havoc.
As we close today, let’s remember that every first in life should begin with God. When we prioritize Him, we align ourselves with His will and His righteousness. And when challenges arise, let’s trust in God’s wisdom to handle them.
Here are some verses to hold onto:
1. Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
2. Isaiah 43:18 – “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.”
3. Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
4. Psalm 94:11 – “The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.”
5. Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
6. Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
7. Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
8. Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
9. Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.”
10. Matthew 22:37 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Let God be the first in all things, and watch how He transforms your life.
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