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PART 1: First Fruits Number of Times mentioned: The word first fruits is mentioned 32 times in the bible. Tithe is mentioned 32 times in the Bible. The word first fruits shows up first. 2
2. First Fruit is Life Changing: Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV): Says. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will over flow. This principle has changed people s lives through their obedience to God s word. 3
3. Life Changes such as Wholeness: As a believer, you must understand that God wants your needs to be met in abundance. Prosperity = Wholeness Wholeness of: Spirit Soul Mind Emotions Finances 4
4. To reach this: a. You must KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING! b. You must understand that a Covenant is a legal binding contract. c. You must also know that this Covenant is God s Law and His Order of doing things. d. It s God s Way. 5
5. The Promise: Ø John 10:10 says, I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Ø When we live less than this, we live beneath our covenant privileges. 6
6. When we receive this promise: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) The result will be: a. Spiritual Fulfillment b. Emotional Wellness c. Physical Healing d. Financial Blessings 7
7. What does it mean to be blessed? Answer: Blessed means to be empowered, to succeed in everything by God. God desires that your: a. Family be Blessed. b. Marriages be Blessed. c. Relationships be Blessed. d. Finances be Blessed. 8
8. Supporting Scriptures: Psalms 35:27 says, Let the Lord be magnified who takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. Psalms 5:12 says, For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. John 3:3 says, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. 9
9. Systems of operation: Two systems in which we operate are: a. World Order = Blind b. God s Order = Revelation 10
10. It s all about the Word: John 8: 31-32 says, Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (KJV) Isaiah 55:11, says, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (KJV) 11
11. Do the Word: You must follow the pattern. It s not always what you are doing that s wrong, the problem is you re not doing enough of what is right! Deut 8: 17-18, says, And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (KJV) 12
12. What is this Power? Answer: Power equals an enabling or anointing that he may establish his covenant. Zakar means mindful of you. 13
Part 2: A Devoted Thing Leviticus 27:28-29 says, Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the Lord of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the Lord. None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death. 14
2. The Three Principles: Principle 1- Any time something is a first thing or devoted thing, God lays claims to it. Principle 2 - God sees all first things as the root that governs the rest. Romans 11:16 says, For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Principle 3 The first represents the total. Exodus 22:29-30 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquor: the first born of thy sons shalt give unto me. Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen and with they sheep; seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me. 15
3. Positioning for First Fruits: First - You must have establish order to receive the blessing. Secondly - You must apply the faith to walk into the Canaan land, the land that is more than enough. Thirdly - You must do more than exist, you must expect overflow. 16
4. What you do first governs the rest! 1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ s at his coming. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. 1 Corinthians says he s the first fruit. Romans says he s the first born. He s the root that governs my life. He s the first. 17
5. History of First Fruit: Let s begin with Cain and Abel! a. Read Genesis 4:4-5. Notice: Cain brought the fruit of the ground b. Read Genesis 4:6-8. Notice: The Lord had respect for Abel s offering but no respect for Cain s offering. 18
6. What were the offerings? Cain s Offering Fine flour, oil, frankincense Abel s Offering Fine flour, oil, frankincense, firstlings and the fat thereof. You release the flow of blessings with first fruits. Abel s offering was accepted for it was first and holy. 19
7. Examples of First Things you give to God: The Sabbath is honored because it is first (holy). The first hours of the day belongs to God. The first pay check belongs to God. The first increase belongs to God. God doesn t want what is left, he wants the first things. 20
8. Abel sets the example: Notice Abel brought his offering in order: 1) first fruits 2) tithe 3) offering He was obedient to the principles in the Word of God. God shows respect and honors his obedience. 21
10. God blesses obedience: Isaiah 1:19 If ye are willing to be obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. 1 Samuel 15:22 Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 22
11. God is looking for cleanliness: Numbers 18:13 and 17: And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the Lord, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it. Everyone that is clean in thy house means your life must be in order also so it will line up with your offering. 23
12. Punishment for Disobedience: Read Acts 4:32,35 Read Acts 5:1-2 They dropped dead due to disobedience for thy neglected to give as an offering, the devoted things to God. Dead may not be physical but may show up in your marriage, life, finances. Examine what is dying then follow it to the root. 24
Part 3 First Fruits Continued: 1. First Fruits is whole of the first. 2. First fruits in Hebrews is reshiyth meaning: first in place first in order or rank the beginning, chief or principle things. 3. When you get your first paycheck it belongs to God. 4. When you get your first increase it belongs to God. 5. The first part of your day belongs to God. 6. You must establish first things first to establish your walk with God. 25
12. Supporting Scriptures: Read and study Nehemiah 10: 35-39: & Nehemiah 12:44 The word says bring the first fruits to the priest. Read Ezekiel 44:30 Blessing in Hebrew is berakah = prosperity Rest in Hebrew is nuwae = to stay down or fall in place 26
3. The Result of Order: When there is order in the beginning you place the first fruits in the hand of the priest and the blessings of God will fall on you in abundance. Don t just look for material blessings but expect prosperity in wholeness for your whole life in Christ. 27
4. Procedure for giving First Fruit: The first month of 2016 is January. Some will give of their salary: one week of offering, others one pay period of salary, and others one month of salary. This is according to your measure of faith. You must give off the top which is the first fruits of the harvest. Remember your first fruit is not your tithe or offerings. God in his principles still requires our tithes and offerings. If you get paid on the 15 th or the 30 th it s not too late to give your first fruits if you plan to give a first fruits offering. 28
5. Monetary Example: Example: $1000.00 total monthly $1000.00 /4 = $250.00 (one week of salary) Some say I am not at the point where I can give 1 week s salary or I want to give more than 1 or 2 weeks. Whatever your measure of faith, give your first fruits to the glory of God. 29
6. In all your getting get Understanding: In this principle of first fruits please seek understanding from the teaching and principles revealed by God in His word then follow his principles for breakthrough. Be blessed! 30