First Commandment
First Commandment | Stone Week 1
We’re beginning a brand-new teaching series called Stone, a 10-week journey through the Ten Commandments and the timeless truths God gave to shape our lives. In Week 1, Pastor CJ Ward teaches a powerful message titled First Commandment, centered on one of the most important commands in Scripture.
The First Commandment is found in Exodus 20:1–3:
And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.
This foundational command still speaks directly to our lives today.
What Is the First Commandment Really About?
Many people read the First Commandment and assume God is simply asking to be first on a list of priorities. But this message reveals something deeper.
God is not asking to be one option among many. He is calling for exclusive devotion. He is not asking to compete with everything else in your life—He is asking to occupy the sacred space in your heart that belongs to Him alone.
The First Commandment is about loyalty, worship, and relationship.
What Is Occupying God’s Space?
Every person gives worship to something. If it isn’t God, it will be something else.
For some, it may be success.
For others, it may be money, relationships, approval, politics, pleasure, comfort, or control.
The First Commandment invites us to honestly ask: What is occupying God’s space in my life?
When anything else takes the place only God should hold, it becomes an idol. And idols always promise more than they can deliver.
The First Commandment Is Built on God’s Faithfulness
Before God gave Israel the command, He reminded them of what He had already done:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
That means the First Commandment begins with grace.
God rescued His people before He instructed His people. His relationship with them was built on His faithfulness, not their perfection.
The same is true for us today through Jesus Christ. Jesus rescues us from sin, forgives us completely, and invites us into relationship with Him. Our obedience is not how we earn His love—it is how we respond to His love.
Why the First Commandment Still Matters Today
The First Commandment is still relevant because our hearts are still tempted to place other things above God.
When we place our hope in temporary things, we live anxious, divided, and empty lives. But when God takes His rightful place, we experience peace, clarity, freedom, and purpose.
God doesn’t ask for all of your heart because He is controlling. He asks for all of your heart because He loves you.
Take Your Next Step
If something has taken God’s place in your life, today is the day to return.
Allow Jesus to reclaim the sacred space in your heart. Put your faith fully in Him. Trust His faithfulness over every competing voice.
The First Commandment is not just a rule—it is an invitation to live fully devoted to the God who has always been faithful to you.
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