Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo, the associate team leader at Watoto Church has urged that it is a mistake to crave and pursue ‘things’, believing they will give us the lasting peace, joy and contentment that only come from God’s presence in our lives.
Speaking during a Sunday service at Watoto Church in the central bussiness district Kampala, Pastor Julius said the key to living the abundant life God has for us is learning to make Him our first priority – and allowing Him influence every other priority.
The preacher explained that the principles and values of God’s kingdom need to be embedded in our life every day.
“Put the kingdom of God first in your life and He will take care of the things that you are worried and concerned about,” he started his sermon.
“If we decide to put ‘things’ first, we will be frustrated in our lives,” he added.
Putting God first in our lives means different things to different people. Some may think it’s going to church every Sunday. Others may believe serving homeless people or singing in Choir is putting God first.
Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo encouraged Christians to dedicate their entire lives to God as an offering, adding that, by prioritizing God’s kingdom, “He brings the best out of you.”
“We must reflect the culture of the kingdom of God in everything we do. Every Kingdom has a culture and a way of life. Putting God’s kingdom first means we are going to live by the culture of His Kingdom [which is] found in His Word,” Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo said.
“Someone once said that how come Uganda is 80% Christian, but the behavior is 80% wicked. This is why, people think putting God’s kingdom first is only coming to church on Sunday, and then the rest of the week they do these other ‘things’. Putting God’s kingdom first means we reflect the culture of God’s kingdom, every day of our lives. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31,” he said.
Rwotlonyo quoted Romans 12:1-2 which says, ‘I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’
He continued: “Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture… The culture around us says, ‘pursue these other things first.’ We need to be counter-cultural. We are going to put the kingdom of God first.”
“When you put God’s kingdom first by reflecting His culture, living by His principles of love, integrity, honor, forgiveness and servant leadership, He will bring the best out of you.”
‘Get actively involved in growing God’s kingdom’
Pastor Rwotlonyo also revealed that putting God’s kingdom first also means getting involved in growing His kingdom.
He urged believers to get involved in expanding God’s Kingdom by becoming His ambassadors in whichever field they operate.
His remarks were backed up with Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“All of us have three things, we have time, talent, and treasure. Use those three things to advance God’s kingdom. In your priorities, set time to be involved in advancing God’s kingdom,” Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo said.
