First Time | Rich Wilkerson Jr. | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

First Time

Rich Wilkerson Jr.

VOUS Church • Jan 12, 2026 • 53 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. uses Romans 13 as an alarm clock for the soul, urging believers to wake up from spiritual slumber and return to their first love for Jesus. By examining Christ's daily practice of rising early to pray in isolation, we learn the necessity of choosing spiritual priorities before daily pressures choose us. When we give God the very first of our time, He grants us the clarity needed to obey Him immediately and navigate life's demands with divine purpose.

Themes

Priority of TimeSpiritual AwakeningIntimacy in PrayerDiscerning Urgency vs ImportanceImmediate Obedience

Pastor's Points

1.

Choose priority before pressure chooses you.

2.

Loud doesn't mean Lord.

3.

Clarity frees you to disappoint people without disobeying God.

Key Points

1.
Choose priority before pressure chooses you by intentionally committing your first time to God before the noise and demands of the day intervene.
2.
Loud doesn't mean Lord; distinguish between external human urgency and divine importance so that other people's demands do not steer your calling.
3.
Clarity frees you to disappoint people without disobeying God, giving you the strength to say no to good opportunities in order to pursue God's specific purpose.
4.
Romans 13 serves as an alarm clock for the soul, warning believers that salvation is nearer than when we first believed and calling us to wake up from spiritual slumber.
5.
Maturing in faith should never dull your awe; Christ calls His followers back to their first love—a fresh, passionate devotion that values God above routine.
6.
Jesus prioritized solitary prayer early in the morning, demonstrating that intimate fellowship with the Father must precede public ministry and activity.
7.

Sermon Moments

“Romans 13 serves as an alarm clock for the soul, calling believers out of spiritual apathy and into intentional pursuit of Christ.”

“When you spend time alone with God, you realize you are never truly alone, and being around God's presence can never substitute for being alone with Him.”

“Pressure doesn't knock—it kicks the door down; therefore, spiritual priorities must be established before life's pressures demand your attention.”

“Urgency is pressure without perspective; loud voices and immediate demands do not inherently reflect the direction of the Lord.”

“Clarity regarding your God-given calling frees you to disappoint people without disobeying God.”

“Exhaustion exaggerates our difficulties, but seeking God in quiet isolation replaces burnout with divine wisdom and endurance.”

“A wilderness season is not a punishment, but preparation; we retreat to the wilderness to return with spiritual wisdom.”

“Delayed obedience is disobedience—believers are called to obey God the first time He speaks.”

This Week

Set aside the very first portion of your day to pray and seek God before checking emails, social media, or daily to-do lists.

Establish a dedicated personal place of prayer—whether a quiet corner, a car, or during a daily routine—to meet regularly with the Father.

Evaluate your schedule to ensure your calendar reflects your spiritual priorities rather than letting external pressure make choices for you.

Distinguish between human urgency and divine importance by pausing to pray before committing to new requests or opportunities.

Commit to attending church consistently with honor by arriving early, engaging wholeheartedly, and remaining present through the end of service.

Practice a regular rhythm of sabbath rest and weekly gathering to realign your soul with God's presence and replenish your strength.

Respond in immediate obedience when God prompts your heart, rather than delaying compliance or waiting for repeated warnings.

Remember This

Putting God first requires offering Him the first portion of our time in prayer and responding to His Word with immediate, wholehearted obedience.

A Challenge for You

Commit to giving God the very first of your time this year, stepping into immediate obedience the moment He speaks rather than delaying compliance.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.