In this sermon, the speaker begins by thanking the congregation and sharing his own transition experience, emphasizing the difficulty of leaving one church to pastor another. He asks for prayers for his current and future congregations, especially during this period of change.

The speaker reads a poem by Paul Harvey titled "If I Were the Devil," which serves as a warning about the moral and spiritual decline in America. Harvey's poem illustrates how the devil would undermine society by attacking its institutions, promoting vice, and encouraging moral relativism. The speaker uses this poem to highlight the spiritual challenges facing America and to emphasize the need for a return to godly principles.

Turning to the scripture, the speaker directs the congregation to 1 Corinthians 1. He discusses the unity within the church, drawing attention to the divisions in the Corinthian church where people were aligning themselves with different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ). He explains that such divisions are harmful and that true unity comes from focusing on Christ, not on human leaders.

The speaker uses the example of planting and watering to explain how different leaders play different roles in the spiritual growth of the church. Paul planted the seeds of faith, Apollos watered them, but it is God who gives the increase. This analogy underscores the importance of recognizing that all efforts in ministry are ultimately dependent on God.

He emphasizes the need for humility among believers, cautioning against pride and the tendency to exalt human leaders above God. The speaker highlights the necessity of putting God first in all things, which allows His work to be done effectively through His people. He stresses that without God, nothing can be achieved, and that God has chosen to work through people to accomplish His purposes.

Using various illustrations, the speaker shows how putting God first exponentially increases the effectiveness of a Christian's life and ministry. He warns against allowing personal grievances or preferences to disrupt the unity and effectiveness of the church. The speaker calls on the congregation to humble themselves, seek God's will, and prioritize their relationship with Him.

In closing, the speaker references Luke 9:23, where Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. He urges the congregation to embrace this call to discipleship, emphasizing that true fulfillment and effectiveness in life come from putting Christ at the center.

Throughout the sermon, the speaker maintains a focus on the importance of humility, unity, and reliance on God. He encourages the congregation to examine their own lives, seek forgiveness where needed, and strive to keep God preeminent in all aspects of their lives. By doing so, they can experience the fullness of God's blessings and be a light to the world. The message concludes with a prayer for the congregation's spiritual growth and commitment to putting God first.