Message app offers names from contact list in incorrect order

I have a Galaxy S7 from Sprint on Android 8.0. My contact app sorts just fine by last name. But the Messages app (use the orange icon one) - sorts contacts by first name. I found no way to change the sort?? Is there a way to change the sort? This changed with an update several versions ago. I saw a previous question in this form from a person indicating they were having the same issue and no one seemed to be able to resolve it. Anything anyone has found that changes this? It is very annoying to have to go through looking for it by first name when my contacts are sorted and entered by last name.