THE WISDOM OF THE SCRIPTURES
January 24, 1999 PM
Sermon Outline
GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!
Col 3:1,2
INTRO: People have always had trouble deciding what is most important. And if they have finally been able to decide that issue, they have had trouble putting the important things in the proper order of their priorities. We have a way of majoring in minors! The wisdom of the scriptures - in both Testaments - addresses this matter in several ways. Most would remember this; Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Mt 6:33). And our lesson text certainly speaks of this.
I. PRIORITIES: A LONG STANDING PROBLEM FOR ME ...
A. The choice between ...
1. mowing the grass or playing with friends
2. doing theme research or going out with the group
3. waiting on a customer or chatting with friends
4. it is not hard to magnify into all realms
B. And I dont know that I have been the exception
1. playing, going out, visiting are fun things - work is work
2. doing what I want to do is always better than doing what I ought to do
3. dealing with the immediate is more urgent than thinking about an order of priorities
C. Still ...
1. Mk 8:36,37 should not our souls have priority?
2. Eph 5:25 and Ps 127:3 should not our families have priority?
3. Col 3:22-24 should not our work have priority?
4. 1 Tim 6:17-19 should not good works have priority?
5. fact: there are those things which ought to have priority but which can be neglected, lost by other things demanding immediate attention
II. HOW DO WE GET A HANDLE ON THIS?
A. First, see how the Lord fits into your life
1. each of the priority areas mentioned above notes the place of the Lord in them (so, Ps 127:1)
2. perhaps priorities would not be so difficult if we kept our eye on Jesus and permitted the power of His word to work its will in our lives
3. I am recalling Phil 2:13 and 1 Thes 2:13 - would not this make a difference? (may not be so much 1,2,3" as who is in charge)
B. Decide what really is important
1. I would hope the things mentioned above would be very important to you ...
2. but to get priorities straight requires that we make some evaluations, some decisions
3. Phil 3:13 this one thing I do - a decision was made
C. Think of ways to enhance such things in thought and action
1. if my soul should be a priority what can I do in practice to accentuate this priority? etc.
2. priorities must become more real than a list
3. to have and live by good priorities will not just happen ... can not permit ourselves to be carried about with every wind ... but must give ourselves to those important things
D. Do not be afraid to seek advice, counsel
1. I think of Ex 18:13,14,17,18 Jethro gave good advice
2. he notes that Moses could not keep priorities in proper order for becoming bogged down in lesser matters
3. often, by the real life experiences others might share with us, we can come to better decisions about our priorities and the keeping of them
E. Make lists of action items
1. Ps 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned ...
2. what action items are necessary for you to get your priorities on track?
3. remember, thought, these sorts of lists require action
CLOSE: The earlier in life we establish our priorities, the richer and more satisfying our lives can and will be. To close I return to Col 3:1,2.
Cecil A. Hutson
24 January 1999