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COMPLETE SERMON NOTES

Priorities – Here Today Gone Tomorrow

God requires a reordering of our priorities. The purpose of priorities is to put first things first even when we don’t feel like it, and especially when we don’t feel like it.

~ Like a set of blueprints, priorities help us build the correct life – It doesn’t matter what we want to do first.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

• Treasure is very valuable. The kingdom of God is valuable. But misaligned priorities devalue the treasure.

↣ Whatever is drawing me away must be eliminated.

↣ I have to teach my kids how to die for Christ.

We have an American mentality of Priorities – eat, drink, and be merry until the RAPTURE comes.

ISIS: “Oh, isn’t that sad” as we head to the movies to watch 50-shades…

• Does the owner of the land not know about the treasure, or does he not view it as treasure? Most have no clue about GOD.

BOTH: Many aren’t aware, and many care less

“Ownership of the field does not come easily. It involves a total reordering of priorities, since to achieve ownership the finder must first liquidate all of his or her assets. Everything must be focussed on the single goal of owning the field in which the treasure is to be found. Nothing less will suffice. The field is purchased and, though the story leaves this to be implied, the treasure is secured.” Nolland John. (2005). Preface. In The Gospel of Matthew: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 564). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

• Misaligned priorities is sin

• We give up so much for so little: “worldly pursuits choke us.”

GET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT – “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…”

• I HAVE A LONG LIST OF PRIORITIES – FROM LOVE & UNITY – TO OTHER SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, BUT…

                                             … If God is not a priority…nothing else will fall into place.

PRIORITY: “Something that is more important so we put it first.”

1. Work is a priority because of money. Shouldn’t we build a relationship with the God who controls everything?

2. Entertainment is a priority. Shouldn’t we enjoy God’s presence too?

3. Cleaning is a priority. Shouldn’t we clean our hearts & remove junk that settles in?

4. Shopping is a priority. Shouldn’t we spend time seeking God?

EVERYONE is in a hurry like that’s the mark of spirituality! “Busyness is not godliness.”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

• When he “found it” – This is a good time to remind you that Finding involves seeking.

1. Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11

2. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God…1 Chronicles 22:19

3. Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7   [Pardon/release comes from seeking]

4. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

5. “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:31

We have a priority problem because we have a seeking problem.

• Was going to say, “Schedule, Plan ahead, Prepare…minimize phone use…

When i seek Him everything else falls in place –

1. my time is maximized,

2. my energy is focused,

3. my heart is on fire for His glory,

4. my life has purpose & meaning,

5. sorrow is turned to joy,

6. depression is turned to excitement.

Seeking Must Be A Priority: The More I seek YOU the More I find YOU…And the More I Find YOU the More I love YOU!

I don’t know about you, but i have to love someone who died for me. Who delivered me from my destruction. Who encourages me, who forgives me, who is an ever-present help…

• Psalm 139:7-10 (NKJV) “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”

LIE: Real men don’t worship…and women who “got it together” can’t be seen worshipping.

1. You’ll sit captivated watching 50-Shades of Grey, giggling like school girls.

2. You’ll jump up and down when your team wins, or get excited over trivial things.

3. Yay! We get a few thousand dollars back on our TAXES!

WHY?  –  Our hearts can be dead to the things of God!

Lord, I’m tired of preaching. We need more of You and less of me.

I’m tired of everyone smiling as if everything is ok.

I’m tired of superficial fellowship.

I’m tired of people telling me what i want to hear.

“Oh, church!” – Seek Him while He may be found! Call on Him …

CLOSING: Why didn’t they just grab the treasure? It’s not theirs – a price had to be paid.

1. In the same way – a price has to be paid by you – die to self before you find the abundant life.

2. A price had to be paid in order that we could access the treasure.

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