Reset Your Priorities
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· 1 viewSeek God first in every aspect of life.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Anxiety (μεριμνάω)
Anxiety in face of something, of what may come; worry
“Each day has troubles enough of its own.” So why anticipate them? If we do, we double them. For if our fear does not materialize, we have worried once for nothing; if it does materialize, we have worried twice instead of once. In both cases; it is foolish: worry doubles trouble.
John Stott
Text
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
To forbid ‘anxiety’ does not rule out a responsible concern and provision for one’s own and others’ material needs, nor does Jesus here forbid us to work (see on v. 26).
His concern, as in the preceding verses, is with priorities, and the essential message of this passage is ‘First things first’, which means in fact ‘God first’.
Worry and anxiety are often rooted in misplaced priorities (God is not first).
Jesus gives the answer to His followers on how to overcome anxiety (attitude of the heart) and reset our priorities that leads toward peace, hope, assurance, joy, and steadiness in our lives.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
If we are not seeking the kingdom (domain, authority, rulership of God) first and foremost, then our attitudes and actions leads us astray.
Point 1 - The first problem:
When God is your last resort, rather than your first step, you will get lost, confused, or afraid.
When God is your last resort, rather than your first step, you will get lost, confused, or afraid.
Illustration: King Saul operating in fear; Peter denying Christ.
Fear and disappointment lead us toward anxiety and worry.
Question: How can you reset your priorities when you are lost, confused, or afraid?
Jesus said to SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
God needs to be the compass to our life.
His Word serves as a light to our path.
Reset means to embrace the leading and leadership of God in and over our lives.
In other words:
When you seek God first, you will experience the peace of His guidance.
When you seek God first, you will experience the peace of His guidance.
Point 2: The second problem:
When God is your last resort, rather than your first hope, you will waste time and energy attempting to control things that you cannot control.
When God is your last resort, rather than your first hope, you will waste time and energy attempting to control things that you cannot control.
Worry, fear, and anxiety are time wasters.
Instead of resting or acting, we are wallowing in the mud of our worries - not accomplishing a thing!
One of the hallmarks of worry is the vain attempt to control what we cannot control!
Examples:
We worry about our past - that cannot change.
We worry about other people - that we cannot control.
We worry about the future - that has not happened yet.
Question: How can you reset your priorities when you are trying to control things you cannot control?
Acknowledge the presence and love of God.
A Psalm for giving thanks.
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
In other words, exchange your anxiety for God!
When you seek God first, you will experience the joy of His presence.
When you seek God first, you will experience the joy of His presence.
Point 3: The third problem:
When God is your last resort, rather than your first commitment, you will struggle and fail at your relationships with others.
When God is your last resort, rather than your first commitment, you will struggle and fail at your relationships with others.
So much of our anxiety and worry is rooted in people.
What do people think of me?
What if someone doesn’t like me?
What if I am rejected?
This kind of worry builds walls between you and others—on promotes a life of fear and anger.
Question: How can you reset your priorities when you are failing at your relationships with others?
Repentance - Trust in God!
Love people as God loves people.
Be a servant rather than a lord.
In other words:
When you seek God first, you will experience the confidence of Operating in His authority.
When you seek God first, you will experience the confidence of Operating in His authority.
Live confidently in Christ.
Cultivate a compassionate heart.
Know that God has your back!
Conclusion
God needs to be YOUR PRIORITY
Seek Him First!!!
Prayer
Study/Know His Word
Obedience and Faithfulness
Altar Call