What is the Top Priority in the Believers Life
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Life is filled with priorities, things that are important, things that matter. This morning I wanna talk with you in this subject, WHAT IS THE TOP PRIORITY IN THE CHRISTIANS LIFE?
Turn with me in your Bibles this morning to Phillippians 3:12-21
(Let us Read)
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.
(Let’s Pray)
“Heavenly Father, thank You for another day, thank you for another moment we can be in your presence. Heavenly Father this is Your day, this is Your church, These are Your people, and I am at Your disposal. Please Lord teach, please Lord guide, Please Lord connect our hearts with your Heart and help us grow in our relationship with one another and with our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Jesus name, AMEN”
Everybody has priorities the things we seek after the things we are thinking about, the things in your life that you try to acheive. For example some of us have physical goals. this summer we plan to lose weight, to get in better shape, to run a 5k to fit into that dress, before we go to the beach,
Maybe their are financial goals maybe you are planning to go on a trip or maybe you want to be somewhere in your career by a certain time. Or you wanna graduate with a certain GPA so that you can get into this type of college or recieve a scholarhsip.
or maybe your goals are more simple, you wanna get organized and clean out the basement or the garage, or swimming just a bit deeper here, maybe your golas are for your children to be successful, in ways that you have never been successful.
Priorities are a funny thing, we would all say we have the right priorities, but I bet if we were to ask most of our faithful church members WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITIES?
They would say gosh my faith, my friends, my family, my work.
IS GOD REALLY THE TOP PRIORITY OF MY LIFE?
IS KNOWING GOD REALLY THE HOTTEST BURNING PASSION IN MY LIFE?
That effects everything else about my life?
Do my top priorities get the key treasures of my life heres what I mean.
HOW HAVE YOU ARRANGED YOUR LIFE TO SEEK AFTER YOUR SPIRITUAL GOALS, YOUR PHYSICAL GOALS?
Now you may be sitting there saying well I am older my kids are grown and gone I dont really have any goals. Friend let me tell you something nobody cares how the team plays in the first half the ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS HOW YOU FINISH!
Here are questions I am asking myself
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF MY PRAYER LOOKED ALOT LIKE JESUS’ SERMON ON THE MOUNT?
WHAT IF I ONLY CARED ABOUT SEEKING HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WHAT IF I DIDN’T CARE ABOUT CLOTHES OR FOOD OR MONEY BUT MY ONLY CONCERN WAS TO KNOW GOD AND BE OBEDIENT TO HIM?
IF I PRIORITIZE JESUS AND HIS KINGDOM HE HAS PROMISED ME THAT ALL THESE THINGS HE WILL ADD UNTO ME!!!
I CAN SEEK THE STUFF AND GET NOTHING OR I CAN SEEK JESUS AND GET EVERYTHING!!
WHAT IF WE LIVED SEEKING JESUS WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN EVERY FACET OF OUR LIFE?
WHAT IF NO AREA OF MY LIFE WAS OFF LIMITS TO THE SPIRIT AND CONVICTION OF GOD!
WHAT IF I ABANDONED EVERYTHING THAT HINDERED MY ABILITY TO KNOW GOD AND HEAR FROM HIM?
What are the top priorities of the Christians life?
Paul is writing from jail He is in Rome, He is there because He refused to stop preaching the gospel. He is writing to a small but growing church in a roman province called the Philippian church.
Paul says CHRISTIANITY CAN BE DIFFICULT BEING A CHRISTIAN IS HARD AT TIMES BUT WHEN YOU SAY YES TO JESUS THOUGH YOU ARE ASSURED OF ULTIMATE ETERNAL GLORY THERE WILL BE PAINFUL MOMENTS ALONG THE WAY
So we cant lose heart when things get tough along the way, we gotta keep in mind the bigger picture of what is happening through this hardship to bring me closer to Jesus?
WE MUST MAKE JESUS A PRIORITY EVEN IF IT COST US EVERYTHING
Sometimes following Him is a pleasure, sometimes following Him is painful. But everyday we follow Jesus will be one more day that we didnt waste on something that didnt really matter.
First this is what Paul says about the top priorities of His life.
Paul says:
He has not quite Reached His ultimate Goal
He has not quite Reached His ultimate Goal
Philippians 3:12-13
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,
Im not perfect I have not attained it yet
What I wanna be I have not yet arrived.
You see for Paul, the goal is complete Christlikeness, in other words Paul’s priority is that his life would be brought into total alingment with the will and ways of Christ.
As Paul mentions He knew there would be a day where He would be glorified he would be made perfect in Christ as Jesus is.
ON THOSE DAYS WHEN I AM IN THE VALLEY AND ON THOSE DAYS WHEN I AM DISCOURAGED
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
This is Paul’s point, I WANNA LOOK MORE LIKE JESUS TOMORROW THAN I DID TODAY, I WANNA LOOK MORE LIKE JESUS AND LESS LIKE ME.
I WANNA LOVE LIKE HE LOVED I WANNA GIVE LIKE HE GAVE I WANNA SERVE LIKE HE SERVED AND TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY I AINT STAYING IN THE SHAPE I AM IN TODAY I AM PRESSING FORWARD TOWARDS CHRISTLIKENESS.
I aint there yet
This process is called sanctification, and all that is, is a big word for growing in Goldiness to become more like Jesus.
LESS OF ME, MORE OF HE
LESS OF ME, MORE OF HE
LESS OF ME MORE OF HE
You see for Paul being a Christian was not a one time decision to get out of Hell for free. No, knowing Jesus becoming like him was the overarching vision of His life every single day.
Sanctification is the process by which I become more Holy, listen to me. I AM NOT WHO I AM SUPPOSED TO BE YET, BUT THANKS BE TO GOD I AINT WHAT I WAS!
I’m not who I am supposed to be yet, but with Jesus in my life He is changing me.
I am already saved I am as bound for Heaven as though I am already there, but everybody that knows me know that aint there yet.
Have I arrived yet, but am I making progress yes...
THIS IS OUR MAIN GOAL!
TO BE LIKE JESUS IN ATTITUDE AND ACTION!
Were reaching for the goal of Christlikeness because Jesus reached out for us.
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Do we make every effort to be more Godly or do we make excuses for our ungodliness?
Is the Holy Spirit working in me to show me how Christ could be more glorified or do I just keep doing what I have always done so that my flesh will be satisfied?
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,
Listen to me Christian if you are in here and you are being hindered in your walk with the Lord because of a massive mistake you made, listen to PAUL
FORGET ABOUT IT!!!!
THE BEAUTY OF THE GOSPEL IS THAT WE CAN FORGET THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST BECAUSE WE HAVE A FORGETFUL SAVIOR IN THE PRESENT!
He chooses to overlook your sins because He paidn for those sins already with His own blood!
on the flip side
some of you in here are resting in some good deed you have done for Jesus 5 years ago 5 days ago, 5 months ago.... Listen your good deeds even the deeds done today are already in the past.
STOP RESTING IN THE DEEDS OF YESTERDAY
WE CANNOT COAST ON THE FUMES OF PAST SUCCESS
WE GOTTA PRESS IN, and move forward!
If you dont know Christ your sins are in the past this is good news JESUS CAN FORGIVE YOU AND MAKE YOU NEW TODAY, DONT BE TRAPPED BY WHATEVER YOUVE DONE!
Paul says I cant go back, but I can reach forward to what lies ahead.
SOMETIMES IF WERE NOT CAREFUL IN THE CHURCH WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THE PAST AND THE GOOD OLE DAYS AND WE DONT FOCUS NEAR ENOUGH OF OUR LANGUAGE ON THE GLORIOUS COMING DAYS AHEAD OF US.
LISTEN HER JESUS IS COMING BACK AND I AM MAKING IT MY GOAL TO BE FOUND FAITHFUL, FOCUSED ON THE THINGS THAT GODS HEART IS FOCUSED ON!
We act as if HEAVEN IS NOT RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER WE STILL WISH IT 1959, or 1981, or 1994.
Eccel
Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
since it is not wise of you to ask this.
In other words Solomon says WHY WOULD YOU DWELL ON THE PAST AS IF GOD DOESNT HAVE BETTER FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE
The difference between us and Paul is we dread our future while Paul is reaching for His!
HE IS LONGING FOR HIS FUTURE!!!
Why would I be scared of a future?
That Jesus Christ is in control of?
WHY WOULD WE FEAR A FUTURE THAT JESUS IS SOVERIGN OVER?
Why would I fear a future where Jesus is inviting me to join Him in His good work for the future.
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
I wanna be like Jesus cause thats the best possible future I can have, its the devil that lies to me otherwise saying, YOU DONT NEED JESUS SEEK THIS SEEK THIS SEEK THIS.
Paul views complete Christlikeness not just as his goal but also His prize.
Paul views complete Christlikeness not just as his goal but also His prize.
Look at this his goal is that which he wants to achieve, his PRIZE is the reward he planned to recieve.
IN OTHER WORDS JESUS IS NOT JUST THE ROAD, JESUS IS THE DESTINATION!
Christ is not only the personal joy of the journey, He is with me on this journey, BUT THE REWARD OF MY JOURNEY IS THAT I WILL BE LIKE HIM!
Paul is glorying in the fact the one day He will know Christ, see Christ and be like Christ.
The point?
Paul already alluded to it in Phillipians 2:7
LIVING FOR JESUS IS WORTH IT
HE SAYS THE THINGS THAT MATTERED TO ME YESTERDAY BEFORE JESUS I COUNT THAT ALL AS LOSS AS RUBBISH AS A TRASH HEAP
-drinking
-drugs
-immorality
-popularity
-money
ALL OF IT IS COMPARED TO A TRASH HEAP IN COMPARISON TO KNOWING JESUS!!! ONLY ONE CAN SATISFY
WHO CAN SATISFY MY SOUL LIKE YOU
WHO ON EARTH CAN COMFORT ME
AND LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO
WHO ON EARHT CAN BE MORE FAITHFUL AND TRUE
THERE IS A FOUNTAIN WHO IS THE KING
VICTORIOUS WARRIOR AND LORD OF EVERYTHNG
MY ROCK MY SHELTER MY VERY OWN
BLESSED REDEEMER WHO REIGNS UPON THE THRONE
THERE IS NO PERSON WORTH GIVING YOUR LIFE TO
THERE IS NO PLACE
THERE IS NO PURSUIT GREATER THAN THE PURSUIT OF A LIFE LIVED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
I live here on Earth but THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME!
Church should be like practice for Heaven, and when Jesus returns or calls me home IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE GARDEN OF EDEN I WILL BE DOING WHAT I WAS MADE TO DO!
Thats a great thought HEAVEN IS GONE BE HEAVEN CAUSE ITS GONE BE THE FIRST TIME IN MY EXISTENCE BECAUSE ILL BE DOING WHAT I WAS MADE FOR, TO KNOW GOD AND ENJOY HIM FOREVER
CHRIST MAKES ALL THINGS NEW!!!!!!
This is what Paul is aiming at if you gotta ticket you better be xcited about this aint nothing in your world better than this.
He calls it an upward call everything I do for Jesus is an upward call.
I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Everything I do in Christ for Gods glory is an HEavenly call and upward call, everything I do in my flesh is a downward call.
Then lastly Paul gtives some general pastoral thoughts
Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.
In other words heres what Paul is saying:
YOU DONT HAVE TO AGREE WITH ME BUT YOU CAN BE WRONG
In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.
We should live up to whatever truth we have recieved, or attained.... SOMETIMES WE DONT NEED A SERMON WE NEED TO OBEY THE SERMONS AND REVELATION GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN TO US
some of us might be 10 talent people, some of us might be 5 talent people, some of us might be 1 talent people I dont know how many talents I got but I know this IM GONE BE JUDGED FOR WHAT I DID WITH WHAT I HAD
Live up to the truth you already know
Sometimes we act more ignorant than we really are, which means were not just ignorant were foolish, alot of us know what we sposed to be doin werr just hard hearted and stubborn and we just aint gonna do it.
But Christlikeness is living up to what Jesus wants in my life.
People ask well what about those people in third world countries who dont know the Lord.
Well I dont know How God may be supernaturally drawing them to myself.
Heres what I know I have been told quite a bit from the Lord in my 34 years and I got plenty on my plate worrying about me.
Chirstians are to be role models
Now you say well thats arrogant well Im just telling ya the Spirit of God told him to write. Chirstians are called to be role models and to have role models.
Heres a question: AM I WORTH FOLLOWING?
If a brand new Christian were to follow me, would they be able to copy my routines and my behaviors and my habits and become more like Christ?
Am I worth following?
WHOSE THE GODLIEST PERSON YOU KNOW?
WHAT IS TRUE ABOUT THEM THAT IS NOT TRUE ABOUT YOU?
WHAT CHANGES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD SO THAT CAN BE TRUE OF YOU TOO?
Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
IF WE WERE TO DO JUST LIKE YOU WOULD WE CHANGE THE WORLD FOR JESUS?
For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
He says these started the race, but they quit, they didnt finish the race.
Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things,
When we speak about people who are not Godly but who are fleshly we should speak with a burden and tears, we should speak with no trace of arrogance because by Gods grace it could have been us.
I heard of a pastor who keeps a prayer list on His phone entitled the FALLEN, those who have left the ministry, or have fallen in some way out of ministry, and He pray for them by name as he hears about it.
We need to hear often about people who quit. Paul says I told you often about people who quit.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER AND WAIT
WE NEED TO REMEMBER AND WAIT
Philippians
Philippians
but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
WE ARE GOING SOMEWHERE YALL AND SO WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO TILL WE GET THERE WE EAGERLY WAIT, WE WAIT FOR JESUS PREPARED, WE WAIT LOOKING, WE WAIT PRAYING, WE WAIT PRAYING
FACT
CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN AND WHEN HE COMES HE IS GONNA TRANSFORM MY SINFUL BODY TO BE LIKE HIS AND HES GONNA DO IT BECAUSE ALL ME IS GONNA BE SUBJECT TO HIM HE IS GONNA LOOK AT MY BODY AND TAKE AWAY EVERY TRACE OF SIN.
Whats the top priority of the Christians life?
Until we get to Heaven heres
LETS STRIVE TO BECOME EVERYTHING GOD SAVED US TO BE!
UNTIL I GO TO HEAVEN THE TOP PRIORITY OF MY LIFE SHOULD BE TO BECOME BY GODS GRACE EVERYTHING HE SAVED ME TO BE
GOD HAS RESCUED ME FROM HIS WRATH, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN POURED OUT ON ME BECAUSE OF MY SIN, but instead He poured it out on Jesus
GOD IS PREPARING ME FOR SOMETHING, HEAVEN GLORY, I dont wanna be a child who fights him going back to my sin.
Paul knows where He is going, Paul knows what Gods done, Paul sees God is using ALL His issues in life to form the image of Christ in him.
so Paul says His priority that wheatever God wants he will leave his past, and focus on God
The top priority of ym life is LOVING GOD, SERVING GOD, and FEARING GOD
With every facet of my life becming what He wants me to be.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU GOING?
ETERNITY
DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU PLANNING TO GET THERE?
I HOPE YOU GOING TO HEAVEN BUT I PROMISE YOU THIS YOUR ONLY TICKET IS CONFESSING, REPENTING TURNING AWAY FROM YOUR SINS AND TURNING TO JESUS CHRIST
His blood His cross His empty tomb His righteousness given for me.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SAVED?
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS, ALL OUR SINS AND grief He bears
(Shane Lackey)
(Mandy Pitts)
ITS NEVER TOO LATE