HONORING GOD’S PRIORITIES
SOMETIMES WE NEED TO REVIEW WHAT WE ARE REALLY ALL ABOUT.
Police officers attempted to stop a guy for running a stop sign. They chased him through many high-traffic areas throughout the city, barely avoiding hitting several pedestrians. Finally, they got a break when he lost control of his car, drove up an embankment, and hit the wall of a business. As he was getting out of his car, they shot him to death. He had no weapon, and was surrendering from all reports. Several of the officers as a punishment were made to go through some retraining courses. They forgot what they wee supposed to be. Instead of protecting the public they MADE the fleeing car and themselves a danger to everyone. They forgot their purpose.
SOMETIMES WE NEED REMINDING THAT WE HAVE A GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND NEED TO LIVE DOING THE PURPOSE HE ASSIGNED TO EACH OF US.
1. YOUR CALLING FROM GOD CAME BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE.
A. GOD KNEW YOU AND LAID OUT HIS PLAN FOR YOU BEFORE YOU WERE BORN.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
B. GOD WANTS US TO SEEK HIM BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
C. GOD DESERVES TO BE FIRST IN OUR LIVES.
Psalms 135:5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
D. GOD DESERVES FIRST RECOGNITION OF WHAT GOOD HAS HAPPENED.
Genesis 8:20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar
E. GOD SHOULD RECEIVE OUR FIRST LOVE—BEFORE AND ABOVE ALL ELSE.
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
2. WHAT TO HELP OTHERS ? DEAL WITH YOUR OWN SINS FIRST.
A. TAKING CARE OF OUR SINS BEFORE WE HELP OTHERS IS A MAJOR BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE.
Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.
Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye
John 8:7 So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
B. IN THE MATTER OF SERVICE—GOD ALWAYS COMES FIRST. EVEN BEFORE FAMILY.
No one else is worthy of the devotion God is worthy of. No one else died on the cross for you, and no one else redeemed you—or COULD redeem you.
—MORE THAN OUR OWN VIEWS. (This man actually thought that he WOULD follow the Lord).—
Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto Him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
—MORE THAN PARENTS—
Luke 9:59 And He said unto another, Follow Me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
—MORE THAN FAMILY—
Luke 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
—MORE THAN SPOUSE.—
Luke 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
***THESE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR PRIORITIES RIGHT NEVER DID ANYTHING POWERFUL FOR THE LORD. THEY WERE ALL TALK. THEY CLAIMED THEY WOULD FOLLOW THE LORD. DID GOD REWARD THEIR WORDS OR ACTIONS ?
Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
3. THE FIRST PRIORITY IN EDUCATION IS TO KNOW GOD.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO ?
SOMETIMES INVOLVES DOING SOMETHING ELSE FIRST.
Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
GETTING RIGHT WITH SOMEONE YOU HAVE WRONGED.
Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
IS THERE ANYTHING HINDERING ME FROM DOING IT ?
Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
THE ENTRAPMENTS OF THE WORLD.
1 Samuel 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
A LACK OF BELIEVING GOD.
Jeremiah 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
HOW DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO IT ?
1 Samuel 16:2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
Deuteronomy 7:17 If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?
WHEN DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO IT ? **Timing is an important issue in spiritual things. There are times when if we miss an opportunity by five minutes, it will be gone forever. WHEN the HS speaks to us about something, we can be sure that if He didn’t say, “Do this in 5 years,” He wants us to do it immediately or soon.
4. WE MUST SEEK GOD BEFORE TRYING TO CHANGE OUR LIVES.
A. TRYING TO CHANGE FIRST RESULTS IN CHAOS AND AGONY.
Matthew 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
5. THERE ARE PRIORITIES IN DEALING WITH OTHERS.
A. GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FIRST.
Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
B. HEARING A MATTER MUST COME BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
“Honoring God’s Priorities”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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