Aligning Priorities: Drawing Closer to God and Others
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the theme of priorities within our ongoing series, "Closer." The essence of our discussion was about aligning our lives in a way that brings us closer to Jesus and strengthens our relationships with others. We began by reflecting on the importance of connection, as taught by Pastor Ronnie, emphasizing that proximity is crucial for building relationships, whether with God or with people. This led us to consider how we can actively seek out and engage with those we wish to grow closer to, including our family and friends.
We delved into the concept of priorities, understanding that our lives are filled with choices about what we place first. As Christians, our foremost priority should be to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, as instructed in Matthew 22:36-39. This foundational commandment sets the stage for everything else in our lives. We also discussed the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves, which is equally significant.
The analogy of the two wolves was shared to illustrate the battle within us between selfish desires and virtues like kindness and humility. The wolf we choose to feed is the one that will prevail, highlighting the importance of nurturing our relationship with Jesus. We also touched on the story of the ten lepers, where only one returned to thank Jesus, reminding us to prioritize gratitude and worship in our lives.
Finally, we examined the order of priorities: God first, family second, and career third. This order ensures that our lives are aligned with God's will, allowing everything else to fall into place. We were encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and live righteously, trusting that He will provide for our needs.
Key Takeaways:
- Proximity and Connection: Building meaningful relationships requires intentional proximity. Whether with God or others, we must actively seek out and engage with those we wish to grow closer to. This involves understanding their interests and making an effort to connect on a deeper level. [44:01]
- Prioritizing God: Our primary focus should be on loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This foundational commandment sets the stage for everything else in our lives, ensuring that our actions and decisions align with His will. [51:09]
- Feeding the Right Wolf: The story of the two wolves teaches us that the aspects of our character we choose to nurture will grow. By feeding our relationship with Jesus, we cultivate virtues like kindness and humility, allowing them to flourish in our lives. [53:49]
- Gratitude and Worship: The story of the ten lepers reminds us to prioritize gratitude and worship. Only one leper returned to thank Jesus, highlighting the importance of acknowledging God's blessings and expressing our appreciation through worship. [01:11:09]
- Order of Priorities: Placing God first, family second, and career third ensures that our lives are aligned with God's will. This order allows everything else to fall into place, as we trust in His provision and guidance. [01:19:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Lighthearted Moments
- [03:00] - Recap of the Closer Series
- [05:45] - Importance of Connection
- [08:30] - Prioritizing God in Our Lives
- [12:00] - The Two Wolves Story
- [15:00] - Gratitude and Worship
- [18:30] - Order of Priorities: God, Family, Career
- [22:00] - Personal Stories and Illustrations
- [26:00] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
- [30:00] - Lessons from King Saul and David
- [34:00] - Aligning Our Lives with God's Will
- [38:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship Invitation
- [42:00] - Final Encouragement and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 22:36-39
- Matthew 6:33
- Luke 17:11-19
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 22:36-39, what are the two greatest commandments, and how do they relate to our priorities as Christians?
2. In the sermon, what analogy was used to describe the internal battle between selfish desires and virtues like kindness and humility? [51:09]
3. How did the story of the ten lepers illustrate the importance of gratitude and worship in our lives? [01:11:09]
4. What order of priorities was suggested in the sermon, and why is this order significant for aligning our lives with God's will? [01:19:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind serve as a foundation for other priorities in our lives? [51:09]
2. What does the story of the two wolves teach us about the choices we make in nurturing our character and relationship with Jesus? [53:49]
3. In what ways does the story of the ten lepers challenge us to reflect on our own expressions of gratitude and worship? [01:11:09]
4. How can the order of priorities—God first, family second, career third—impact our daily decisions and long-term goals? [01:19:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Is there an area where you feel your priorities might be misaligned with the biblical order discussed in the sermon? How can you begin to realign them this week? [01:19:03]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of proximity and connection. What practical steps can you take to intentionally draw closer to God and others in your life? [44:01]
3. Consider the analogy of the two wolves. What specific virtues do you want to nurture in your life, and what actions can you take to "feed" those virtues? [53:49]
4. How can you incorporate more gratitude and worship into your daily routine, similar to the leper who returned to thank Jesus? [01:11:09]
5. Think about a recent situation where you prioritized work over family. What changes can you make to ensure your family comes before your career in the future? [01:19:03]
6. Identify a distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What steps can you take to minimize this distraction and prioritize your relationship with Him? [01:24:00]
7. Reflect on a time when you reached out to God only in times of need. How can you cultivate a more consistent and authentic relationship with Him beyond moments of desperation? [01:11:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Intentional Proximity Builds Meaningful Connections
Building meaningful relationships requires intentional proximity. Whether with God or others, we must actively seek out and engage with those we wish to grow closer to. This involves understanding their interests and making an effort to connect on a deeper level. [44:01]
"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you feel distant from, and what specific steps can you take this week to intentionally draw closer to them?
Day 2: Loving God as Our Foremost Priority
Our primary focus should be on loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This foundational commandment sets the stage for everything else in our lives, ensuring that our actions and decisions align with His will. [51:09]
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart." (Deuteronomy 6:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can demonstrate your love for God today, and how can you make this a regular part of your life?
Day 3: Nurturing Virtues by Feeding the Right Wolf
The story of the two wolves teaches us that the aspects of our character we choose to nurture will grow. By feeding our relationship with Jesus, we cultivate virtues like kindness and humility, allowing them to flourish in our lives. [53:49]
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific virtue you want to grow in your life. What daily habit can you start to nurture this virtue?
Day 4: Gratitude and Worship as Daily Priorities
The story of the ten lepers reminds us to prioritize gratitude and worship. Only one leper returned to thank Jesus, highlighting the importance of acknowledging God's blessings and expressing our appreciation through worship. [01:11:09]
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you are grateful for today, and how can you express this gratitude to God in a meaningful way?
Day 5: Aligning Life's Priorities with God's Will
Placing God first, family second, and career third ensures that our lives are aligned with God's will. This order allows everything else to fall into place, as we trust in His provision and guidance. [01:19:03]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current priorities. Is there an area where you need to realign your focus to better reflect God's will? What steps can you take to make this change?
Quotes
Now as Christians, I believe that our number one priority is to love the Lord. Amen. Matthew 22, 36 through 39 says this. It says, Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses? Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important. Love your neighbor as yourself. [00:49:59] (29 seconds)
Another powerful verse is Matthew 6, 33. Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously. That's a key point. Live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. He's talking about, do not worry about this life. Do not worry about, you know, the clothes that you have or the food. He says, look at the birds of the air. They don't sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your heavenly father, he, what? He feeds them. [00:50:28] (27 seconds)
The story is about prioritizing where you put your energy. What you nurture in life will grow. And this is our take-home principle number one. If you feed your relationship with Jesus, it will grow. Very simple, but very true. And it's very applicable for our lives, especially as Christians. [00:53:02] (21 seconds)
So listen, I have a hunger and a thirst for Jesus. Like my wife and I and other people were in a Wednesday night discipleship program called Men and Women of Valor. And we just went on a 21-day prayer and fasting. And it was powerful. And I tell you what, guys, like I've known Jesus for many, a long time, many, many years, many, many moons. [00:53:43] (26 seconds)
And I just have a deep hunger and thirst for the Lord. and for righteousness remember righteousness seek the Lord live righteously I just have a hunger and a thirst for that like never before listen I want to be so close to Jesus that that I can hear his whisper and still small voice because it's a lot easier to hear a whisper when you're next or close to someone [00:54:49] (26 seconds)
A strong marriage can provide a stable environment for children to thrive in it's powerful and it's a good model for them to see if parents are together or whatnot or just a good relationship than them to see that because they one day will have a spouse as well lifelong partnership your spouse is your partner for life while children eventually grow up and leave home [00:55:28] (24 seconds)
And this is our last take-home principle. It's, if our lives aren't about Jesus, my friends, our lives are about the Lord. If you want to live righteously, if you want to honor the Lord, then do what's right. Our purpose is to love the Lord, like I spoke. I mean, that's what Jesus said. He said, that's the, you know, that's the biggest thing. Love the Lord. Love others. [01:19:20] (31 seconds)
And like I said earlier, one of the ways that we love on the Lord is through worship. Worship is just, like I said, it's not done here in a building. It's, it's everywhere we go. We're to worship Jesus with everything we do. But if we don't put Jesus as number one or the main thing, we end up, we end up idolizing or worshiping other gods or other things. [01:20:04] (24 seconds)
So in this place, if you would just, just bow your heads in this place. Just close your eyes. No one looking. Around and we're here in a little bit, we're going to go through a time of time of worship. And after we sing a song, I'm going to come back and I'm going to dismiss us quietly because there are going to be some people who want to continue to worship. [01:20:22] (23 seconds)
Lord, I thank you so much for your presence in this place. And I thank you so much that you have put us all here for a time such as this. We weren't, we weren't here by accident because you have a plan and a purpose for everything. And we thank you that you love us. And we thank you that we, we were on your mind on that cross. [01:22:03] (27 seconds)
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