Finding Balance: Prioritizing God's Kingdom in Chaos
Summary
Today, I began by addressing the congregation with a light-hearted note about my new outfit, a gift from my wife, which I wore as a Mother's Day gift to her. I then transitioned into a discussion about the busyness and chaos that many of us experience, particularly during this time of year, which I referred to as "May-cember." This term captures the hectic pace of life that resembles December's chaos but occurs in May, filled with endless activities and responsibilities but without the festive joy of gift-opening.
I emphasized the importance of moving from a state of frantic activity to a focused, purposeful life. This shift is crucial not only for our personal well-being but also for maintaining healthy relationships within our families. I highlighted the necessity of setting proper priorities, which involves placing Jesus and His kingdom at the center of our lives. This alignment allows us to manage our time and resources more effectively, ensuring that we are not overwhelmed by the demands of daily life.
In the sermon, I delved into the biblical narrative found in Mark chapter 6, where Jesus invites His disciples to come away to a quiet place to rest after a busy period of ministry. This story underscores the importance of balance and the need for rest, even in the midst of serving and ministering to others. It serves as a reminder that we must take time to replenish ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually to continue doing God's work effectively.
I also discussed the concept of sanctification, which involves daily becoming more like Jesus. This process requires effort and intentionality in setting priorities and striving for personal purity. Just as miners work hard to uncover precious jewels, we too must labor to bring forth the righteousness and gifts that God has placed within us.
Finally, I concluded the sermon with a call to action, urging everyone to reflect on their personal and family lives to ensure that they are aligning with God's purposes. I encouraged setting aside time for rest and spiritual renewal, and to actively pursue God's kingdom and righteousness above all else.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Necessity of Balance in Ministry and Life
In the midst of active ministry and daily responsibilities, it's crucial to find moments for rest and renewal. Jesus demonstrated this when He instructed His disciples to retreat to a quiet place after a busy period of ministry. This balance prevents burnout and ensures we are spiritually replenished to face the challenges ahead. [46:44]
2. Setting Priorities to Focus on God's Kingdom
To navigate the chaos of life, setting priorities that align with God's kingdom is essential. This involves making intentional choices daily to focus on spiritual growth and personal purity, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to God. This focus simplifies life decisions and helps maintain peace amidst chaos. [58:26]
3. The Process of Sanctification in Christian Life
Sanctification is an ongoing process where we become more like Christ through daily commitments to godliness and purity. This spiritual journey is akin to mining, where continuous effort is required to uncover and polish the gems of righteousness within us. This process is vital for personal spiritual growth and for reflecting Christ's love to others. [01:01:59]
4. The Importance of Strategic Spiritual Planning
Just as we often plan meticulously for significant events like weddings, it is equally important to plan for our spiritual lives and family dynamics. Setting short-term goals and visions for our spiritual journey ensures that we are actively pursuing God's direction and not just reacting to life's demands. [54:41]
5. Commitment to Daily Seeking God's Kingdom
Each day presents a new opportunity to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness. By committing to this daily, we align our desires with God's, simplifying our lives and focusing on what truly matters. This commitment is crucial for living out our faith authentically and profoundly. [01:05:53]
### Youtube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [34:15] - Introduction and "May-cember" Concept
- [39:06] - The Importance of Keeping First Things First
- [46:44] - Biblical Example of Rest in Ministry
- [58:26] - Setting Priorities and Seeking Purity
- [01:01:59] - Understanding Sanctification
- [01:07:00] - Practical Steps for Spiritual Planning
- [01:10:09] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:25-34 - "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
2. Mark 6:30-32 - "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus instruct us to do in Matthew 6:33, and what is promised if we follow this instruction?
2. In Mark 6:31, what does Jesus tell His disciples to do after their busy period of ministry? Why is this significant?
3. According to the sermon, what is the term "May-cember" used to describe? ([34:15])
4. How does the sermon describe the process of sanctification? ([01:00:28])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize not worrying about material needs in Matthew 6:25-34? How does this relate to seeking God's kingdom first?
2. What might be the reasons Jesus invited His disciples to rest in Mark 6:31? How does this reflect on the importance of balance in ministry and life?
3. How does the concept of "May-cember" illustrate the need for setting proper priorities and finding balance in our lives? ([34:15])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between setting priorities and personal sanctification? ([01:00:28])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life situation. Are there areas where you feel overwhelmed or frantic? How can you apply Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:33 to these areas? ([39:06])
2. Jesus invited His disciples to rest after a busy period. How can you incorporate regular times of rest and spiritual renewal into your weekly routine? ([46:44])
3. The sermon discusses the importance of setting proper priorities. What are some practical steps you can take this week to ensure that Jesus and His kingdom are at the center of your life? ([43:12])
4. Think about the concept of sanctification as described in the sermon. What specific actions can you take to strive for personal purity and godliness in your daily life? ([01:00:28])
5. The sermon encourages strategic spiritual planning. Have you ever set spiritual goals for yourself or your family? If not, what might be a three to six-month goal you can set to grow closer to God? ([53:40])
6. How can you ensure that your daily activities and decisions reflect your commitment to seeking God's kingdom and righteousness? What changes might you need to make? ([01:05:53])
7. The sermon mentions the importance of rest and balance. Identify one specific way you can create more balance in your life this week. How will you ensure you follow through with this plan? ([51:49])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Rest in Active Ministry
Finding balance between ministry and rest is essential for spiritual health. Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of taking time to retreat and replenish, even amidst the demands of His ministry. This practice is not just about physical rest, but also about renewing one's spiritual energy to continue serving effectively. In a world that often values constant activity, it's vital to remember that strategic pauses can enhance our effectiveness and prevent burnout. This approach allows us to serve from a place of strength and spiritual fullness, rather than from exhaustion and depletion. [46:44]
"Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (Mark 6:31 ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate regular periods of rest into your weekly routine to ensure you are serving from a place of renewal rather than fatigue?
Day 2: Prioritizing God's Kingdom in Daily Chaos
In the whirlwind of daily responsibilities, it's crucial to anchor our lives around God's kingdom. This focus simplifies decision-making and fosters inner peace, even when external circumstances are chaotic. By intentionally setting priorities that align with God's will, we can navigate life's challenges with clarity and purpose. This commitment involves daily choices that reflect our dedication to spiritual growth and the pursuit of purity, helping us to live out our faith authentically and profoundly. [58:26]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can better prioritize God's kingdom, and what practical steps will you take to make this adjustment?
Day 3: The Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is a transformative process that requires daily commitment to growing in godliness. Like miners who tirelessly work to extract and polish precious gems, we too must diligently pursue personal purity and righteousness. This ongoing effort is crucial for becoming more like Christ and effectively reflecting His love to the world. Sanctification isn't a passive process; it demands active engagement and intentional living. [01:01:59]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)
Reflection: Identify one habit or area in your life that may be hindering your sanctification. What steps can you take to address this?
Day 4: Strategic Spiritual Planning
Just as we plan for significant life events, it's equally important to strategize for our spiritual growth and family dynamics. Setting short-term spiritual goals can provide direction and motivation, helping us to focus on God's purposes. This strategic approach ensures that we are not merely reacting to life's demands but actively pursuing a life that honors God and fosters spiritual maturity. [54:41]
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV)
Reflection: What are three spiritual goals you can set for the next month, and what practical steps will you take to achieve them?
Day 5: Daily Commitment to Seeking God's Kingdom
Each new day presents an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to God's kingdom. This daily recommitment helps align our desires with God's and simplifies our lives by focusing on what truly matters. By consistently choosing to prioritize God's kingdom, we cultivate a life that is deeply rooted in His righteousness and peace, impacting every decision and interaction we have. [01:05:53]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
Reflection: How can you make seeking God's kingdom a more intentional part of your daily routine?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "That Jesus' command in Matthew chapter 6, that the command he gives to frantic people and to frantic families is for you and I to keep first things first." [39:06]
2. "Jesus understood this. In their life, there was another wave of ministry coming around the corner and he needed to make sure they were ready. And they were not gonna be at their best and they were not gonna be ready for the next wave of ministry and the next wave of people. Man, if they were just going and going and going nonstop and they just don't have time to eat day after day after day, and what was true for them is also true for us." [52:32]
3. "Isn't that a little bit backwards? We put all that time and energy into one day and we spend zero time and energy, most of us, thinking about every single day that's gonna come after." [55:20]
4. "That every family needs a three to six months rallying cry. For the Wittens, our three to six months rallying cry that we've been focused on for quite a while now has been not only, man, McKinley's graduation from high school that takes place this coming Thursday, but also the extended time away that Temple is blessing us with this particular summer, June and July." [55:56]
### Quotes for Members
1. "And listen, right now, you are frantically running and chasing after all kinds of things and all kinds of accomplishments and all kinds of achievements. And listen, not only are you sacrificing your relationship with God in the process, but you're sacrificing your relationship with your spouse and your kids as well." [50:31]
2. "That you need to hit the pause button and you need to just take some time to refocus and to replenish yourself spiritually and physically and emotionally and mentally. Jesus in this moment chose the disciples. You need to choose rest over activity." [51:49]
3. "So yeah, we gotta make sure that we're setting proper priorities. But notice on the screen, the second way we flesh this out, according to Jesus' own words, is yeah, setting proper priorities, but it's also seeking personal purity." [58:26]
4. "It's you and I daily becoming more and more like Jesus, more and more holy, more and more pure, more and more godly. We just become a better reflection of Jesus as time goes by. And a great way to kind of think about this is like a miner." [01:00:28]
5. "And we've got to be willing to pay the price in order to do that day in and day out, to actively go after and pursue his kingdom and his righteousness above all else. And if we can do that, listen, all these other things that we desire, all these other things that we get consumed with, Jesus says, look, man, I'll, those things, you don't have to worry about them." [01:04:49]
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