Making God Our Priority: Transforming Lives Together
Summary
Today, I want to share a message that centers on the importance of prioritizing God in our lives and the transformative power that comes from making Him our number one priority. As we gather here, I am filled with excitement for what God has in store for us today. Let's dive in.
First, I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone joining us online. My name is Chris Highfield, and I am the lead pastor here at Grace River Church. I am thrilled to be speaking to you from our new kids' wing, which opened last weekend. This new facility is a testament to the generosity of our community, and it allows us to double our square footage for kids' ministry, add a hundred seats to our auditorium, and create over a hundred new parking spots. This expansion is part of our Generations Initiative, and I am grateful for everyone who contributed to making this possible. If you haven't seen it yet, I encourage you to come and check it out. [16:13]
As we celebrate Mother's Day weekend, I want to acknowledge all the incredible moms and women out there. Your influence on the next generation is invaluable, and we are grateful for you. Today, I want to make three quick observations about families. First, every family is a little overcommitted. We have so many activities and responsibilities that we often become average at everything. Second, we are experience-rich but relationally poor. Our kids have amazing experiences, but they may lack deep, meaningful relationships. Third, we often become easily irritated with one another. We need to decide who our family will serve and make a conscious effort to prioritize our relationships. [17:24]
In Joshua 24:15, we are reminded to choose whom we will serve. Joshua led the nation of Israel after Moses, and he urged them to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. The Israelites had adopted some of the idols of the Egyptians during their time in bondage, and Joshua called them to put away these idols and serve the Lord alone. Similarly, we must recognize the idols in our own lives, such as money, status, politics, and comfort, and choose to serve God above all else. [20:07]
To serve the Lord wholeheartedly, we need to make three commitments. First, we must work on our own stuff. Colossians 3:5-8 teaches us to put to death sinful earthly things and to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. We need to start by working on our own hearts and addressing our own issues. Second, we need to set boundaries. Just as sports have boundaries to ensure fair play, we need to establish boundaries in our lives and in our children's lives to promote healthy and godly living. Third, we need to put God first. When we make God our number one priority, it changes everything in our lives and the lives of those around us. [24:11]
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 to seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and God will provide everything we need. When we make God our priority, it transforms our lives and the lives of our families, coworkers, and extended families. Jesus came to meet us in our mess and to make beauty from our ashes. Whether it's the ashes of addiction, bitterness, or past mistakes, Jesus came for all of it. Today, I invite you to make Jesus the Lord of your life and to seek the kingdom of God first. [27:54]
As we close, I want to pray for you and your families. God, thank you for your son, Jesus, who came to die on the cross for our sins. Thank you for meeting us in our mess and for the hope and transformation you bring. I pray for strength and encouragement for every parent and family member watching today. Help us to lead our families well and to make you our number one priority. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. [30:16]
Thank you for joining us online today. I am excited for our upcoming series on rest, which will help us understand how to enjoy life according to God's will. Join us next week at Grace River Church. God bless.
Key Takeaways:
1. Prioritizing God Transforms Lives: When we make God our number one priority, it changes everything in our lives and the lives of those around us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 to seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and God will provide everything we need. This commitment to prioritizing God brings about a profound transformation that extends to our families, coworkers, and communities. [27:54]
2. Recognize and Reject Modern Idols: Just as the Israelites adopted the idols of the Egyptians, we too can fall into the trap of modern idols such as money, status, politics, and comfort. Joshua 24:15 reminds us to choose whom we will serve. By identifying and rejecting these idols, we can wholeheartedly serve the Lord and experience the fullness of His blessings. [20:07]
3. Work on Your Own Issues First: Colossians 3:5-8 teaches us to address our own sinful behaviors and attitudes before expecting change in others. By working on our own hearts and getting rid of anger, rage, and other negative behaviors, we set a positive example for our families and create a healthier environment for growth and transformation. [24:11]
4. Set Boundaries for Healthy Living: Just as sports have boundaries to ensure fair play, we need to establish boundaries in our lives and in our children's lives. These boundaries help promote healthy and godly living, preventing us from falling into harmful behaviors and ensuring that we stay focused on our commitment to serve the Lord. [26:41]
5. Jesus Meets Us in Our Mess: No matter the mess we find ourselves in—whether it's addiction, bitterness, or past mistakes—Jesus came to meet us in our mess and to make beauty from our ashes. By inviting Jesus into our lives and making Him the Lord of our lives, we can experience His transformative power and the hope and healing He brings. [29:16]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[16:13] - New Kids Wing and Generations Initiative
[17:24] - Observations About Families
[20:07] - Choosing Whom to Serve
[24:11] - Working on Our Own Issues
[26:41] - Setting Boundaries
[27:54] - Prioritizing God
[29:16] - Jesus Meets Us in Our Mess
[30:16] - Closing Prayer and Upcoming Series
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
2. Colossians 3:5-8 - "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."
3. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three observations about families that Pastor Chris made in the sermon? [17:24]
2. According to Joshua 24:15, what choice does Joshua present to the Israelites?
3. What specific behaviors and attitudes does Colossians 3:5-8 instruct us to put to death?
4. In Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus tell us to seek first, and what is promised as a result?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Pastor Chris believe that modern families are "experience-rich but relationally poor"? How does this observation relate to the need for prioritizing God in our lives? [17:24]
2. How can identifying and rejecting modern idols, such as money and status, help us serve the Lord wholeheartedly as mentioned in Joshua 24:15? [20:07]
3. What does it mean to "work on our own stuff" according to Colossians 3:5-8, and why is this important for creating a healthier family environment? [24:11]
4. How does setting boundaries in our lives and our children's lives promote healthy and godly living? [26:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any modern idols (e.g., money, status, politics, comfort) that you need to identify and reject to serve God more wholeheartedly? How can you start this process? [20:07]
2. Pastor Chris mentioned that every family is a little overcommitted. What are some activities or commitments in your life that might be causing you to be "average at everything"? How can you prioritize your commitments to focus more on God and family? [17:24]
3. In what ways can you work on your own issues, such as anger or bitterness, to set a positive example for your family? What steps can you take this week to address these issues? [24:11]
4. Think about the boundaries you currently have in your life. Are there any areas where you need to establish or reinforce boundaries to promote godly living? How can you implement these boundaries effectively? [26:41]
5. Jesus meets us in our mess and transforms our lives. Reflect on a "mess" in your life that you need Jesus to transform. How can you invite Him into this situation and seek His guidance and healing? [29:16]
6. How can you make God the number one priority in your daily life? What specific changes can you make to ensure that you are seeking His kingdom first, as instructed in Matthew 6:33? [27:54]
7. Pastor Chris emphasized the importance of leading our families well. What are some practical ways you can lead your family in prioritizing God and building meaningful relationships? [30:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritizing God Transforms Lives
When we make God our number one priority, it changes everything in our lives and the lives of those around us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 to seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and God will provide everything we need. This commitment to prioritizing God brings about a profound transformation that extends to our families, coworkers, and communities. By putting God first, we align our lives with His will and experience His blessings in every aspect of our lives. This transformation is not just personal but also impacts those around us, creating a ripple effect of positive change and spiritual growth. [27:54]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can make God a higher priority today? How can you practically seek His kingdom first in that area?
Day 2: Recognize and Reject Modern Idols
Just as the Israelites adopted the idols of the Egyptians, we too can fall into the trap of modern idols such as money, status, politics, and comfort. Joshua 24:15 reminds us to choose whom we will serve. By identifying and rejecting these idols, we can wholeheartedly serve the Lord and experience the fullness of His blessings. Modern idols can subtly take precedence in our lives, diverting our attention and devotion away from God. Recognizing these idols requires honest self-reflection and a commitment to place God above all else. By doing so, we free ourselves from the bondage of these idols and open our hearts to God's transformative power. [20:07]
Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: Identify one modern idol that has taken a place in your life. What steps can you take today to reject this idol and refocus your devotion on God?
Day 3: Work on Your Own Issues First
Colossians 3:5-8 teaches us to address our own sinful behaviors and attitudes before expecting change in others. By working on our own hearts and getting rid of anger, rage, and other negative behaviors, we set a positive example for our families and create a healthier environment for growth and transformation. Self-examination and personal growth are essential for spiritual maturity. When we focus on our own issues, we become more compassionate and understanding towards others, fostering a more loving and supportive community. This personal transformation not only benefits us but also positively influences those around us. [24:11]
Colossians 3:5-8 (ESV): "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth."
Reflection: What is one specific sinful behavior or attitude you need to address in your own life? How can you begin to work on this issue today with God's help?
Day 4: Set Boundaries for Healthy Living
Just as sports have boundaries to ensure fair play, we need to establish boundaries in our lives and in our children's lives. These boundaries help promote healthy and godly living, preventing us from falling into harmful behaviors and ensuring that we stay focused on our commitment to serve the Lord. Boundaries are essential for maintaining balance and protecting our spiritual well-being. They help us prioritize our time, energy, and resources in a way that honors God and supports our overall health. By setting and respecting boundaries, we create a structured environment that fosters spiritual growth and healthy relationships. [26:41]
Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
Reflection: What is one boundary you need to establish or reinforce in your life to promote healthy and godly living? How can you implement this boundary starting today?
Day 5: Jesus Meets Us in Our Mess
No matter the mess we find ourselves in—whether it's addiction, bitterness, or past mistakes—Jesus came to meet us in our mess and to make beauty from our ashes. By inviting Jesus into our lives and making Him the Lord of our lives, we can experience His transformative power and the hope and healing He brings. Jesus' love and grace are available to us regardless of our circumstances. He offers redemption and restoration, turning our brokenness into something beautiful. Embracing this truth allows us to move forward with hope and confidence, knowing that Jesus is with us every step of the way. [29:16]
Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel broken or in need of healing? How can you invite Jesus into this area and trust Him to bring transformation and beauty from your ashes?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We adopt the culture of busyness. In fact, we're getting ready to start a brand new series next week called Rest. And I really want to encourage you to come check this series out because I think sometimes we're competitive with each other about how busy we are." [21:29]
2. "We have the idol of money. Like all of us struggle at some extent with just needing and thinking that we want more and more money, that if I had more money, then I would have happiness. Well, I think we battle with today's idols. Like we're not worshiping a sun or a moon God, but instead we're battling these idols, the idol of status. Like we just want people to approve us. That's why we are obsessed with social media and obsessed with the idea of people having approval and liking all of our stuff." [22:43]
3. "Every family that I know is a little overcommitted, right? We've all got too many things going on. And so we've got a lot happening. And I think sometimes our overcommitment makes us average at everything. And so that's just an observation that I make. Also, we're experience rich, but we're relationally poor. And so, man, our kids have some of the best experiences you can imagine. They've been to sporting events. They've been to concerts. They've been to Disney. They've done all of these things and they're experience rich, but here's the problem. They're relationally poor." [17:24]
4. "We can be patient with people that we're friends with, people that we're acquaintances with. We can be patient with people that we work with or even people that we're in small group with, but it's wild, isn't it? How easily irritated we can become with each other in family." [18:42]
5. "You confront the messes in your life. Here's what the reality is. We all have a mess, and here's why we have a mess, because we're a mess. What's amazing is that Jesus comes crashing into our mess, and He can make beauty from whatever the ashes are. You think about the ashes of your life. Maybe it's the ashes of addiction, or the ashes of forgiveness, the ashes of bitterness, the ashes of prior consequences, and mistakes that we've made, and guilt that we feel, and shame that we feel, and remorse that we have." [29:16]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We have the idol of money. Like all of us struggle at some extent with just needing and thinking that we want more and more money, that if I had more money, then I would have happiness. Well, I think we battle with today's idols. Like we're not worshiping a sun or a moon God, but instead we're battling these idols, the idol of status. Like we just want people to approve us. That's why we are obsessed with social media and obsessed with the idea of people having approval and liking all of our stuff." [22:43]
2. "Colossians 3, verse 5 helps us to understand that we got to work on us first. In order for our kids to change, in order for our spouse to change, in order for our extended family to change, it starts with us. And so here's what Paul writes. He says, so put to death sinful earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do, wow, this is good, nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater worshiping the things of this world." [24:11]
3. "You got to work on your own stuff. And a big part of that list, especially in verse 5, has to do with sexual sin. Like you look at this and you go, okay, this is a real problem, right? And how many marriages and how many families have been wrecked as a result, okay? So it's important to recognize and understand what is it that we need to work on? Is it our sexuality or is it our sexual life? Is it our sexual life? Is it our sexual life? Is it our anger and our rage and our bitterness? Hey, listen, you got to start by working on your own stuff. That's the first place that it begins." [25:28]
4. "You need boundaries. I think about sports that I like to watch, and you think about the sporting event that you like to watch. Maybe it's basketball, maybe it's football, maybe it's tennis, maybe it's track. I mean, heck, maybe it's even NASCAR, and that's pretty boring, or even golf, also very boring. You may enjoy watching these sports, but you know the one thing that's in common in every single sporting event is that there's always boundaries." [26:41]
5. "Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, to everything you need. God will give you, listen to this, everything, not that you want, but everything that you need as a result of serving Him, of putting Him first, seeking the kingdom of God first in your life, and I just don't know if we're doing that, and when we are doing that, it absolutely changes everything." [27:54]
6. "My hope for you is that you'd make a decision to say, He isn't just a part of my life. He's not just a supplement of my life. He's the Savior of my life, and whenever you make that change, it makes the change not only in your life, but it makes the change in your spouse's life, in your kid's life, in your co-worker's life, in your extended family's life. It makes a gigantic difference." [27:54]
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