Prioritizing Jesus: The Urgency of Our Faith
Summary
### Summary
In life, our actions often reflect our priorities and the urgency we attach to them. This principle is evident in various scenarios, such as teenagers responding to their parents' commands only when threatened with consequences, or my wife being punctual for a flight but not for other appointments. Similarly, during my university days, I only prioritized my studies when my graduation was at risk. These stories illustrate that urgency drives prioritization.
When it comes to our relationship with God, we often fail to prioritize Him unless we feel an urgent need. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, addresses this by emphasizing the supremacy and preeminence of Jesus Christ. Paul presents Jesus as the image of the invisible God, highlighting His authority and worthiness. Jesus is not just a moral teacher; He is God, and His words carry divine authority. This makes Him supremely worthy of our prioritization.
Paul also describes Jesus as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Jesus holds the universe together, and by His power, He enables us to live and thrive. This should create an urgency in us to cling to Him as our only hope. Just as we prioritize the requests of those who have authority over us in our professional lives, we should prioritize Jesus, who sustains our very existence.
Furthermore, Jesus is the head of the church and has reconciled us to God through His sacrifice on the cross. This makes Him worthy of being our sole focus and purpose in life. He has earned the right to be prioritized because He died for us, providing salvation and eternal life. Ignoring Him is not just ungrateful; it is foolish.
In practical terms, prioritizing Jesus means putting Him first in our daily routines, whether through prayer, reading the Bible, or relying on His strength and wisdom in our work and studies. By doing so, we acknowledge His authority, recognize His sustaining power, and honor the sacrifice He made for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Urgency Drives Prioritization: Our actions often reflect what we prioritize based on urgency. Just as teenagers respond to their parents' commands only when threatened with consequences, we often fail to prioritize God unless we feel an urgent need. Recognizing this can help us consciously make God a priority in our lives. [01:32]
2. Jesus' Authority and Worthiness: Jesus is not just a moral teacher; He is God. His words carry divine authority, making Him supremely worthy of our prioritization. If we truly believe Jesus is God, our lives should reflect His supreme authority and worthiness. [09:13]
3. Jesus as Creator and Sustainer: Jesus holds the universe together and enables us to live and thrive. This should create an urgency in us to cling to Him as our only hope. Just as we prioritize the requests of those who have authority over us in our professional lives, we should prioritize Jesus, who sustains our very existence. [17:40]
4. Jesus' Sacrifice and Reconciliation: Jesus reconciled us to God through His sacrifice on the cross, making Him worthy of being our sole focus and purpose in life. He has earned the right to be prioritized because He died for us, providing salvation and eternal life. Ignoring Him is not just ungrateful; it is foolish. [31:06]
5. Practical Ways to Prioritize Jesus: Prioritizing Jesus means putting Him first in our daily routines, whether through prayer, reading the Bible, or relying on His strength and wisdom in our work and studies. By doing so, we acknowledge His authority, recognize His sustaining power, and honor the sacrifice He made for us. [41:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Story of Teenagers and Prioritization
[02:46] - Story of University Days
[04:10] - Urgency in Prioritizing Studies
[05:52] - Urgency in Prioritizing God
[07:26] - Supremacy and Preeminence of Jesus
[09:13] - Jesus as the Image of the Invisible God
[11:06] - Jesus' Authority and Worthiness
[12:49] - Practical Implications of Jesus' Authority
[14:25] - Jesus' Worthiness
[16:03] - Jesus as Creator and Sustainer
[17:40] - Jesus' Role in Creation
[19:31] - Jesus Sustains All Things
[21:03] - Jesus' Power Over Life
[22:39] - Jesus as Our Enablement and Causality
[24:21] - Story of Airline Upgrade
[26:04] - Prioritizing God for the Right Reasons
[27:47] - Cause and Effect in Prioritizing Jesus
[29:30] - Prioritizing Jesus in Life Decisions
[31:06] - Jesus as Head of the Church
[32:30] - Making Jesus Preeminent
[34:20] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Reconciliation
[36:17] - Jesus Saves Us
[38:03] - Jesus Earned the Right to Be Prioritized
[39:46] - Reflecting on Our Priorities
[41:49] - Practical Ways to Prioritize Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV): "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what roles and attributes are ascribed to Jesus? How do these roles emphasize His authority and worthiness?
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate how urgency drives prioritization in our lives? ([01:32])
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between how we prioritize Jesus and how we prioritize other important figures or tasks in our lives? ([14:25])
4. What does the sermon say about the consequences of not prioritizing Jesus in our daily lives? ([26:04])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize Jesus as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation in Colossians 1:15-20? How does this relate to the urgency of prioritizing Jesus in our lives?
2. The sermon mentions that Jesus is not just a moral teacher but God Himself. How does this understanding impact the way we should respond to His teachings and commands? ([09:13])
3. How does recognizing Jesus as the Creator and Sustainer of all things create a sense of urgency to cling to Him as our only hope? ([17:40])
4. What does it mean for Jesus to be the head of the church and how should this influence our focus and purpose in life? ([31:06])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. What specific changes can you make to prioritize Jesus more consistently, such as through prayer or Bible reading? ([41:49])
2. Think about a time when you felt an urgent need to prioritize something in your life. How can you apply that same sense of urgency to your relationship with Jesus? ([05:52])
3. Jesus is described as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. How can this truth help you trust Him more with the challenges you face in your life? ([19:31])
4. The sermon suggests that ignoring Jesus is not just ungrateful but foolish. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that Jesus remains your sole focus and purpose in life? ([34:20])
5. How can you demonstrate Jesus' authority and worthiness in your interactions with others, whether at work, school, or home? ([11:06])
6. Identify one area of your life where you have not been prioritizing Jesus. What specific actions will you take this week to change that? ([29:30])
7. The sermon mentions practical ways to prioritize Jesus, such as listening to Christian music or podcasts. What is one new habit you can start this week to keep Jesus at the forefront of your mind? ([41:49])
Devotional
Day 1: Urgency Reflects Our Priorities
Our actions often reflect what we prioritize based on urgency. Just as teenagers respond to their parents' commands only when threatened with consequences, we often fail to prioritize God unless we feel an urgent need. Recognizing this can help us consciously make God a priority in our lives. When we understand that urgency drives our prioritization, we can begin to see the importance of making God a central part of our daily lives, not just in times of crisis. This shift in perspective can lead to a more consistent and meaningful relationship with Him. [01:32]
Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Reflection: Think about a recent situation where you only turned to God when you felt desperate. How can you start making God a priority in your daily routine, even when things are going well?
Day 2: Jesus' Divine Authority and Worthiness
Jesus is not just a moral teacher; He is God. His words carry divine authority, making Him supremely worthy of our prioritization. If we truly believe Jesus is God, our lives should reflect His supreme authority and worthiness. This means that our decisions, actions, and priorities should align with His teachings and commands. By recognizing Jesus' divine authority, we can begin to live in a way that honors Him and acknowledges His rightful place in our lives. [09:13]
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to acknowledge Jesus' authority. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him and live in a way that honors His divine authority?
Day 3: Jesus as Creator and Sustainer
Jesus holds the universe together and enables us to live and thrive. This should create an urgency in us to cling to Him as our only hope. Just as we prioritize the requests of those who have authority over us in our professional lives, we should prioritize Jesus, who sustains our very existence. Understanding Jesus' role as Creator and Sustainer can deepen our dependence on Him and remind us of our need to prioritize Him in all aspects of our lives. [17:40]
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Reflection: Consider how you can acknowledge Jesus as the Sustainer of your life today. What practical steps can you take to depend more on His strength and wisdom in your daily activities?
Day 4: Jesus' Sacrifice and Reconciliation
Jesus reconciled us to God through His sacrifice on the cross, making Him worthy of being our sole focus and purpose in life. He has earned the right to be prioritized because He died for us, providing salvation and eternal life. Ignoring Him is not just ungrateful; it is foolish. By understanding the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice, we can begin to see the importance of making Him the center of our lives and living in a way that reflects our gratitude for His love and grace. [31:06]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice for you personally. How can you make His sacrifice the central focus of your life and live in a way that honors His gift of reconciliation?
Day 5: Practical Ways to Prioritize Jesus
Prioritizing Jesus means putting Him first in our daily routines, whether through prayer, reading the Bible, or relying on His strength and wisdom in our work and studies. By doing so, we acknowledge His authority, recognize His sustaining power, and honor the sacrifice He made for us. Practical steps to prioritize Jesus can include setting aside specific times for prayer and Bible study, seeking His guidance in decision-making, and intentionally living out His teachings in our interactions with others. [41:49]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: Identify one specific change you can make in your daily routine to prioritize Jesus. How will this change help you grow in your relationship with Him and acknowledge His authority in your life?
Quotes
1. "My friends, the reality is the urgency to prioritize things in our life is based on the situation and the people involved. Is it a matter of life and death? Does the person have authority over me? Are there negative consequences if I don't do it? Is it of supreme importance that I do it? We assess our priorities based on these implied questions. Likewise, when it comes to our relationship with God, we can talk all we want about the importance of that relationship, hindrances to that relationship, examples of, habits needed, and purpose of. But at the end of the day, we simply don't put God as a priority unless there is an urgency to prioritize." [04:10] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If Jesus is a sovereign God, authoritative in His Word, and worthy of our worship, then it is not up for debate. He must have first place in our lives, and we must obey His words. Now, putting it all together, we have the first reason for why we need to prioritize Christ in our lives. prioritize Christ, number one, Christ is authoritative and worthy. Jesus is authoritative and worthy." [11:06] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Because Jesus is God, then He is authoritative. His teachings are the very words of God, and therefore, not just suggestions for how we are to live a moral life, but commands for what the sovereign God demands and desires of all those who follow Him. You and I know our reaction is different if someone tells us to do the same thing based on the authority of the person." [11:06] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "My friends, Jesus is worthy, not because you think He is worthy. He is worthy because of who He is as God. That means it's not up for a subjective argument. It is a matter of fact. What if, for example, one day out of the blue, Taylor Swift, LeBron James, the group Blackpink, Chris Helmsworth, Ariana Grande, name one of your cultural heroes, were to reach out to you, their biggest fan, and tell you that in 24 hours, they're going to spend a whole entire day at your home, hanging out with you, or your apartment, or your condo, what would you do?" [14:25] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you acknowledge that as God, Jesus is intrinsically worthy, then how worthy do you really treat him? Better than a servant or as great as your most admired cultural hero? Take, for example, Leonardo Walt Disney. Here's a whiteboard. Here if I tell you I don't know an answer. It goes down one seat, eight down the absolutely only level. Here if you get one single image of Jesus you can only wish for it. our friends, and it applies to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is God. You tell me how worthy He is to you by how you prioritize His things." [16:03] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Our Lord created each one of us as unique and special in His imago Dei, in His image. That's why every human life is precious, in the sight of God, and should be in our eyes as well. Notice at the end of verse 16 that our creation finds its end goal or purpose in Christ. All things were created for Him. That's why one day all of us, all creation, will bow the knee, declare and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God. My friends, all of us are created. To glorify Jesus Christ. Something for us to think about." [17:40] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If this is the power of our Lord, do you not think He can handle the problems of our life? He holds everything together, together. If He holds all creation in His hands, do you not think it is outside His power to intervene and supernaturally alter the forces of nature, or perhaps He has the right to simply ignore the very rule of nature He has set forth to do miraculous things?" [21:03] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we understand who Christ is, the motivation is the reality that we are to prioritize with urgency Christ because we are too scared and too afraid not to. We should be afraid of living every single day if we are not clinging on to Him because just one accident or one health issue can change the trajectory of our lives. The one who alone can sustain and enable us in our life's successes is the person we should be prioritizing at this very moment because the implications of ignoring Him is to our own good. detriment." [26:04] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If you want the effect of success, a great legacy, security in life, then it goes without saying that the cause and the guarantor of those things needs to be our Lord. Therefore, we need to align our lives with God, to lean into Him, to trust Him, to cling to Him, be close to Him, to prioritize Him. Again, I say it to you, although God is a God of grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness, why in the world would He choose to bless you if you have not prioritized Him in your life?" [27:47] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If you receive something so valuable which you and I could not secure or acquire ourselves, would you not do everything and anything for the person who helped you get it? For example, if someone bought you a brand new car and then, as he was about to hand over the keys to you, asked you for a glass of water, would you go get it for him? I'm sure you would. Only the foolish would say, I'm sorry, I don't want to serve you. I'm not going to get a glass of water for you. You take back your keys. That would just be foolish." [38:03] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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