Reordering Life: Prioritizing God and Others
Summary
The journey of following Jesus is not just about saying yes to Him, but about embracing a new way of life—a new normal that reorders our priorities and reshapes our hearts. At the core of this life are two priorities that Jesus Himself declared as the greatest: loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. These are not just ideals to admire, but realities to guard and protect, structuring our lives so that nothing dethrones them from first place.
Guarding these priorities means intentionally seeking God above all else, not as a one-time event, but as a continual pursuit. Just as a driver must keep their eyes on the road to avoid drifting, we must keep our eyes fixed on God’s kingdom, seeking Him daily in prayer, listening for the Holy Spirit, and staying connected to other believers. When we drift, we find ourselves in places we never intended, but when we seek God first, He promises to provide for our needs and guide our steps, even when the path seems counterintuitive.
Putting God first also transforms our approach to generosity. Everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him. When we hold our resources loosely and give both out of obedience and compassion, we enter into a cycle of blessing where God entrusts us with more—not for our own comfort, but so we can bless others and advance His kingdom. This is not just about money, but about the capacity of our hearts to give, serve, and love.
Finally, making God and others our top priorities equips us to rise above life’s storms. Following Jesus doesn’t insulate us from hardship; in fact, it often puts a target on our backs. But when our hearts are anchored in loving God and loving others, we gain a new perspective, remembering that this world is not our home and that Jesus has already overcome every storm. The support of the church community and the assurance of Christ’s victory enable us to stand firm, even when everything around us is shaking.
Jesus modeled these priorities perfectly—loving the Father and loving us, even to the point of the cross. As we remember Him in communion, we are invited to reset our hearts, dethrone anything that has taken His place, and recommit to loving God and others above all.
Key Takeaways
- Guarding Priorities Requires Intentionality
What we guard reveals what we truly value. It’s not enough to claim God is first; our schedules, finances, and relationships must reflect that reality. Setting up structures and boundaries around these priorities ensures they remain central, resisting the constant pull of self-interest and cultural distractions. [15:09]
- Continual Seeking Prevents Spiritual Drift
Seeking God is not a one-time achievement but a lifelong pursuit. When we take our eyes off Him, we inevitably drift into complacency or sin, but persistent seeking—through prayer, listening, and community—keeps us aligned with His will. God’s promise is that as we seek Him above all else, He will provide for our needs and direct our paths, even when His way seems contrary to our own logic. [20:52]
- Generosity Flows from Recognizing God’s Ownership
True generosity begins when we acknowledge that everything we have is God’s, not ours. When we give obediently and compassionately, we participate in God’s cycle of blessing—not to enrich ourselves, but to be conduits of His provision for others. The heart of giving is not about the amount, but about surrendering ownership and trusting God to multiply what we release for His purposes. [29:55]
- Storms Reveal Our True Priorities
Life’s storms are inevitable, and they expose what truly sits on the throne of our hearts. If Christ and love for others are our anchors, we gain perspective, hope, and support that help us rise above adversity. The storms don’t disappear, but our response is transformed by the assurance that Jesus has already overcome the world and that our ultimate home is with Him. [36:41]
- Jesus Embodied the Priorities He Calls Us To
Jesus’ life and sacrifice are the ultimate demonstration of loving God and loving others. His obedience to the Father and His love for us, even while we were still sinners, set the standard for our own priorities. Communion is a powerful reminder to reset our hearts, dethrone self, and recommit to living out these two greatest commandments in every area of life. [42:57]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Series Recap: “Get Used To It”
[04:10] - The New Normal of Following Jesus
[06:45] - Opposite Side of the World’s Values
[08:20] - Faith Under Pressure
[09:30] - Hearing the Holy Spirit
[10:40] - Loving More and Growing in Prayer
[13:17] - Putting God First: Generosity, Time, and Storms
[15:09] - What We Guard Reveals Our Priorities
[17:57] - The Two Greatest Priorities
[19:48] - Continual Seeking and Avoiding Drift
[22:50] - God’s Promise for Those Who Seek Him
[29:55] - Generosity and God’s Ownership
[36:41] - Rising Above Life’s Storms
[38:24] - The Power of Community in Storms
[42:57] - Communion: Resetting Our Priorities
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Mark 12:30-31 (ESV)
> “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
> “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
> “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Mark 12:30-31, what two priorities does Jesus say are the greatest commandments?
2. In Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus promise will happen when we seek God’s kingdom first?
3. What does 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 say about the attitude and results of giving?
4. In the sermon, what are some practical ways the pastor described for “guarding” our priorities? [15:09]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus links loving God and loving others as the two greatest priorities? How are they connected? [17:57]
2. The pastor compared spiritual drift to taking your eyes off the road while driving. What are some signs that someone is drifting spiritually, and why is continual seeking necessary? [20:52]
3. How does recognizing that everything we have belongs to God change the way we approach generosity? [29:55]
4. The sermon says that storms in life reveal our true priorities. Why do you think hardship exposes what we value most? [36:41]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor said, “What we guard reveals what we truly value.” If someone looked at your schedule, finances, and relationships, what would they say your top priorities are? Is there anything you want to change? [15:09]
2. Seeking God is described as a continual, daily pursuit. What is one practical step you can take this week to keep your eyes on God’s kingdom? (For example: a set prayer time, reading Scripture, or connecting with another believer.) [20:52]
3. The sermon challenged us to hold our resources loosely and give both out of obedience and compassion. Is there an area of your life (money, time, talents) where you tend to “hold tight” instead of trusting God? What would it look like to surrender that area? [29:55]
4. When was the last time you experienced a “storm” in life? Looking back, what did it reveal about your priorities? Did it draw you closer to God and others, or did it expose areas where you need to grow? [36:41]
5. The pastor said, “If you find that there is something more important than loving God and loving others in your heart right now, dethrone it.” Is there anything (even a good thing) that has taken first place in your heart? What would it look like to “dethrone” it and put Christ back at the center? [42:57]
6. Generosity isn’t just about money. Can you think of a recent time when you gave your time, encouragement, or help to someone else? How did it impact you and the other person? [31:14]
7. Communion is described as a “reset button” for our hearts. How can you use times of communion or other spiritual practices to regularly realign your priorities with Jesus’ example? [42:57]
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End of Guide
Devotional
Day 1: Love God and Love Others as Your Top Priorities
The foundation of following Jesus is to make loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—and loving your neighbor as yourself—the two highest priorities in your life. These are not just ideals to admire, but practical priorities to guard and protect above all else, shaping every decision, value, and action. When these two loves are at the center, everything else in life finds its proper place, and your life becomes a reflection of Christ’s own example. [15:09]
Mark 12:30-31 (ESV)
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally show love to God and to a neighbor today, making these two priorities visible in your actions?
Day 2: Seek God First—Continually, Not Just Once
Seeking God is not a one-time event but a lifelong pursuit. When you keep your eyes fixed on God’s kingdom and righteousness, you avoid drifting into self-centeredness or distraction. God promises that as you continually seek Him above all else, He will provide for your needs, guide your steps, and help you live righteously. The act of seeking is ongoing—every day, in every decision, you are invited to put God first and trust Him to take care of the rest. [20:52]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Reflection: Where have you noticed yourself drifting from God’s priorities lately, and what is one practical step you can take today to refocus your attention on seeking Him first?
Day 3: Trust God to Direct Your Path
When you make God your number one priority, He promises to guide you, even when the path forward seems unclear or counterintuitive. Trusting God means seeking His will in every area of your life, not just the easy or obvious ones. Sometimes, following God’s direction may feel like you’re moving backward or giving up something important, but God sees the bigger picture and leads you toward true fulfillment, peace, and purpose. [23:44]
Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Reflection: Is there a decision or crossroads in your life where you need to seek God’s will more intentionally? What would it look like to trust His direction, even if it challenges your own preferences?
Day 4: Give Generously—Let God Own It All
Generosity is a reflection of your heart’s priorities. When you recognize that everything you have comes from God and truly belongs to Him, you can give freely and cheerfully, trusting that God will provide for your needs and bless you so you can bless others. Giving is not just about money—it’s about your willingness to let God use your resources, time, and compassion to advance His kingdom and care for people. [31:14]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Reflection: What is one area—finances, time, or talents—where you sense God prompting you to be more generous? How can you respond cheerfully and trust Him with the outcome?
Day 5: Rise Above Life’s Storms by Anchoring in Christ
Storms and trials are inevitable, but when your true priority is loving God and loving others, you gain a new perspective and strength to rise above them. Jesus has already overcome the world, and when you keep Him at the center, He provides peace, support, and hope even in the hardest times. Your priorities are revealed in the storm—let them point to Christ, who calms every fear and leads you through. [38:24]
John 16:33 (ESV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Reflection: Think of a current or recent storm in your life. How can you anchor yourself in Christ’s victory and invite the support of other believers to help you rise above it?
Quotes
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