Reprioritizing Life: Embracing Relationships and Eternal Purpose
Summary
In a world where busyness often takes precedence, the importance of prioritizing relationships, purpose, and eternal matters is emphasized. The message highlights the tendency for individuals to overfill their schedules, which can lead to neglecting key areas of life such as relationships with family, friends, and the church community. It is stressed that to maintain strong connections, one must invest time and effort into others, rather than focusing solely on oneself.
The concept of life purpose is also discussed, with the assertion that understanding one's higher calling can lead to more discerning choices about how to fill one's schedule. The message references the Apostle Paul's words in Acts 20:24, where he speaks of his life's worth being tied to completing the task given by Jesus Christ – to testify to the good news of God's grace. Sharing this grace with others is presented as a priority that should not be sidelined by an overpacked schedule.
Furthermore, the message underscores the significance of eternal matters, encouraging individuals to prioritize activities that have lasting value in the kingdom of heaven, such as church involvement, Bible reading, prayer, and fasting. These spiritual practices are described as essential and should not be displaced by less important activities.
To achieve a focus on what truly matters, the message suggests a two-step approach: refocusing on priorities and reducing non-essentials. It is recommended to first eliminate the "bad things" that do not align with the life of a Christ follower, as outlined in James 1:21. This includes ridding oneself of moral filth and evil, which can creep back into one's life if not vigilantly removed.
The message also addresses the "neutral things" that may not be inherently bad but can consume time and energy without providing significant benefits or contributing constructively to one's life. Examples given include excessive television watching, social media scrolling, and gaming. The message challenges individuals to consider whether these activities are beneficial and constructive for their lives.
Additionally, the message warns against allowing "good things" to crowd out "better things." It is possible to fill one's life with good opportunities and commitments, yet miss out on what is best. The message cites Paul's prayer for the Philippians, where he desires for their love to abound in knowledge and depth of insight, enabling them to discern what is best.
The message concludes with a call to action, urging individuals to start reprioritizing their lives immediately. Delaying this process can make it increasingly difficult to make necessary changes. The message emphasizes the importance of seizing the present moment, as time is a finite resource that should be allocated wisely.
Key Takeaways:
- Investing in relationships requires intentional effort and time. Just as one must be a friend to have friends, maintaining strong marriages and church connections demands personal investment. This principle extends beyond the surface level, calling for a deeper commitment to nurturing relationships that reflect Christ's love and fellowship. [32:18]
- Understanding and embracing one's life purpose can transform how one manages their schedule. Recognizing the high calling to share the good news of God's grace should influence daily decisions, ensuring that this mission remains a central focus. This perspective helps to filter out activities that do not align with one's divine purpose. [33:08]
- Prioritizing eternal matters over temporary ones is crucial. Activities that have lasting significance in the kingdom of heaven, such as church involvement and spiritual disciplines, should take precedence in one's life. This approach ensures that one's time and energy are invested in what will endure beyond this life. [36:38]
- The process of reprioritizing life involves a conscious decision to eliminate distractions and focus on what truly matters. This may require saying no to good opportunities to make room for the best ones, as discerning the most valuable use of one's time is essential for living a purpose-driven life. [48:36]
- Immediate action is necessary when it comes to restructuring one's life around Christ-centered priorities. Procrastination only hinders progress and can lead to a more challenging path forward. The benefits of realigning one's life with these priorities can be felt instantly, providing a sense of peace and fulfillment. [58:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 20:24 - "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
2. James 1:21 - "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
3. Matthew 13:44-46 - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 20:24, what does Paul consider his life's worth to be tied to?
2. What does James 1:21 instruct believers to do with moral filth and evil? How should they receive the word?
3. In Matthew 13:44-46, what actions do the man and the merchant take upon finding something of great value? What does this imply about their priorities?
4. The sermon mentions the importance of investing in relationships. What are some specific relationships that Jesus emphasizes? [31:50]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding one's life purpose, as described in Acts 20:24, influence daily decisions and priorities? [33:12]
2. What might be some examples of "moral filth and evil" that James 1:21 refers to, and how can they creep back into a believer's life? [38:10]
3. How do the parables in Matthew 13:44-46 illustrate the value of the kingdom of heaven compared to other life commitments? [34:52]
4. The sermon suggests that even good things can crowd out better things. How can one discern between good and best opportunities in their life? [44:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current schedule. Are there any relationships (family, friends, church community) that you have been neglecting? What specific steps can you take this week to invest more time and effort into these relationships? [32:22]
2. Consider your life purpose as a follower of Christ. How can you ensure that sharing the good news of God's grace remains a central focus in your daily activities? [33:37]
3. Identify any "bad things" in your life that do not align with the life of a Christ follower. What practical steps can you take to eliminate these from your schedule? [38:10]
4. Evaluate the "neutral things" in your life, such as excessive television watching or social media scrolling. Are these activities beneficial and constructive? How can you reduce time spent on these to make room for more valuable pursuits? [41:01]
5. Think about the "good things" in your life that might be taking up space meant for "better things." What are some good opportunities you might need to say no to in order to focus on what is best? [44:55]
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of immediate action in reprioritizing one's life. What is one specific change you can make today to start aligning your life with Christ-centered priorities? [58:45]
7. Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28-30). How can you incorporate this invitation into your daily routine to find rest and peace in Him? [01:03:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating Intentional Relationships
Investing in relationships is not a passive endeavor; it requires active participation and a willingness to prioritize time with others. Just as a garden needs tending to flourish, so do relationships with family, friends, and fellow believers. These connections are the fabric of a supportive community and are essential for reflecting Christ's love and fellowship. [32:18]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: Who in your life could use some encouragement or companionship today, and how can you make time to offer it?
Day 2: Embracing Your Divine Purpose
Understanding one's life purpose is transformative, guiding daily choices and fostering a life centered around the mission of sharing God's grace. This clarity helps to filter out distractions and aligns actions with the higher calling of testifying to the good news. It's a journey of discernment, leading to a life that resonates with divine intention. [33:08]
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to live out your God-given purpose more fully?
Day 3: Prioritizing Eternal Significance
The pursuit of eternal matters over temporary ones shapes a life of lasting impact. Involvement in church and spiritual disciplines are investments in the kingdom of heaven, which bear fruit that endures. This focus shifts priorities from the fleeting to the everlasting, ensuring a legacy that transcends time. [36:38]
Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: How can you invest in your spiritual growth this week in a way that has eternal significance?
Day 4: Discerning the Best Over Good
Life is filled with choices, and discerning the best over merely good opportunities is a skill that leads to a purpose-driven existence. It requires the courage to say no to good things to make room for the best, aligning one's time and resources with what truly matters. This discernment is key to living a life that reflects one's highest values and calling. [48:36]
Philippians 1:9-10 - "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ."
Reflection: What is one "good" thing you can say no to this week in order to make space for something better?
Day 5: The Urgency of Now
Procrastination in reprioritizing life around Christ-centered values only leads to stagnation. The call to action is immediate, as time is a precious commodity that must be used wisely. Embracing this urgency can lead to instant benefits, such as peace and fulfillment, and sets the stage for a life aligned with eternal priorities. [58:05]
James 4:14 - "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
Reflection: What change can you implement today to better align your daily life with Christ-centered priorities?
Quotes
1) "Relationships matter as Christ's followers. What happens is when we fill our schedules too much, what gets left out a lot of times. Working on those relationships, keeping them strong, keeping them healthy." [32:18] (Download)
2) "Paul talked about it in Acts 20 and verse 24. He said this. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task, the purpose, the Lord Jesus has given me." [33:08] (Download)
3) "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. And then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." [36:38] (Download)
4) "James says that this way, in James 121, he says, therefore, here's what you need to do, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." [38:42] (Download)
5) "Order determines capacity. It's the principle that's been there and business has been there in all of life forever. If you want to make sure you get the big, most important things done, what needs to be put first in your schedule? The big things." [51:43] (Download)
6) "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these other things will be given to you as well. What's he saying? Reorder your priorities. What needs to be the big rock you put in first?" [54:48] (Download)
7) "The sooner you start, the sooner you will begin to experience the benefits that come with reprioritizing your life. The longer you delay, the harder it is to get back to it and get it done." [58:05] (Download)
8) "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Maybe today you're ready to find rest for your souls. Let's pray. Father, we thank you that in Christ we find that the news is simple, but it's not easy." [01:08:33] (Download)
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