Category: Priorities
Subject: Priorities
Is Your Agenda God’s Agenda?
The book of Haggai covers a time after the return of the remnant to Jerusalem. The temple had begun to be built, but after a long period of time it had not been completed. Why? Because the personal lives of the people had interfered! This is clear from the admonitions that come from the pen of the prophet in this short book.
Consider this famous reference at the beginning of the book:
“In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: “This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built’”’” (Haggai 1:1-2).
The same problems exist in our time. It is not that people do not love the Lord, or have their hearts set fully to do evil. Often it is simply that living your life day to day gets in the way of serving God. Regardless, it is never acceptable to put your agenda before the Lord’s!
As Haggai related from Jehovah, “Consider your ways!” (5,7). What you want and need from life will not be fully realized unless and until you put God first!
Sermon: Paul and the Gospel
A discussion of 1 Corinthians 9, the value of the gospel of Christ to the Apostle Paul.
Sermon: Vain Things
The writer of Ecclesiastes recognized something we must learn as well. There is no intrinsic value in wisdom, pleasure or possessions. If we do not serve God, our life is lived among vain things.
Sermon: A Time of Disaster
The last 16 months (and the last week) have been very difficult in the world, and for the United States (Pandemic/Afghanistan). What is the proper response for us as Christians in the midst of such trials?
Sermon: Amon and Josiah
Josiah was as good a man and king as his father Amon was bad. We can learn from both of their examples. Lessons of accountability, priorities, youth and influence are found in the narrative of their lives and reigns.
Sermon: Put God First!
If we give God the first hour of every day, the first day of every week, the first portion of every paycheck, the first consideration in every decision and the first place in our hearts, then we will understand what it is to be putting God first in our lives.
Throwing Out the Trash
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11).
This fairly long quote needs to be given in its entirety to establish Paul’s commitment and motivation. His commitment was total. There was no accomplishment, possession or relationship he previously experienced that any longer had any value to him outside of the context of his relationship with Christ. His commitment to His Lord was without compromise. In this he serves as an example to us. “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
His motivation was clear. He desired to be resurrected from the dead. His desire was eternal life, and his life was lived successfully (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8). At the end of your life, will you also be able to say, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give to me on that Day”?
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FB: The Worst Decision Ever!
In Mark 10, Jesus spoke with a young man who had many possessions. The man was obedient to the law, but his material goods held too much sway in his heart. Jesus promised the young man treasure in heaven in exchange for his giving up all he owned. It seems hard to believe, but the man chose to keep what he had rather than take what Jesus offered. Mark reveals that he “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (22).
There are a few things peculiar things here. First, the man was dedicated to serving the Lord, but he wasn’t willing to serve Him with all his heart, soul and mind. Second, his specific question was, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” When he was told what it would take, his interest waned, despite the value of the prize.
The question is, “Why?”
Perhaps he didn’t understand that the soul was of more value than his possessions (cf. Matthew 16:26). Perhaps he didn’t have the spiritual maturity to keep his eye on the prize (cf. 2 Peter 1:9). Regardless, his choice was unwise and shortsighted.
Actually, his choice is the same choice that the majority make today. While all theoretically like the idea of inheriting eternal life, when it comes down to a choice between now and eternity, now too often wins out!
May we all heed the words of Peter, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11).
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FB: Labor for the “food which endures”
“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27).
The text is a typical example of a type of idiom (a characteristic mode of expression) used by Jewish people in the first century. It is the use of the “do not … but” construction to make a contrast.
It does not tell us it is wrong to labor for physical food. In other places, the Holy Spirit expresses the importance of providing for our family (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8). Rather, we must have our priorities in order, giving proper emphasis and prevalence to spiritual matters.
We are to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33).
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Sermon: A Committed Life
We must not look back once we become a professing child of God. We must focus our lives on serving Christ first!
Sermon: Top Deathbed Regrets
The sermon examines from a Biblical perspective the 5 most commonly stated regrets voiced by individuals who are on their deathbed.
From the Preacher’s Pen: A Hectic Month!
The last several weeks have been pretty hectic in our congregation. May is the month for graduations, and we have had our share with graduations from high school, college, law school, etc. both members, and family members of those who are members at West Side.
In this same period some have been grieving the loss of loved ones, and others are feeling the ravages of disease and sickness. Weddings, funerals, moves, trips, pregnancies, the list is long and the effect is a bit unsettling. Even good times can be a bit disruptive or at least distracting.
Two things to remember:
- The importance of empathy among the brethren. Among other admonitions to the Christians in Rome, Paul wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another” (Romans 12:15-16a).
- The importance of keeping our priorities in the right place. As we live day by day we can become distracted with the common events of a busy life. Let us remember why we are here! “Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Sermon: A Good Old Age
Sermon by Bob Ward.
The sermon uses Psalm 90:10-12 to note the life of man, both in its span and its purpose.
Sermon: That Good Part
Sermon by Bob Ward
Bob discusses and applies principles from Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Marth as recorded in Luke 10:38-41.
