Confused About Priorities

TEXT:  Luke 9:57-62

INTRODUCTION:

A.  THREE MEN, THREE EXCUSES è ONE PROBLEM.

          1.  Priorities, that which comes first, or gets the most attention.

          2.  What do we read? (Matt. 6:33;  1 John 2:15;  James 4:15-17).

          3.  Common problem, many do not realize.

          4.  Reflects values.  We take care of important matters.

B.  LET’S LOOK AT SOME COMMON AREAS OF MISPLACED VALUES AND ASK:

          “DO I HAVE A PRIORITY PROBLEM?”

DO WE PUT

I.  MAKING MONEY BEFORE SAVING OUR SOUL?

A.  THE FOLLY OF WEALTH (Luke 12:16-21;  Matt. 6:19-21).

B.  Matt. 16:26.  WHAT HAPPENS TO WHAT YOU SELL YOUR SOUL FOR?

C.  WHAT SHOULD BE OUR PRIORITY (John 6:27).

II.  PHYSICAL WELFARE SELF BEFORE THE SPIRITUAL.

A.  PHYSICAL WELFARE IS IMPORTANT.

          1.  We should take care of the body, exercise, abstain from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

                   Some of know so much about eating right and supplements.

          2.  We are held responsible for ourselves and our loved ones (1 Tim. 5:8).

B.  1 Tim. 5:8.  GENERIC, INCLUDES PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL.

          1.  What do we know about God? (Hos. 4:6).

          2.  What do our children know about God? (Eph. 6:4).  What do they learn from us?

III.  RELATIONSHIPS BEFORE TRUTH AND RIGHT.

A.  WE CANNOT DENY THE INFLUENCE OF EVIL IN OUR LIVES.

          1.  Companionships (1 Cor. 15:33;  Eph. 5:6-11).

          2.  Family (Luke 18:28-30;  Matt. 10:34-39).

          3.  How about in the church? (2 Cor. 6:12-14).

B.  WE HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE (Matt. 12:30;  James 4:4).

IV.  PHYSCIAL ATTRACTIVENESS BEFORE DECENCY AND ORDER.

A.  A STRANGE OBSERVATION.  IS IT REALLY SUCH A BIG DEAL?

B.  WHAT DOES GOD DESIRE IN US (1 Pet. 3:1-4;  1 Tim. 2:9-11).

C.  NOT JUST SHALLOW, BUT DANGEROUS (Matt. 5:28;  18:6-7).

D.  BOTH MEN AND WOMEN NEED TO BE AWARE!

V.  THE PRAISE OF MEN BEFORE THE PRAISE OF GOD.

A.  THE WARNING OF JESUS (Matt. 6:1, 2, 5, 16).

B.  SOME ARE EVEN LED TO DENY JESUS (John 12:42-43).

C.  A DANGER TO PREACHERS (Gal. 1:10).

          1.  Pressure, economic and social, not to expose sin of influential member, friends, or to

                   wink at sin to keep a job.

          2.  The spirit of Isaiah, he was commanded (Isa. 58:1).

VI.  PLEASURE BEFORE DUTY.

A.  THE GREATEST TOOL OF THE DEVIL – NOT TRIAL BY PERSECUTION.

                                TRIAL BY PLEASURE!

B.  JESUS WARNS US (Luke 8:14).

C.  PAUL WARNS US (2 Tim. 3:4).

D.  IS PLEASURE OUR IDOL? (Heb. 11:24-25).

VII.  CONVENIENCE BEFORE OBEDIENCE.

A.  THE LORD’S EXPECTATION (Matt. 7:21).

B.  EXCUSING ONESELF:

          1.  It’s not a good time (2 Cor. 6:1-2;  James 4:13-14).

          2.  It’s too far (1 Kings 12:28).

          3.  I’m too tired, etc.  Not too tire to do other things!

C.  THE EXAMPLE OF FELIX (Acts 24:24-25).

CONCLUSION:

A.  WHAT COMES FIRST IN YOUR LIFE (Matt. 6:33).

B.  HAVE YOU TAKEN CARE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS?

C.  HAVE YOU OBEYED THE GOSPEL?