One Thing
What is the one thing?
“The One Thing that changes everything”
We have created words like focusses and priorities to describe how we approach life.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Words Build Worlds. What worlds are we building from our hearts?
‘The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. ‘
Luke 6:45 ESV
Have we listened to the words coming out of our mouths?
As good people, we may even have our “Focuses” on excellent and Godly things?
Focusing on work, marriage, children, health, education, understanding, healing, food, shelter. clothing…pickup trucks, and coffee.
He said don’t be anxious about anything.
‘But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’
Matthew 6:33
We are seeking to be a part of more than just what God is doing. We are seeking who God is. As we seek Him, we are transformed by Him.
“The One Thing that changes everything”
He didn’t say that we were to seek first our marriage, our children, or our work.
Jesus is at the center of it all.
When we seek Him first, He changes everything.
The problem with the plurality of focus is that we are so easily lured by idolatry.
‘You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. ‘
John 5:38-40
Another way that we have divided focus is our obsession with comfort.
We are obsessed with Heated and Cooled everything, whatever it takes to avoid the experience of discomfort.
In Jesus’ The Sermon on the Mount, He has some pretty weighty challenges for those willing to listen.
‘“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘
Matthew 5:3
‘“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ‘
Matthew 5:4
‘“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ‘
Matthew 5:5
‘“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ‘
Matthew 5:6
‘“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. ‘
Matthew 5:7
‘“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ‘
Matthew 5:8
‘“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ‘
Matthew 5:9
‘“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘
Matthew 5:10
‘“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ‘
Matthew 5:11
‘Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ‘
Matthew 5:12
How often are we comfortable and full of the faith to move mountains at the same time?
Beatitudes: when all worldly comfort is gone, we maintain that we belong to Him and in His Kingdom.
When we seek Him first, He changes everything.
‘“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. ‘
Matthew 5:13
‘“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ‘
Matthew 5:14
‘Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ‘
Matthew 5:15
‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ‘
Matthew 5:16
When we seek Him first, He changes everything.
Psalms 46
At his voice, all of the worldly distractions melt.
‘“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven. ‘
Matthew 6:9-10 NASB
‘Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘
Matthew 6:11-12 NASB
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]’
Matthew 6:13 NASB
So often, we read the word’ Temptation” and see the word Difficulty.
‘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.”’
John 16:33
In hard times we love to say, “Just give It to God!”
What does that mean?
If I had to tell you what it means to “Give it to God!” It would be to trust Him but to trust Him. We must also know Him.
‘But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. I have told you these things while I am still with you.’
John 14:25-26 AMPC
When I was getting to know my wife, I pursued her. Because I still want to know my wife, I still pursue her, and we grow in knowing each other’s character.
When we seek Him first, He changes everything.
What good thing do you want most in your life? A good marriage, kids who make good decisions and have a comfortable life… if only we could control the outcome!
When we seek Him first, He changes everything.
The Kingdom of God is?
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
- Righteousness 2nd Corinthians 5:17-21
- Peace Philippians 4:4-9
- Joy: Strength and companionship, Galatians 5:22, John 5:25,26
The process of seeking the Kingdom Of God is submitting to the Lordship of King Jesus.
When we seek Him, we will find Him.
Repentance: turning, changing our minds, submitting our rights, repeat, repeat, repeat… exercising our faith!
James 1:8 “The double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways.” In submission to King Jesus, we are becoming more stable every day.
The church has an epidemic of immaturity. We use Christianity as a ticket to heaven, stuck as double-minded converts.
We were called to follow Jesus as disciples! A disciple seeks to root out thoughts and ways in his life that do not line up with the Kingship of Jesus.
It is a process.
Discipleship is a process of radical daily transformation.
2nd. Corinthians 3:16-18
Hebrews 11 & 12:1,2
We like to trust in something, anything, to prevent us from feeling out of control.
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Romans 1:21,22
It is finished.
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
We are giving up our rights and following Jesus.
When we seek Him first, He changes everything.