Just One Thing

ONE THING

When you start a new job, and the boss tells all the rules; you listen. When he says that there is one thing that needs to be done above everything else; you make a very special mental note, knowing that thing is a top priority.

When it gets close to Christmas and the kids begin to tell all the items they would like to receive for gifts, then they say, "but there is one thing that I want more than anything else". Be sure that Mom and Dad are storing that thought in their memory.

Be assured that God does not waste words. When the Bible uses the phrase "one thing", you better perk up and pay close attention. He is saying that this is something that stands above and beyond the rest.

I. Desired

Ps. 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

The psalmist David was a man with desires like the rest of us. But something set him apart from so many others. There is a reason that He was called a man after God's own heart.

There was something he desired more than gold, more than women, more than the king's throne, more than winning another war.

He desired something so very good-- a place above and beyonde the reach of his enemies, that Rock that is higher than I, that place of perfect union with the Holy of Holies, a place to meditate and concentrate on all the goodness of the Lord.

His desire was not one to be shelved. David said he would seek after it.

So many times, souls have been touched with live coals from off the altar and feel a great desire for more of the Lord, only to let the embers cool down and the fire go out. Son, you have to fan the flames, you have to seek after it with all of your heart.

II. Happens to All

Eccl. 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

It is appointed unto man to die. It comes when no one expects it. It is the sure penalty for the nature of sin we all are born with. Physically, we have no choice, but spiritually, we have the privilege of choosing eternal life instead of eternal death.

You will not avoid this appointment that has been fixed by God.

III. Lacking

Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

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This rich young ruler was also a religious man. He actually was more law abiding than many of his counterparts. However, this was not enough. You see, going 95% of the way with Jesus is not going to cut the mustard. He wants all of you. For this young man, the problem was his riches. Is there one thing that you are lacking to give up for Him?

IV. Needful

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

When good is the enemy of the best. Martha was definitely doing a good thing in working and serving. But it was needful for her to be at Jesus' feet and letting the Lord minister to her.

V. Known

Jn. 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

The man born blind did not know a lot of things about Christ, but he sure enough knew the change that was wrought in his life was performed by this Jesus. Don't be led to believe that the great works that have taken place in your life are happenstance or luck or by some mystical force. Jesus goes about doing good and He must get the credit for it.

VI. To Do

Phil. 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Though we have not reached our ultimate goal yet, we are very sure that the answer is not in our past. So we put those things out of our mind and look forward.