What are your Priorities?
Part 2
Note… Message illustrations and some points provided by Phillip Krueger, SermonCentral
Text: Ecc. 3:1-12
Opening:
1. Last week we learned our priorities tells on us – what is important and what is not
2 We further learned, that living with an Eternal Perspective will aid us in making right choices.
A. Our priorities (not only have shaped us in the past) but continue… to shape for the future
1. Our priorities is something we do, not just something we are
2. Look what Jesus says in Matt. 12:34-37 "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
3. How could Jesus say, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matt 5:28
He could say that because given the opportunity - he would act out what he already has established as a priority in his heart.
B. Bible examples of men who priorities RULED THEM
1. Samson is a vivid example of one driven by misplaced priorities
His temper, his lust just - RULED HIM, Judges 14:1-3
2. David, had just as many flaws, but with a different set of priorities
"And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.
The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people.”" (1 Samuel 13:13-14)
3. When Nathan the prophet told David, thou art the man, David hung his head and said, Yes, I am the man
C. What does your present priorities tell about you?
1. Where you will be in….
In 5yrs? 10 yrs?
2. In your marriage?
3. In your spiritual pilgrimage?
D. Get your priorities right to end right
1. Getting our priorities right is a little like buttoning up a coat - Demonstrate by buttoning up a coat wrong
2. Too many of us are like Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds
When asked by a reporter about the order of his priorities, he answered…
“I believe in God, I believe in my family and then I believe in McDonalds.” Then he added, “When I get to the office, I reverse the order.”
3. It all has to do with priorities as the following story illustrates
Charles Francis Adams was a grandson of the second president of the United States, a successful lawyer, and ambassador to Great Britain.
Although he had little free time, one day he took his son fishing. In his diary, he wrote “Went fishing with my son today. A day wasted.”
On that same day, his son, Brook Adams wrote “Went fishing with my father today, the most wonderful day of my life.”
Closing
Its high time we get our priorities right….
With God…
With those who have wronged us…
