Don McClain 1 W. 65th St. church of Christ / May 24, 2009

W. 65th St. church of Christ / May 24, 2009

1

How Do I Know

What My Priorities

Are?Don McClain


2

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves

treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break

in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not

break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there

your heart will be also.

How Do I Know What My Priorities Are?

Don McClain


3

Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV) 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What

shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?‘ 32 For after all these

things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these

things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for

the day is its own trouble.


Don McClain


4

Work

Family

Friends

Leisure

Church

GOD


Don McClain


5

Matthew 19:16-22 (NKJV) 16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do

that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good?

No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to Him,

"Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear

false witness,’


Don McClain


6

Matthew 19:16-22 (NKJV) 19 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "

20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do

I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have

and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had

great possessions.


Don McClain


7

What he may have said about his

values indicated one

thing, His actions

indicated another.


Don McClain


8How Do I Know What My Priorities Are?

Can easily become disordered -

When ask – we will probably answer correctly –

Is knowledge and good intentions enough?

Where do your priorities really lie?

Don McClain



Our minds should be set upon spiritual things – Ps 1:2; Col. 3:1,2; Phili. 4:8; Rom 8:5-9

What do we think about when our minds are “in neutral?”- (Our thoughts, like magnets, are drawn to our true priorities) –

What Do We Think About?

Don McClain



The conversations we engage in arise quite naturally out of the things that are on our minds - Mat 15:18; 12:37; Acts 4:20; 17:16,17

To what do your conversations more naturally, and enthusiastically gravitate?

What Do We Talk About Most?

Don McClain



What will the spiritually minded person spend most of his time doing? – Ps. 1:1,2; 119:97; Acts 2:42-46; 5:42; 17:11; Rom 13:11-14; 1 Thes 5:17

The fact is, the way we spend our spare time speaks loudly regarding our values!

How Do We Spend Our Time?

Don McClain



Do we find ourselves giving to the Lord’s work FIRST and our wants with what is left? – (Mal. 1:6-8; 3:8-10; 1 Cor. 16:1,2; 2 Cor. 8:1-5)

How much of our money do we spend on things that will help us grow spiritually?

How Do We Spend Our Money?

Don McClain



Scheduling conflicts? – (Attendance, [Heb. 10:24,25]; Bible study, [2 Tim. 2:15]; Prayer [1 thes 5:17]; etc.)

When social activities conflict with spiritual activities – which do we choose?

What "Gives" When We Face A Conflict

Of Priorities?

Indeed, it's when priorities collide that we

learn the most about ourselves, our values, and whether the Lord

reigns within us or not.Don McClain



We do not live in a vacuum - Mat. 5:13-16; Phili 2:15,16

Others may not know us as well as we know ourselves, but they are often more objective about what they do know – (neighbors, friends, children, etc . . .)

What Would Others Say Our Priorities

Are?

Don McClain



What Do We Think About? What Do We Talk About

Most? How Do We Spend Our

Time? How Do We Spend Our

Money? What "Gives" When We

Face A Conflict Of Priorities?

What Would Others Say Our Priorities Are?

How Then Do I Know -- In All Honesty -- What My Priorities

Are?

Don McClain



What I am, in fact, doing with my life - (Rom 6:16,17)

I can't go "all out" for one thing and then truthfully claim that something else is more important - (Matt. 6:24).

Where my priorities are, there will my energy and enthusiasm be also!

How Then Do I Know -- In All Honesty -- What My Priorities

Are?

Don McClain


17

Don McClain

Documents

Don McClain 1 W. 65th St. church of Christ / May 24, 2009