THE MESSAGE THEME:PRIORITIZIG YOUR PRIORTY Text: Philippians 2:1-2,5-11 AUGUSTINE K. BALLAH, BSc, (Candidate MBBS, MAIS)

WHAT IS PRIORITY Priority: In order of Importance or urgency Prioritizing: assigning order of importance Jesus prioritized every area of his life. His virgin birth His Ministry His death on the cross His Resurrection on the third day His Ascension His return (He was a Spiritual person, A Physical Person and Social Person as well, but in every aspect he had priority) Spiritual- He loves and submitted to the father’s will Physical: He fasted, he walked, he got hungry and tired but still did not sin Social: He had friends, he cried when his friend Lazarus died.

Philippians 2:1-2, 5, 8-11 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Areas in our life we need to prioritize Spiritual Priority Physical Priority Social Priority Today, I want spent some time talking about our Spiritual Priority with the Subtopic: Who is your First Friend? Who is your first love? Deuteronomy 6:5Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I want to use a story of a girl who had four friends to illustrate the message today: She loved the fourth friend the most and treated him with honor, respect and affection. She gave him nothing but the best. She also loved the third friend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring friends. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second friend She also loved her second friend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times. The girl's first friend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first friend, although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four friends with me, but when I die, will I be alone.' Thus, she asked the fourth friend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company? 'No way!', replied the fourth friend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third friend, 'I loved you all my life The sad girl then asked the third friend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!', replied the third friend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold. She then asked the second friend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the second friend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her Like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first friend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!' In truth, you have four friends in your live

Your fourth friend is your body Your fourth friend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die. Your third friend is your possessions, status and wealth.When you die, it will all go to others. Your second friend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave. And your first friend is your Jesus. He is Often Neglected,However, your JESUS is the only person that will follow you where ever you go.

CONCLUSION 1. What is your priority? 2. Who or what is your first friend? 3. Do you want to make Jesus your first friend? 4. Have you change the order and you want to go back to your first love? He is always there waiting on you. Let’s pray