“One Thing” Make Up Your Mind!

Choices, Choices Our society is full of choices; it’s hard to choose just “one thing” There is an advantage in going to “a specialist” “One thing” in the Bible gives emphasis to one, all-important choice

Choices, Choices “One thing” in the Bible gives emphasis to the all-important (1) request in life, (2) detail in life, (3) priority in life, (4) truth in life, (5) action in life, and (6) the future event in life

David: Priority of Worship “One thing I asked of Jehovah…” (Psa.27:4) Notice what David did not ask for: comfort, wealth, fame; etc.

David: Priority of Worship David loved to be with the Lord and the Lord’s people; to learn about the Lord, learn from the Lord, worship the Lord, vv.4-6 (see also Psa. 26:8; 84:10)

David: Priority of Worship If you asked for “one thing” what would it be? Your answer will reflect your spiritual condition.

Ruler: Priority of Salvation “One thing thou lackest…” (Mk.10:20) The rich young ruler had a good attitude, asked a good question, and had good habits from his youth

Ruler: Priority of Salvation Jesus’ answer: you need to do something; you need to do more (“one thing” more); you need to take a drastic measure (“go ... sell ... give ... come ... follow me”) Ruler’s response: disobedient and sorrowful. He had an idol (Col.3:5).

Ruler: Priority of Salvation One sin is one sin too many (Jas.2:10; see Rev.2:4,20; etc.). “One thing” kept this man out of heaven. Are you ignoring the “one thing” that will keep you out of heaven?

Jesus: Priority of Life “One thing is needful…” (Lk.10:42) Martha was anxious, troubled, cumbered (Gr. περισπάω = distracted), concerned for many things Martha wanted Mary to be like her

Jesus: Priority of Life The homemaker has an important role (1 Tim.2:15; 5:14; Tit.2:5) But, even in the home, choices must be made. The homemaker must not become distracted from listening to Jesus (see also Jn.6:27)

Jesus: Priority of Life You need only “one thing” in life, do you know what it is? Do you want it?

Blind Man: Priority of Truth “One thing I know…” (Jn.9:25) The friends wanted to speculate about what happened; the Pharisees wanted to quibble about what happened; the parents wanted to ignore what happened

Blind Man: Priority of Truth The blind man wanted to tell the truth about what happened (v.30) We can know the truth, tell the truth, be confident to stand in the truth (Prov. 22:21; Jn.8:32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:3)

Blind Man: Priority of Truth Jesus also wants to free people from the blindness of sin through truth (vv.39-41) You need only to know “one thing” in life, do you know it? Can you say it?

Paul: Priority of Goals “One thing I do…” (Phil.3:13) Paul was a busy man, but he chose “one thing” to do Paul forgot what was behind (vv.5-6) and he stretched forward to what was in front (v.14)

Paul: Priority of Goals We must do the same (Col.3:1; Heb.12:2) You need only to do “one thing” in life, will you do it?

Peter: Priority of Future “Forget not this one thing…” (2 Pet.3:8) Time is not the same to God as it is to man (Psa.90:4) The Lord keeps his promises!

Peter: Priority of Future There will be a judgment day contrary to what scoffers say! Be ready for it (vv.11-18) Have you forgotten the most import future event … the judgment day?

“One Thing” If you have “one thing” to ask, let it be to worship the Lord If you have “one thing” that is lacking in your salvation, take care of it If you have “one thing” that is needful at home, let it be sitting at the Lord’s feet

“One Thing” If you have “one thing” you know, let it be the truth of God’s word If you have “one thing” to do, let it be to press on to the goal of heaven If you have “one thing” that you will never forget, let it be the Lord’s second coming