“PRIORITY LIVING” Matthew 22: 34-38

Matthew 22: 36-38 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment.

“Love God” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and foremost commandment.

Priority Principle #1 “JESUS MUST COME BEFORE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS” Matthew 8:21-22 “21Let me go bury my Father first, then I will come follow you.” 22Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead, but you come follow Me.”

Luke 14:26   “26If anyone comes to Me and does not hate Father and Mother and wife and children, brothers and sisters and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

JESUS BEFORE MONEY AND POSSESSIONS Priority Principle #2 JESUS BEFORE MONEY AND POSSESSIONS Matthew 19 21 . . . Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” 22 When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Obedience reveals that we prioritize Jesus Priority Principle #3 Obedience reveals that we prioritize Jesus

John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:21 “Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me.” John 14:23 “If anyone loves Me he will obey My teaching.”

1. We show our love for Jesus when we obediently study His word. II Timothy 2:15 “study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who is not ashamed, handling accurately the Word of Truth.”

2. We show our love for God when we obediently pray. “pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

3. We show our love for God when we worship God 3.  We show our love for God when we worship God.  Hebrews 10:25 “25Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, as you see the day drawing near.”

4. We show our love by serving God. Ephesians 2:10 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, James 2:18; 20 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is dead?

Matthew 25:34-40 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.

’37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’ 40 “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

5.  We show our love for God by obediently giving to support God’s work. “do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon this earth where moth and rust destroys.” Matthew 6:19

1 Corinthians 16  1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

What is priority #1 in your life? 37 And Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment.

“PRIORITY LIVING” Matthew 22: 34-38