Created by David Turner For Sunrise Baptist Church, El Paso, TX

The Standard response: 1.God 2.Family 3.Country

If the amount of time we give determines priorities it would be something like: 1.Work 2.Recreation – TV, Internet, hobbies, etc. 3.Family – school functions, vacations, ballet, etc. 4.Health – gym, walking, etc. 5.Education 6.Church 7.Community

Maybe our Priorities are based on what is most important to us, what we’d be least likely to give up: 1.God 2.Family 3.Friends 4.Country 5.Recreation

Priorities change but Christ should always be at the Center.

Christ FamilyWorkChurchCommunityEducationRecreation

Matthew 22:33–38 (HCSB) 35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important commandment.

 Love Him with my heart – emotions, passions, with zeal  Love Him with my soul – my talents, abilities, gifts, my personality  Love Him with my mind – my intellect, my rational being

Christ FamilyWorkChurchCommunityEducationRecreation

Matthew 32: The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” Who is your neighbor?

Christ FamilyWorkChurchCommunityEducationRecreation

There is no conflict in loving God with all my heart, soul and mind. But there is in loving people. What do I do when my heart (emotions), soul and mind (intellect) are in conflict on how to love a person or persons?

Your child’s inoculations. Disciplining our children. Homework vs. play. Giving to a pan handler. Reporting a student that has cheated on a test. Standing up to a bully. Giving to the church or other charity.

Trust God Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) 5 Trust in the L ORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Christ FamilyWorkChurchCommunityEducationRecreation

 Circumstances change priorities ◦ Health ◦ Family issues ◦ Economics ◦ Social issues ◦ Environmental  Seasons of life change priorities ◦ High School ◦ College ◦ Young family ◦ Retired

Christ FamilyWorkChurchCommunityEducationRecreation Because Christ is central, I’m the same person in each area.

John 13:34–35 (HCSB) 34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 Worship – keep focus on the center  Instruction – in God’s Word and application toward family, work, community, etc.  Fellowship – encouragement, friendship, accountability, retreat from the world and training ground to enter the world.  Evangelism – When we love within the church, people notice. Bring the center to others and others to the Center.

John 13:34–35 (HCSB) 34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Christ FamilyWorkChurchCommunityEducationRecreation Note the direction of the arrows

Christ FamilyWorkChurchCommunityEducationRecreation

 Is there any area in your life where Christ is not at the center? ◦ Family? ◦ Work? ◦ Community? ◦ Education? ◦ Recreation? ◦ Church? ◦ Other?  If Christ is at the Center of your life He will become the center of other’s lives.