Prioritising the Needful
Notes
Transcript
Illustration: A man juggling different tasks but dropping the important ones
Explanation: In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the urgent but miss out on the important.
Thesis: Today, we will learn from the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 about prioritising the needful things in our lives.
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
I. The Setting of the Story
Explanation: Jesus was visiting the home of Martha and Mary, who were sisters.
Description: Martha was busy with preparations for Jesus' visit, while Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to Him.
Observation: Martha was distracted by her many tasks, while Mary chose to prioritise listening to Jesus.
II. The Rebuke of Martha
Explanation: Martha became frustrated with Mary for not helping her with the preparations.Jesus' response: Jesus gently rebuked Martha, telling her that Mary had chosen the "needful" thing by listening to Him.Observation: Jesus was not condemning Martha's actions, but reminding her of the importance of prioritising what is truly important.
III. Prioritising the Needful
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: This passage reminds us that there is a time for everything under heaven, and that we should prioritise the things that are most important in each season of our lives.Matthew 6:33: If we seek God's kingdom and righteousness first, He will take care of our needs.Example: Spending time with God, investing in relationships, serving others, and taking care of our physical and emotional health are all needful things that we must prioritise.Proverbs 16:3: This verse reminds us that we should seek God's guidance and direction in all that we do, and that He will help us to prioritise the right things.
The Pareto Principle - The 80/20 Principle: We should focus our time and energy on the 20% of activities that will produce the most significant results in our lives.
Commit thy works unto the Lord,
And thy thoughts shall be established.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Dangers of FOMO:
Dangers of FOMO:
Distraction from what is truly important in our lives.
Focus on the external, immediate, and superficial.
Waste of time, energy, and resources on things that have little or no value.
Neglect of the things that are truly needful and beneficial for our lives.
Anxiety and stress due to trying to keep up with everything that is happening around us.
Feelings of insecurity, jealousy, and envy as we compare ourselves to others and worry about missing out on the things they have.
Effects of prioritising and focusing on God:
Effects of prioritising and focusing on God:
Greater sense of purpose and meaning in life, as we seek to know and serve God.
Deeper sense of peace and contentment, as we trust in God's sovereignty and provision.
More fulfilling relationships, as we love and serve others with God's love.
Better physical, emotional, and mental health, as we take care of ourselves in accordance with God's design for our lives.
Greater sense of security and confidence, as we trust in God's protection and guidance.
Increased spiritual growth and maturity, as we seek to know and follow God's will for our lives.
In Psalm 27:4, David expresses his desire to dwell in the house of the Lord and to gaze upon His beauty. This verse highlights the importance of prioritising and focusing on God, as it is in Him that we find our true fulfilment and joy. By seeking God's presence and focusing on His beauty, we can experience the transformative power of His love in our lives, and find the strength and courage to overcome the dangers of FOMO.
AMPC (Psalm 27:4)
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple."
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Highlights - PRIORITY
Highlights - PRIORITY
P - Prioritise the needful things in your life, as Mary did with Jesus. Teaching Verse: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 Motivational Verse: "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." - Matthew 16:25
R - Recognise the dangers of FOMO, which can distract you from what truly matters. Teaching Verse: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18 Motivational Verse: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
I - Invest in your relationship with God, seeking Him daily and prioritising attending church. Teaching Verse: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25 Motivational Verse: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." - Psalm 42:1
O - Order your time and energy wisely, focusing on the things that produce the most significant results. Teaching Verse: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12 Motivational Verse: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
R - Refuse to waste time and resources on things that have little or no value.
Teaching Verse: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." - 1 Timothy 6:6-7
Motivational Verse: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
I - Initiate service to others, as a way of putting God's love into action.
Teaching Verse: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
Motivational Verse: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10
T - Trust in God's sovereignty and provision, finding peace and contentment in Him.
Teaching Verse: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
Motivational Verse: "The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul." - Psalm 23:1-3
Y - Yield to God's guidance and direction, seeking to know and follow His will for your life.
Teaching Verse: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
Motivational Verse: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." - Psalm 119:105
IV. Spiritual Ways of Prioritising the Needful
IV. Spiritual Ways of Prioritising the Needful
Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
This verse encourages us to use our time wisely and to prioritise the things that matter most.
Prioritise relationship with God: Prioritise spending time with God in prayer and Bible study every day. This will help you stay connected to God and grow in your faith.
Attend church regularly: Colossians 3:23-24: This passage encourages us to prioritise our work and to do it as if we were doing it for the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
3. Make attending church a priority in your schedule. Worshiping with other believers, hearing God's word preached, and fellowship with others are essential for spiritual growth.
4. Serve others: Philippians 4:6-7: This verse reminds us to prioritise prayer and to bring our needs and concerns to God.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
5. Look for opportunities to serve others in your church and community. Serving others is a way of putting God's love into action and can help you grow in your faith.
V. Practical Ways of Prioritising the Needful
V. Practical Ways of Prioritising the Needful
Make a to-do list: Write down all the tasks and activities that you need to accomplish and prioritise them based on their importance and urgency.
Set goals: Set goals for your personal and professional life, and prioritise activities that will help you achieve those goals.
Manage your time: Proverbs 16:3: This verse reminds us that we should seek God's guidance and direction in all that we do, and that He will help us to prioritise the right things.
Manage your time effectively by eliminating distractions, delegating tasks, and setting boundaries. This will help you stay focused on the things that are truly important.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Recap: The story of Mary and Martha reminds us of the importance of prioritising the needful things in our lives.Challenge: Let us commit to prioritising spending time with God, investing in relationships, serving others, and taking care of our physical and emotional health.Call to action: Let us ask God for wisdom to discern what is truly needful and beneficial for our lives and to help us prioritise those things. By prioritising the needful things in our lives, we can experience greater success, fulfilment, and joy.