John 4:31-42 (2)

What Should Be Your Priority in Life?

Introduction:

Conversation of parent and a teenager - the teenage was not getting enough sleep because of school projects. The parent told the teenager, “you should get enough sleep” but the child replied “I still have many things to do for school, this is a priority!”

Let me ask you, “Is school really more important than health?”

For sure, School is important, but is it more important?

As with many other things in life, we should know what is the most important.

Let us learn from our great teacher and model Jesus, what should be our priorities in this life.

Go with me now to John 4:31-42. I have entitled this sermon “What Should Be Your Priority in Life?”

Setting:

Where: Samaria, at the Well of Jacob, surrounded by a field.

When: Noontime, after the Samaritan went back to the city.

Scene 1: vv.31-38 - Jesus teaching His disciples about life’s priorities.

Point: Jesus is passionate about the will and work of Father.

vv.32-34. Jesus is passionate about the mission entrusted to Him by the Father. The heart of Jesus beats for the Father.

What is the will of the Father? To save the Word. To restore the World to Him - Abrahamic Covenant - to bless all nations.

What is the work given by the Father to Jesus - to be the sacrificial lamb, to takes away the sin of the world (1:29)

v.35. Jesus illustrates the effect of his power: Jesus sows (death and resurrection) and the disciples harvest (evangelism) v.35

v.36-37. When someone gets saved, Jesus and the believers rejoice!

v.38. As Jesus was sent, he sends his followers to evangelize the lost with urgency- reap (the great commission)

Jesus priority is spiritual over material. Eternal over Temporal.

It is the Father’s work which must be done. Doing the Father’s work is what gives him joy and satisfaction (like what food gives), more than the physical needs as important as they were.

What gives you joy and fulfillment will be your priority.

HI: Prioritize the will and work of God.

Reflection:

What are my passion and priorities?

Common answer: Self, Family, Work, God

Right Answer: God and everything follows.

God (God’s will and mission)

My relationship with God

My relationship with God will produce a godly attitude. I will now take care of my God’s given body. I will now care and love others the way God cares and loves me .

My relationship with God will enable me to see that this world is not my home and therefore I will not put all my energy to gain material things.

Instead I will put my energy and strength to gain spiritual and eternal treasures.

Why God’s will must be a priority - displays dependence and trust in God.

Positive effects - grounded faith, guidance from God, strength to persevere - transformed life - effectiveness in the ministry.

Application:

- May we prioritize God’s will more than comfort.

- May we prioritize God’s work over money/salary.

- May we prioritize God’s glory over self -glory.

Illustration if priority/passion:

I Praise God that you come to church on time because Worship Service is important for you and you are passionate about worshipping God.

I Praise God that you serve in the different ministries and spend your time, effort, energy, because it is your passion and priority to serve God and the congregation.

I praise God that you serve one another because it shows that you are passionate for the welfare of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you are a follower of Jesus, God’s priority should be your Priority!

Say to yourself, “God’s priority is My Priority!”

Transition: Because Jesus was passionate about the will and work of the Father there was a result…something special was achieved! Let’s look at the next verses.

Scene 2: 39- 41 - Samaritan people were coming to Jesus.

v. 39. Many Samaritans believed because of the testimony of the woman.

The woman (a new believer) became a channel that God used for her villagers to believe in Christ and therefore received salvation in Jesus.

Who would have thought? You never knew who will God use.

You don’t have to be a very learned person in order to be effective sharer of the Gospel - you just have to share the gospel with passion like the Samaritan woman.

v.40. Jesus stayed 2 days…Jesus willingly took the time to explain the Gospel to the people (v.40) - because it was priority for Jesus.

v.41. Many more believed…God’s word will not return to him void but it will accomplish its purpose - salvation of those who hear.

v.42. we believe Jesus is the Savior of the World.. (not just for Israel)

What a wonderful confession!

Jesus is the Savior (Christ) of the World. No one else is able to SAVE. No other else gave His life to be a ransom for many.

John 20:31 NASB95

31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Both Jesus and the Woman were passionate for the lost…that they spent their time and effort in telling them the Gospel - the good news of salvation.

The Christian’s priority is to be participate in the work of God for the welfare of others.

HI: Prioritize the eternal welfare of others.

We must tell others about Jesus and the Gospel. They must know that there is a SAVIOR who is willing and able to save them from their sins.

Why it must be a priority - it is our mission, lives are at stake, it is our act of obedience.

Your family needs Jesus in their lives - no amount of goodness, achievements, wealth, and good health can save them from the punishment of their sins.

Reflection:

Is it a priority for you to tell people about Jesus?

Who are you praying to become a believer of Jesus?

I Praise God that you serve at Ka-konsor because it is your passion and priority to reach the Lost for Christ.

I hope that we will continue to passionately tell others of the Gospel.

Encouragement: Do not lost hope if they will not believe immediately because God’s Word will not return to him void. It will accomplish it’s purpose.

Like Jesus, let us continue to spend time with them who are a bit resistant to the Gospel.

In this story we learn that Jesus was teaching His disciples about passion and priorities that his disciples must possess.

This teaches us as well that as Christians , our priority is to do the will and the work of the Father which is to bring the lost to faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus alone is the Savior of the World and He will accomplish His Mission.

Conclusion:

Going back to the question, is School more important over Health?

I would say, school is important BUT health is more important.

Spiritual health is the most important.

Do not neglect your spiritual health over school, physical health, and work.

Let God’s priority be our priority!