Best Day Ever - Wrap Up - Logos Sermons

Intro/Me: My life is so daily… It is on a time line and my physical life is wrapping up. I was reminded of this fact this week.

Intro: My life is so daily… It is on a time line and my physical life is wrapping up. I was reminded of this fact this week.

I’ve been attempting to apply the principles we have been learning in this series. I’ve focused on a couple of small changes in my day that have had large results that I’m loving.

I’m loving living UP instead of In and Down.

I’m loving waking up and getting with God before getting with others. It’s tough but this principle produces some huge rewards.

Ill – Someone asked Cheryl if she wakes up grumpy and she said no she lets me sleep.

I’m loving working up and realigning my perspective about my work authority and attitude.

Ill – The sale of Chicken Wings went up in Brevard last week. If you don’t get that you need to watch the video.

In meditating on how to wrap up my day I was confronted with a reality.

Ill – World Suicide Awareness Day - Our Plan...

I meet with Mrs. Franklin a couple days later. She had cancer and not much early hope. She asked me how do you prepare to die? I asked her what God had revealed to her about that question and she said, all of us are dying and none of us know when. So we need to live each day like it could be the day we meet God.

I’ve thought a lot about that conversation.

We: All of us are confronted with this reality. Our earthly days are wrapping up. Our 1440 minutes, our 86,400 seconds. Our days are constantly counting down.

As we wrap up our days what practices can we implement that will create a life rhythm of for the BEST DAY EVER?

God: David testifies about a great rhythm…

14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

Psalm 90:14 NLT

14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

David amen’s the reality that our days make up our lives and how to live each of those days should be lived faithfully!

Jesus molded this rhythm for us at the start of His earthly ministry. Look at the rhythm of His 24…

Psalm 92:2 NLT

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,

Jesus molded this rhythm for us at the start of His earthly ministry. Look at the rhythm of His 24…

32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. 35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Mark 1:32–39 NLT

32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. 35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

In the NT as Jesus wrapped up his day His scoreboard was a heavenly scoreboard. His purpose calculated the points. His audience was an audience of ONE!

Trans: Let’s implement two practices that will help us wrap up our day with faithfulness. Realign your values and rearm for victory..

1. Realign Your Values

37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Mark 1:37–38 NLT

37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”

How did Jesus evaluate his day?

Jesus’ day was dedicated to his purpose. We have already determined that His day was packed and He was being pulled into several different directions. He knew what was important and what was not. He did not let drama rule his life. His devotion to God led to dedication.

He evaluated based on the values that guided His life. Jesus regarded somethings as more important than other things. His actions, choices and steps were guided by His values.

He could have been guided by money, popularity and fame but something else pushed Him. It was accomplishing the plan that God set out for Him. It was to bring glory to God and growth to his Kingdom.

Ill – How do most people evaluate their day?

Donald Trump is often featured in newspapers and magazines. Newsweek Magazine said “For better or for worse in the 1980’s it became okay to become ferociously ambitious, staggeringly rich, and utterly at ease in bragging about it.” Donald Trump said, “Life is a game and the ultimate scoreboard is money.”

He bases his day on his money. He values money.

App:

What do you value?

If I were to pass out a piece of paper and ask you to write down what you value. What would you put? There would be a lot of writing and thinking. Then if I were to ask you to prioritize them we would all put Jesus #1.

Now we all have Jesus number #1. He is not #1, that is not correct, Jesus is foundational and the center of our every thought and activity. He is 1 through every priority in your life. If we make him #1 and something else #2 we have a tendency to compartmentalize our life which seriously affects our evaluating our 24.

If we evaluate our days based on biblical priorities it creates a compass for our lives. When our plans are inconsistent with our priorities or out of balance we invite a bad day.

Ill - Here are my ordered priorities under the Lordship of Jesus that help me evaluate my day.

Bible - Relationship with God

My bride (Reb. My blood)

Bride - Spouse/Family

My body & brain

My buddies

My business & boss (Reb. My books)

Body - Health/Rest

Buddies - Friendships

My bank

Business - Work/School

Bank - Resources

Boat - Recreation/Fun

App - What you value will determine your evaluation. List out your values. Make sure they line up with the Lordship of Jesus. If you don’t list what you value then someone or something else will determine if you have a good or bad day.

Arg: What about recreation? God is pro recreation! God wants us to enjoy His creation and have fun. He created us to laugh. There is a myth floating around that states, “the more spiritual you are the more serious you are.” The fact is, “the more serious you are the more boring you are.”

Again put it under the Lordship of Jesus and use it as a platform. Recreation should not be the end it should be a means to recharge and refresh you for greater service to God.

Trans: Let’s implement two practices that will help us wrap up our day with faithfulness. Realign your values and rearm for victory.

2. Rearm For Victory

This practice seems strange. It shouldn’t because it will help us tremendously.

Did Jesus have victory?

Yes! Jesus lived victorious days! Nothing really seemed to catch Him of guard. He wasn’t ever just sent into a tailspin. Why? Because of this principle. He recognized the battle and constantly rearmed for victory.

App:

How do you prepare for victory?

The end of our day is made up of the choices we made that day and the consequences of those choices. A lot of times we slip because we are not prepared. It seems like we are caught off guard when bad things happen to us or the wrong person crosses our path.

We need to acknowledge the battle. To have victory you must go through a battle. Your days are not going to be easy.

The disciples noticed Jesus preparing for his day. They saw a very powerful principle in Jesus’ life.

Ill: Prayer & Problems

11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:11–12 NLT

11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

We are promised when we say that prayer that we will have to battle people and temptation.

We should not enter our day expecting not to face problems. Not expecting a battle. It is not a question of if it is going to happen it is when is going to happen. When I react like have a bad day. When I react like Jesus I have my best day.

App: Be offensive and proactive instead of always being offended and reactive.

You can’t control what someone else does to you in their day. But we can line up our values under the Lordship of Jesus and be intentional with what is important to us.

Bible - Relationship with God

Bride - Spouse/Family

My bride? (Reb. My blood?)

Body - Health/Rest

My body & brain?

Buddies - Friendships

My buddies?

Business - Work/School

My business & boss? (Reb. My books)

Bank - Resources

My bank?

Boat - Recreation/Fun

Arg: What about rest? God is pro rest. Our bodies are designed to shut down towards the end of our 24. Research and experience reveals that we need a consistent 7-8hrs of sleep per night. We also need to take a Sabbath (another sermon). There is a reason why the 10 Commandments have do not kill and take a day of rest every 7 days. Because if you don’t rest you fell like killing someone.

Trans: Let’s implement two practices that will help us wrap up our best day ever. Realign your values and rearm for victory.

Conc:

We need to…

Wake Up – Get with God before getting with others.

Work Up – Use work as a platform and check your perspective.

Wrap Up – Realign your values and rearm for victory for what is going to take place the next day.

What do you do if you have a best day?

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,

Psalm 92:2 NLT

2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,

Number one; make sure you are basing a good day on the proper values. Then give God the praise and thank Him.

What do you do if you have a bad day?

Ill: The Bible is an incredible book that reveals strengths and weaknesses. Most of us know the character David. He testified earlier about a BEST DAY rhythm? Like a lot of us he got out of rhythm.

Examine this day and how he didn’t evaluate based on values and how he didn’t acknowledge the battle.

1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. 2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her.

2 Samuel 11:1–4 NLT

1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. 2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home.

David turned from looking upward, he didn’t wake up, work up and his day didn’t wrap up well at all.

The story goes on and David turns back to the Lord. He realigns his values and rearmed for victory.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a loyal spirit within me.

11 Do not banish me from your presence,

and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.

13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,

and they will return to you.

Psalm 51:10–13 NLT

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.

After this prayer David could lay his head on his pillow and rest. He reestablished and rededicated his day with God.

After this prayer David could lay his head on his pillow and rest. He reestablished and rededicated his 24 with God.

As you follow Christ in your day you constantly need to realign your values and rearm for victory. It is an upward look at our Lord. Don’t look down or in.

If you are not satisfied with the way your life is going it come down to you taking one of two steps.

#1: For those that claim Christ and He is your Lord. Are you lining up with Him? If not you need to realign your values and rearm for victory. (reference card)

#2: For those that do not claim Christ as Lord.

2 For God says,“At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT

2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Line up with God’s values or make Jesus Lord before you face another 24! Those 24s are running out and we all are going to have our values and Lordship examined.