3 Priorities (from Pastor Jim Burgen)
1. First seek God.
Pastor Burgen gave a great example by telling us something he does when performing wedding ceremonies. He tells the husband not to put his wife first, but to put God first because that will help him to be a better husband. Strive for intimacy with Jesus so you may have intimacy with your wife.
2. Second, love your family. (or if you’re single, love everyone)
After first seeking God, he will give you the answers for compassion, patience, and undying faith for your wife and your family. If you are single, loving everyone will bring you everything you want, just be sure you’re not forgetting step 1 so that God is bringing you the right things. Always be distinct about what you ask God for. If you’re putting him first he will bring you exactly what it is you are asking for, always.
3. Third, perform the gift of service.
When you serve Jesus he makes two very clear promises. The first is all your sins, past, present and future, have already been forgiven. Listen. All your sins have been forgiven.
The second is that Jesus comes within us and brings a spiritual gift. He lives inside of us and he brings us fruit. What does it mean he gives us fruit? Just like a healthy apple tree produces apples, when Jesus is living inside of you, “love,” the fruit of life will be produced inside of each and every one of us. Jesus loves you. He died for you. When you feel his love and you extend that love onto others, the fruit of life will give its everlasting gratitude to you.
If there are indicators of love, patience and compassion within you, we have proof of Jesus inside of you. When Jesus moves inside of you he gives you the ability to help others. When you hold him in the center of your heart you bring people to closer to him. You are acting as a simple messenger by allowing him to live inside of you. Being that messenger allows you to be so full you can constantly fill others with the spirit of Jesus inside of you. The more you give the more he generates and returns to you. Partner with people. Re-prioritize to create a place where people are able to bump into Jesus.
Allow Jesus to bump into people. You won’t save them, the church will save them.
Jesus first, family second, third, partner with people. Create unity and work to create something greater than yourselves. He wants us all to be “one.” If you aren’t one, if you’re being pulled in all sorts of directions, you aren’t aligned. Jesus will align you. Gifted service is what Jesus did for us.
Pastor Burgen wraps up today’s message by telling us to invest in things. If you aren’t investing in anything you aren’t enabling yourself to create change. Just because you might fail, which often times you absolutely will, or go in a different direction–that is no excuse not to invest in where ever you are right now. If you don’t establish roots you can’t ever get your foot in the door. Take the first step to establish your roots today.
Response
The message in today’s scripture was a powerful one.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
How can you better seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness? What extra can you do today, or even this week to allow Jesus to move inside you?