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One
Thing
Philippians 3:13
Only a few people can do more than one thing at a time, especially us men.
It’s a proven fact that ladies are multi-tasking and multi-talented -
sometimes even multi-personality!
[just kidding] Most
people never become proficient in more than one trade or occupation.
They may be a “jack of all” but
usually only “master of one.”
The mind can only truly focus on one line of thought at a time. And by the
time a person reaches their mid teens they are usually settled on one
pattern of lifestyle. Ideally,
we get on track, and we focus on one thing, and achieve much!
That’s what I want to preach about today:
one thing. [That
shouldn’t take long!]
I. ONE THING I
DO– Overcoming the Past. Phil.
3:13-14
The past has passed, so let’s get past it.
Paul is looking back over his life as he is writing. He knows that his past
is not worthy to steal from the present or the future.
I have reservations about people who get saved from a wicked past life and
then immediately write their life story - expounding over several hundred
pages of their past sin. Then on the very last page they will bring it to
the climax with a brief statement concerning their salvation experience. Why
not expound on salvation and the grace of God and let the past life be
forgotten? That’s what Paul is
applying here. “Old things are
passed away, behold, all things are become new.”
Defeat comes from dwelling on the past. You can’t live yesterday over again.
Dr. J. Harold Smith used to say he
never gives his life story because he would have to bring up his past sins.
The Bible tells us that God has forgotten them, so why bring them up again?
Peter Marshall said, “Never let the past be so dear as to limit the future.”
How Does One Overcome The Past?
Paul says, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before.”
You must bury those past memories of the old life.
Heb
Abraham and Sarah did not discuss the old life prior to their encounter with
the Lord. You and I must also adopt the same policy.
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto
him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for
the
This is a race we are running, so we must focus on the goal or get
tripped up!
Let’s move from
thing 1 to thing 2…
II. ONE THING I KNOW –
Overcoming Doubt. John
9:25
John
This is talking about settling your assurance of salvation.
Two Factors That Give
This Man his Assurance
of Salvation:
1. “I was blind” – He admitted his condition. A
lost person must admit he is a sinner.
2. “Now I see.” –
He accepted the cure. A
person must accept what Christ has done on the cross for redemption of his
sin.
That’s what salvation is. But mankind
attempts to make salvation too complicated.
Don't muddy the waters.
There is always someone who comes to the new convert and questions his
experience.
John
Many various religions associate certain happenings with salvation; a
chilling feeling, or an uncontrollable situation that accompanies salvation.
That is not Biblical. Salvation is trusting Christ’s works on the cross.
Every Christian Must Settle This One Thing. Doubt
is the one major reason for Christian failure.
Doubts can come from 2 sources:
From God-To provoke the salvation of a lost person.
[conviction]
From Satan-To paralyze the service of a believer.
[God is not the author of confusion!]
Settle it in your heart today. Billy Sunday said, “With Christ you are
saved; without Him you are lost.” That’s the right approach. Do you have
Him? If so, you are saved. If not,
you are lost.
III. ONE THING THOU LACKEST –
Overcoming the World.
Mark 10:21-22.
Mark
Mark
I believe that if he agreed to do this, Jesus would have added that it is
not necessary - what is important is the heart attitude toward those things.
This man had great possessions. There
Was “One Thing” Between Him And Jesus…no…MANY things!
1. Great material possessions.
2. He was a good man.
3. He had kept all of the commandments. Vs. 20.
4. He feared God
5. He was moral
Yet Jesus told him that there was one thing that was missing. “One thing
thou lackest.” And people today
know there’s something missing…they feel the emptiness, they sense the void.
It’s our job to show them how to fill it and be fulfilled!
The Man Considered Jesus’ Command An Impossibility.
This one thing kept him out of heaven. Think of the millions that will go to
hell for the same reason as did this man.
Are there any here today that are so motivated by worldly things that you
won’t really listen to what God is saying to you?
Maybe you are holding onto just one thing!
Some day you are going to go away sad as did this young man.
On to thing 4...
IV. ONE THING IS NEEDFUL –
Overcoming Monotony.
Luke 10:42.
Luke
In that text, Jesus has come for a visit, and Martha is busy serving, but
Mary is at His feet worshiping.
Martha’s not too happy about this, clanging pots and pans, clearing her
voice… “little help!” Martha’s
not too “merry”!
But Mary is doing what’s important.
Too many of us live life like we’re on a leash, and someone else is in
control. We do what’s urgent,
not what’s important. Too many
important things are
being sacrificed on “the
altar of the urgent”!
Psalm 27:4
One thing
have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to enquire in his temple.
That’s spiritual focus!
2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be
not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a
thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
We feel we have many days and many things to do, but spiritual focus
will keep us on task of what’s truly important!
Jesus Rebuked Martha For Her Spiritual Ignorance.
Jesus told her, “Mary hath chosen that good part.”
...as she sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His words.
Let’s face it: we can’t do it
all…so let’s make sure we’re doing what’s most important.
Certainly there’s much serving to be done…but worship must take
priority first!
It’s better to just do one thing and do it well, than to have so many irons
in the fire that we make a mess of all we do!
And remember:
The physical
passes away. The spiritual
abides forever.
2 Cor. 4:18
While we look not
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the
things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are
eternal.
Let’s not wind up on our death bed having been led around by the neck on the
leash of monotony. Let’s take
charge of our lives and live abundantly, focusing on what’s important…what
makes a difference both now and eternally!
Click here to recommend to pastors.
One Thing Philippians 3:13
I. ONE THING I DO– Overcoming the P______ Phil. 3:13-14
The past has p__________, so let’s get past it. Heb 11:15, Luke 9:62
II. ONE THING I KNOW – Overcoming D________ John 9:25
Two Factors That Give Assurance of Salvation:
1. “I was blind” – He admitted his c________________
2. “Now I see.” – He accepted the c______ John 9:19
Doubts can come from 2 sources:
From God-To p____________ the salvation of a lost person
From Satan-To paralyze the s____________ of a believer
III. ONE THING THOU LACKEST – Overcoming the W________ Mark 10:21-22
IV. ONE THING IS NEEDFUL – Overcoming M______________ Luke 10:42, Luke 10:38
Important things are sacrificed on “the altar of the u__________”! Psalm 27:4, 2 Peter 3:8
The p______________ passes away. The s________________ abides forever. 2 Cor. 4:18
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