One Thing Make Up Your Mind Choices Choices

“One Thing” Make Up Your Mind!

Choices, Choices • Our society is full of choices; it’s hard to choose just “one thing” • There is an advantage in going to “a specialist” • “One thing” in the Bible gives emphasis to one, all-important choice

Choices, Choices • “One thing” in the Bible gives emphasis to the all-important (1) request in life, (2) detail in life, (3) priority in life, (4) truth in life, (5) action in life, and (6) the future event in life

David: Priority of Worship • “One thing I asked of Jehovah…” (Psa. 27: 4) • Notice what David did not ask for: comfort, wealth, fame; etc.

David: Priority of Worship • David loved to be with the Lord and the Lord’s people; to learn about the Lord, learn from the Lord, worship the Lord, vv. 4 -6 (see also Psa. 26: 8; 84: 10)

David: Priority of Worship • If you asked for “one thing” what would it be? Your answer will reflect your spiritual condition.

Ruler: Priority of Salvation • “One thing thou lackest…” (Mk. 10: 20) • The rich young ruler had a good attitude, asked a good question, and had good habits from his youth

Ruler: Priority of Salvation • Jesus’ answer: you need to do something; you need to do more (“one thing” more); you need to take a drastic measure (“go. . . sell. . . give. . . come. . . follow me”) • Ruler’s response: disobedient and sorrowful. He had an idol (Col. 3: 5).

Ruler: Priority of Salvation • One sin is one sin too many (Jas. 2: 10; see Rev. 2: 4, 20; etc. ). • “One thing” kept this man out of heaven. Are you ignoring the “one thing” that will keep you out of heaven?

Jesus: Priority of Life • “One thing is needful…” (Lk. 10: 42) • Martha was anxious, troubled, cumbered (Gr. περισπάω = distracted), concerned for many things • Martha wanted Mary to be like her

Jesus: Priority of Life • The homemaker has an important role (1 Tim. 2: 15; 5: 14; Tit. 2: 5) • But, even in the home, choices must be made. The homemaker must not become distracted from listening to Jesus (see also Jn. 6: 27)

Jesus: Priority of Life • You need only “one thing” in life, do you know what it is? Do you want it?

Blind Man: Priority of Truth • “One thing I know…” (Jn. 9: 25) • The friends wanted to speculate about what happened; the Pharisees wanted to quibble about what happened; the parents wanted to ignore what happened

Blind Man: Priority of Truth • The blind man wanted to tell the truth about what happened (v. 30) • We can know the truth, tell the truth, be confident to stand in the truth (Prov. 22: 21; Jn. 8: 32; 1 Tim. 2: 4; 4: 3)

Blind Man: Priority of Truth • Jesus also wants to free people from the blindness of sin through truth (vv. 39 -41) • You need only to know “one thing” in life, do you know it? Can you say it?

Paul: Priority of Goals • “One thing I do…” (Phil. 3: 13) • Paul was a busy man, but he chose “one thing” to do • Paul forgot what was behind (vv. 5 -6) and he stretched forward to what was in front (v. 14)

Paul: Priority of Goals • We must do the same (Col. 3: 1; Heb. 12: 2) • You need only to do “one thing” in life, will you do it?

Peter: Priority of Future • “Forget not this one thing…” Pet. 3: 8) • Time is not the same to God as it is to man (Psa. 90: 4) • The Lord keeps his promises! (2

Peter: Priority of Future • There will be a judgment day contrary to what scoffers say! • Be ready for it (vv. 11 -18) • Have you forgotten the most import future event … the judgment day?

“One Thing” • If you have “one thing” to ask, let it be to worship the Lord • If you have “one thing” that is lacking in your salvation, take care of it • If you have “one thing” that is needful at home, let it be sitting at the Lord’s feet

“One Thing” • If you have “one thing” you know, let it be the truth of God’s word • If you have “one thing” to do, let it be to press on to the goal of heaven • If you have “one thing” that you will never forget, let it be the Lord’s second coming