As we read the Bible we come across some expressions. Today I would like to focus on five verses. All of them have this same expression “one thing”.
Title of preaching: The five one things.
These passages speak about our priorities. Things that God wants to call to our attention.
1- “I have asked the Lord for one thing; one thing only do I want: to live in the Lord ‘s house all my life, to marvel there at his goodness, and to ask for his guidance.”Psalm 27:4 GNT
The psalmist desire is to live in the Lord’s house. He wants to always be in his presence. Today we have a greater privilege than him. The Holy Spirit lives in us. We are his temple and he can guide us.
“Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary.”-1 Corinthians 6:19
As the psalmist said, this must be our desire: to enjoy 😊 the Holy Spirit’s presence in us. Learn to listen 👂 to his voice and his guidance.
2- “Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, “You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” Mark 10:21 GNT
This man (the rich man) wants to follow Jesus. If you remember this passage, they were talking about the Ten Commandments and the rich man said that he obeyed all of them. But his heart was in the things of this world. So Jesus challenged him.
You must do the same as Jesus said. Get rid of the things that are holding you back from following Jesus. Maybe it’s love for money, maybe pleasures. What is holding you back?
Matthew 6: 20, 21 “Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value.” “For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.”
The same way Jesus challenged this man, he also challenges you. What do you need to leave behind to become a follower of Jesus? What is holding you back?
Third one thing
3- “The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.””
Luke 10:41-42 TPT
You can choose what you are going to do with your time. It is your choice. Nobody can take this privilege from you.
To sit at Jesus’ feet, spend time in his presence, we must organize our time.
Let me tell you one thing. Dr Caroline Leaf said in his book – Switch on your brain : “Some people believe that they can do many things at same time, like listening to music and reading. Cooking and talking on the phone. Playing games and watching Tv. But all of these is too much information. That is why people are not sleeping well and feeling depressed.
Science has proved that multitasking is a persistent myth. Paying deep, focused attention to one task at a time is the correct way.
When you do two things at the same time it results in two bad things:
- we don’t devote as much focused attention as we should to specific task, or piece of information;
- we sacrifice the quality of our attention”.
Why do you think drivers are not allowed to use their mobile phones?
If you want really enjoy Jesus’ presence when you are reading the bible and praying, leave your phone on silence and shut the door. Find a quiet place and above all quieten yourself. We need to learn to focus our mind. “When you are multitasking, you are opening yourself up to shallow and week judgment and decisions, which results in passive mindfulness soul harmony” ( LEAF, p93) .
Let’s read also Col 3.15 and Proverbs 4: 20-23
“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].”
COLOSSIANS 3:15 AMP
“Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” Proverbs 4:20-23 MSG
The fourth one thing
4- “He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”John 9:25 NIV
This blind man received a miracle and people started questioning him. Do you know who you are in Christ, do you know your identity? This man was not afraid to tell others about his faith. Because Jesus had changed his life.
Don’t be afraid to tell others what Jesus has done in your life. You were also blind once and now you see.
The fifth one thing
5- “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
We must follow Paul’s advice. We need to forget what is behind. I mean don’t allow your past and your fears hold you in your walk with the Lord. There will be times that you face troubles and storms. But keep pressing on – in the end you are going to receive the prize.
If you want to move forward and see progress in your life, you need to forgive yourself and stop blaming yourself. You also need to forgive those who have hurt you. Memories have the power to hold us back.
Believe You are created for love and to love.
Illustration
One day a lieutenant was driving with a 3rd sergent, and they came across to a storm!!
The soldier asked Sgt: What should I do?
Sgt told him, “Keep driving.”
The cars began to stop and lean to the side and the storm was getting worse.
What should I do, Sgt?
– “Keep driving” replied the Sgt
Later, he noticed that a caravan was also stopping.
He said, “Sgt, Should I stop, it’s terrible, I can barely see it and everyone is stopping!”
Sgt said, “Do not give up, keep driving!”
A few more miles later the storm was much stronger, but he obeyed his command and continued, despite the storm.
Soon afterwards he could see a little ahead and more clearly and he continued driving.
After a few miles, he was on dry land and the sun was shining.
The Sgt told him, “Now you can stop and leave the car”
He said, “But why now?”
The Sgt said, “When you leave, look back and you will see that all the people who gave up and stopped, are still in the storm!
For you, who did not stop or give up, the storm is over.”
If you are going through difficult times remember that all others, even the strongest, have stopped, that is, they have given up.
Do not stop!
Do not give up!
Otherwise the storm will never end!!!
Continue, for soon your storm will pass and * the sun will shine for you again!!
Conclusion- the five one things
- Enjoy the guidance of the Holy Spirit- He lives in you
- Follow him. Love Jesus more the anything else
- Manage your time – choose to sit at his feet
- Tell other what he has done for you – I was blind now I see
- Press on – don’t give up in the middle of the storm.
Bibliography:
LEAF, C.(2013) – Switch on your brain. USA: Baker Books