The Great “Squeeze out”

The Great “Squeeze out”

Introduction:

The demands of life can sap our energy & every minute of time we have. Anyone got time & energy to waste? People of all ages declare they can’t do “one more thing” and then they fit “one more thing” into their schedule. Soon – immediate squeezes out the important. How do we usually react? Stress out? Worry? Anxiety takes over life? Jesus says that happens because we forget life’s true priorities. Mt. 6:31-34

I. There has never been an age where life is not demanding!

A. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back in time when life was simpler?

B. Do we explain away Mt. 6:31-34? Do we cast it off by saying “Life was so much simpler then”?

II. Life involves more than physical existence!

A. Our physical existence is just 1 area of existence.

1. Heb. 9:27 - Physical life will end – but life will continue

B. Total life is concerned about existence in God’s world.

C. You & I will continue to exist in God’s world after we die!

1. Our level of existence in that world depends on our priorities in this world.

III. What does Mt. 6:31-34 teach us?

A. The Christian’s priorities must be different.

1. Those who know & trust God seek to be under God’s rule as a matter of priority!

B. Those who know/trust God seek to be righteous people.

C. We must not waste life by letting our anxieties concerning the future control life.

1. Anxiety (worry) changes nothing.

2. Anxiety about tomorrow will not eliminate troubles of tomorrow.

3. Every day has its own troubles & no amount of worrying will make tomorrow trouble free.

D. 6:27 - Stress & anxiety produced by worry are not the answer.

IV. An Important Application:

A. Godly priorities determine a Christian’s behavior.

1. If my priorities belong to God, the behavior will belong to God!

2. If my priorities belong to God, it will be seen in how I arrange my life!

B. The spiritual is most important!

1. We often let physical squeeze out the spiritual!

2. Easy to squeeze out church activities!

C. When our priorities are right we will be serious in our commitment to godliness! God has entrusted us to so much! Mt. 25:14-30

1. Misplaced priorities cause us to be like the unprofitable servant.

2. We must learn to be risk takers for God!

Conclusion:

A. We must function as God’s people, to assume the responsibilities of godliness, to make a spiritual difference wherever we are!

1. Go honor God! Go be spiritually responsible! Get your priorities right.

2. Don’t be part of the great squeeze out! There are no excuses!



The Great “Squeeze out” Introduction: The demands of life can sap our energy & every minute of time we have. Anyone got time & energy to waste? People of all ages declare they can’t do “one more thing” and then they fit “one more thing” into their schedule. Soon – immediate squeezes out the important. How do we usually react? Stress out? Worry? Anxiety takes over life? Jesus says that happens because we forget life’s true priorities. Mt. 6:31-34 I. There has never been an age where life is not demanding! A. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back in time when life was simpler? B. Do we explain away Mt. 6:31-34? Do we cast it off by saying “Life was so much simpler then”? II. Life involves more than physical existence! A. Our physical existence is just 1 area of existence. 1. Heb. 9:27 - Physical life will end – but life will continue B. Total life is concerned about existence in God’s world. C. You & I will continue to exist in God’s world after we die! 1. Our level of existence in that world depends on our priorities in this world. III. What does Mt. 6:31-34 teach us? A. The Christian’s priorities must be different. 1. Those who know & trust God seek to be under God’s rule as a matter of priority! B. Those who know/trust God seek to be righteous people. C. We must not waste life by letting our anxieties concerning the future control life. 1. Anxiety (worry) changes nothing. 2. Anxiety about tomorrow will not eliminate troubles of tomorrow. 3. Every day has its own troubles & no amount of worrying will make tomorrow trouble free. D. 6:27 - Stress & anxiety produced by worry are not the answer. IV. An Important Application: A. Godly priorities determine a Christian’s behavior. 1. If my priorities belong to God, the behavior will belong to God! 2. If my priorities belong to God, it will be seen in how I arrange my life! B. The spiritual is most important! 1. We often let physical squeeze out the spiritual! 2. Easy to squeeze out church activities! C. When our priorities are right we will be serious in our commitment to godliness! God has entrusted us to so much! Mt. 25:14-30 1. Misplaced priorities cause us to be like the unprofitable servant. 2. We must learn to be risk takers for God! Conclusion: A. We must function as God’s people, to assume the responsibilities of godliness, to make a spiritual difference wherever we are! 1. Go honor God! Go be spiritually responsible! Get your priorities right. 2. Don’t be part of the great squeeze out! There are no excuses!