Sunday morning my senior pastor Patrick Abendroth presented the first part of a new series on Christian priorities. He
covered the first three on Sunday morning so I will present them for you to read here. I will also provide a link to the audio of the sermon at the end of the post. Here are the priories in order:
1. The glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalm 19, Psalm 29.
A prayer that says “for Your name’s sake” is found in Psalm 79:9.
A question might be asked “If everything is ultimately for the glory of God, does that make Him self-centered?” Yes it would for anyone else but God. For if God were centered on anyone or anything else it would be idolatry.
2. See God’s word as sufficient – 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
The scripture has the final authority of Christian doctrine. The Latin term Sola Scriptura is derived from this proclamation. In the second Timothy passage the phrase “man of God is used” which refers to pastor. Paul is writing to Timothy, some might presume that since this is being written to a pastor that it would not have any bearing on the lay person or average believer. No such assumption should be received because the instructions and truths that were given to Timothy the pastor, he in turn would give them to his flock.
3. The bible needs to be proclaimed – 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
This passage instructs and commands Timothy to preach the word in truth and all authority. It is also the command given to us. Lately we have seen the focus of the local church turn to more and more “alternatives” to preaching. The second Timothy passage does not say “drama the word” or “skit the word”. Those “alternatives” are all well and good, but they should not ever become the focus presented from the pulpit. It cannot replace preaching. The gospel is used to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, and should not become a dialog. Boldly preach the word. Boldly live your life. Joshua 22:5 says:
Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
We should live this way. Not just for show and when we are gathered together, but for God and His glory.
The link to the audio is found here.
Upon This Rawk 