This is a seventy sermon series considering God's priorities. These items fall into two categories, priorities God has for man, that which he can and should recognize as well as aspire to attain and priorities God has for Himself (marked by *), that which He will attain and which man will witness.
(Each sermon is linked through its title below.)
Series Contents:
Series Contents:
- The passion for God (Matt 22:37-38)
Matt 22:37 [Jesus said:] "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment."
- The pairing by God (Matt 22:39)
Matt 22:39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
- The program of God (Matt 6:31, 33)
Matt 6:31 [Jesus admonished his disciples: D]o not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ...33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
- The piety of God (1 Tim 4:8)
1 Tim 4:8 [P]hysical training [has] value [for some things], but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
- The predestination of God (Rev 20:6, 14-15)
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.... 14b The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
- The prerequisite of God (Heb 11:6)
Heb 11:6 ...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
- The preference of God (Gal 6:9-10)
Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
- The promise of God (Isa 43:1-2)
Isa 43:1 ...this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
- The promotion of God (Matt 28:19-20)
Matt 28:19 ...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
- The perception of God (1 Cor 13:12)
1 Cor 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
- The personality of God (Exod 34:6-7)
Exod 34:6 ...he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.
- The perspective of God (Ps 90:2,4)
Ps 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.... 4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
- The pronouncement of God (Isa 45:23)
Isa 45:23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
- The pattern of God (Mic 6:8)
Mic 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
- The party of God (Matt 8:11)
Matt 8:11 [=Luke 13:29] I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
- The parenthesis of God (Matt 24:15, 21)
Matt 24:15 [W]hen you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand.... 21 For then there will he great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
- The prayer to God (Eph 6:18)
Eph 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the [believers].
- The paradigm for God (1 Tim 6:6-7)
1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
- The progress toward God (Heb 12:1-2)
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- The pension from God (Matt 19:29)
Matt 19:29 ...everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
- The praise from God (Matt 25:21)
Matt 25:21 [= v. 23] "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
- The pardon of God (Col 2:13)
Col 2:13 When you were dead in your sins [conduct] and in the uncircurncision of your sinful nature [character], God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
- The purging of God (2 Pet 3:10)
2 Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
- The price of God (Rom 6:23)
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- The panoply of God (Matt 13:49-50)
Matt 13:49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw [the wicked] into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- The provision of God (Phil 4:11b-13)
Phil 4:11b ....I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
- The preview of God (Num 14:21)
Num 14:21 [NAS] ...as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD.
- The providence of God (Esth 4:14)
Esth 4:14a ....if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish.
- The prize from God (2 Tim 4:7-8)
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
- The presiding of God (Dan 7:9-10)
Dan 7:9 As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
- The prison of God (Rev 20:10)
Rev 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
- The partition of God (Rev 22:14-15)
Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city [the New Jerusalem]. 15 Outside are the dogs [an uncomplimentary reference to pagan gentiles], those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
- The profession before God (Rom 10:9-10)
Rom 10:9 ...if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
- The prevention by God (Exod 23:27)
Exod 23:27 [God says:] I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.
- The permission of God (Ps 106:15)Ps 106:15 So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease upon them.Cf. KJV Ps 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
- The pageantry of God (Matt 24:29-30)
Matt 24:29 Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
- The preeminence of God (Phil 2:6-8)
Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
- The pedigree of God (1 Pet 1:3, 23)
1 Pet 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.... 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
- The plan of God (1 Cor 15:3-8)
1 Cor 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
- The purity of God (Lev 20:26)
Lev 20:26 You are to be holy to me [subjective] because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart [objective] from the nations to be my own.
- The period of God (Lev 23:3)
Lev 23:3 There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.
- The precepts of God (Josh 1:8)
Josh 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
- The persuasion before God (Job 19:25-27)
Job 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 1 myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
- The penitence before God (Ps 51:16-17)
Ps 5 1:16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
- The priority of God (Ezek 36:21)
Ezek 36:21 I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone.
- The precedence before God (Matt 5:23-24)
Matt 5:23 ...if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
- The posture before God (Matt 26:39)
Matt 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
- The panic before God (Mark 9:20, 25-26)
Mark 9:20b When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.... 25b ...Jesus...rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." 26a The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.
- The pity of God (Luke 17:10; cf. 19:17)
Luke 17:10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.
Cf. Luke 19:17 "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of [a large matter].'
- The peace of God (Ps 94:19)
Ps 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
- The pact of God (Jer 31:33-34)
Jer 3 1:33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
- The portrait of God (Ezek 1:26-28)
Ezek 1:26 Above the expanse over [the seraphs'] heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown....
- The preservation by God (Ezek 37:7, 10)
Ezek 37:7 ...I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.... 10 [Again] I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
The priest of God (Matt 1:20-21)
Malt 1:20 ...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
- The pointing of God (Matt 2:1-2)
Matt 2:1 b Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to [acknowledge] him
- The penalty of God (Matt 13:12)
Matt 13:12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
- The permanence of God (Matt 25:46)
Matt 25:46 [The wicked] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
- The paradox of God (Rom 5:7-8)
Rom 5:7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- The pledge of God (1 Cor 2:9)
1 Cor 2:9 ...as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"
- The power of God (Phil 3:21)
Phil 3:21 [Jesus], by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
- The plurality of God (1 Pet 1:2)
1 Pet 1:2 [You] have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
- The patience of God (2 Pet 3:9, 13)
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.... 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
- The prompting of God (2 Pet 3:10-11)
2 Pet 3: 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.
- The people of God (Rev 7:9-12)
Rev 7:9 ...I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne [of God] and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
- The prevailing of God (Rev 19:19-21)
Rev 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
- The punishment by God (2 Thess 1:6-7,9)
2 Thess 1:6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7a and give relief to you who are troubled.... 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and [will be] shut out from the presence of the Lord....
- The place of God (Rev 21:3-4)
Rev 21:3 ...I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
- The planting of God (Rev 22:14)
Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, [so] that they may have the right to the tree of life and [so that they] may go through the gates into the city.
- The partnership with God (1 Cor 3:6-7)
I Cor 3:6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
- The proximity of God (1 Pet 4:7)
1 Pet 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
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Jim Skaggs