RE-SETTING OUR PRIORITIES -- "FULFILLING ALL RIGHEOUSNESS" Part One

Matthew 3:13-17

A quote from Maxine,that feisty senior citizen of Hallmark cards:

“I think I made too many New Year's resolutions this year. It took me almost a full day to break them all.”

Today, we celebrate the baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and well as remembering our own baptisms with thanksgiving as we renew our commitment to God through Christ.

So, it's a good time to think beyond resolutions that are easily broken and quickly forgotten to taking the time to review and re-set our priorities so we have time in our busy lives for the things that bring us joy, meaning and purpose. Today, we begin a four-part series discussing a priorities list that will help us succeed and thrive as human beings and as Christians.

At Jesus' baptism, God announced to the world that he was the anointed one promised by God. It was the official start of his ministry. In the same way, our baptism is an outward sign of God's call to ministry on our lives.

He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness, and so were we.

So what does that look like for us? The first thing that comes to my mind is “right relationships” – living in right relationship with God, with others, and even with ourselves. Those relationships form a great framework to re-set our priorities. So, let's take a look at them.

1. Our relationship with God
2. Self-care
3. Ministry to Our Family (however you define family)
4. Making Disciples (our impact on other's lives)

Basically this is a hierarchical list, but how it acts in our lives is similar to a wind chime.

The base of a wind chime, that part from which the chimes hang, is the most import part of a wind chime. Without it, the chimes can't chime.

In the same way, God is number one on the priority list because is the most important part of a strategy for thriving. From that relationship, all of our other relationships are depended.  

The way we keep our relationship with God our first priority is to actively be in the presence of God. John Wesley, founder of Methodism, called this “attending upon the ordinances of God,” or as United Methodist Bishop Reuben Job described it, “Staying in love with God.”

“Staying in love with God” has two foci. One has to do with our personal and family spiritual practises. We talk a lot about having a regular personal of Bible study and prayer. 

 But one spiritual practice that is rarely mentioned is the practice of self control and self denial.

This spiritual discipline requires that we have a clear understanding of the difference between want and need and ability and benefit.

For example, do I want a large mocha salted caramel latte? Good Lord, yes! Let it be like manna from heaven, and please don't forget the whip cream!

Practicing self-control and self denial, I realize that while I want a

a large mocha salted caramel latte and am able to afford it, I don't need to have one every day, and I benefit from less sugar, fat and caffeine in my diet.

That doesn't mean I never can have a large mocha salted caramel latte, but I have to practice moderation and put limits on my behavior.

Likewise, we're presented with a profusion of opportunities to spend our time and money, but do we need to have and do everything? How do we benefit it?

Reading from Mathew 16:26 from The Message version of the Bible, “What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself What could you ever trade your soul for?”

In a culture of business and stuff, Jesus warns us about giving so much of our time, resources and hearts to other things. The result is that we don't leave any room for God and the benefits of a relationship with the One who loves us most.

So, how about turning off the screens and spending some quality time with God? The benefits of doing so are simply divine.

The second focus is about the spiritual practice of being in community with other Christians: worship, participating in the sacraments and being part of a small group for mutual encouragement, growth and ministry.

Small groups that include devotions, prayer and service as well as opportunities for fellowship and fun are the backbone of a healthy thriving church which produces passionate, on fire disciples of Christians.

As with anything we want to do well at, staying in love with God requires a commitment to spiritual practises that are both consistent and intentional.  Write it on a calendar, put it in your phone, set an alarm -- whatever it takes, do it.

So, instead of making a list of New Year's resolutions that often are never accomplished, let's put our energies into aligning our priorities with the vital relationships in our lives with our relationship with God. It's challenge, but what else can we name that will have an eternal impact on our lives?

Next week: A surprise, to many, at number two: self care.