(Christian Living Sermon) Hillside 10/95
Filename: Jesus on Priorities

WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT ETHICAL PRIORITIES

TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
abstain from every form of evil."

INTRODUCTION-- Paul's admonition in our text is a challenge similar to the ones presented by Jesus to His disciples, when their priorities ran contrary to those of God. The desire of Christ is that we learn to have powers of discernment like His, so that we keep our priorities straight.

LESSON--

1. Jesus asked Martha to have the same good sense shown by her sister Mary, who had "chosen the good part". Luke 10:38-42

2. In another incident involving Mary, Jesus told His disciples to look for the good accomplished in her anointing, because they were critical of her "waste." Mark 14:3-9 (Compare the parallel account in John 12:2-8.)

3. Peter was rebuked by Jesus for "minding the things of men" in regard to accepting His prophetic proclamation of His death and resurrection. Matthew 16:21-24

4. Jesus showed His disciples the greater joy of having their "names written in heaven," rather than having the extraordinary ability to cast out demons. Luke 10:1, 17-20
   
   
5. Jesus corrected the view of His disciples, when He showed the superiority of gaining eternal life over the possession of wealth. Mark 10:23-31

6. Jesus corrected Peter's false assumption regarding the payment of the "half shekel tax." Matthew 17:24-27

(NOTE: Many other examples could be used to illustrate this lesson, and the sum of them helps us to realize that the Bible was inspired of God. If it had been written by uninspired men, it would probably not contain the record of so many humiliating rebukes suffered by the writers.)

APPLICATION-- When the disciples proposed showing honor for Old Testament prophets equal to that shown to Jesus, God rebuked them, saying, "This is my beloved son, in Whom I am well pleased, Hear ye Him" (Luke 9:28-36). We can do no better than to listen to the ethical teaching of Jesus, "....in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hissden" (Colossians 2:1-3).