During this season of physical distancing, it is a time to evaluate what is most important to us. We’ve witnessed the shortage of toilet paper and hand sanitizers; three months ago we would never have imagined that toilet paper would make our short list of life essentials. This week, our guest speaker Terry Weins asks us, “What is most important?” If you missed the YouTube video message, click here to watch the video or below for the podcast.

Terry Wiens has been attending Westheights Church for over 20 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious studies. Terry works in the financial sector, enjoys technology and continues to study theology in his spare time. He is married to Jenn and together they have three children: Katie, Emylea and Griffin.

 

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT

Message by Terry Wiens – April 26, 2020

 

POINTS TO PONDER

1. Focusing on important things but neglecting what is most important can lead to disaster.

2. The church says a lot of things are important but is there anything that is most important?

3. Religion tries to make God the most important but it sets up a two-way relationship that in reality focuses on me.

4. Jesus teaches us that God is different. He is the giver; we can’t give to Him. The relationship is really one way.

5. Jesus made it crystal clear that God loves us; He is our Father.

6. Our most important focus should be on loving people.

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE IMPORTANT CONFLICTS WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT?

1. Rules are important but people are most important.

Matthew 12:9-14 NIV

Matthew 12:1-8 NIV

2. The horizontal relationship (loving people) is the most important. God has taken care of the vertical relationship (our relationship with Him).

Matthew 5:23-24 NLT So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

3. When we help and love others, we are actually helping and loving God.

Matthew 25:34-40 NLT

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

John 13:34-35 NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

HOW DO WE PRIORITIZE THE MOST IMPORTANT?

Focus on Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2a NIV …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

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