LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES

TEXT- MARK 12:28-34

INTRODUCTION

I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO COME AND PREACH FOR YOU THIS MORNING.

I BELIEVE THE LAST TIME I FILLED IN FOR PASTOR FLETCHER WAS NEARLY TWENTY YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS OUT OF TOWN.

I REMEMBER THAT SUNDAY JUST AS IF IT WERE TODAY.

MY WIFE, DEBRA, WAS PREGNANT WITH OUR DAUGHTER, KIMBERLY AND WAS NOT FEELING TOO WELL BECAUSE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING MORNING SICKNESS.  WE STAYED WITH SHARON ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND WHEN WE WOKE UP ON SUNDAY MORNING I FELT SICKER THAN A DOG.  TO THIS DAY MY WIFE SAYS THAT I WAS SUFFERING FROM SYMPATHY PAINS.  IN FACT, I WAS SO SICK THAT I DIDN’T THINK I WAS EVEN GOING TO BE ABLE TO PREACH THAT MORNING.  I EVENTUALLY PULLED MYSELF TOGETHER BUT I WAS SO WEAK THAT I ONLY MANAGED TO PREACH FOR ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES.

BEFORE PASTOR FLECTHER WENT ON HIS RECENT VACATION, HE WARNED ME THAT IF I PREACHED A 10 OR 15 MINUTE MESSAGE TODAY I WAS GOING TO MAKE HIM LOOK BAD AND IT WOULD BE ANOTHER 20 YEARS BEFORE I GOT TO PREACH HERE AGAIN.

SO SIT BACK AND RELAX BECAUSE WE ARE IN FOR A LONG DAY.

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN MARK 12:28-34 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "LIFE’S MOST IMPORT PRIORITIES."

A MAN AND HIS WIFE WENT TO THE COUNTRY FAIR. THE MAN WAS FASCINATED BY THE AIRPLANE RIDES THEY WERE OFFERING, BUT COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY COST $20.  THE MAN DIDN'T WANT TO PAY THAT MUCH AND EXPLAINED TO THE PILOT HOW MUCH HE WANTED A RIDE.  SO THE PILOT SAID, "LET'S MAKE A DEAL.  IF YOU AND YOUR WIFE CAN RIDE WITHOUT MAKING A SINGLE SOUND, I WON'T CHARGE YOU ANYTHING. OTHERWISE YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY $40."  "YOU GOT A DEAL," SAID THE MAN.  THE PLANE TOOK OFF AND THE PILOT DID EVERY KIND OF STUNT IMAGINABLE.  WHEN THEY LANDED, THE PILOT SAID, "IF I HADN'T BEEN THERE, I WOULDN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU DIDN'T MAKE A SINGLE SOUND THE WHOLE TIME."  "WELL, IT WASN'T EASY," SAID THE HUSBAND.  "I ALMOST YELLED ONCE WHEN MY WIFE FELL OUT."

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN LIFE TO YOU?

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST?

FOR SOME PEOPLE IT IS THEIR MONEY.

FOR OTHERS IT IS THEIR JOB.

FOR OTHERS IT IS RECREATION OR HUNTING AND FISHING.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY IN OUR LIFE SHOULD BE GOD.