ZNA-192
940102AM
“WHAT DO I DESIRE THE MOST?” NOTHING ON EARTH I DESIRE ABOVE THEE:
Each new year when I think of my life and the fresh unspoiled pages of the days ahead…my heart goes back to the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
A. JESUS WARNED THE CHURCH WOULD BE IN DANGER OF DRIFTING AWAY FROM SEEKING HIM AS MOST IMPORTANT Revelation 2:1-4 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (KJV)) first in time or place 1a) in any succession of things or persons 2) first in rank 2a) influence, honour 2b) chief 2c) principal
B. JESUS WARNED THE DANGER WOULD SHOW UP IN OUR EYES:
Revelation 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (KJV)
knowest not… 4434 ptochos {pto-khos’} from ptosso {to crouch, akin to 4422 and the alternate of 4098); TDNT – 6:885,969; adj AV – poor 30, beggar 2, poor man 1, beggarly 1; 34 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms 2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour 2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches 2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end 2c) poor, needy 3) lacking in anything 3a) as respects their spirit 3a1) destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved them selves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)
C. ONE OF THE THREE PATHS THE WORLD, FLESH AND DEVIL USE TO ATTACK US IS OUR EYES:
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV)
SO, GOD WARNS OF A DANGEROUS CONDITION OF LETTING HIM SLIP IN OUR LIVES. HE WARNS THIS WILL COME AS EITHER A LUST OF FLESH, PRIDE OF LIFE OR LUST OF EYES.
1. GOD WANTS TO HAVE FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIVES A. HE WANTS TO BE THE ONE THING DESIRED Psalm 27:4 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. (KJV) 02654 chaphets {khaw-fates’} a primitive root; TWOT – 712,713; v AV – delight 39, please 14, desire 9, will 3, pleasure 3, favour 2, like 2, moveth 1, would 1, at all 1; 75 1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with 1a) (Qal) 1a1) of men 1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in 1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do 1a2) of God 1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in 1a2b) to be pleased to do 2) to move, bend down 2a) (Qal) to bend down
B. HE WANTS TO BE ON THE TOP OF YOUR LIST:
Psalm 73:25 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
C. HE WANTS IT ALL:
Deuteronomy 4:29 29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him , if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (KJV)
2. WE WERE IN FIRST PLACE BEFORE HE SAVED US:
A. WE DID OUR OWN THING: Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (KJV) B. WE FOLLOWED OUR OWN LUSTS:
Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (KJV)
3. CHOOSE HIM AS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE TODAY!
A. Seek HIM first (the Kingdom of God)
Matthew 6:33 33 But seek ye [first] the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)
4412 proton {pro’-ton} neuter of 4413 as adverb (with or without 3588); TDNT – 6:868,965; adv AV – first 51, at the first + 3588 2, first of all 2, misc 5; 60 1) first in time or place 1a) in any succession of things or persons 2) first in rank 2a) influence, honour 2b) chief 2c) principal 3) first, at the first
B. SET YOUR AFFECTIONS ON HIM
Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [Set] your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJV)
2212 zeteo {dzay-teh’-o} of uncertain affinity; TDNT – 2:892,300; v AV – seek 100, seek for 5, go about 4, desire 3, misc 7; 119 1) to seek in order to find 1a) to seek a thing 1b) to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into 1c) to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after 2) to seek i.e. require, demand 2a) to crave, demand something from someone
C. START NOW:
Psalm 27:4 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. (KJV) 0259 ‘echad {ekh-awd’} 1e) only, once, once for all 1g) first
What I am about to share with you is an area we all have in common. Infact these are areas of my own personal struggles.
Most of us in this room are never going to be trapped by alcohol, drugs, witchcraft, gross immorality and so on. Its the lusts of the eyes that will get us and neutralize our spiritual effectiveness for God.
The top selling magazines of the USA show where we focus as a culture. Of the top 15 best selling magazines of 1993 these magazines outsold any pornographic literature 44 to 1. Yet the lusts these magazines peddle are just as effective in capturing and holding our attention away from the God who demands first place.
These lusts of the eyes I am about to describe are very dangerous. These lustful areas of our lives are explicitly portrayed in these magazines. Their material is very strong in its visual and sensory appeal. In fact it may be captivating… (open briefcase)
Men have been known to abandon their wives; women have left their children and husbands…
Is there anything wrong with _____ (flowers, cards, hunting, money, …)?
No, God created them and everything else for us “richly to enjoy” but it is idolatry when you worship that which you are only to use. When you sacrifice first place, God’s place for _____________ when you use God (pray in a pinch, cram, wing it, avoid commitment, etc.) instead of seeking Him first.
Psalm 73:25 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
Better Homes and Gardens #6 8.5 million families (Build House Not God’s) -Borrow, work every night late, forsake even family to remodel, yet never for Christ.
Haggai 1:4-9 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? 5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. (KJV)
VICTORIA #90 1 m families Sit up by hour with lace, dried flowers and topiaries, yet never prayed an hour to the Christ who cameto save and draw you to him? Matthew 26:40 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (KJV) Psalm 73:25 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
FIELD & STREAM #32 2million men who Sit in blind in -10 degrees for 2 hours before sunup to get deer yet not cross the street on a summer day to speak to a neighbor about Christ?
2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. (KJV) Psalm 73:25 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
WAYSIDE GARDENS – Some can worship the creation (flowers/plants) more than the creator. They can sit all winter dreaming about blooms, order in time to have ready to plant, work hard to plow, fertilize , plant, water, weed, and guard that bloom that lasts an hour, a day, a week … yet some of your very own flesh and blood will be tormented in the Hell of Hells forever and you haven’t wept, pleaded and prayed day in and out for their souls (“wish accursed, know terror of the Lord”)
Psalm 73:25 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
SPORT’S ILLUSTRATED #14 3.5 million men and boys Some of you young and old know the answer to this Baseball Trivia question: “who was the 6th hitter, who singled, after Carl Hubbell struck out 5 other future hall of famers in a row in the 1934 All Star Game? [Bill Dickey.] and also RBIs, ERA, CAREER HITS, STAELS AND SO ON ……For everyone from THE THREE GREATS WHO DIED THIS YEAR: 2 GREAT CATCHERS –BILL DICKEY/ROY CAMPENELLA AND CHARLIE GEHRINGER and can recite them today. You collect, sort, mount, trade, invest in them by the dozen and have for years. Yet today if you know 30 lines of Scripture by heart you are quite content and it’s a bore to memorize –leave that to the kids.
Psalm 73:25 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
FAMILY CIRCLE – #7 5.5 million women cut, clip, trade coupons, watch sales, hoard recipes and cook like the finest gourmet on earth and in the process by your actions like Martha, you are so busy being a wonder at entertaining and cooking . All you actions tell folks that Mary’s devotion to Christ, sitting at His feet in loving adoration is not your first desire. It’s okay to seek God second if it’s Christmas, Christmas Eve, Family Reunion, Baby Shower, Thanksgiving, Easter, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Wedding Shower, etc.
Those that watch see you put dinners and parties ahead of God. When is the last time you said, “No, we will be late to the family part, dinner, etc. because God is our FIRST priority”
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (KJV)
CAR MAGAZINE – Your knuckles bleed, your hands are stained, your back aches and you are cold… but you will rebuild that car. Yet there are marriages crumbling, homes splintering, lives ending all around you at work, school and Neighborhood and you have the only repair manual there is. It has no tear stains, pen marks or notes to share with those who desperately need what YOU know!
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
COMPUTER MAGAZINE –
You have 486, 16 MB RAM, 250 MG Hard drive, portable and blinding pentium speed. You import, FAX, convert, format and spread sheet all day long and then go back at night or leave earlier in the morning yet the infinite Majesty on High waited this morning for you — and you a faxed a note and went on your way…
HEALTH & FITNESS –
You diet, exercise, avoid fat, watch cholesterol, sodium, red meat and ultra violet rays. You avoid preservatives, use Oil of Olay and go to the Spa like clockwork. Yet to be told your soul needs nourishment, your spirit fellowship in God’s house and your life needs the exercise of Biblical ministry and you shrink away. Labor not for that which perishes… No feel who gives can’t keep. Get can’t lose.
Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (KJV) Psalm 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (KJV) Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (KJV) INVESTMENT –
How about this one. You calculate, figure, save, invest, trade, sell, buy and track those treasures. You set financial goals, make sacrifices and ponder what it will take to make those targets. You have education goals for kids, housing goals for your family, vacation
dreams for your honey and retirement plans for the golden years. And yet you shrink from teaching a handful of squirming 8 year olds with immortal souls because it might upset your Saturday social plans or the mad dash out of church to get on with life.
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (KJV) Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (KJV) RUSH LIMBAUGH – #1 fastest growing talk show and author. You know every error Clinton has made and you talk about it. You read his books [the latest is only 8 pages less than the NT] as fast as he writes them, set your car radio, VCR and lunch schedule around his broadcast and tape it if you miss it. You start, mark the midpoint and even end your day with someone who is at best only 2nd or 3rd to God — and yet do you spend an hour in prayer with that intensity each noon? Do you VCR the times you miss with God so you can make them up later? Is it easier to talk about Rush than God?
Acts 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (KJV)
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
TV GUIDE – #4 15 million families use this tool to unlock a veritable sewer… It Costs only $ 0.89; Cable runs 16/MO; TV set $199 to $1799; average AMERICAN spends 5hrs/DAY in front of them.
Could it possibly be that this magazine and its programming schedule actually interfere with he sharpest minded , cleanest hearted, greatest oriented people in the world.
I mean could it be that those with the clearest vision, most expensive bodies, most sensitive spirits and souped up memories could possibly subject themselves to (read write-up) or pay money to have a virtual sewer line of consumptive, materialistic, sexually satiated, violent, god-hating streaming into their homes?
From occultic cartoons to bedroom scenes of strangers, constant attacks on Godly discipline and morals? Do you spend more time each week TVing than Goding? Shame on you!??????
Psalm 101:3 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (KJV) Psalm 73:25 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
MUSIC –
Are you so disciplined you can practice a piece until you can flawlessly reproduce it with gusto yet you have never sharpened your testimony and faith (overcame by Word test & …) so that you are “ready always to give testimony.” Do you labor as hard to know and communicate the Lord, Author of music as His creation of notes, melody and harmony.
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (KJV)
This do in remembrance of me…
Put magazine on the table.
Needs less than this congregation spends on subscriptions to get a man of God to replace the only evangelical witness in an entire country.
If every Q.B.C. family gave $8 per month, Keith Mlyniec could leave 2/1/94!
That’s 9 months Better Homes & Gardens 8 Big Ones 3 1/2 Happy Meals
1. Business men FAST one lunch / month 2. Ladies go 4 weeks longer between trims and frizzes 3. Young men don’t buy cards one month 4. Young ladies let your fashion be one season behind 5. Dad, don’t get that tool, software, new shoes, tie…
Save $8 per month to see a nation hear about Christ!
*Drop to knees
With love (kneel on platform)
1. Now… Balcony, boys and girls, parents, ushers, all now — you ask God what has been more important than Him in 1993.
Repent, ask Him to change the desires of your heart.
2. Now, Take cards Write name and I pledge to pray 1994 for the K.M.s and/or By grace of God my family will commit to give $2 per week more to see Keith Mlyniecs go to Iceland.
*Count in PM Service *Cards on table (or in suitcase) “Desires of Heart”