OceanSide church of Christ
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One Thing
Wayne Rodgers
Intro.
A. We often use the expression "one
thing" for sake of emphasis.
1. Parents say
to children: "This one thing you must
do."
2. Or, we might
say, "I tell you one thing..." "I
know one
thing..."
"Above all else, this one thing must be
done..."
"Don't forget this one
thing..."
B. The expression "one
thing" is used for emphasis on a variety of subjects throughout the
Scriptures.
1. Let us study
these and make application to our daily lives.
"One
thing I have desired..." (Psalm 27:4)
"One
thing you lack..." (Mark 10:21)
"One
thing I know..." (John 9:25)
"But
one thing is needful..." (Luke 10:42)
"But
this one thing I do..." (Phil. 3:13)
I.
"One thing I have desired..."
Psalm 27:4
A. Above all else, the one thing
David desired was to dwell in the house of the Lord, the place of
worship.
1. To David, it
was a joyful experience to be able to worship God. It was not a boring routine.
(Psalm 122:1)
B. David desired to dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of his life.
1. Many people
of the world would rather dwell in sin all the days of their
life.
a. Many prefer to dwell in a state of adultery by living with a companion
who doesn't belong with them.
b. Many prefer to dwell in error rather than follow truth. (Jer. 5:31)
C. David also desired to behold
the beauty of the Lord.
1. Many desire
other beauties.
a. Some desire fleshly beauty because it appeals to the flesh. (Prov. 31:30)
b. Some desire the beauty of nature more than God because they are out
fishing, hunting, hiking, or sightseeing, when they should be in
worship.
2. David had his
priorities right. He knew that a right relationship with God brought happiness.
(Psalm
144:15; 146:5 )
D. David wanted to inquire in the
temple of the Lord.
1. Many today
want to inquire from some professional (the ungodly), rather than the Lord. (Psalm 1:1)
a. King Saul went to inquire of the witch of Endor. (1 Sam.
28:7-10)
2. We can
inquire of the Lord today by seeking to know His will as revealed in the
Scriptures.
a. By looking into the perfect law of liberty and continuing in it, we
will be blessed. (James 1:25)
E. Where do we stand in our desire
for worship?
1. Do we say
with David – (Psalm 122:1)
a. Or, is it, I was glad when they said, "Let's go to the ball game,"
"Let's go fishing," "Lets's go to the movies," or "Let's go
shopping."
2. Let us build
more interest in spiritual things. Let us all do our part in making our worship
services enjoyable and desirable.
II.
"One thing you lack."
Mark 10:21
A. This young man measured up
unusually well.
1. He had kept
the commandments from his youth.
2. He was
strongly interested in gaining eternal life.
B. However, he lacked one
thing.
1. Jesus knew
the very thing this young man needed.
2. His problem
was the love of money, wealth, and possessions.
C. What about us? Is there one
thing that we lack?
1. Nearly
everyone has at least one problem.
2. If we do, the
Lord would say to us, "One thing you lack."
3. What are some
of these?
a. habits, fleshly and worldly desires (wanting that which the world has
to offer)
b. It might be lack of
study of the Scriptures.
c. When we examine ourselves in light of God’s Word is there: "One thing
we lack."
III.
"One thing I know."
John 9:25
A. Here, in this rendering, we see
the once-blind man being questioned regarding the things that had
transpired.
1. Jesus of
Nazareth had healed him.
2. The Jews
accused Jesus of being a sinner.
B. However, the once blind-man
testified that he did know one thing.
1. He had been
blind, but now he sees.
2. As a result of this, he went on
to demonstrate great faith.
C. Application: We may not know much
about a lot of different things, but one thing we do know: "Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God."
1. Being
convicted of this fact, we live a life according to His
will.
2. He is the
Lord of our lives. We have confessed His name. (Rom 10:9; 1Ti 6:11-14; Heb 4:14
)
3. Like the
blind man, we were once in darkness (blinded by sin), but now we see (we have
the light of life) through Jesus Christ. This one thing we know. (John 8:12)
IV.
"But one thing is needful."
Luke 10:42
A. Martha was trying to be a good
hostess.
1. She
complained because Mary was not helping her.
2. Jesus' reply:
Vs. 41-42.
B. Mary was wise enough to see
what was more important.
1. Mary is
mentioned in three different scenes in the N.T., and each time we find her at
the feet of Jesus: here in this reading, at the anointing of Jesus' feet
(John 11:1-2; Matt. 26:6-13),
and at the raising of Lazarus (John 11:32).
C. There can be no doubt that the
preparing of meals is important, but not as important as feasting on the Word of
God.
1.
One brother tells of a sister who stayed home from worship to prepare a meal for
the preacher. After hearing what she had done, the preacher refused to go to her
house that day. I’m sure that she was upset; nonetheless, she learned a valuable
lesson.
D. Many of us fail to put the Lord
first in our lives.
Preachers,
1. Like Martha,
we are "worried and troubled about many things."
2. The cares of
the world will choke out the Word of God. (Luke 8:14)
3. We should be
careful, worried, or anxious for nothing. (Phil. 4:6)
4. If are
concerned about too many worldly things, and if Jesus
were her today, He would say, "One thing is
needful...choose
that could part which will not be taken away from
you."
V.
"But this one thing I do..."
Phil. 3:13
A. Paul encouraged us to imitate
or follow him as he followed
Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil.
4:9)
1. One thing he
did. He forgot the past and reached forward to the things that lay
ahead.
2. When Paul
wrote this, he was old and a prisoner in Rome.
3. He had
accomplished many things for the Lord in his life; yet he still wanted to do
more.
4. He always put
forth great effort to reach the mark.
B. There are many things we should
forget and reach forward to the goal.
1. Forget one's
former denominational religion. Forget it and follow after
truth.
2. Forget past
hurts and reach forward to love.
3. Forget past
mistakes and reach forward to righteousness.
4. Forget past
accomplishments and reach forward to more work in the
Lord.
C. We, too, like Paul, should
strive with great diligence to reach that mark. (Luke 13:24; 2Pe 1:10-11)
Concl.
A. Thus, we have learned some
spiritual applications from a very common expression, "one
thing."
1.
"One thing I have desired" - We need to love and enjoy
worship.
2.
"One thing you lack" - We need to clean it up, whatever it
is.
3.
"One thing I know" - We know that Jesus is God and made the worlds and we will
continue to gladly confess Him in our lives.
4.
"But one thing is needful" - Let us always choose that good
part.
5.
"But this one thing I do" - Let us daily press toward the goal of eternal
life.