One Thing One Thing. There is a great value in learning "one thing." We often use the expression "one thing" for sake of emphasis.We often use the expression

One ThingOne Thing

There is a great value in learning There is a great value in learning "one thing.""one thing."

• We often use the expression "one thing" We often use the expression "one thing" for sake of emphasis.for sake of emphasis.

• Parents say to children: "This one thing Parents say to children: "This one thing you must do."you must do."

• Or, we might say, "I tell you one thing..." "I Or, we might say, "I tell you one thing..." "I know one thing..." "Above all else, know one thing..." "Above all else, this one thing must be done..." "Don't this one thing must be done..." "Don't forget this one thing..." forget this one thing..."


• The expression "one thing" shows a heart The expression "one thing" shows a heart that has a purposed set of priorities! that has a purposed set of priorities!

• This is described as the “pure in heart” in This is described as the “pure in heart” in the beatitudes. the beatitudes. (Mt 5:8)(Mt 5:8)

• Are we “double-minded” or can we see the Are we “double-minded” or can we see the “one thing” we should see? “one thing” we should see? (Jas 4:8)(Jas 4:8)


• James 4:8James 4:8 - Draw near to God and He will - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse draw near to you. Cleanse your your hands, hands, you you sinners; and sinners; and purify purify your your heartshearts, , you you double-mindeddouble-minded..

"One things I have desired..." "One things I have desired..." (Psalm 27:4)(Psalm 27:4)

• (Psalms 27:4 NKJV)(Psalms 27:4 NKJV) - “ - “One One thingthing I have I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, the days of my life, To behold the beauty To behold the beauty of the LORDof the LORD, And , And to inquire in His templeto inquire in His temple.”.”


• Above all else the one thing David desired Above all else the one thing David desired was to dwell in the house of the Lord.was to dwell in the house of the Lord.

• To David, it was a joyful experience to be To David, it was a joyful experience to be able to worship God. able to worship God. (Psalm 122:1)(Psalm 122:1)


• (Psalms 122:1 NKJV)(Psalms 122:1 NKJV) - “ - “I was gladI was glad when when they said to me, “they said to me, “Let us go into the house Let us go into the house of the LORDof the LORD.””.””


• It was not the talent of the worshippers, It was not the talent of the worshippers, but who is there!but who is there!

• David desired to dwell in the house of the David desired to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life.Lord all the days of his life.

• Many people would rather dwell in sin all Many people would rather dwell in sin all the days of their life. the days of their life. (Jer. 5:31)(Jer. 5:31)


• (Jeremiah 5:31 NKJV)(Jeremiah 5:31 NKJV) - - “The prophets “The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their their own own power; And power; And My people love My people love to to have it have it soso. But what will you do in the . But what will you do in the end?”end?”


• The desire for worship is an acquired The desire for worship is an acquired “taste.” We must first get out of ourselves. “taste.” We must first get out of ourselves.

• David also desired to behold the beauty of David also desired to behold the beauty of the Lord.the Lord.


• Do you think about meeting the Lord? Do you think about meeting the Lord? Does it excite you? Does it excite you? (1 Pt 1:7-9; 2 Pt 3:12)(1 Pt 1:7-9; 2 Pt 3:12)


• 1 Peter 1:7-91 Peter 1:7-9 - that the genuineness of your - that the genuineness of your faith, faith, being being much more precious than gold much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at be found to praise, honor, and glory at the the revelation of Jesus Christrevelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom , 8 whom having having not seen you lovenot seen you love. Though now you do not . Though now you do not see see Him, Him, yet believing, yet believing, you rejoice with joy you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of gloryinexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving , 9 receiving the end of your faith -- the salvation of the end of your faith -- the salvation of your your souls.souls.


• 2 Peter 3:122 Peter 3:12 - - looking for and hastening looking for and hastening the coming of the day of Godthe coming of the day of God, because of , because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?fervent heat?


• Some desire fleshly beauty. Some desire Some desire fleshly beauty. Some desire the beauty of nature more than God the beauty of nature more than God because they are out fishing, hunting, because they are out fishing, hunting, hiking, or sightseeing, when they should hiking, or sightseeing, when they should be in worship. be in worship.


• David had his priorities right. He knew that David had his priorities right. He knew that a right relationship with God brought a right relationship with God brought happiness. happiness. (Psalm 144:15, 146:5)(Psalm 144:15, 146:5)


• (Psalms 144:15 NKJV)(Psalms 144:15 NKJV) - - ““HappyHappy are are the the people who are in such a state; people who are in such a state; HappyHappy are are the people whose God the people whose God is is the LORD!”the LORD!”


• (Psalms 146:5 NKJV)(Psalms 146:5 NKJV) - - ““HappyHappy is he is he who who has has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope hope is is in the LORD his Godin the LORD his God,”,”


• David wanted to inquire in the temple of David wanted to inquire in the temple of the Lord.the Lord.

• Many today want to inquire from the world Many today want to inquire from the world rather than the Lord. rather than the Lord. (Psalm 1:1)(Psalm 1:1)


• (Psalms 1:1 NKJV)(Psalms 1:1 NKJV) - “Blessed - “Blessed is is the man the man Who walks not in the Who walks not in the counsel of the counsel of the ungodlyungodly, Nor stands in the , Nor stands in the path of sinnerspath of sinners, , Nor sits in the Nor sits in the seat of the scornfulseat of the scornful;”;”


• In worship we can see things as we In worship we can see things as we should. should. (Psa 73:16-17)(Psa 73:16-17)


• Psalm 73:16-17Psalm 73:16-17 - When I thought - When I thought how how to to understand this, It understand this, It was was too painful for me -- too painful for me -- 17 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of GodUntil I went into the sanctuary of God; ; Then Then I understood their end.I understood their end.


• Where do we stand in our desire for Where do we stand in our desire for worship?worship?

• Do we say with David - Do we say with David - (Psalm 122:1) (Psalm 122:1)


• (Psalms 122:1 NKJV)(Psalms 122:1 NKJV) - - ““I was gladI was glad when when they said to me, “Let us go into the house they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.””of the LORD.””


• Or, is it, I was glad when they said, "Let's Or, is it, I was glad when they said, "Let's go to the ball game," "Let's go fishing," go to the ball game," "Let's go fishing," "Let's go to the movies." "Let's go to the movies."

• Must we build a need for eating? We must Must we build a need for eating? We must choose to worship daily or we will die. choose to worship daily or we will die. (1 Cor 11:29-30) (1 Cor 11:29-30)


• 1 Corinthians 11:29-301 Corinthians 11:29-30 - For he who - For he who eats and drinks eats and drinks in an unworthy mannerin an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason reason many many are are weak and sickweak and sick among among you, and you, and many sleepmany sleep..

"One thing you lack." (Mark 10:21, 17-22)"One thing you lack." (Mark 10:21, 17-22)

• (Mark 10:17-22 NKJV)(Mark 10:17-22 NKJV) - - “Now as He was “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”eternal life?” {18} {18} So Jesus said to him, So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one “Why do you call Me good? No one is is good but One, good but One, that is, that is, God.God.


• {19} {19} “You know the commandments: ‘Do “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”mother.’” {20} {20} And he answered and said And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”kept from my youth.”


• {21} {21} Then Jesus, looking at him, loved Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “him, and said to him, “One thing you lackOne thing you lack: : Go your way, sell whatever you have and Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”cross, and follow Me.” {22} {22} But he was sad But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”he had great possessions.”


• He measured up unusually well. However, He measured up unusually well. However, he lacked one thing. he lacked one thing.


• What about us? Is there one thing that we What about us? Is there one thing that we lack?lack?

• We need to see our hearts as God does. We need to see our hearts as God does. (Heb 4:12-13; Jas 1:21-26)(Heb 4:12-13; Jas 1:21-26)


• Hebrews 4:12-13Hebrews 4:12-13 - For - For the word of God the word of God is is living and powerfulliving and powerful, and sharper than any , and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heartand intents of the heart. 13 And there is . 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sightno creature hidden from His sight, but all , but all things things are are naked and open to the eyes of naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we Him to whom we must give must give account.account.


• It might be the habit of addition.It might be the habit of addition.

• It might be the controlling of our minds in It might be the controlling of our minds in worldly entertainment.worldly entertainment.

• It might be obedience to the gospel.It might be obedience to the gospel.

"One thing I know." (John 9:25-34)"One thing I know." (John 9:25-34)

• (John 9:25-34 NKJV)(John 9:25-34 NKJV) - “He answered and - “He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner said, “Whether He is a sinner or not or not I do not I do not know. know. One thing I knowOne thing I know: that though I was : that though I was blind, now I see.”blind, now I see.” {26} {26} Then they said to him Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”open your eyes?” {27} {27} He answered them, “I He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear do you want to hear it it again? Do you also again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”want to become His disciples?”


• {28} {28} Then they reviled him and said, “You Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples.disciples. {29} {29} “We know that God spoke “We know that God spoke to Moses; to Moses; as for as for this this fellow, fellow, we do not we do not know where He is from.”know where He is from.” {30} {30} The man The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!eyes!


• {31} {31} “Now we know that God does not hear “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.and does His will, He hears him. {32} {32} “Since “Since the world began it has been unheard of that the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.born blind. {33} {33} “If this Man were not from “If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”God, He could do nothing.” {34} {34} They They answered and said to him, “You were answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.”us?” And they cast him out.”


• The once blind man was being questioned The once blind man was being questioned regarding the fact that Jesus of Nazareth regarding the fact that Jesus of Nazareth had healed him! He testified that he did had healed him! He testified that he did know one thing.know one thing.

• He had been blind, but now he sees. He He had been blind, but now he sees. He knows this and will speak even with knows this and will speak even with opposition! opposition! (2 Cor 4:13-14)(2 Cor 4:13-14)


• 2 Corinthians 4:13-142 Corinthians 4:13-14 - And since we - And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "what is written, "I believed and therefore I I believed and therefore I spokespoke," we also believe and therefore ," we also believe and therefore speak, 14 speak, 14 knowing knowing that He who raised up that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present Jesus, and will present us us with you.with you.


• Be honest, what do YOU know?.Be honest, what do YOU know?.


• We may not know much about a lot of We may not know much about a lot of different things, but one thing should different things, but one thing should know: "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of know: "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God."God."

• Being convicted of this fact we make him Being convicted of this fact we make him our Lord. our Lord. (Lk 6:46)(Lk 6:46)


• Luke 6:46Luke 6:46 - " But why do you call Me - " But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?which I say?


• His presence makes us aware of sin and His presence makes us aware of sin and helps keep us pure. helps keep us pure. (1 Cor 6:18-20)(1 Cor 6:18-20)


• 1 Corinthians 6:18-191 Corinthians 6:18-19 - Flee sexual - Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that body. 19 Or do you not know that your your body is the temple of the Holy Spiritbody is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is who is in you, whom you have from God, and you in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? are not your own?


• Like the blind man, we were once in Like the blind man, we were once in darkness (blinded by sin), but now we see darkness (blinded by sin), but now we see (we have the light of life) through Jesus (we have the light of life) through Jesus Christ. Christ. (John 8:12)(John 8:12)


• (John 8:12 NKJV)(John 8:12 NKJV) - “Then Jesus spoke - “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “to them again, saying, “I am the light of the I am the light of the worldworld. He who follows Me shall not walk in . He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but darkness, but have the light of lifehave the light of life.””.””

"But one thing is needful." (10:38-42)"But one thing is needful." (10:38-42)

• (Luke 10:38-42 NKJV)(Luke 10:38-42 NKJV) - “Now it happened - “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.Martha welcomed Him into her house. {39} {39} And she had a sister called Mary, who And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.


• {40} {40} But Martha was distracted with much But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”me.” {41} {41} And Jesus answered and said to And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.troubled about many things. {42} {42} “But “But one one thing is neededthing is needed, and Mary has chosen that , and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from good part, which will not be taken away from her.”” her.””


• Martha was trying to be a good hostess.Martha was trying to be a good hostess.

• She complained because Mary was not She complained because Mary was not helping her. Hear Jesus’ reply. helping her. Hear Jesus’ reply. (Lk 10:41-42)(Lk 10:41-42)

• Often our real priorities are shown in trivial Often our real priorities are shown in trivial matters. This is not easy! matters. This is not easy!

• Mary was wise enough to see what was Mary was wise enough to see what was more important.more important.


• Mary is mentioned in three different Mary is mentioned in three different scenes in the NT, and each time we find scenes in the NT, and each time we find her at the feet of Jesus: here in this her at the feet of Jesus: here in this reading, at the anointing of Jesus' feet reading, at the anointing of Jesus' feet (John 11:1-2; Matt. 26:6-13),(John 11:1-2; Matt. 26:6-13), and at the and at the raising of Lazarus raising of Lazarus (John 11:32).(John 11:32).


• (John 11:1-2 NKJV)(John 11:1-2 NKJV) - - “Now a certain “Now a certain man man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.Mary and her sister Martha. {2} {2} It was It was that that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.”brother Lazarus was sick.”


• (John 11:32 NKJV)(John 11:32 NKJV) - “Then, when Mary - “Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”” not have died.””


• There can be no doubt that the preparing There can be no doubt that the preparing of meals is important, but not as important of meals is important, but not as important as feasting on the Word of God. (Ex. as feasting on the Word of God. (Ex. Woman who stayed home to cook for Woman who stayed home to cook for preacher.) preacher.)


• Many of us fail to put the Lord first in our Many of us fail to put the Lord first in our lives.lives.

• Like Martha, we are "worried and troubled Like Martha, we are "worried and troubled about many things."about many things."

• The cares of the world will choke out the The cares of the world will choke out the Word of God. Word of God. (Luke 8:14)(Luke 8:14)


• (Luke 8:14 NKJV)(Luke 8:14 NKJV) - “”Now the ones - “”Now the ones that that fell among thorns are those who, when fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are they have heard, go out and are choked choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of lifewith cares, riches, and pleasures of life, , and bring no fruit to maturity.”and bring no fruit to maturity.”


• We should be careful, worried, or anxious We should be careful, worried, or anxious for nothing. for nothing. (Phil. 4:6)(Phil. 4:6)


• (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)(Philippians 4:6 NKJV) - - ““Be anxious for Be anxious for nothingnothing, but , but in everythingin everything by prayer and by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, supplication, with thanksgiving, let your let your requests be made known to Godrequests be made known to God;”;”


• If we are concerned about too many If we are concerned about too many worldly things, and if Jesus were here worldly things, and if Jesus were here today, He would say, "One thing is today, He would say, "One thing is needful..."needful..."

"But this one thing I do..." (Phil. 3:13-14)"But this one thing I do..." (Phil. 3:13-14)

• (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)(Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV) - - “Brethren, I “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; do not count myself to have apprehended; but but one thing one thing I doI do, , forgetting those things forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,those things which are ahead, {14} {14} I press I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”call of God in Christ Jesus.”


• Paul encouraged us to follow him as he Paul encouraged us to follow him as he followed Christ. followed Christ. (1 Cor 11:1;Phil. 4:9)(1 Cor 11:1;Phil. 4:9)


• (1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV) - “ - “Imitate meImitate me, , just just as I also as I also imitate imitate ChristChrist.”.”


• (Philippians 4:9 NKJV)(Philippians 4:9 NKJV) - “The things - “The things which you learned and received and heard which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, and saw in me, these dothese do, and the God of , and the God of peace will be with you.”peace will be with you.”


• One thing he did. He forgot the past and One thing he did. He forgot the past and reached forward.reached forward.

• When Paul wrote this, he was old and a When Paul wrote this, he was old and a prisoner in Rome. prisoner in Rome.


• There are many things we should forget There are many things we should forget and reach forward to the goal.and reach forward to the goal.

• Forget one's former denominational Forget one's former denominational religion. Forget it and follow after truth.religion. Forget it and follow after truth.

• Forget past hurts and reach forward to Forget past hurts and reach forward to love.love.

• Forget past accomplishments and reach Forget past accomplishments and reach forward to more work in the Lord.forward to more work in the Lord.


• We, too, like Paul, should strive with great We, too, like Paul, should strive with great diligence to reach that mark. diligence to reach that mark. (Luke 13:24; 2 Pet. 1:10-11)(Luke 13:24; 2 Pet. 1:10-11)


• (Luke 13:24 NKJV)(Luke 13:24 NKJV) - - “”“”Strive to enterStrive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and you, will seek to enter and will not be will not be ableable.”.”


• (2 Peter 1:10-11 NKJV)(2 Peter 1:10-11 NKJV) - “Therefore, - “Therefore, brethren, brethren, be even more diligentbe even more diligent to make to make your call and election sure, for if you do your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;these things you will never stumble; {11} {11} for so an entrance will be supplied to you for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”


• We do not know anything until we learn We do not know anything until we learn one thing!one thing!

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One Thing One Thing. There is a great value in learning "one thing." We often use the expression "one thing" for sake of emphasis.We often use the expression