
Our sermon for today is simply called Lesser Thinking.
It is easily defined as, Anything that an individual sets his or her affections or priorities on other than Christ.
It ultimately leads to inferior thinking and living. Our sermon verse for today is Jesus reminding us
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. —Revelation 22:16-17 NKJV
“Come” That means come to the Savior; come into the Body Of Christ! If you have drifted away from Jesus COME BACK. God doesn’t intend for believers to be in the dark about eternity!
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. —I Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV
We so often settle for lesser things or try to find satisfaction in things not of God. God wants what is best for us.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. —Revelation 22:14 KJV
The very tree that Adam and Eve had to be driven away from (the tree of life) is the very tree that every believer will get to partake of in eternity!
And our walk with Jesus means we have trust and confidence in Him. Consider
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. —Psalm 37:3-5 ESV
As you place Christ and His word first in your life, you can expect certain things: 1. Peace. 2. Joy. 3. Favor. 4. A new outlook on life!
The best the world has to offer you is nothing compared to Christ and His blessings! John reminds us of this fact in 1 John
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world. —1 John 2:15-16 ESV
We live in a time where any and all selfish desires and expressions are encouraged. The culture wants to teach, its is all about ME! This is in conflict and at odds with God.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. —James 4:4 ESV
James is telling us we cannot love God and the world, at the same time. Jesus offers a better way, a better life, a life of fulfillment and focus on greater things.
Consider the words here in Matthew
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? —Matthew 6:25 ESV
Anything less than Christ is inferior thinking! In my old business days we used to say get rid of that stinking thinking.
Jesus offers His disciples comfort, assurance and security in eternity.
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ESV —John 14:1-3 ESV
I am standing on the seashore. A ship appears, spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her till at last she fades away on the horizon. Somebody at my side quietly says, ‘she is gone.’
Gone where? Gone from my vision, that is all; she is just as large as when I saw her last. The diminished size and loss of sight is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says ‘she is gone,’ there are others who are watching her coming, and voices take up the joyful shout, ‘Here she comes! —John Maxwell Poem
It is our narrow, worldly thinking that often limits our experience and understanding of Jesus, eternity and the heavenly things. We can trust more, walk with confidence and trust the Lord when He provides opportunities.
Paul said it in a beautiful way
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. —Philippians 1:21 ESV
Once more, anything other than trusting in and having a relationship with Christ Jesus is inferior!