"ONE THING"
(Originally preached by Gardner Hall and reworked by David J. Riggs)
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.
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 Read Mark 10:17-22
A. He 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. 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. It might be the habit of smoking or too many
prescription drugs.
b. It might be the controlling of our minds. We might have
our minds too much attuned to fleshly desires, or too
much thought on money, sports, or whatever.
c. It might be lack of study of the Scriptures. Some are so
ignorant of the Bible they would be embarrassed for
others to know it.
d. It might be obedience to the gospel. If you are not a
Christian, certainly, the Lord would say, "One thing you
lack."
III. "One thing I know." John 9:25 Read John 9:25-34
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; 1 Tim. 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. John 8:12 This one thing we know.
IV. "But one thing is needful." Luke 10:42 Read Luke 10:38-42
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. I once heard 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. She
became very angry. Nonetheless, the preacher taught her a
lesson she would never forget. We admire his courage.
D. Many of us fail to put the Lord first in our lives.
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 Read Phil. 3:13-14
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; 2 Pet. 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.
Chart:
"One Thing"
"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)