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Jesus and Paul kept their priorities clear.
They lived purpose-driven lives.

Jesus at age 12: "I MUST be about my father's business."                                     Luke 2:49 (NKJV)

Jesus in Gethsemane: "I brought glory to you on earth. I have FINISHED the work you gave me to do."    John 17:4 (NIV/GNT)

HOW DO WE KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING?

(The key to Saddleback's continuous growth for 43 years)

WE MUST ADOPT GOD'S AGENDA

GOD'S AGENDA FOR THE WORLD: THE KINGDOM OF GOD

He's building an eternal family of redeemed individuals from every nation.

"The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14 (NLT)

With your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and every language and every people and every nation!          Revelation 5:9 (NIV)

ACTION PLAN: Spend time this week to read through Luke. Pay close attention to each time you read the phrase "The Kingdom of God", then pray that God would reveal the nature of His agenda, stamping it on your heart.

IS THIS YOUR AGENDA?

WE MUST ABANDON ALL DISTRACTIONS

Do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. 1 Corinthians 7:36 (NLT)

"SEEK FIRST the kingdom of God." Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

ACTION PLAN: Create an inventory in a journal or on a piece of paper. We give our time to what we value. Write out your schedule over the past two weeks. How do you spend your early mornings, late mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights? As you do this, pray that the Spirit of God would convict you and show you the areas of your life that have become distractions.

"Pray like this ... May YOUR Kingdom come, may YOUR will be done, on earth, just as it is in heaven."   Matthew 6:10 (NLT)

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, AND in all Judea, AND Samaria, AND to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV)

AND not THEN! Our efforts must be simultaneous, not sequential!

A church MUST have "GLOCAL" vision if it wants God's blessing!

"Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 (TLB)

WE MUST APPROPRIATE GOD'S POWER

"God will give you all you need from day to day IF you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."     Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

The eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (TLB)

ACTION PLAN: Take steps to get involved in serving in a ministry if you aren't already in one! Go to saddleback.com/serve to find a ministry or take our ministry quiz to find the right place to serve. If you are already serving within a ministry, spend time this week reflecting on how you are reflecting God's Kingdom through your service.