Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus: Endurance and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Brings Endurance and Peace

When we intentionally fix our eyes on Jesus, rather than being distracted by the storms, struggles, or opinions of others, we are able to run the race of faith with endurance and steadiness. Just as a runner cannot look sideways and expect to run straight, our spiritual journey requires a focused gaze on Christ, which anchors our hearts and keeps us from stumbling or spilling what God has poured into us. The peace and purpose we long for are found not in glancing at Jesus occasionally, but in locking our attention on Him, allowing His presence to fill and steady us through every season. [01:20:34]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one distraction or “weight” that has been pulling your attention away from Jesus this week, and how can you intentionally shift your focus back to Him today?

Day 2: Beholding Jesus Transforms Us Into His Image

The more we behold Jesus, the more we are transformed to reflect His peace, confidence, and courage. Our focus shapes who we become; if we fixate on the world or our problems, we become anxious and fearful, but if we fix our gaze on Christ, His character is formed in us. The enemy’s strategy is often to distract rather than destroy, knowing that a distracted believer loses spiritual power, but a focused believer is unshakable and reflects the very image of Christ to the world. [01:31:29]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what practical way can you “behold” Jesus today—through worship, Scripture, or prayer—so that His peace and character are more visible in your life?

Day 3: Jesus Fills Our Emptiness and Restores Our Joy

Nothing in this world can fill the emptiness in our hearts like Jesus can. While we may try to fill our lives with substitutes, only Christ can truly satisfy and continually refill us with His peace and joy. When we feel spiritually empty or distant, it is often because we have taken our eyes off Jesus, but He stands ready to fill our cup again to overflowing if we will simply turn our gaze back to Him and receive. [01:29:42]

Psalm 23:5 (ESV)
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

Reflection: If you feel spiritually empty or distant from God, what is one step you can take today to invite Jesus to refill your heart with His presence and joy?

Day 4: Obedience and Courage in a Distracting Culture

Choosing to follow Jesus often means making courageous decisions that go against the flow of culture or even the expectations of others. When we stand firm in obedience—whether in small daily choices or significant moments—we declare that our lives are anchored in Christ, not in fear or compromise. God honors those who choose Him over convenience, and our obedience becomes a testimony of light and hope to the next generation and to the world around us. [01:37:56]

Joshua 24:15 (ESV)
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Reflection: Where is God calling you to make a courageous, countercultural choice this week, and how can you step out in obedience even if it costs you comfort or approval?

Day 5: Bringing Light Into Darkness—Advancing God’s Kingdom

We are not called to retreat from the darkness or challenges of our world, but to bring the light and love of Jesus into every situation. Every day belongs to the Lord, and we are entrusted with the precious presence and message of Christ to share with others. Rather than living in fear or hiding from culture, we are to rise up, pray harder, serve deeper, and boldly advance the kingdom of God, knowing that heaven still reigns and victory belongs to Jesus. [01:42:11]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Who is one person or place where you can intentionally bring the light and hope of Jesus this week, and what specific action can you take to do so?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered to declare the goodness and glory of God, recognizing that every moment we share together is holy ground. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the presence of Jesus, who fills our lives with purpose, peace, and hope. As we look ahead to the Christmas season, we are reminded that without Jesus, we have nothing; His coming is the foundation of our celebration and the source of our joy. We are also excited about upcoming opportunities for evangelism and outreach, equipping ourselves to share the good news with our friends and community.

We took time to pray for those affected by the storms in Jamaica and the Caribbean, joining in partnership with local organizations to provide both practical and spiritual support. Our giving is an act of worship, a way to participate in God’s work both near and far. We also heard a testimony of God’s faithfulness in the life of one of our own, reminding us that God is always at work, stirring hearts and transforming lives.

Turning to Hebrews 12:1-2, we reflected on the call to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Life is full of distractions—storms, struggles, opinions, and the pull of the world—but we are called to set our gaze firmly on Christ. Through a simple illustration, we saw how carrying something precious requires focus; in the same way, carrying the presence of Jesus demands that we keep our eyes on Him. When we lose focus, we risk spilling what God has poured into us, but when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we walk in peace and purpose.

We acknowledged the courage of our students and families who chose to gather in God’s house rather than follow the crowd, and we challenged ourselves not to retreat from culture but to bring the light of Christ into every situation. The enemy’s greatest tactic is distraction, but if our eyes are fixed on Jesus, nothing can move us. We are called to run our own race, not in comparison or fear, but in steadfast faith, knowing that our endurance comes from our focus on Christ. As we closed, we invited everyone to respond, asking Jesus to refill our lives with His presence and to anchor our hearts in Him, so that we might live unshakable lives for His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Fixing our eyes on Jesus is not a one-time act but a continual posture of the heart. The world offers countless distractions, but only by setting our gaze firmly on Christ can we carry His presence without losing peace or purpose. When our focus shifts, we risk spilling what God has entrusted to us, but steadfast attention to Jesus keeps us steady and full. [87:40]
2. The enemy’s most effective weapon is not always outright destruction, but subtle distraction. Even good things, or well-meaning activities within the church, can pull our attention away from Jesus. If the enemy can shift our focus, he can shift our faith; but if our eyes are locked on Christ, we become unmovable, reflecting His peace and courage in every circumstance. [91:29]
3. Our endurance in the Christian life is not rooted in sheer effort, but in where we place our focus. Like a runner who keeps their eyes on the finish line, we are called to endure by looking to Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. When we focus on problems or people, we falter; but when we focus on Christ, we find strength to persevere through every trial. [94:40]
4. We are not called to retreat from the world or its culture, but to bring the light of Christ into every situation. Every day belongs to the Lord, and we are to stand together as proclaimers of the gospel, supporting one another and advancing the kingdom. Fear and withdrawal are not our inheritance; obedience and boldness in Christ are. [101:15]
5. The direction of our lives is determined by what we focus on. If we fixate on problems, we drown in worry; if we compare ourselves to others, we lose our joy. But when our eyes are fixed on Jesus, our hearts are anchored, and our lives become unshakable—marked by peace, hope, and purpose that withstands every storm. [104:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:38] - Opening Prayer and Praise
[45:40] - Greeting and Announcements
[46:20] - Ignite Promo and Evangelism Focus
[50:44] - Upcoming Events and Christmas Calendar
[54:54] - The Heart of Christmas
[55:26] - Equipping for Evangelism
[56:02] - Movie Nights: The Case for Christ & The Jesus Project
[59:19] - Community Partnerships and Jamaica Relief
[60:36] - Giving as Worship and Prayer for the Caribbean
[64:55] - Testimony and Scripture Reading
[77:44] - Preparing Our Hearts to Receive
[80:34] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)
[82:11] - The Glass of Water Illustration
[87:40] - The Cost of Distraction and the Call to Focus
[95:33] - Courageous Choices: Students and Families
[101:15] - Invading Culture with the Light of Christ
[104:58] - The Power of Focus and Final Challenge
[106:51] - Commitment and Closing Prayer
[109:14] - Evening Service Invitation and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) — > Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what are we told to lay aside, and what are we told to do instead?
In the sermon, what illustration did the pastor use to show the importance of focus, and what was the lesson behind it? [[01:22:11]]
What are some of the distractions mentioned in the sermon that can cause us to take our eyes off Jesus? [[01:21:15]]
How did the pastor describe the difference between glancing at Jesus and fixing our eyes on Him? [[01:29:42]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the writer of Hebrews compare the Christian life to a race, and what does it mean to “run with endurance”?
The sermon says, “If the enemy can shift your eyes, he can shift your faith.” What does this mean in practical terms for a believer? [[01:31:29]]
The pastor mentioned that even good things, or church activities, can become distractions. How can this happen, and what should we do about it? [[01:31:29]]
What does it look like to “fix our eyes on Jesus” in everyday life, and how is this different from just thinking about Him occasionally? [[01:29:42]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about how carrying something precious (like a glass of water) requires focus. What is something precious God has given you that you need to protect by keeping your focus on Jesus? [[01:22:11]]
Is there a specific distraction in your life right now—maybe a worry, a habit, or even a good thing—that is pulling your attention away from Jesus? What practical step can you take this week to shift your focus back to Him? [[01:21:15]]
The pastor said, “When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we walk in peace and purpose.” Can you share a time when you lost your peace because your focus shifted? What helped you regain it? [[01:44:58]]
The sermon challenged us not to retreat from culture but to bring the light of Christ into every situation. Where in your daily life do you feel tempted to “retreat,” and how could you instead bring Christ’s light there? [[01:41:15]]
The enemy’s main tactic is distraction, not destruction. What are some subtle distractions you’ve noticed in your life, and how can you guard against them? [[01:31:29]]
The direction of our lives is determined by what we focus on. What is one area where you’ve been focusing on problems or comparing yourself to others? How can you intentionally fix your eyes on Jesus in that area this week? [[01:44:58]]
The pastor invited everyone to ask Jesus to refill their lives with His presence. What would it look like for you to make this your prayer and posture this week? [[01:48:27]]

Sermon Clips

You see, friends, we carry something precious. As followers of Jesus, we carry his presence, his calling, his spirit. And if we take our eyes off of Jesus, we begin to stumble and we begin to spill what God has poured into us. [01:27:36] (21 seconds) #CarryHisPresence

You see, when your eyes are on him, you walk steady. What if I was to say to you today that when your eyes wander, you start to lose what he has placed inside of you. [01:29:56] (18 seconds) #UnshakableFaith

You see, that's why the enemy doesn't have to destroy you. Although that is his goal. He doesn't have to destroy you. The enemy just has to get you distracted. And unfortunately, and I say this so cautiously and humbly and full of grace and full of mercy, but I see so many of God's children today distracted by the things of this world. In fact, sometimes even distracted by the things that appear good, distracted by things within the body as well. Friends, our eyes are to be fixed on nothing else but Jesus Christ. [01:31:26] (44 seconds) #LiftedByFaith

``If the enemy can shift your eyes, he can shift your faith. But if your eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ, my friend, nothing can move you. He's the author and the perfecter. He is the alpha and the omega. Scripture says that, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. Friends, Jesus started the story. He started your story, and he will finish it in Jesus' name. [01:32:11] (38 seconds) #RunYourRace

When you look away, you start trying to write your own story. But when your eyes continually are fixed on Jesus, you rest in his plan, not your panic. [01:32:54] (16 seconds) #EndureWithJoy

Friends, you can't run looking sideways. You'll never run straight if you're always looking to the side. You'll keep glancing at someone else's lane, and you'll trip over your own feet. God didn't call you to run their race, friends. He called you to run yours. Fix your eyes on Jesus, not on people, not on opinions. Not on applause. Jesus. Because, friends, where your eyes go, your life will follow 100% of the time. [01:33:52] (37 seconds) #ClaimEveryDay

If you think that God is somehow intimidated by goblins, and children deciding to dress up and have a little bit of fun, you are not reading from the same Bible that I am because the end of this story is that God wins the battle. God wins the battle. We have the victory. We have the triumph. Friends, it is time to stop living in fear and start living in obedience. It is time to start to rise up in Jesus name and declare the truth. It is time to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ. We are not a people who hide from darkness. We are a people who bring light into it. [01:40:51] (51 seconds) #StewardHisGrace

And so today don't let the noise and the fear or the distractions steal your focus because what you focus on determines your direction. If you focus on problems, you'll drown in worry, guaranteed. If you focus on people, you will live in comparison. If you fix your eyes on Jesus, you'll walk in peace. You'll walk in purpose. You'll walk in hope. And you'll walk in power. [01:44:58] (41 seconds)

So when the storms of life come this week, when fear rises up, when distraction creeps in, whisper to yourself, eyes on Jesus. Eyes on Jesus. Because when your eyes are on him, your heart is anchored. When your heart is anchored, your life is unshakable. And that's the kind of life I want to have. I want to have a life and a relationship with Jesus Christ that is unshakable. [01:45:40] (41 seconds)

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