Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus: Finding True Fulfillment
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of focusing our lives on Jesus, the true source of our strength and purpose. We began by examining the story of Samson, a man called by God to be a deliverer for Israel, yet who lived a life marked by compromise and distraction. Samson's life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing our desires and the allure of the world to divert us from our divine calling. His story is a reminder that what we fix our eyes on shapes our destiny.
We live in a world that constantly vies for our attention, pulling us in different directions with promises of satisfaction and fulfillment. However, true fulfillment comes only from a life centered on Jesus. We are called to lift our eyes above the distractions and temptations of this world and fix them on Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. This requires a commitment to live by the Spirit, bearing the fruits of love, joy, peace, and self-control, rather than being led by the flesh.
The message also highlighted the importance of recognizing the gifts God has given us, not as ends in themselves, but as tools to serve and glorify Him. We must be careful not to become more enamored with the gifts than with the Giver. Our value and identity are not found in our abilities or achievements but in our relationship with Jesus.
As we navigate the challenges and temptations of life, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting Him to guide us and transform us. This is not a call to perfection but to a continual turning towards Christ, allowing His Spirit to lead us into a life of purpose and abundance.
Key Takeaways:
- The Danger of Distraction: Samson's life illustrates how easily we can be led astray by our desires and the allure of the world. Our focus determines our direction, and when we fix our eyes on anything other than Jesus, we risk compromising our calling. [53:27]
- The Power of Commitment: True repentance involves a commitment to something greater than ourselves. It's not enough to feel sorry for our sins; we must choose to turn towards Jesus and live a life that reflects His love and purpose. [01:07:38]
- Gifts vs. The Giver: While God has blessed us with various gifts, our identity and worth are found in Him, not in our abilities. We must prioritize our relationship with the Giver over the gifts themselves. [01:18:47]
- Living by the Spirit: The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be the markers of our lives. These traits guide us in fulfilling God's call and living a life of purpose. [01:23:27]
- Eyes Up to Jesus: In a world full of distractions, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. By focusing on Him, we find strength, direction, and fulfillment beyond what the world can offer. [01:44:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:05] - Laying Down Idols
- [00:10] - More of Jesus, Less of Us
- [00:15] - Tithes and Offerings
- [00:20] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
- [00:25] - Introduction to Samson's Story
- [00:30] - The Meaning of Samson's Name
- [00:35] - The Dangers of Compromise
- [00:40] - Eyes Up: What Has Your Attention?
- [00:45] - The Lust of the Flesh
- [00:50] - The Importance of Spiritual Fruit
- [00:55] - Samson's Downward Spiral
- [01:00] - The Illusion of Control
- [01:05] - The Call to Repentance
- [01:10] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Judges 14:1-3
2. 1 John 2:15-17
3. Hebrews 12:2
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Samson's name, and how did it relate to his divine purpose? [01:00:00]
2. According to 1 John 2:15-17, what are the three things in the world that do not come from the Father? How do these relate to the sermon’s message about distraction? [53:27]
3. In Judges 14:1-3, what was Samson's response to his parents' advice about choosing a wife, and what does this reveal about his character? [01:01:14]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between being led by the Spirit and being led by the flesh? [01:23:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Samson illustrate the dangers of compromise and distraction in our spiritual lives? [01:00:00]
2. What does it mean to "fix our eyes on Jesus" as described in Hebrews 12:2, and how can this focus impact our daily decisions and actions? [01:44:57]
3. In what ways can the gifts God has given us become a distraction from our relationship with Him, as seen in Samson's life? [01:18:47]
4. How does the sermon suggest we can identify whether we are being led by the Spirit or by the flesh in our daily lives? [01:23:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your desires led you away from your spiritual calling. What steps can you take to realign your focus on Jesus this week? [01:00:00]
2. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction? [01:44:57]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living by the Spirit. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [01:23:27]
4. How can you ensure that the gifts God has given you are used to glorify Him rather than becoming a source of pride or distraction? [01:18:47]
5. Consider the relationships in your life. Are there any that might be leading you away from your spiritual goals? How can you address these influences in a way that honors God? [01:01:14]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of repentance and commitment. What is one area of your life where you need to make a commitment to turn towards Jesus? [01:07:38]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of "fixing your eyes on Jesus" into your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this focus? [01:44:57]
Devotional
Day 1: The Danger of Distraction
Samson's life is a powerful illustration of how easily we can be led astray by our desires and the allure of the world. Despite being called by God to deliver Israel, Samson allowed his personal desires to overshadow his divine calling. His story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that what we focus on ultimately shapes our destiny. In a world filled with distractions, it is crucial to fix our eyes on Jesus, the true source of our strength and purpose. When we allow worldly desires to take precedence, we risk compromising our calling and losing sight of the path God has set before us. [53:27]
Judges 16:20-21 (ESV): "And she said, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' And he awoke from his sleep and said, 'I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left him. And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison."
Reflection: What are the distractions in your life that are pulling you away from your divine calling? How can you refocus your attention on Jesus today?
Day 2: The Power of Commitment
True repentance involves more than just feeling sorry for our sins; it requires a commitment to something greater than ourselves. This commitment is a conscious decision to turn towards Jesus and live a life that reflects His love and purpose. In a world that constantly vies for our attention, it is essential to make a deliberate choice to follow Christ and allow His Spirit to guide us. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and experience the transformative power of His love in our lives. [01:07:38]
2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to make a stronger commitment to follow Jesus? What steps can you take today to turn towards Him more fully?
Day 3: Gifts vs. The Giver
While God has blessed us with various gifts, it is important to remember that our identity and worth are found in Him, not in our abilities. We must prioritize our relationship with the Giver over the gifts themselves. When we become more enamored with the gifts than with the Giver, we risk losing sight of our true purpose and value. Our gifts are meant to serve and glorify God, not to define our worth. By focusing on our relationship with Jesus, we can use our gifts to fulfill His calling and bring glory to His name. [01:18:47]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: Are there any gifts or talents in your life that you have prioritized over your relationship with God? How can you use these gifts to serve and glorify Him today?
Day 4: Living by the Spirit
The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be the markers of our lives. These traits guide us in fulfilling God's call and living a life of purpose. By living by the Spirit, we align ourselves with God's will and experience the abundance of life that He promises. It requires a conscious decision to reject the desires of the flesh and embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As we cultivate these fruits in our lives, we become more like Christ and reflect His love to the world. [01:23:27]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to cultivate in your life? What practical steps can you take to grow in this area today?
Day 5: Eyes Up to Jesus
In a world full of distractions, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. By focusing on Him, we find strength, direction, and fulfillment beyond what the world can offer. This is not a call to perfection but to a continual turning towards Christ, allowing His Spirit to lead us into a life of purpose and abundance. As we navigate the challenges and temptations of life, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting Him to guide us and transform us. [01:44:57]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "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 area of your life where you struggle to keep your focus on Jesus? How can you intentionally fix your eyes on Him in this area today?
Quotes
"And so the Lord's saying today, will you make that choice? Will you lay, maybe it's a person, will you lay that idol, that thing that you've allowed to become everything to you at the feet of Jesus? So our team's gonna be up here. We're gonna have pastors and our prayer team. If that's you, even as we just sing that one more time, more love, more power, as an act of faith, just come up and let somebody pray with you, or just come up and pray at the altar. Lay it at the altar and say, Jesus, no more. Jesus, no more. Come on, whatever that might be. No more smoking pot. No more sleeping around. No more drinking. No more looking at porn in the middle of the night. No more. I know the feeling. And today, God wants to heal you of that. Come on, don't let it. Just make it an act of faith more. Come on. More love. More of you, Jesus." [00:38:26] (63 seconds)
"Because what we focus on will be the first thing in our lives. And my question to you today is what has your attention? What are your eyes fixed on? Because we live in a clickbait culture where everyone and everything is continually fighting for your focus. And because what gets your awe matters, what gets your wonder matters, what you are fixating on absolutely matters. What fills your eyes matters." [00:52:46] (36 seconds)
"Instead of envy or discontentment, fits of rage or frustration, we have the fruit of joy. Instead of strife or jealousy or anxiety, we have the fruit of peace. Instead of impulsiveness, we have the fruit of patience. Instead of selfish ambition, we have the fruit of kindness. Instead of moral compromise and debauchery, we have the fruit of goodness. Instead of idolatry or unfaithfulness, we have the fruit of faithfulness. And instead of aggression and harshness, we have the fruit of gentleness. And instead of self-deprecation, deception, addiction, and chaos, we have the fruit of self-control." [00:58:17] (49 seconds)
"And it's not just Samson's story. I believe it's about each one of us fulfilling our calling, which is at risk if we fixate, if we put our eyes on the wrong thing, if we live a life of compromise. Because what has your focus matters. Your focus. Listen, church, tell your neighbor this. Your focus shapes your future. Will you choose to focus on what's pure, lovely, right, like it says in Philippians 4? Or will we be deterred by the shiny thing that looks good on the way?" [01:00:05] (42 seconds)
"There's an Old Testament story that captures this in a heartbreaking way. David's son, Anman, obsessed his sister Tamar. And scripture says he wanted her so bad that he invites her to his room under false pretense. And he forces himself on her and he rapes her. And then the Bible says that Anman hated her more than he ever claimed to love her. That's what the lust of flesh does. It pulls us in with pleasure, but it leaves us with shame and guilt and self-hatred." [01:10:08] (42 seconds)
"And when the pressure hits, when temptation comes, when life gets hard, if we're running to our gift and not God, if we're leaning on our own talent, on our own personality, on our own income, on our own intellect and intelligence, that is not your source. Jesus is our only source. He is, and the only way to stay connected to him is through ongoing communion with him. Spend time in his word. If you today only get the word on Sunday, I'm here to tell you, you're an anemic Christian. You're pretty weak. And any issue that's going to come to your life, it's going to blow you over." [01:15:02] (45 seconds)
"True repentance isn't, yeah, but true repentance is I take responsibility for what I did, period. If my wife tells me I made her upset and I only was 2% at fault, I'm responsible for my 2%, period. I never say, Melinda, I'm sorry, but tell your neighbor, get your butt out of the way. Your yeah, buts are getting you, are keeping you from experiencing God's best. That's entitlement. That is unforgiveness." [01:22:22] (37 seconds)
"Do you feel inferior? Do you feel superior? Are you today feeling entitled or expendable? These are indicators that you're being led by the flesh and not the Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit will never lead us into shame. The Holy Spirit will never say, you are not enough. The Spirit reminds you of who Jesus is, of who you are in him. The Holy Spirit says, eyes up." [01:23:58] (31 seconds)
"And when we don't, because when we don't stay rooted to the source, we fall into one of two traps. We either feel expendable or we feel entitled. And when we feel expendable, we believe the lie that we're not needed. We're not valuable. We're not worth it. And when we feel entitled, we act like we're owed something just because we have a gift." [01:16:32] (24 seconds)
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