Focusing on Jesus: The Path to Spiritual Growth
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound impact of focusing our lives around Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. We began by reflecting on the importance of gathering as a church with a unified purpose—to fix our eyes on Jesus. This act of collective focus not only enriches our personal faith but also strengthens our communal worship.
We delved into the practical application of Scripture in our daily lives, emphasizing the necessity of dwelling on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. I shared how maintaining such a focus can transform our experiences, turning an ordinary week into a period of joy and spiritual upliftment, despite external circumstances.
The discussion then shifted to the concept of personal responsibility in our spiritual journey. I stressed the importance of not falling into a victim mentality but instead taking ownership of our spiritual state. This involves actively choosing to focus on God's word and His truths, rather than blaming external factors for our spiritual discontent.
We also examined the metaphor of running a race set before us, as described in Hebrews 12. This passage encourages us to lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, allowing us to run with endurance. The analogy of ancient runners, who would remove any encumbrances, including clothing, to run unimpeded, was used to illustrate how we must rid ourselves of both sin and any excesses that hinder our spiritual progress.
The sermon highlighted the examples of biblical figures who, despite being ordinary people, achieved extraordinary faith. This was contrasted with the tendency to idolize these figures, rather than recognizing them as examples of faith to emulate. We discussed how every believer has their unique race to run, crafted by God, and how comparing our journey to others' can distract and detract from our own spiritual progress.
In conclusion, we focused on Jesus as the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame. We were reminded that Jesus is not only the founder of our faith but also the one who will bring it to completion. This assurance allows us to face trials and temptations with confidence, knowing that our faith is being perfected by Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Transformative Power of Focus
Focusing on Jesus transforms our everyday experiences, allowing us to rise above circumstances and maintain joy. By choosing to dwell on God's truths, we shift our perspective from our problems to His promises. This week, let's practice redirecting our thoughts towards Christ whenever we find ourselves getting distracted or discouraged. [02:21]
2. Personal Responsibility in Spiritual Growth
Our spiritual condition is largely determined by our choices. If we lack joy, it's often because we choose to focus on the negative rather than God's truths. This week, reflect on areas where you might be blaming others for your spiritual state and take steps to reclaim your agency in Christ. [04:35]
3. Running the Race Set Before Us
Each of us has a unique spiritual race designed by God. This week, identify what 'weights' or non-sinful but unnecessary things you are carrying. Consider how you can lay them aside to run more freely towards what God has for you. [23:51]
4. Learning from Biblical Examples
The heroes of faith in Scripture were ordinary people who chose to trust God extraordinarily. This week, choose one biblical figure you admire and study their life. Ask God to help you incorporate their faith traits into your own spiritual journey. [17:07]
5. Jesus, the Perfecter of Our Faith
Remember that Jesus is actively perfecting your faith. This week, spend time thanking Him for the work He has started in you and will faithfully complete. Ask for His help to remain steadfast, especially during challenging times. [28:57]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:30 - The Joy of Unified Focus
02:21 - The Impact of Dwelling on Truth
04:35 - Taking Responsibility for Our Joy
05:05 - Control Over Our Thoughts
06:15 - Choosing What to Focus On
08:59 - Trusting and Obeying in Everyday Life
10:39 - The Peace of God's Control
12:10 - The Presence and Reality of Jesus
13:44 - Communing with God
16:07 - Surrounded by Witnesses of Faith
17:07 - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith
19:14 - The Dual Lessons of Success and Failure in Faith
20:13 - Avoiding Excuses in Spiritual Failures
21:17 - Choosing Examples to Emulate
22:55 - The Race Marked Out for Us
23:51 - Identifying and Shedding Weights
25:00 - Embracing Simplicity for Spiritual Endurance
26:41 - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
28:57 - Jesus as the Perfecter of Our Faith
30:08 - Personal Choice in Spiritual Intimacy
31:56 - The Role of Community in Faith Perfection
33:15 - The Joy Set Before Jesus
34:20 - Enduring Shame for Ultimate Glory
35:11 - The Humanity and Suffering of Jesus
36:07 - Jesus, Our Redeemer from the Curse
37:37 - The Ultimate Sacrifice of Christ
38:31 - Worship and Adoration of Our Savior
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great 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."
2. Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 12:1-2 suggest we should do to run our spiritual race effectively?
2. According to Philippians 4:8, what kinds of things should we focus our minds on?
3. How does 1 Corinthians 10:13 assure us about facing temptations and challenges in our spiritual journey?
4. In the sermon, what practical steps were suggested to maintain joy and focus on Jesus? ([02:21])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does focusing on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy, as mentioned in Philippians 4:8, transform our daily experiences? ([01:30])
2. What does it mean to take personal responsibility for our spiritual growth, and how can this change our perspective on external circumstances? ([04:35])
3. How can the metaphor of running a race in Hebrews 12:1-2 help us understand the importance of shedding unnecessary weights in our spiritual lives? ([21:59])
4. Why is it important to view biblical figures as examples of faith rather than unattainable heroes? ([17:07])
#### Application Questions
1. This week, how can you practice redirecting your thoughts towards Christ whenever you find yourself getting distracted or discouraged? ([02:21])
2. Reflect on areas where you might be blaming others for your spiritual state. What steps can you take to reclaim your agency in Christ this week? ([04:35])
3. Identify what 'weights' or non-sinful but unnecessary things you are carrying. How can you lay them aside to run more freely towards what God has for you? ([23:51])
4. Choose one biblical figure you admire and study their life this week. How can you incorporate their faith traits into your own spiritual journey? ([17:07])
5. Spend time thanking Jesus for the work He has started in you and will faithfully complete. How can you remain steadfast, especially during challenging times? ([28:57])
6. Is there a specific distraction in your life preventing you from focusing on Jesus that you want to change? How can you minimize that distraction this week? ([26:41])
7. Think of a person who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person? ([09:33])
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Focus
Focusing on Jesus Christ transforms our everyday experiences, allowing us to rise above our circumstances and maintain joy. When we choose to dwell on God's truths, our perspective shifts from our problems to His promises. This week, let's practice redirecting our thoughts towards Christ whenever we find ourselves getting distracted or discouraged. This intentional shift is not just about avoiding negativity, but actively engaging in the reality of God's goodness and faithfulness throughout our daily lives. By doing so, we can experience a profound change in how we perceive and react to the world around us. [02:21]
Colossians 3:2-3: "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What specific situation this week can you approach differently by focusing on Jesus instead of the circumstances?
---
Day 2: Personal Responsibility in Spiritual Growth
Our spiritual condition is largely determined by our choices. If we lack joy, it's often because we choose to focus on the negative rather than on God's truths. Reflect on areas where you might be blaming others for your spiritual state and take steps to reclaim your agency in Christ. This involves a conscious decision to engage with Scripture and apply its truths to our lives, thereby cultivating a heart of joy and gratitude regardless of external situations. Let's embrace the responsibility we have over our spiritual well-being and make choices that align with God's desires for us. [04:35]
James 1:22-25: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed external circumstances to dictate your spiritual joy and how can you take steps to focus more on God's truths?
---
Day 3: Running the Race Set Before Us
Each of us has a unique spiritual race designed by God. This week, identify what 'weights' or non-sinful but unnecessary things you are carrying. Consider how you can lay them aside to run more freely towards what God has for you. Just as ancient runners removed any encumbrances to run unimpeded, we too must rid ourselves of both sin and any excesses that hinder our spiritual progress. Let's focus on simplifying our lives to better pursue the divine path set before us. [23:51]
Hebrews 12:1-2: "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."
Reflection: What are the 'weights' in your life that you need to shed to focus more fully on God's calling?
---
Day 4: Learning from Biblical Examples
The heroes of faith in Scripture were ordinary people who chose to trust God extraordinarily. Choose one biblical figure you admire and study their life this week. Ask God to help you incorporate their faith traits into your own spiritual journey. By understanding their stories, we can find practical ways to emulate their faith and perseverance, recognizing that they too faced challenges and overcame them through their reliance on God. Let's draw inspiration from their lives to bolster our own faith. [17:07]
2 Peter 1:5-7: "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."
Reflection: Which biblical figure do you resonate with the most, and what aspect of their faith can you strive to emulate in your own life?
---
Day 5: Jesus, the Perfecter of Our Faith
Remember that Jesus is actively perfecting your faith. Spend time this week thanking Him for the work He has started in you and will faithfully complete. Ask for His help to remain steadfast, especially during challenging times. Knowing that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, we too can face our trials with confidence, assured that our faith is being perfected by Him. Let's hold fast to this promise as we navigate the complexities of life. [28:57]
Philippians 1:6: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively trust Jesus to perfect your faith during a current trial or challenge?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You can think about whatever you want to think about. You want to think about a cat with a hat, with a balloon. You can do it. If you want to dwell on what is true, honorable, right, pure, excellent. You can do it. You just choose to dwell on the other stuff you choose." [05:25]
2. "Everything's got a reason. There's a reason why you're here today. There's a reason why you're going to listen to this particular message. It works all out for the good for those who love him. It's about trusting that." [08:59]
3. "Do you believe that there's a God in heaven on his throne right now? And he actually has control of everything. Do you believe that? That he's not worried right now on his throne? There's no anxiety in him. He's in perfect peace." [10:39]
4. "I can have the peace of God. Do you believe that? Do you believe he's present with us? That he, he's a literal person who comes in and looks at me as creation and go, oh, this is my inheritance. That he actually wants to be one with you." [12:10]
5. "He's the author. Thank him. Thank him. He used other people, but it was him. Why are you sitting in this room still worshiping him at this age? Because he started something in you." [27:53]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Just love this. I love gathering with people who love him, know him, and just, it's not a show. Just want to come here, look him in the eyes, and tell him how great he is. Like the verse today, just fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." [01:30]
2. "And scripture says, no, get your eyes fixed like blinders where you're just staring at him. Fix your eyes on Jesus. You read those stories in the old Testament where, you know, you've got this crazy war that's about to happen. And God says, send the worshipers ahead, just have them start worshiping me and see what happens." [03:39]
3. "And if you did not have a joyful week, I'm here to tell you it's your fault. That's really important for you to understand in this victimized world. That if you did not have joy. This week, it was all your fault." [04:35]
4. "It's not sin to swim with a bowling ball. It's not sin. It's just dumb. You know? And in the same way, there are things in our lives when God has marked out a race. Okay. Think about this. God has given some, he goes, let us run with endurance. The race that is set before us." [23:51]
5. "Thank him for being the perfecter. Thank him that he's the one now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in his presence, in the presence of his glory, blameless with great joy." [28:57]
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