Focusing on Jesus: Trust, Transformation, and Hope

 

Summary

In our journey through Psalm 1, we have been reminded of the profound truth that our lives are to be centered on Jesus Christ. As we conclude our series on refreshing our focus, we delve into the final verse of this Psalm, which calls us to focus on Jesus to understand His care for us and to trust in His sovereign plan.

We are made righteous through Christ. Our sin has caused brokenness in the world, but God, in His mercy, sent His Son to heal and renew us. To experience this transformation, we must repent, turning away from self-reliance and placing our trust entirely in Jesus. This trust is not passive; it requires us to actively work out our salvation with fear and trembling, acknowledging our dependence on God's grace and power.

As we focus on Jesus, we come to know His care intimately. He is the Good Shepherd who leads us to green pastures and still waters, restoring our souls and guiding us in paths of righteousness. Even in the darkest valleys, we fear no evil, for He is with us, comforting us with His rod and staff. This assurance of His presence and care gives us confidence that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the fulfillment of God's promises throughout Scripture. He is the promised King who has come to set us free from sin and death. As we look to Him, we are reminded that He is playing chess, not checkers—His plan is intricate and perfect, and we can trust Him with every aspect of our lives.

In light of this, we must examine ourselves to see whether we are truly in the faith. Our story should reflect a life transformed by Christ—a life that began without Him, encountered His saving grace, and now follows His leading. If this is not our story, we must turn to Jesus and trust Him fully.

As we focus on Jesus, we are called to trust in His goodness and love, which have the power to transform our lives. He is the greatest, worthy of our highest esteem, and it only makes sense that we would focus on Him. Let us be mindful of what shapes us, ensuring that our focus remains on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

Key Takeaways:

- Trusting in Jesus Christ is not merely a one-time event but a continuous journey of faith. As we navigate through life's challenges, we must constantly remind ourselves that our reliance should not be on our own understanding or strength, but on the Lord's guidance and provision. This trust is a testament to our belief in His sovereignty and love for us. [49:33]

- The assurance of God's care is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality experienced through the relationship we have with Jesus, our Good Shepherd. He not only provides for our needs but also restores our souls, leading us in righteousness and offering comfort in times of trouble. This assurance is a source of unshakeable confidence, even in the face of life's uncertainties. [54:26]

- The story of our faith should be a narrative of transformation, marked by a life before Christ, an encounter with His saving grace, and a subsequent journey of following His lead. This story is a personal testimony to the work of God in our lives and serves as a reflection of our genuine faith in Him. [01:04:26]

- Focusing on Jesus means allowing Him to shape our values, thoughts, and actions. In a world filled with distractions and competing voices, it is crucial to keep our eyes fixed on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. By doing so, we can resist the pull of worldly influences and grow in spiritual maturity. [51:07]

- The reality of Jesus' return should fill us with hope and anticipation. As we await His second coming, we are reminded of His faithfulness and the ultimate victory over sin and death. This hope empowers us to live with purpose and to share the good news of His kingdom with others. [42:05]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 1:6 - "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."
2. John 10:11 - "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
3. Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 1:6, what are the two paths mentioned, and what are their outcomes?
2. In John 10:11, how does Jesus describe Himself, and what does He say the good shepherd does for the sheep?
3. What does Philippians 2:12-13 instruct believers to do with their salvation, and who is at work within them?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11 help us understand His care for us? [52:43]
2. What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" as stated in Philippians 2:12-13, and how does this relate to our dependence on God's grace? [59:02]
3. How does Psalm 1:6 contrast the lives of the righteous and the wicked, and what does this imply about the importance of focusing on Jesus? [56:00]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus' care as the Good Shepherd. How did this experience strengthen your trust in Him? [52:43]
2. What are some practical ways you can "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" in your daily life? Consider specific actions or habits you can adopt. [59:02]
3. The sermon mentioned that focusing on Jesus means allowing Him to shape our values, thoughts, and actions. Identify one area of your life where you need to shift your focus more towards Jesus. What steps can you take this week to make that shift? [50:51]
4. The pastor spoke about the distractions of social media and other worldly influences. What specific distractions are preventing you from focusing on Jesus, and how can you minimize them this week? [50:06]
5. How does the assurance of Jesus' return and the hope of eternal life impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? [55:15]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of a personal testimony that reflects a life transformed by Christ. What is your story of transformation, and how can you share it with someone this week? [01:04:02]
7. Consider the statement, "God is playing chess, not checkers." How does this perspective help you trust in God's intricate and perfect plan for your life, especially during challenging times? [01:00:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Continuous Trust in Christ
Trust in Christ is an ongoing journey that requires a steadfast focus on His sovereignty and love. It is not enough to simply believe in Jesus; one must actively rely on Him through every season of life. This trust is cultivated through prayer, reading Scripture, and community with other believers, which helps to reinforce the understanding that one's own strength is insufficient. It is in moments of weakness and uncertainty that trust in Christ becomes most evident, as it is then that one leans not on personal understanding but on the Lord's guidance and provision. This trust is a living testament to the belief in His sovereignty and love, and it is what sustains believers through trials and tribulations.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in Jesus in a current situation where you feel tempted to rely on your own understanding or strength? [49:33]

Day 2: Experiencing the Shepherd's Care
The tangible reality of God's care is experienced through a personal relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He is not a distant deity but a present help, guiding His flock to nourishment, rest, and restoration. This relationship is characterized by intimate knowledge of His voice and a following of His lead. In times of trouble, His presence is a comfort, and His guidance is a rod and staff that bring peace. The assurance of His care is a source of unshakeable confidence, allowing believers to face life's uncertainties with courage and hope.

"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:3-4 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced Jesus as your Good Shepherd recently, and how can you share this experience with someone who needs encouragement? [54:26]

Day 3: Reflecting a Transformed Life
The narrative of a believer's faith is marked by a transformation that begins with a life without Christ, progresses through an encounter with His saving grace, and continues with a journey of following His lead. This transformation is not a mere change of habits but a profound shift in identity and purpose. It is a personal testimony to the work of God in one's life and serves as a reflection of genuine faith. The story of each believer is unique, yet it shares the common thread of God's redemptive work, which is to be celebrated and shared with others.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a specific area in your life that has been transformed by Christ, and how can you use this transformation as a testimony to encourage someone who is struggling with their faith? [01:04:26]

Day 4: Keeping Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus
Focusing on Jesus means allowing Him to shape our values, thoughts, and actions. In a world filled with distractions and competing voices, it is crucial to keep our eyes fixed on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. By doing so, believers can resist the pull of worldly influences and grow in spiritual maturity. This focus requires intentional effort, such as setting aside time for prayer and meditation on Scripture, engaging in worship, and seeking fellowship with other believers who are also committed to keeping their focus on Christ.

"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." (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to better focus on Jesus and allow Him to influence a specific area of your life? [51:07]

Day 5: Living in Hope of Christ's Return
The reality of Jesus' return fills believers with hope and anticipation. This hope is not passive; it is active and empowers believers to live with purpose, sharing the good news of His kingdom with others. The faithfulness of Christ and the victory over sin and death that He promises give strength to persevere in the face of challenges. As believers await His second coming, they are called to be vigilant, joyful, and engaged in the work of the Lord, knowing that their labor is not in vain.

"So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:7 ESV)

Reflection: How does the hope of Jesus' return influence the way you live your daily life, and what is one way you can share this hope with someone this week? [42:05]

Quotes

1) "Whatever you focus on, that's going to really inform how you see yourself, how you see other people, and really how you see the world." [50:10] (Download)

2) "We can trust Him with everything that we face, but we must trust Him. We must be found in the faith." [01:03:32] (Download)

3) "We are made righteous... We all want the world to be a perfect place, but it's not. And the reason why it's not is because of us." [58:14] (Download)

4) "He's playing chess, not checkers. He's not panicking because of the hard time I'm facing right now... I don't have to ever be afraid because He has the plan." [01:02:32] (Download)

5) "He restores my soul. He is a healer. He takes what is broken and He makes it right." [54:26] (Download)

6) "Don't let your circumstances determine how you view God. Let the goodness of God determine how you view your circumstances." [01:01:47] (Download)

7) "If your story doesn't have three parts to it, you failed the test... life without Christ, trusted in Christ, and how God is leading you." [01:04:26] (Download)

8) "He is the greatest. He is worthy of our highest esteem. And it only makes sense that we would focus on Jesus." [48:09] (Download)

9) "Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures... He kept all the promises in his life and in his word." [39:50] (Download)

10) "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness by His wounds you have been healed." [41:22] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?