Staying Focused on God's Vision Amid Distractions
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and not allowing distractions to deter one from their God-given vision. The pastor warns that Satan, referred to as the destroyer and deceiver, will try to interfere and draw people away through distraction and destruction. The pastor uses the example of Nehemiah, who consistently responded to distractions by affirming that he was doing a great work and could not come down. The pastor encourages listeners to stay focused on the work that God has for them and not to be discouraged by Satan's attempts to distract them.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of glorifying God as a church rather than focusing on numbers or following trends and traditions. The pastor highlights the need to be guided by the truth of scripture and to do the work of the Saints, which is founded on prayer. The pastor emphasizes that prayer is a good indicator of one's spiritual condition and the condition of a family or church. The pastor encourages the congregation to participate in a month-long emphasis on prayer in January, recognizing that God's work and blessings come through the power of prayer.
The pastor also emphasizes that God is a God of small things and can use even the weakest and most insignificant individuals for His tasks. The pastor refers to the story of a little boy with a small lunch who fed a multitude, highlighting God's ability to do great things through seemingly small resources. However, the pastor warns that Satan will try to make believers feel small, ridiculous, and silly. Satan will use intimidation to make them doubt their abilities and question their worthiness. The pastor encourages the congregation to remember that God's estimation of them is not based on their own abilities, but on the power and strength of their Savior.
The pastor then reflects on the faithful work and witness of Central Baptist Church in contributing to the work of the gospel. The pastor rejoices in the fact that there will be individuals from every tribe, tongue, and nation who will be a part of the worship because of the church's dedication. The pastor emphasizes the importance of offering and mentions the proposed budget for the upcoming year. The pastor outlines seven steps laid out in the story of Nehemiah, including having a burden, developing a vision, undergoing preparation, and cooperating as a body of believers. The pastor encourages every member of the church to recognize their role and contribution in fulfilling God's calling for the church.
The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing the importance of staying focused on God's work and not allowing Satan to interfere. The pastor uses the example of Nehemiah and Tobiah to illustrate this point. The pastor warns Christians to be cautious about making alliances with the enemy and to be mindful of what they bring into their lives, such as what they watch, read, and where they go. The pastor also highlights the danger of worldly thinking infiltrating the church, where the focus becomes survival rather than bringing glory to God.
Key Takeaways:
- Satan, the destroyer and deceiver, will try to interfere and draw people away from their God-given vision through distraction and destruction. Believers must stay focused on the work that God has for them and not be discouraged by Satan's attempts to distract them. [12:45]
- Prayer is a good indicator of one's spiritual condition and the condition of a family or church. Believers should participate in regular prayer, recognizing that God's work and blessings come through the power of prayer. [24:30]
- God can use even the weakest and most insignificant individuals for His tasks. Believers should remember that God's estimation of them is not based on their own abilities, but on the power and strength of their Savior. [36:15]
- Every member of the church has a role and contribution in fulfilling God's calling for the church. Believers should recognize their role and cooperate as a body of believers to fulfill God's calling. [48:00]
- Christians should be cautious about making alliances with the enemy and be mindful of what they bring into their lives. The danger of worldly thinking infiltrating the church can shift the focus from bringing glory to God to mere survival. [59:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Nehemiah 6:1-4: "When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”
2. Nehemiah 6:15-16: "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."
3. Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the response of Nehemiah when he was invited to meet with Sanballat and Geshem?
2. What was the reaction of the surrounding nations when the wall was completed?
3. What does Hebrews 12:1 encourage believers to do?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What can be inferred about Nehemiah's priorities and focus from his response to Sanballat and Geshem's invitation?
2. How does the reaction of the surrounding nations reflect the power and influence of God?
3. What does it mean to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us" in Hebrews 12:1?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you were distracted from a task or goal? How did you handle it and what can you learn from Nehemiah's response?
2. How can you recognize and acknowledge God's help in your personal achievements or projects?
3. What are some hindrances in your life that you need to throw off to run your race with perseverance?
4. Can you identify a task or project in your life that requires your focus and dedication? How can you apply Nehemiah's determination and focus to this task?
5. What is one way you can guard against worldly thinking infiltrating your life this week?
Devotional
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Day 1: Resisting Distractions to Fulfill God's Vision
Satan, the deceiver, will attempt to distract and deter you from your God-given vision. It is crucial to remain focused on the work that God has assigned to you and not be discouraged by these distractions. [12:45]
Nehemiah 6:3 - "So I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?'"
Reflection: What distractions are currently pulling you away from your God-given vision? How can you resist these distractions and refocus on God's work?
Day 2: Power of Prayer in Spiritual Growth
Prayer is a powerful tool that reflects one's spiritual condition and the spiritual health of a family or church. Regular prayer is essential, recognizing that God's work and blessings are manifested through prayer. [24:30]
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: How can you incorporate regular prayer into your daily routine? What specific areas in your life or in your family's life need God's intervention through prayer?
Day 3: God's Power in Our Weakness
God can use even the weakest and most insignificant individuals for His tasks. Your worth is not based on your abilities, but on the power and strength of your Savior. [36:15]
1 Corinthians 1:27 - "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel weak or insignificant? How can you surrender these areas to God and allow His strength to work through you?
Day 4: Recognizing Our Role in God's Church
Every member of the church has a unique role and contribution in fulfilling God's calling for the church. It is important to recognize your role and cooperate with other believers to fulfill God's calling. [48:00]
1 Corinthians 12:27 - "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Reflection: What do you believe is your role in the church? How can you better cooperate with other believers to fulfill this role?
Day 5: Guarding Against Worldly Influence
Christians should be cautious about what they allow into their lives, being mindful of worldly influences that can shift the focus from glorifying God to mere survival. [59:30]
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: What worldly influences are currently affecting your spiritual life? How can you guard against these influences and refocus on glorifying God?
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Quotes
"Whatever we do for his glory is a great work... maybe this morning in your mind you've begun to contemplate quitting... maybe you've quit and you're still on the wall... don't quit come to the altar this morning and maybe you just need to come and say God I will not come off the wall." [01:16:40]
"Maybe you're facing a battle in your heart... Satan's tried to convince you he's tried to intimidate you... let me tell you that Satan is a liar just like sand ballad and tobiah he is a liar and my God is greater my God is able and with his strength and with his power you can build the wall that he's put you on." [01:18:30]
"He said even that which they do build if a fox go up he'll break down their stone wall... Satan will begin to work in our minds and he will try to intimidate us and he'll tell you... you're a nothing." [59:40]
"But I'm glad that his estimation of me is not my savior's estimation of me... God says that through his power and through his strength and through the work of the Holy spirits that his work can be done... what you do matters to God." [01:00:45]
"If your work is to have a Godly family, be careful what you let your children watch, be careful where you let them go, be careful with whom you let them go, be careful about making an alliance with the world." [01:06:39]
"As a church, there are ways that worldly thinking may begin to infiltrate our minds. There are churches that are so focused on survival rather than bringing glory to God, and they'll do whatever it takes." [01:07:14]
"Satan will take an element of truth in your situation and he will convince you that it's bigger than it is... he will do everything he can to make you feel too small for the task." [58:32]
"We're not bound by Trend or tradition, we want to be bound by the truth of scripture." #!!01:07:50!!#
"Prayer is the basis... for God's blessing in God's work to take place in the year to come, it must be through the power of God working through prayer and his people." #!!01:09:01!!#
"God's work is a process...there's a process that is necessary to get to that point...as some of you are experiencing the process of God's work in your life...being made like Christ is God's will for your life...God's will for families is for the marriage to accurately and adequately represent and adoringly represent the connection the mystery between Christ and the church..." (#!!51:02!!#)
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