Staying Focused on Jesus: A Spiritual Journey
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme of focus, particularly how it relates to our spiritual journey and relationship with Jesus. We began with a simple exercise to determine our dominant eye, illustrating how focus affects our actions and decisions. This analogy was used to highlight how sin can cause us to lose focus on Jesus, much like how being off-target in archery leads to missing the mark. The path to salvation is narrow, and distractions can easily lead us astray.
We delved into Luke 20:27-40, where the Sadducees attempted to entrap Jesus with questions about the resurrection. Jesus' response emphasized that God is the God of the living, not the dead, and that our focus should be on life and not death. This passage reminds us that God has a plan, and our role is to align our lives with His will, focusing on the eternal rather than the temporal.
The sermon also touched on the importance of daily focus on Jesus, as highlighted in Luke 9:23-26. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This daily commitment helps us resist the temptations and distractions that can lead us away from God's path. The analogy of a basketball team working together to win, despite individual talents, was used to illustrate how the church, as the body of Christ, must work together to fulfill God's will.
Galatians 5:16-25 was discussed to contrast the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. This passage encourages us to walk by the Spirit, avoiding the subtle sins that can creep into our lives and cause division within the church. We are reminded that our journey is about seeking God and striving to live by the Spirit, not measuring ourselves against others.
Finally, John 3:16-21 was highlighted to emphasize God's plan of redemption through Jesus. This passage reassures us that God did not send His Son to condemn the world but to save it. Our belief in Jesus brings us into the light, offering hope and eternal life. As Christians, we have the opportunity to share this hope with others, even when it is challenging.
Key Takeaways:
- Focus on Jesus: Just as focusing with the correct eye is crucial in archery, maintaining our focus on Jesus is essential in our spiritual journey. Sin aims to distract us, but by keeping our eyes on Christ, we can stay on the narrow path to salvation. [02:56]
- God's Plan and Our Focus: God has a plan for our lives, and our role is to align with His will. By focusing on life and not death, we can live in a way that honors God and fulfills His purpose for us. [06:15]
- Daily Commitment: Following Jesus requires a daily commitment to deny ourselves and take up our cross. This daily focus helps us resist temptations and distractions, keeping us aligned with God's will. [10:06]
- Walking by the Spirit: The contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians reminds us to live by the Spirit. By doing so, we can avoid the subtle sins that cause division and instead bear the fruit of love, joy, and peace. [15:08]
- Hope in Christ: John 3:16-21 emphasizes the hope we have in Jesus. Our belief in Him brings us into the light, offering eternal life. As Christians, we have the opportunity to share this hope with others, even when it is challenging. [19:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:56] - The Importance of Focus
- [06:15] - God's Plan and Our Focus
- [10:06] - Daily Commitment to Christ
- [15:08] - Walking by the Spirit
- [19:28] - Hope in Christ
- [22:00] - Closing and Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 20:27-40
- Luke 9:23-26
- Galatians 5:16-25
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 20:27-40, how did Jesus respond to the Sadducees' question about the resurrection, and what was the significance of His response? [02:56]
2. According to Luke 9:23-26, what does Jesus say is required of those who wish to follow Him? How does this relate to the concept of daily commitment? [10:06]
3. In Galatians 5:16-25, what are the works of the flesh contrasted with, and what does this passage encourage believers to do? [15:08]
4. How does the analogy of a basketball team relate to the church as the body of Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [10:06]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for God to be the "God of the living" as Jesus described in Luke 20:27-40, and how does this perspective affect our focus on life versus death? [06:15]
2. How can the daily act of taking up one's cross, as described in Luke 9:23-26, help believers resist temptations and distractions in their spiritual journey? [10:06]
3. In what ways do the works of the flesh, as listed in Galatians 5:16-25, create division within the church, and how can walking by the Spirit help prevent this? [15:08]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of aligning our lives with God's plan, and what role does focus play in this alignment? [06:15]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Is there a specific distraction that is preventing you from focusing on Jesus? How can you minimize that distraction this week? [02:56]
2. Consider the daily commitment to take up your cross and follow Jesus. What practical steps can you take each day to ensure you are aligning with God's will? [10:06]
3. Identify a subtle sin, such as envy or jealousy, that may be creeping into your life. What actions can you take to address this and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit instead? [15:08]
4. Think about a time when you felt tempted to stray from God's path. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to help you stay focused on Jesus in the future? [15:08]
5. Reflect on the analogy of the basketball team working together. How can you contribute to the unity and mission of your church community, even if your role seems small? [10:06]
6. How can you share the hope of Christ with someone in your life who may be struggling with belief or facing challenges? What specific steps can you take to engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith? [19:28]
7. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it as part of your interactions with your family or community? [15:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Maintaining Focus on Christ
In our spiritual journey, maintaining focus on Jesus is crucial. Just as an archer must focus with the correct eye to hit the target, we must keep our eyes on Christ to stay on the narrow path to salvation. Sin aims to distract us, pulling our attention away from Jesus and leading us astray. By consciously choosing to focus on Jesus, we can resist these distractions and remain aligned with His teachings and purpose for our lives. [02:56]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific distractions are currently pulling your focus away from Jesus, and how can you intentionally redirect your attention back to Him today?
Day 2: Aligning with God's Eternal Plan
God has a plan for each of our lives, and our role is to align ourselves with His will. In Luke 20:27-40, Jesus reminds us that God is the God of the living, not the dead, urging us to focus on life rather than death. By prioritizing the eternal over the temporal, we can live in a way that honors God and fulfills His purpose for us. This perspective shift helps us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and trust in God's overarching plan. [06:15]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to God's eternal plan for your life today?
Day 3: Daily Commitment to Christ
Following Jesus requires a daily commitment to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This daily focus helps us resist temptations and distractions, keeping us aligned with God's will. By committing to this daily practice, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus and strengthen our spiritual resilience. Just as a basketball team works together to achieve victory, we must work together as the body of Christ to fulfill God's will. [10:06]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can deny yourself and take up your cross today to deepen your commitment to following Jesus?
Day 4: Living by the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-25 contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, encouraging us to walk by the Spirit. By doing so, we can avoid the subtle sins that cause division and instead bear the fruit of love, joy, and peace. Living by the Spirit requires intentionality and a conscious effort to align our actions with God's desires, fostering unity within the church and strengthening our spiritual walk. [15:08]
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to walk by the Spirit, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in that area today?
Day 5: Sharing the Hope of Christ
John 3:16-21 emphasizes the hope we have in Jesus, who brings us into the light and offers eternal life. As Christians, we have the opportunity to share this hope with others, even when it is challenging. By living out our faith and sharing the message of Jesus, we can be a beacon of hope to those around us, inviting them to experience the transformative power of Christ's love and redemption. [19:28]
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the hope of Christ, and how can you share this message with them in a gentle and respectful way today?
Quotes
"Dear Lord, thank you for this time to gather together and to seek your wisdom and your guidance and your truth as we enter into this time of Easter and Jesus being the forefront of the season just to allow us to share that love of hope with our friends and family. Amen." [00:00:17] (20 seconds)
"And that's, to me, something sin is, and Satan's trying to do, is push us off target so we're losing focus on Jesus. Because the Bible tells us that the path to salvation is narrow, but the path is wide to destruction." [00:02:34] (16 seconds)
"But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come, in the resurrection with the dead, will neither marry nor be given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection." [00:04:41] (15 seconds)
"And to me, there's another part, too. I'm sure if any of us had an opportunity to sit down and ask Jesus questions, we would ask him more than just one. We'd keep asking him questions, which is, to me, kind of surprising that they just stopped asking the questions about the resurrection because Jesus basically refruited their whole belief system that there was none, and they just stopped asking questions." [00:05:42] (24 seconds)
"When he created this world and all of us in it, I mean, he knew from the very beginning that we were going to need Jesus. He knew sin was going to creep in, and to me, there's things in the Bible that get covered and talked about, but they aren't explicitly explained very well. But I think that that's intentional on God, so we can learn to focus back on what he wants us to do for our own lives and for the glory of his kingdom." [00:06:21] (27 seconds)
"And then last is God wants us to focus on life and not death. You know, life is being reconciled back to God and not living in sin, which even now when sin is in our lives, that's going to bring death in there." [00:06:57] (16 seconds)
"Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." [00:09:59] (22 seconds)
"And he said to all, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Whoever will save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" [00:11:00] (18 seconds)
"So, I'll read that. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not be gratified by the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. For these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." [00:13:14] (22 seconds)
"Now, the works of the flesh are evident. Sexual immorality, impurity, sexuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousies, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." [00:13:56] (21 seconds)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." [00:17:40] (12 seconds)
"You know, to me, this is the real contrast between what we as Christians have and what everybody else in the world has. We have hope, you know, and when we have hope that there's a life that's better than this after death versus, to me, non-Christians who reject God and even, you know, sometimes other faiths, what's their hope? I mean, ultimately, their hope is that this is the best it gets and there's no consequences for their actions, and that really contrasts the way you live your life, and you can see that." [00:19:28] (40 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?