Fix Your Gaze on Jesus in a Distracted World
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INTRODUCTION
New theme for December “Keep Your Eyes on Jesus” and the final topic for our 2023 theme of Good Fight, Right Race, and Steadfast Faith.
Today’s sermon is “Fix Your Gaze on Jesus in a Distracted World.”
Central Theme
For greater peace and contentment in a world filled with distractions we must seek a restored relationship with God and prioritize our focus on Him rather than the distractions of the world
Understanding the Nature of Distractions
Overcoming Distractions
The Transforming Power of Fixing Our Gaze on Jesus
1. Understanding the Nature of Distractions
1. Understanding the Nature of Distractions
A Distraction is anything that diverts or draws our attention and focus away from God, His word, and His will for our lives.
A Distraction is anything that diverts or draws our attention and focus away from God, His word, and His will for our lives.
Mary and Martha
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Peter walking on Water
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Transfiguration
And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Sower of the Seed
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
Politics
Gender wars
Abortion
Race
Orientation Alphabet
Temptations
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Feelings
2. Overcoming Distractions
2. Overcoming Distractions
Being aware of our weaknesses and seeking God's strength
Being aware of our weaknesses and seeking God's strength
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Guarding our hearts and minds against negative influences
Guarding our hearts and minds against negative influences
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
What occurs when you do not guard your heart
A. Lack of peace and contentment
B. Strained relationships and diminished communication
C. Spiritual stagnation and distance from God
D. Shallow understanding of biblical truths
3. The Transforming Power of Fixing Our Gaze on Jesus
3. The Transforming Power of Fixing Our Gaze on Jesus
Experiencing God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness
Experiencing God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Finding hope and purpose in Christ
Finding hope and purpose in Christ
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.
Growing in faith, maturity, and character
Growing in faith, maturity, and character
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. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.