Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we'll be diving into an incredibly relevant topic for our fast-paced, distraction-filled lives. We're going to explore the importance of recognizing distractions, rejecting them, and refocusing our attention on Jesus.

As the renowned Christian author, C.S. Lewis once wisely said, "The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'own,' or 'real' life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life -- the life God is sending one day by day."

With that thought in mind, let's turn our attention to Matthew 14:30-33, which reads: But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

This passage shows us that even Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, was not immune to the distractions and fears of the world around him. And just like Peter, we too can find ourselves sinking in the waves of life's distractions if we don't keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

So, let's come before the Lord in prayer, asking Him to open our hearts and minds to His word today: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging that we are often distracted by the world around us. We ask that You would help us to recognize these distractions and give us the strength to reject them. Lord, teach us to refocus our attention on Jesus and trust in Your unfailing love and guidance. Speak to us through Your word today, and may it transform our hearts and minds. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Now, let's dive into today's sermon and discover how we can apply these principles to our everyday lives.

I. Recognizing Distractions

Recognizing distractions is the first crucial step in our journey towards a life that is more focused on Jesus and less entangled in the chaos of the world. In today's fast-paced society, distractions come in many forms and can easily pull us away from our relationship with God. It is important to be aware of these distractions and to actively work on identifying them in our lives.

A. One of the most common distractions in our lives is technology. Smartphones, social media, and the internet have become an integral part of our daily routines, and while they can be helpful tools, they can also be a significant source of distraction. We can easily spend hours scrolling through social media, watching videos, or playing games, all the while neglecting our relationship with God. It is essential to recognize when technology is becoming a distraction and to set boundaries that allow us to maintain a healthy balance between our digital lives and our spiritual lives.

B. Another common distraction is our relationships with others. While it is important to have healthy relationships with friends and family, we must be careful not to let these relationships become a distraction from our relationship with God. This can happen when we prioritize the opinions and approval of others over God's truth or when we become so consumed with the lives of those around us that we neglect our own spiritual growth. Recognizing when our relationships are becoming a distraction is important so that we can refocus our attention on Jesus and continue to grow in our faith.

Our careers and ambitions can also be a source of distraction. It is easy to become consumed with our work, striving for success and recognition. While there is nothing inherently wrong with working hard and pursuing our goals, we must be careful not to let our ambitions overshadow our relationship with God. We must recognize when our work is becoming a distraction and remember that our ultimate purpose is to serve and glorify God in all that we do.

Even our own thoughts and emotions can become distractions. Worry, anxiety, and fear can consume our minds, leaving little room for God's peace and presence. Similarly, pride, jealousy, and anger can distract us from God's love and grace. Recognizing these emotions as distractions and surrendering them to God is essential in maintaining a healthy spiritual life.

C. In order to recognize distractions in our lives, we must first cultivate an awareness of our own thoughts and actions. This requires intentional reflection and self-examination. We must ask ourselves questions like, "What is consuming my thoughts and time? Is this activity or thought pattern drawing me closer to God or pulling me away from Him? Am I prioritizing my relationship with Jesus above all else?"

Once we have identified the distractions in our lives, we can begin to take steps to minimize their impact. This may involve setting boundaries, such as limiting our time spent on social media or creating a schedule that prioritizes time with God. It may also involve seeking accountability from a trusted friend or mentor who can help us stay focused on our spiritual growth.

Recognizing distractions is not a one-time event but rather an ongoing process. As we grow in our faith and become more attuned to God's presence in our lives, we will become better equipped to identify and address the distractions that threaten to pull us away from Him. This process requires humility and a willingness to admit when we have allowed distractions to take hold of our lives.

D. As we work to recognize distractions, it is important to remember that we are not alone in this struggle. Even the disciples, who walked closely with Jesus, faced distractions and moments of doubt. In the story of Peter walking on water, we see that Peter's fear and focus on the wind and waves around him caused him to begin to sink. Jesus, however, was there to catch him and remind him of the importance of keeping his eyes fixed on Him.

We too can find comfort and encouragement in knowing that Jesus is with us in our struggles with distractions. He is there to catch us when we begin to sink and to gently remind us to refocus our attention on Him. As we work to recognize distractions in our lives, let us also remember to rely on Jesus and His strength to help us overcome them.

Pastor: share a personal story about a time when you recognized a distraction in your life and how you were able to refocus your attention on Jesus.

II. Rejecting Distractions

Rejecting distractions is a crucial aspect of maintaining our focus on Jesus and living a life that is pleasing to God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO