Focus

We are going to be addressing a subject that is unscriptural,

in name, but spiritually relevant in every other way.

A. Though the word, “focus” does not appear in the

Bible...........the practice of focusing certainly does.

1. We, as Christians.....must stay in focus.

a. satan tries.....constantly to throw our

focus off.

1.) This is what Christ was addressing

when He gave the parable of the

sower in Matt. 13:18-23......

18“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19“When

anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not

understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches

away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received

seed by the wayside. 20“But he who received the seed on

stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately

receives it with joy; 21“yet he has no root in himself, but

endures only for a while. For when tribulation or

persecution arises because of the word, immediately he

stumbles. 22“Now he who received seed among the thorns

is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and

the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes

unfruitful. 23“But he who received seed on the good

ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who

indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some

sixty, some thirty.”

We have a mission to perform.....a mission given to us

by Christ.

A. Our mission is salvation.

1. Our own salvation.

a. Based on us “working out our own

salvation”....not by works that we dream

up, but by doing what God has

commanded us to do.

b. Based on our study and understanding

of God’s Word.

c. Based on how we treat or don’t treat

those around us.

2. Salvation also includes the salvation of others.

a. We have not simply been placed on this

Earth so that we can be saved.....with

no regard to others.

1.) Part of our mission is the same as

Christ’s mission......to seek and

guide to salvation, those souls that

are lost.

a.) This means that we must be

.....not only WILLING TO...

but be ACTIVE IN....bringing

lost souls to Christ.

B. This mission is the most important thing that must

be done in the Kingdom.

1. satan knows this.....as lord of this world, satan

can and will overwhelm us with the things of

this world so that we will fail in our mission.

As Christians, we must stay focused on our mission.

A. Easier said than done.

1. The things of the world don’t appear to be

drawing us away from our mission.....they

don’t look evil (and many times they aren’t

evil).

a. However........there are only so many

hours in a day and only so many days in

our lifespan........it is absolutely vital

that we use up these hours and days in

fulfilling our mission.......NOT IN

BECOMING INVOLVED IN THAT

WHICH NOT MATTER IN

ETERNITY.

Now that we know what is being addressed......let us look

at some ways in which we can loose “focus” and some

things which will help us bring things back into spiritual

“focus”

I. Areas in which we are thrown off spiritual focus.

A. No deep, spiritual root in the things of God.......

he has not made these things “his own”......

conformed, but not convicted.

Matt. 13:21 - 21“yet he has no root in himself, but endures

only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises

because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

1. It doesn’t take a lot of tribulation or

persecution to undo one who is only

conforming.

B. Stubborn and closed spiritual eyes.....usually

closed because they DON’T want to understand.

Acts 26:16-18 - 16‘But rise and stand on your feet; for I

have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a

minister and a witness both of the things which you have

seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17‘I

will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the

Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18‘to open their eyes, in

order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the

power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of

sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by

faith in Me.’

1. Christ sent the Apostle, Paul on a mission to

stubborn and closed eyes.

a. The Jews of his day thought that they

were right.....but they were really blind.

1.) Nobody can focus on the truth of

God if and when his eyes stubborn-

ly remain closed.

C. So many people.......within and without the

Church are unable to spiritually focus because

the bitterness, in their hearts, distracts from the

need in their lives.

Heb. 12:15 - 15looking carefully lest anyone fall short of

the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up