Jerusalem- Change Your Focus Series

Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#45]

JERUSALEM- CHANGE YOUR FOCUS

Matthew 23:37

Introduction:

We are continuing in our Series about the most mentioned City in the Bible- Jerusalem.

Matthew 23:37

I have noticed that people will listen to whoever sounds good. They decide who they are going to follow, and nothing seems to change their minds. Politics abound everywhere you look. The enemy uses this stuff as a distraction from what is really happening.

This is a “shell game”- (The game where you have 3 cups or ½ coconut shells; and you put a ping pong ball under 1 and start moving it around.) Those who are good at playing this game, move the ball into their pocket or shoe; while the contestant is guessing where the ball is. The point is the contestant will always lose. The enemy has caused us to lose our focus on what matters by distracting us with other things. What should Christians do? We need to change our focus.

Acts 3:11-12

Change the focus from…

1. Yourself to Jesus.

Peter quickly got the attention off of himself and put it on Jesus. As followers of Christ, we must realize that when great things happen that is God working through us. It isn’t through our power, but Christ’s power.

God is working miracles all the time; but we are too focused on the wrong things to notice it. When we do notice it, we don’t give God all of the glory, honor, and praise. It is not about you; but about the life changing power of Jesus Christ.

Acts 3:13-16

Change the focus from…

2. Their self-righteousness to their guilt.

Until people realize that they need salvation, how will they know? Yes, the Holy Spirit of God convicts them; but He also uses us to tell them the truth.

Look at what Peter points out to them:

* “You handed him over to be killed.”

* “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One.”

* “You killed the author of life.”

* “You see and know that was made strong.”

* “You can all see.”

This fits for us also. People need to realize that it is their sins that put Christ on the cross; but through His power we can be made strong. The word “you” applies to each of us.

Acts 3:17-26

Change the focus from…

3. Their separation from God to a relationship with God.

Verses 19-20 are the key to everything we believe. People must repent and trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ. He is the One that refreshes us. He is the One that will come back for us. He is the One that we will spend eternity with.

Conclusion:

We must remember that God never wanted the Church to exist for the sake of existing. Christians are to be about the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. It’s not about what we want or what we think; it’s about Jesus. When we make it about anything or anyone else, we will not be effective.

We must stop talking about ourselves, one another, and what we want; and start talking about the One and Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.