Being spiritually attentive

Introduction:

God is good! It is so great to be back this week to share in this time with you. Last week we had a very successful mission’s service and fundraiser. As we made the video for last week’s service I prompted each student to be themselves. It wasn’t hard to see that some of our students have a flare for the theatrical. But they also thoughtfully considered the questions that were asked. I very proud of them all, it is exciting to think of the things that can be accomplished with so many skills and personalities. On behalf of the team I want to thank you all that came to share in our night.

As pastor Doug spoke about Joseph last week, something grabbed my attention. After Joseph told his dream to his father the story tells us that he was met with rebuke but also with attention. The text said that Jacob stored these things in his heart. The question after hearing this text was why would Jacob and Mary both use experience moments that caused them to store up information in their hearts. And is there some we can use here that will help us to follow God’s plan more readily in our lives. Our world can pull us in many different directions and this can make us lose sight of what God is putting right in front of us. As an information nut I have been distracted from what is important and focused on the sidelines of my own life. So, what God has spoken to me through my study time is that I need to become more spiritually attentive to the direction of God in my life rather than on personal improvement and informational gain. But I can be the only one with distractions or quirks that distract my spiritual attentiveness so I encourage you to plug seek what gain could come from being more spiritually attentive.

Prayer,

Scripture:

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”* 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.

51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

(Mark 2:48-52)

Ideas:

Story of K-Mart:

Being right in the place you should while not being where you’re supposed to be.

Went to K-mart with Grandma Stella

I loved the toy section at k-mart because of; micro machines

PLUS the toy section is the greatest place to see and imagine

So I found myself hanging out in the toy section for a long period of time

Then I heard over the speaker system, “Kyle Trevor, come to the front desk”

Coming to the desk I saw my worried grandma, who asked, “where were you”.

I replied, “in the toy section, of course”.

Being Spiritually attentive takes finding yourself in the right places

Mary after searching three days final hits the right stop

The searched for 3 days around Jerusalem

God has protected them multiple time since this has taken place

Birth (Herod)

Nazareth (Herod’s son)

K-mart

Just use the intercom (prayer)

Excuses

Can’t hear

God doesn’t work that way for me

Where does your heart drive you, (Matthew 6:21)

Being Spiritually attentive takes downloading the right information

Mary was rightfully worried for her child, but Jesus gave her an answer that I feel grabbed her attention

She was worried, but she didn’t let it distract from the message of her Son’s obligation (I must).

Jesus wasn’t just answering a question he was stating His purpose.

Mary would not just accept this statement, but pursue its purpose.

Jesus for her would become a pillar in her knowledge of God.

Seeing the forest through the trees. ________________________________

Excuses

This one is too big!! (limiting God)

Can’t see the Lord in your storms (fear)

What is your treasured information? Does it build you up?

Being Spiritually attentive takes seeing the finger print of God.

Once Jesus reconnected with his parents, he walked in obedience and submission.

Mary wasn’t seeing a rebellious tween, but a submissive youth.

Jesus had the finger print of God on His life and action.

Mary recognized this and stood aware of the God presence of Jesus’ life.

_____________________________________________________

Excuses

Cynical

Jealous

Ashamed

Do you recognize the finger print of God on your life?

Conclusion: