Renewed focus on Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
As we begin a new year we tend to reflect on our habits, our goals, on those things that we want to improve in our life… on those things we want to be more disciplined at…
working out, loosing weight, reading more books, saving more money, sticking to a budget, reading the Bible through in a year…
We often focus on what we can do and there is a lot that we can do to make our life easier and better in 2024.
But… as we head into a new year with a renewed focus on Jesus, we will be a lot more thankful, more encouraging, more positive and bring life into every other area of our life.
The reality is that our life will always be filled with delight and beauty, along with pain and suffering. We will always be limited by our flesh, by our past, by our abilities, by our talents and gifting but as we have a renewed focus on Jesus, HE is not bound by our own limitations.
As we start off 2024 and recalibrate our priorities, when Jesus is our true north, when Jesus is our perfect alignment all of our goals and resolutions will be right.
If we want accurate results, we must recalibrate.
Over time tools become less accurate.
Over time car engines must be tuned up, tires aligned, parts need to be replaced.
Over time musical instrument will go out of tune.
Over time our eyes need to get checked, our prescription needs to be updated.
As we head into a new year this is a great time for a recalibration. But before we set any goals, clean up our calendar, enroll in any gym, we must renew our focus on Jesus.
When we encounter loss, painful circumstances, changes in relationships, we will not driven by fear, or bitterness, or other things that do not line up with God’s character and purpose because our faith is recalibrated on Jesus.
This morning we are going to be in Ephesians 1.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
PRAY
Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians by focusing on Jesus… so as we recalibrate in 2024, let’s start by renewing our focus on Jesus…
By seeking to know God’s purpose.
By seeking to know God’s purpose.
God’s purpose from the very beginning was for us the receive HIS blessing and that blessing is more then just prosperity. That blessing comes to us only through relationship with Jesus.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
We cannot be partakers of God’s blessing unless we know God’s purpose and receive God’s blessing through Christ.
We have to know the why behind the what.
So often we get stuck on what those spiritual blessings are but the better question is why has God blessed us? Why has God chosen us, why has HE adopted us, why has God given us grace, shown HIS love, why has HE redeemed us, forgiven us and shed HIS own blood for us?
HIS blessings are so good and we do not deserve any of HIS blessing… we did not earn the right to belong to God’s family, to be called HIS sons and daughters…
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
All blessings come from Jesus, through HIM, in HIM…
Without Jesus, we have no purpose beyond this life.
… that’s why we can never focus enough on the cross.
The more we look to the cross, the more we recognize how much God loves us.
Jesus went to the cross because God wants to have a close relationship with us… HE wants to reveal HIS perfect will… HIS purpose… so we can live in that same unity that the Father Son and Holy Spirit have… that unity that transcends time and space that connects the kingdom of heaven to earth.
God’s purpose is infinitely bigger then us but God loves us enough to include us, to invite us to be a part of HIS Kingdom.
But we have to say YES to Jesus if we want to be in God’s will and know HIS purpose.
To seek God’s purpose…
Connected to the Body…
Spend time in HIS Word…
Listen to God’s voice…
We have to be connected to the Body…we have to be in church… get fed, get involved.
Spend time in HIS Word… Start a plan and stick to it… pair up, group up, talk about God’s Word…
Listen to God’s voice… Pray, journal, be still before the Lord…
and respond in faith…
Renewing our focus on Jesus begins as we seek to know God’s purpose. Nobody else can do it for you… Jesus gave you the tools, HE has blessed you with every spiritual blessing necessary for success. We must take the initiative to seek to know God’s purpose.
We renew our focus on Jesus…
By completely surrendering to God’s will.
By completely surrendering to God’s will.
As Christians we want God to reveal HIS will to us as if it’s an easy step by step process.
Like assembling a new doll house, a new piece of furniture, a foosball table.
We often view God’s will as the easier way, the more comfortable way, the non-confrontational way but that’s not an accurate measurement as we step into God’s will.
Faith requires us to surrender to God’s will and surrender is hard.
If I surrendered to God’s will as long as it’s easier or more comfortable, most of the time I would not be choosing God’s will, I would be choosing my will.
There is a lot of suffering and pain connected to surrendering to God’s will.
Paul talks about the greatest benefit for suffering is that we can know Christ better through HIS suffering.
With or without Jesus, either way, we are going to suffer.
In this world Jesus promised suffering but in Christ we have an inheritance that is eternal and is guaranteed for those who surrender to God’s will.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
We get excited about receiving an inheritance but I’ve heard so many sad stories about families becoming ugly when it comes to sorting out an estate.
When someone dies people get crazy.
People don’t trust their own family, they don’t trust because they want control and they want the money.
People feel entitled, people become selfish over meaningless temporary stuff, families break apart because of greed.
That’s often the story of our earthly inheritance but In Christ, the estate has already been sorted out.
Jesus already died and conquered death. Jesus already rules and reigns over everything in heaven and on earth so our inheritance has already been paid for.
In order for our name to be on the will we have to surrender to God’s will.
You have been chosen by God. (vs. 11)
vs. 11…having been predestined according to the purpose of HIM who works all things according to the counsel of HIS will…
God choose you first in order to set you apart for HIS glory. (vs. 12)
v. 12 says that we are not God’s second choice, we are God’s first choice.
As we continue to put our hope in Christ we might be the praise of HIS glory.
The Holy Spirit in us is the down payment, the guarantee of our inheritance. (vs. 13-14)
We are not following Jesus alone.
If we are in Christ we are sealed with the Holy Spirit but if we are going to live empowered by the Holy Spirit we must be filled with the Holy Spirit.
This means our inheritance is so much more then our heavenly reward.
Our inheritance is fulfilling God’s purpose here on earth as we surrender to God’s will and continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
God’s will is that we make a Kingdom impact everywhere we go.
Paul wraps up chapter 1 with a prayer of thanksgiving. We see in theses final verses, the limitless authority of Jesus.
Faith without works is dead, therefore faith requires action. If 2024 is going to be the year where things will be different, where breakthrough becomes a reality, stepping out in faith we must…
Confidently stepping out in God’s full authority.
Confidently stepping out in God’s full authority.
Everything we have is from God. God has all power and authority over everything including us so serve the Lord faithfully.
Jesus loves us, we are forgiven, HE has given us every spiritual blessing necessary for us to be victorious. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out God’s purpose so be faithful because God called us to be faithful.
Listen to this powerful prayer that Paul prays for the church.
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Paul was thankful for their faith and for their love toward the saints.
We have to continue to seek God’s ongoing, unlimited, immeasurable hope. God’s power is unlimited, HE has complete authority over every rule, power, and dominion throughout time.
That’s where our confidence rests, in God’s authority.
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Take Away:
Renew your focus back on Jesus
Seek to Know God’s purpose
Get in the Word - Begin a Bible reading plan for 2024
Set time aside for prayer, patiently wait on the Lord
Completely surrender to God’s will
Fully trust in the Lord, HIS inheritance is beyond what our world can contain.
Confidently step out in God’s full authority.
God’s authority is unlimited
Don’t let fear distract you from God’s power.