Fix Your Focus - Draft

Welcome, Intro, Honor

HOOK: Intro

I have a secret obsession with watching family themed movies.

Family That Preys | Instant Family | The Lion King | The Greatest Showman | Annie | Daddy Day Care | Inside Out | Courageous

It’s the tense moments, the climaxes, and points of reconciliation that brings me to tears. But I am secure in those tears because I believe it is a way I relate to God’s heart, how he longs to see families and relationships reconciled and become restored.

It’s always amazing how usually the pivot comes when the focus shifts from what has been wrong and shifts to what is supposed to be.

Isaiah 61 speaks to the heart of God and Christ’s mission to restore what was lost.

Proclaiming “good news” and “freedom” point to the gospel message of salvation and liberty found in Jesus.

“Binding up the brokenhearted” envisions gently mending those who are crushed and torn by life’s afflictions.

“Release from darkness” paints a picture of freeing captives from dank prison cells into the light of God’s grace.

This reveals God’s compassionate heart for restoring what was lost, a heart and mind that we should have.

Series Recap

Everything affected by the fall is eligible for restoration

Everything begins with your relationship with God (The greatest commandment - Love God)

God looks to restore our heavenly perspective/focus, and part of that is remembering the commandment that is like the first according to Matthew 22 - Love People)

God’s heart is glad when we live in relationship as He purposed, because every relationship is an opportunity to draw closer to God.

If we honor those relationships, we will reap the benefits of those relationships.

Introduce Sermon title and Pray in

BOOK: Main Scripture - 1 Peter 4:8-11

1 Peter 4:8–11 (ESV)

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

LOOK: Sermon Core

The Relationships We Keep (And can reap)

Parent/Child Relationships

How They Look Vs. How They Should Look:

Children should be teachable, as wisdom passes down so they can learn and exceed.

Parents should raise their children well and not look to bring them to frustration.

Marital Relationships

How They Look Vs. How They Should Look:

Have someone to build with (Legacy and Each other)

Have someone to fight with (Two 10,000)

Have someone to reflect Christ’s union with the Church (Hosea and Gomer)

Friend/Acquaintance Relationships

How They Look Vs. How They Should Look:

Similar to portions of the look of parent/child and marital relationships

Relationships Can Draw Us Closer To God

Relationship is not a man made concept. God created and purposed us for relationship with Himself and others. So why do we often do it in our own strength?

doing it on our own, we can mend, but we will always focus on and know where the cracks are

when we allow God to do it, you will not be able to see or notice the things that kept you embittered

God can cover a multitude of sins

1 Peter 4:8-11 Review

Whatever God uses to bring closer to purpose, the enemy can use as well to distract us purpose.

God uses all things for the good of those who are called by His name

Perfection is not the target, good is good enough...

Love of Christ restored Peter's friendship

If God can reconcile us back to himself through Jesus, surely he can reconcile two hearts, broken hearts, broken lives, broken relationships

TOOK: Close

Closing Point - Focus on Loving Like Jesus

What we live to do is reflect Jesus to the world. Not just talk the things of Jesus, but do what He would do

Even Jesus on the cross said "father forgive them while being crucified"

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Ask God to condition our hearts and minds to see people through Jesus’ eyes and to love them with His sacrificial love that compelled Him to the cross.

God loves to see things get put back together, especially relationships (Luke 4:18 - God sent Jesus to seek and save)

Reference 1 Peter 4:8