Focus Worth Finding

Focus Worth Finding Titus 2:6-8

I was very influenced by other pastors in forming this message, some I know, some I don’t.

Luis Palau tells of a woman in Peru whose life was radically transformed by the power of Christ. Rosario was her name. She was a terrorist, a brute of a woman who was an expert in several martial arts. In her terrorist activities she had killed twelve policemen. When Luis conducted a crusade in Lima, she learned of it and, being incensed at the message of the gospel, made her way to the stadium to kill Luis. Inside the stadium, as she contemplated how to get to him, she began to listen to the message he preached on hell. She fell under conviction for her sins and embraced Christ as her Savior. Ten years later, Luis met this convert for the first time. She had by then assisted in the planting of five churches; was a vibrant, active witness and worker in the church; and had founded an orphanage that houses over one thousand children.

Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 81.

Preach! Our faith, should produce something within us.

Olympic atheletes when training give all their focus to every single point of their life, to win. To best their opponents and themselves. For the gold. We, have a call a command to Focus on Christ, and see His works in our life.

Good works are not the root of faith, but they are its fruit. Consulting With Jesus, Volume 48, Sermon #2778 -1 Kings 10:1-3

Charles Spurgeon

Titus 2:6–8 “ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

Pattern: typon: type, pattern. model of behavior as an example to be imitated or to be avoided -

Galatians 5:16–18 “ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Paul commands us to this focus in Ephesians 5:17–21 “ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 (described as:) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

These are commands that Paul is giving by the Holy Spirit. Even just in the language its In the present imperative. And its obvious that obedience is expected. We should never be drunk. Dissipation is asotia - where we get Sot from for debacuhed person. Someone given over to their sin

The command is to be opposite. Not pray about it, but obey it. Do it. Focus not on yourself, but God.

This can only be done by letting God fill your mind continually. Always be renewing your mind.

Are you focusing on God? So much so that they would say (turn to) Isaiah 33:14 “ The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (most not authentic because cant take walking in spirit. Hold finger Isaiah 33, turn to 2Pet) Hebrews 12:29 “ For our God is a consuming fire.” (from Deut 4:24)

2 Peter 1:8–9 “ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, (self-induced) and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

Why obey? Well, you can. Because you have a new nature, Isaiah 33:15–17 “ He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: (the benefits of 6 things) 16 He will dwell on high; (endless delights) His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; (true security) Bread (satisfied longing) will be given him, His water will be sure. (unending refreshment) 17 Your eyes will see the King (Greatest attraction) in His beauty; They will see the land (Heavenward vision) that is very far off.”

Hebrews 11:3 “ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

: Understand: noeō: perceive. You perceive it by the spirit. You may not understand but by your faith, you see it. 

So walking in the Spirit is impossible for unrepentant person (saved or no) to do in the flesh. But repenting, committing and seeking to obey, will make diff in your life. When you are able to perceive these things, it will be because you’re looking at the right thing.

Who sees it? Slide 8 Isaiah 33:15 “ He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:”