A Life of Focus

Introduction:

IL: At the 2004 Games, Matt Emmons competed in the three-position event, in which participants shoot from their stomachs, knees, and feet at a target fifty metres away. Going into his final shot, Emmons was in first place and needed only a mediocre score for gold. Instead, he shot at the wrong target, one lane over, and got no score at all. He finished eighth.

When it comes to us, knowing our bullseye matters all the more. Imagine spending your life without a purpose or a focus. When we drift along with the currents of life, we really live a life without purpose. Our focus becomes staying afloat rather then reaching a destination.

People need focus. Churches also need focus.

Today I’m going to spend some time talking about the direction of the church. But at the same time, these principles apply equally to you and me as individuals.

Outline:

Beliefs

Actions

Actions

Belief

1. Focus on the Essentials of the Faith (1-5)

1 Timothy 4:1–5 NIV

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Paul speaks about Ephesus several times in regard to their teaching.

Paul speaks about Ephesus several times in regard to their teaching.

Revelation 2:2 NIV

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

abandoned: they have renounced the truths.

2 Timothy 3:13 NIV

while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

they got there in stages

They teach what is false

they began to believe that they were still in the truth

they brought others along in their lies.

Their own conscience are burned to the point of insensibility

The issue seems to be that they declared bad things which God declares good.

So, how do we find our focus?

Look to Scripture:

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 22:36–40 NIV

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matt 22:36

MAtt 22:

Matthew 22:37–39 NIV

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37–38 NIV

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

Focus:

1. Whom Will We Reach?

2. How Will We Do It?

Whom will we reach? It seems to me that there are vast opportunities in Mankato and our surrounding towns.

85% of Mankato has no affiliation with a local church.

At first glance, the presence of our colleges and universities is a ripe target. But college ministry is extremely challenging for a small church to do effectively. David Jenkins says that before engaging in a ministry to college students you’ll need to be at 1,000 in size.

I’m not saying that we should not minister to college students. But I am saying that it should not be our primary focus…yet.

The “Whom” that seems to fit our congregational strengths, the people that we are attracting, and the group that our people seem to be drawn to are Families, especially those with kids.

We are a multi-generational church.

International families,

Military families,

Every Generation Matters to God.

Psalm 145:4 NIV

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

2. Train Hard for Obedience (6-10)

1 Timothy 4:6–10 NIV

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Nourished

Train like an athlete

Labor

Strive

Hope

We get good at the things we practice well.

When we know our purpose it makes the practice worthwhile.

3. Set an Example in your conduct (11-12)

1 Timothy 4:11–12 NIV

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Set an Example in...

Set an Example in...

Speech

Conduct

Love

Faith

Purity

Ephesians 4:1–6 NIV

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Eph 4:1-6

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

In conduct:

If you’ve been here for a long time, it falls on you to set an example to those who haven’t been here long on how and why we serve. What is our call?

4. Serve Others with Your Gifts (13-14)

1 Timothy 4:13–14 NIV

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

1 Tim 4

Devote to Scripture

Preaching

Teaching

What is your gift? What do you contribute to the Church and our mission?

You are needed to help us achieve together what we cannot achieve alone.

Conclusion (15-16)

1 Timothy 4:15–16 NIV

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Our mission is given by Jesus Christ: to make disciples

Pray with me about our focus. Just as Paul was called to reach the Gentiles, we are called to reach a people.

That is the question before us.

If we try to be all things to all people, we will diminish our effectiveness.

If we strive to reach some, we will have greater success.

Pray with me about this

Have conversations with one another

Share your thoughts and ideas with me and the leadership board