The biggest Hindrance to Service: The Wrong Focus

The biggest Hindrance to Service: The Wrong Focus

Hebrews 12:1-4

Hebrews 12:1–4 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

ETS: Paul encourages the Hebrew believers to keep focused on Christ.

ESS: It is of vital importance that believers keep the proper focus in life.

OSS: Christians will repent of having an improper focus in their lives; and commit to refocusing on Christ.

PQ: What do the scriptures have to say about the issue of focus in the believer’s life?

UW: Questions

INTRODUCTION:

A- Video of mouse on wheel or Practical illustration on visual distortion

B- It is important that you and I maintain the proper focus in life.

I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE RIGHT FOCUS?

A. The scriptures instruct the believer to maintain the right focus.

1. The instruction given is to look away from the world or anything else that can distract and fix your gaze upon Christ (Αφορωντες·).

B. The scriptures give examples of people that we can copy.

(Heb. 11:3-32)

1. Abel (Heb. 11:4)

Hebrews 11:4 NLT

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

2. Enoch (Heb. 11:5)

Hebrews 11:5 NLT

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.

3. Noah (Heb. 11:7)

Hebrews 11:7 NLT

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

4. Abraham (Heb. 11:8)

Hebrews 11:8 NLT

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.

5. Moses (Heb. 11:23)

Hebrews 11:23 NLT

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

C. Focus determines outcome.

1. Jonah provides a classic example of the negative side of this principle

(Jonah 4:1-11).

Jonah 4:1–11 NLT

1 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” 4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” 5 Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. 8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed. 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” 10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

2. Moses provides a classic example of the positive side of this principle

(Heb. 11:23-27).

Hebrews 11:23–27 NLT

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. 24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

II. THE DANGERS OF HAVING THE WRONG FOCUS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. (Hebrews 12:3)

Hebrews 12:3 NLT

3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

A. Having the wrong focus will result in weariness.

1. Weariness from drawing on the wrong source of strength.

a. κάμνω = to grow weary, be weary

1) Physically weary

2) Mentally weary

3) Spiritually weary

B. Having the wrong focus will result in a defeated attitude.

1- εκλύω = to despond, become faint hearted

a) Defeated because of negative outlook

b) Defeated because of personal weariness

C. Having the wrong focus will result in falling into sin and its consequences.

1- Resentment builds up toward God and other people.

(Hebrews 12:15 )

Hebrews 12:15 NLT

15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

2- Rebellion against God sets in.

(1 Samuel 15:23 )

1 Samuel 15:23 NLT

23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

III. WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF DEVELOPING A WRONG FOCUS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

A. Making people the focus instead of Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Hebrews 12:1–2 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

§ Elijah’s problem with focus lead to a defeated outlook.

(1 Kings 19:9-10)

1 Kings 19:9–10 NLT

9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

B. Assuming a role that does not belong to you (thinking you must control circumstances instead of relying on Christ). (Hebrews 12:1).

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

§ Abraham & Sarah tried to control circumstances when Sarah gave her handmaid to Abraham for a wife.

(Genesis 16:2-5)

Genesis 16:2–5 NLT

2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) 4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!”

C. Refusing to deal with sin in the scriptural way. (Hebrews 12:1).

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

§ Adam & Eve tried to pass the blame for their sin.

(Genesis 3:8-13)

Genesis 3:8–13 NLT

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

D. Deciding that you are not going to persist in running the race Christ has for you. (Hebrews 12:1).

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

1. Have you ever met a “Uster”?

o “I uster be active in church.”

o “I uster be a Sunday School Teacher”

o “I uster be a Deacon”

o “I uster be a preacher”

2. Has there ever been a time when you were closer to the Lord than you are now?

IV- THE WAY TO DEVELOPE THE RIGHT FOCUS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Hebrews 12:1–4 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

A. Glance at people, but focus on Christ.

1- ἀφοράω = to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.

B. Make a careful comparison of your life with that of Jesus.

1- “Consider Him” = ἀναλογίζομαι = to think over, consider, ponder, make a close comparison of.

a. Make a close comparison of your life to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

b. Nothing I experience comes close to what He endured.

C. Release the weights and worries of life to Jesus.

1- “Weight” = ὄγκος = whatever is prominent, protuberance, bulk, mass, hence a burden, weight, encumberance.

2- “the sin” = ἁμαρτία = that which is done wrong, sin, offence, a violation of divine law.

3- “encumbers” = εὐπερίστατος = to skillfully surround, to entrap (besetting).

D. Deal with sin through repentance and confession.

(1 John 1:9 )

1 John 1:9 NLT

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

E. Remind yourself of the reality of the finish line and the goal.

F. Commit to persistently run the race until you cross the finish line.

(Philippians 3:13-14 )

Philippians 3:13–14 NLT

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

CONCLUSION:

Preached at:

East Conneaut Baptist Church 8/6/06 AM

Geneva Baptist Church 1/21/07 AM

FBC, Newton Falls 1/27/07

First Spanish Baptist Church 9/9/2007 AM

Grace Baptist Church 9/23/2007

Margaret Wynn Memorial Baptist Church 11/26/2007 (AM)