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The biggest Hindrance to Service: The Wrong Focus
Hebrews 12:1-4
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)
2. Enoch (Heb.
11:5)
3. Noah (Heb.
11:7)
4. Abraham (Heb.
11:8)
5. Moses (Heb.
11:23)
C. Focus determines outcome.
1. Jonah provides a classic example of the negative side of this principle
(Jonah 4:1-11).
2. Moses provides a classic example of the positive side of this principle
(Heb.
11:23-27).
II.
THE DANGERS OF HAVING THE WRONG FOCUS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
(Hebrews 12:3)
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 )
2- Rebellion against God sets in.
(1 Samuel 15:23 )
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).
§ Elijah’s problem with focus lead to a defeated outlook.
(1 Kings 19:9-10)
B. Assuming a role that does not belong to you (thinking you must control circumstances instead of relying on Christ).
(Hebrews 12:1).
§ Abraham & Sarah tried to control circumstances when Sarah gave her handmaid to Abraham for a wife.
(Genesis 16:2-5)
C. Refusing to deal with sin in the scriptural way.
(Hebrews 12:1).
§ Adam & Eve tried to pass the blame for their sin.
(Genesis 3:8-13)
D. Deciding that you are not going to persist in running the race Christ has for you.
(Hebrews 12:1).
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)
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 )
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 )
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)
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