21CATM1: How to Overcome Distractions.

SERIES SETUP

Matt 13:34

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.

Paul also quoted

Acts 17:28

“for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.'”

“The first part of verse 28 comes from Cretica by Epimenides, and the second part of the verse from Hymn to Zeus, written by the Cilician poet Aratus. To be sure, both of these lines were directed at Zeus in Greek literature, but Paul applied them to the Creator of whom he spoke.

1 Cor. 15:33

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

“a current saying, forming a verse in MENANDER, the comic poet, who probably took it from Euripides

Titus 1:12

One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

Jesus and Paul used stories and secular poets to teach bibllical truths. So are we

Promo chrismtas Story.

PROBLEM

Movie for today is home alone.

[MOVIE TRAILER]

Maybe inspired by the Bible

Luke 2:41-45

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

Home alone the Prequel

Keven and Jesus not in same category

But we do have a lot to learn from home alone.

[MOVIE CLIP] : Dinner Scene

we allow people and circumstances to distract us.

We’ve all had a buzz in our lives. torments us for no reason.

[comedy]

Luke 14:12 “Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives...”

misguided hopes can defign our lives

Follow your heart. (bad advise)

Jer 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Our heart has an issue. it will lead us to distractions.

Then we begin to make wishes out of reaction of the circumstances.

[MOVIE CLIP] Kevin wishes his family would disappear.

Parenting class

We all feel frustrated with family (anger and dispair)

we begin to hope for the wrong things. (don’t want/need my family. )

[state problem}

Our hopes are based upon reaction and distraction.

may satisfy for a moment but they are misguided.

Kevin’s misguided hopes are the plot to the story.

make sure that the right people are around you.

In Bethlehem on the first Christmas the people that were supposed to be there were missing.

SOLUTION

Luke 2:7

...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Inn = guest room

why was the family missing? (offenses, embarrassment

The religions leaders were missing. they should have been waiting

Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem... though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.”

All religious leaders knew this prophesy.

they should have been watching Bethlehem

Bethlehem is only 5 miles away. (few hours walk)

the biggest tool of the enemy

One of the biggest tool the enemy uses is distraction.

[state the solution]

The enemy will use good things to distract us from right things.

attacking head on is not as good as flanked by distraction.

truth is good but loving each other is right.

generosity is good but Jesus is what christmas is all about

Matt 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

make sure to keep the priority Jesus in Christmas

we are good at following distractions.

if we are chrsitians we have the Holy spirit to guide us.

There is a moment of bliss if we follow our distractions but they come with a cost.

[MOVIE CLIP]: kevin is sad

kevin gets lonely - miss family.

many are lonely because of pride.

someone we should call?

church today could be a reminder

easy to distracted by the good gifts god has given us.

Luke 2:14 (NLT)

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

[MOVIE CLIP] happy ending

CHALLENGE

Ending Song: Oh come all ye faithful