The Giant of Distraction

The Giant of Distraction

In 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 6 seconds, Tyler Pence crossed the finish line to become the first U.S. runner since 2001 to win the TBK Bank Quad Series Marathon in Moline, Ill, along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Pence, the head track and cross-country coach at the University of Illinois-Springfield, logged his fastest ever with the win and took home the first-place prize of $3,000.00

Pence’sPence’s win came after Elijah Mwangang Saolo and Luke Kibbet diverted from the course a little more than halfway through the course when they were diverted off course by a volunteer bicyclist. Reportedly they had gone straight when they should have turned.

The director confirmed that they were led off course but that they had been shown the correct path, and the path was well marked. Therefore, although they were led astray, they were responsible.

Have you ever spoken with someone that was distracted?

We all have experienced this frustrating scenario. Sometimes I find myself distracted, and it may be a distraction of a more pressing matter, an oddity, or the many burdens of life. I usually don’t intend for this to happen, but it happens.

This can be offensive, annoying, or even dangerous in the proper context.

I DESIRE TO BE HEARD when I have something to say, and I know you do too.

We all become distracted.

We are distracted from our priorities.

We are distracted from our children.

We are distracted from our spouses.

We are distracted from our responsibilities.

All of these avenues can become disastrous.

As a young college student, I would often become distracted by my social life, games, sports, and work and often neglect my studies. As a result, there were many all-nighters cramming for a test or writing a report.

However, the distractions with the most significant consequences are found with spiritual matters.

Have you become distracted with the Bible, prayer, or devotions with your children?

As a church, have we become distracted with programs, history, traditions, or empty pews?

This morning I desire to focus upon the church but know that these same principles can apply to all aspects of our lives.

Matthew 28:18–20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in the earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Great Commission is the command given to the church to reproduce while granting the power necessary to perform the task.

The word commission has a double meaning. First, it is a command. Second, it’s a grant of authority.

Jesus said that all power was given to Him, and then He said, “Go ye.”

Armuchee Baptist Church was founded in 1838, following the revival of 1827. As the revival fire continued to spread, this church sprung forth. Like the apostle Paul, Jesse New was led by the Spirit in His church planting endeavor.

There is little doubt that this church was planted to spread the gospel to this community. Following the civil war, the church ran over 200 and grew continually. However, as other churches began to spring up, Armuchee began to dwindle.

Since that time, Armuchee Baptist has had its moments of growth and decline but, to my knowledge, has never reproduced.

The great commission is a call to go, teach, and grow.

The command is also to teach all nations.

To the early church, this was a clear message. Teach both Jewish and Gentile nations. We could also view it from this perspective, reach your people, and reach others.

I ask why we failed to complete or follow through with the Great Commission this morning.

If I had to wager, this failure has not been due to a lack of knowledge, and it certainly hasn’t been due to a lack of power.

I believe that it has been due to distractions.

First the civil war, then the loss of the enslaved people, the reconstruction years, the great depression, two world wars, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf war, Y2K, the great recession, and Covid.

Satan has provided all the distractions we will ever need and will continue to do so.

Armuchee Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Georgia Baptist Convention, and the Floyd County Baptist Association. We do so because partnerships with these entities allow us to partner in church planting and mission endeavors.

This morning I rejoice that we have been a part of a ministry that we have not seen.

However, you desire to do more than be a part of a hidden ministry if you are like me. I hope to see the power of God at work and evident in my church.

What must change is our focus.

Although this seems like a simple task, remaining steadfast in the application is more complicated than it looks.

So what are the principles needed to stay focused?

1. Know your duty

This may seem simple, but staying focused without this knowledge will be impossible.

What is our role in the great commission?

A. We are to grow

We are to grow in our spiritual maturity to be equipped for discipleship.

B. We are to give.

2 Corinthians 9:7–8

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God can make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

We are to give of ourselves

We are to give financially.

The church history states that all members were required to give. In the event that one could not give, the church would assist until they were blessed with the joy of giving.

C. We are to go

We must be personally involved in spreading the gospel

2. Know your Distraction.

Acts 13:7–10

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

We must recognize that distractions to the great commission are of hell, and we must root them out and remove them from our lives.

Anything standing between us and obedience to God is sin. It doesn’t matter what that thing is.

Maybe the distraction is sin itself. In that case, we should ask God for victory over sin in our lives.

3. Know How to determine our priorities.

We should become aware of our actions.

Sometimes we need a wake-up call. Something that will jar us out of our hypnotic trance of the mundane.

How often do we expel all of our time and energy on things that do not matter?

Are our ministries and efforts furthering the kingdom of God?

4. Know how to defeat the Giant.

A. Prayer

We must be people of prayer.

B. God’s Word

The more we read and meditate upon God’s Word, the less likely we will be distracted.

Reliance upon the Bible will remove faulty focus.

C. Christ-like compassion

When we have a love of God, we will be inclined to the Great Commission.