Pomona Church of Christ

Focus

Introduction:
1. Satan challenges every Christian.
2. It is important that we keep our focus of who we are, where we are going, and how we are going to get there.
3. Using the word focus let us see what we can do to make sure that we keep our focus.

I. Fix your eyes on things above.
A. Satan’s call. Distract you from what you are doing (Mt. 14:28f.).
B. God’s challenge (Col. 3:1f.). Keep your eyes on the Lord (Eph. 5:1). Don’t let up (Titus 1:9; Jn; 15:4; 1 Jn. 3:9).

II. Occupy yourself with the Lord’s work.
A. Satan’s call. He whispers to man that he is either busy or does not need to be busy.
B. God’s challenge: Come, take (Mt. 11:28). So God has called me to (1 Tim. 6:11; Jude 21).

III. Condition your heart.
A. Satan’s call. It does not matter.
B. God’s challenge-open your heart.
   1. The heart is important (Mt. 12:34, 35). It is the place of intellect, sensibility, will, reason, beliefs, etc.
   2. Our hearts should be soft and pliable (Acts 16:14; 2 Kings 22:19; Eph. 4:32).
   3. Remember the parable of the sower.
   4. Obey (Eph. 6:6; Rom. 6:17).

IV. Understand your not alone.
A. Satan’s call-divide and conquer. Alone, discouraged (i.e. Elijah 1 Kings 19).
B. God’s challenge. You are not alone.
   1. Presence of people (2 Cor. 7:6; 1 Thes. 5:11).
   2. The presence of the Lord (Jn. 12:28f.; 2 Tim. 4:17; Mt. 28:20).

V. Stand your ground.
A. Satan’s call. Give ground, there are no absolutes, stand for nothing, remove yourself from any and all controversy. Compromise becomes the motto.
B. God’s challenge.
   1. Be people of courage.
   2. Be people of conviction and commitment (1 Cor. 16:13).

Entered on 2/8/2009

Email Us!