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Welcome back to our series 2020 Vision
We want you to have a vision for your life heading into this new year and decade.
The first week, we talked about how you need a mission (what) and a vision (how)
and that you need to write it down.
In the second week, we looked at Jesus’ mission and vision that he saw it everywhere.
Last week, Pr. Chris told us that our vision will die. But if it is a vision from God,
He can resurrect our vision.
Today, I want to talk about Focus
FOCUS
Can you have a vision without focus? Yes.
But without focus, vision isn’t very useful.
What do you focus on?
Sometimes we know what we would like to be focused on,
but that’s not really what we are focused on.
It is hard to focus on several things.
Focus is very important.
You can have a vision, but what you focus on is where your life will really go.
WE HAVE TO FOCUS
Keep your eye on the ball.
We get better at what we focus on.
Sometimes we focus on the wrong things.
DISTRACTION
Anything that takes your attention away from your focus is a distraction
Distraction can be dangerous. Example: distracted driving
Parable of the sower – Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8 Explanation
LUKE 8:11 (NIV) “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
LUKE 8:12 (NIV) Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
LUKE 8:13 (NIV) Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
LUKE 8:14 (NIV) The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
The enemy wants to distract you from your focus
The enemy wants to kill your vision, steal your focus, and destroy your mission
Jesus tells us where to focus
MATTHEW 6:31 (NIV) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
MATTHEW 6:33 (NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
WE HAVE TO FOCUS –It is up to us.
HABAKKUK 2:2 (NIV) Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that whoever reads it may run with it.”
Run with it.
Run the race with endurance.
You have to be focused when you run.
Run, and if you slow down, you’re still moving toward your vision.
One person who kept their focus was Job. – Recap story of Job
JOB 19:23 (NIV) “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll,
JOB 19:24 (NIV) that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! (“Make it plain”)
JOB 19:25 (NIV) I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
JOB 19:26 (NIV) And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
JOB 19:27 (NIV) I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.
We need to keep focused like Job.
LENS
Sometimes we need help to focus.
Eyeglasses.
Coaches.
Sometimes we need several lenses.
Bible, prayer, fellowship, church
The Holy Spirit is our coach.