We enjoyed praise and worship and then our Assistant (Youth) Pastor (AP) preached a good sermon titled ‘Distractions’. AP noted that he ha always loved video gaming and was on a serious PG team a few years ago although he never earned money through gaming. AP was called into the ministry to serve God. He was not called to professional gaming.
After sharing a side screen of Mario Brothers (with the accompanying background sounds), AP pointed out that gaming for him, and the side screen that was on, are distractions. The enemy knows how to distract us. We need to be diligent in recognizing our own distractions before they become a problem.
AP shared the parable of the sower and the seeds from Mark 4:1-8. He again noted that the enemy has those obstacles and distractions ready that can side-track believers.
How do we navigate through the distractions? When any item takes president over spiritual growth there is trouble.
The world tells us it is normal. The enemy makes you think it is fine and pull you away from studying the word. Time is limited and precious for each of us.
Why does the enemy distract us?
1. Satan, the enemy, distracts us to hinder our individual spiritual growth.
2. When we get distracted, we lose our God-given purpose.
3. Distractions inevitably cause us to stray from God.
It is distractions that lead us out of God's plans and move us out of His hands.
These are primary fields of distractions to be aware of.
A. Work. Why do we put such emphasis on a job if it is not promoting God? We need to put spiritual issues first.
B. Materialism. If we are intent on getting the next best thing, then we are focusing on the wrong goal.
C. Relationships. Relationships with those around us and in our lives are important but the most important relationship is our relationship with our Creator, God. Where is our focus?
D. Social Media. Records indicate that there are 4.2 billion cell phone users, and the tech platforms are working hard to reach every one of them. Compare the efforts of the tech companies to the Christian efforts to spread God’s word around the world. There are still 7000 unreached people groups in the world.
E. Religion. The rules of organized religions can be a distraction to a personal relationship. This is a point of personal Faith (belief and trust) versus systems of rules. The Bible even speaks to future where there is deceitful teaching. 1 Timothy 4.
The Christian Church is a body of believers working to share God's message.
F. Yourself. When we are focused inward, we may lose our focus on God.
How do we combat all of these distractions? It is crucial that we stay connected with God. Give yourself to God first. Make Him your primary focus. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.
Gather with other Christians and surround yourself with friends who will help you stay in the word and strengthen your relationship with God.
Don't let day to day distractions keep your focus off God. It isn’t necessarily easy but we must try each day to Focus on God.
I found several song videos I liked today. This is the one I choose for the message:
The More I Seek You
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
1 Timothy 4:13-16 (NIV)
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Lord, Please help me keep my focus on YOU!
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