The Focused Life

2002001

Topic # 1117 (commitment)

Introduction:

A.    Jhn. 17 – longest prayer of Jesus – called High Priestly prayer.

1.     Not prayed in easy days of his life – just b/f His death.

a)     about to be crucified for our sins.  Burden!

b)    What was it that made Jesus who He was?  I think here he relates to us the “keys to His life.”

c)     These are to become the “keys to our life.”

2.     Here we note the relationship of Jesus w/His Father – and see a picture of the relationship we are to have with Jesus.

a)     This is expressed to us by the little word “as.”

B.    This is seen in:

1.     17:1-2 – Here Jesus relates the truth about Himself & the Father.  “as” helps us to understand this truth is the same about us.

a)     we have the same life in us as Christ has in Him.  It is through Him we have eternal life.

2.     17:11 – “as we are one.”  Here we have picture of the relationship b/t Jesus & the Father.  We can have the same relationship.

a)     Remember:  as He is to the Father – so we are to Jesus.

3.     17:14 – we experience the same hostility toward us as Jesus had toward Him.

4.     17:18 – We have the same mission as Christ – seek/save the lost.

5.     17:21 – we have same unity that Jesus had w/the Father.

6.     17:22 – we have the same glory that Jesus has.

7.     17:23 – we have the same love that Jesus has.

C.   What’s the point?  What can we learn from “as?”

1.     If we will be to Jesus what Jesus is to the Father, then Jesus will be to us – what the Father is to Him.

2.     Watch how Jesus related to the Father.  How the Father related to Him.

a)     that’s how Jesus wants to relate to you!  If you will relate to Him as He related to His father.

3.     We must remember that God is our Father - & cares for us! Throughout our life we must work to build this type of a relationship w/God!

D.   To have this kind of relationship with God requires focus.

1.     How many of us feel like we live focused lives?

E.     Maybe you’ve wondered: what is our purpose to life? Why are we here?  Where am I headed?

1.     Christian should be able to find answers to all these questions.

2.     Comes through living a focused life.

I.  Jesus lived a focused life.

A.    What made life of Jesus so dynamic?

1.     b/c He lived a life that absolutely focused.

a)     knew exactly God’s plan for Him & centered His life around that plan!

2.     Scriptures demonstrate His focus:

a)     Lk. 2:49 – 12 yrs old & about His Father’s business.

b)    Jhn. 4:34 – NOTHING would destroy His focus.  Knew He was born to die…pay penalty for sin.  Do work God called Him to do.

c)     Jhn. 9:4 – work while it is day.

d)    Heb. 10:7 – prophecy:  to do the will of God.

e)    Mt. 10:45 – gave His life for many…

3.     He lived EVERYDAY w/that vision or focus in mind.

B.    God has a purpose for us in this life & we must let that b/c the focus of our life.

1.     one purpose is to serve Him faithfully.  We are Christians first in EVERYTHING.

a)     job/home/everywhere!

b)    YOU are God’s representative; an ambassador for Christ!

2.     Psa. 139:1-6; 13-14 – God has a purpose for your life.  He knows all about us!

a)     He’s looking for ways to give your life meaning and instill in you a sense of purpose!

b)    He has something important for you!

3.     When you come to grip w/this plan – it will change your life!  Will give you direction!

a)     don’t float around aimlessly

b)    take time; sort things out – find out what it is.  See Psa. 37:5; 16:3

C.   Back to Jesus

1.     He never lost sight of his purpose.

a)     even w/same challenges as we have – Heb. 4:15; 2:18

b)    Mt. 4 – devil promised Him everything.  He refused!

c)     He overcame b/c 1st priority in life was fulfilling mission given him by God!

II.  Why is it important to live a focused life?

A.    If you are focused – nothing can DISTRACT you.

1.     Jhn. 17 – the hour has come.  Other places Jesus said My hour has not yet come. 

a)     the “hour” referred to His death.  Next day – He would die!

2.     Earlier part in life He said my hour has not yet come.  2:3-4

a)     Meaning here:  My purpose now is not to turn water to wine – my purpose is the cross!

b)    Purpose not to work miracles – but to save souls.  NOTHING would distract Him.

3.     easy to get distracted!

4.     But,…live a focused life – nothing can distract us.  Stay focused on God’s plan for your life!

B.    If you are focused – nothing can DESTROY you.

1.     Jhn. 7:30; 8:20 – his hour had not yet come.

a)     not afraid – it wasn’t His time to die.

b)    There’s a principle here –but be careful not to take too far.  Don’t do something stupid….

2.     We must understand that God will protect us.

a)     Been said, God’s man in the center of His will is immortal until God is finished with Him.

1)     need to make sure our purpose is at the center of His will.

b)    whole point:  Our life is in God’s hand.  He will protect us.

C.   If you are focused – nothing can DISCOURAGE you.

1.     Jhn. 12:27 – w/this purpose I can to this hour….

a)     just b/f Gethsemane.  Struggling; inner suffering/grief; torture.

b)    What shall I say?  He understood it was for this purpose He had come….

2.     Pt?  Focused life? Nothing can discourage you.

a)     exp discouragement?  Turn it to an opportunity.  How?

b)    Use it to sharpen the focus on your goal/mission

3.     The focused person can experience trouble/anguish/or adversity – BUT NEVER lose sight of His goal!

4.     Let adversity help you make coarse adjustments.

D.   If you are focused – nothing can DISAPPOINT you.

1.     Jhn. 16:32 – hour had come when he would be left alone.

a)     no one w/Him at cross except mother & 1 disciple.

b)    Entire earthly ministry spent investing in these men – yet none of them there but one….discouraging.

2.     Jesus:  That’s OK – My father will be w/me.

a)     knew he not here to gain popularity; that they didn’t fully understand.

b)    He here to fulfill God’s plan.

E.     If you are focused – nothing can DEFEAT you.

1.     Jhn. 17:1 – his hour had come.  Die tomorrow.  Glorified God in this.

a)     most in world would view death as an end.

b)    Satan happy; Son of God about to be killed.

2.     His death just a beginning!  He wasn’t defeated!  He overcame!

a)     1 Cor 15:54-57 – VICTORY – through Jesus!

3.     Live a focused life – nothing can defeat you – not even the devil!

Conclusion:

A.    Know what God wants you to do.  You can have a sense of direction in this life.

1.     as our life ends wouldn’t be great for someone to say “He finished the work God gave him to do.”

B.     2 Tim. 4:6-8 – Paul – triumphant way to end life.  We can do the same!

C.    Someone: all this is great…but sometimes I feel

1.     distracted; destroyed; discouraged; disappointed; and defeated.

2.     If these happen – we’ve lost our focus!

D.    Pray for help to remain focused on your goals in life.

E.     My prayer for you today – know God in such a way that you will realize His purpose for your life!

F.     I N V I T A T I O N