Sermon on (Distrations)

Distractions

What is your distraction??? The enemy uses distractions as method to take our eyes off of Jesus. When we become distracted we become separated from Jesus plan for our lives. The enemy wants to make us ineffective for the gospel. The same way we have to pay attention to road signs when driving on the freeway to ensure we exit at the right place.  A definition of distraction is drawing away, or diverting attention away. Distracting believers from the truth, from following Christ agenda for your life. Paul warned the brethren at Rome against some who would “by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18) and lead them astray; he also warned the elders at Ephesus of some who would come from among them and “draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30). In each of these cases, there is a distraction, or drawing away, of men from the truth and into error.

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to    

    Jesus.

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,[a] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out,

     saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why

    did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)

The devil is a pro at hindering brothers and sisters from the work God has called them to. Distractions appears almost from the moment we awaken in the morning, until we go to bed at night. The enemy knows he can’t affect your salvation but he wants to hinder you from being apart of the great commission.

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

The best way to prevent distractions from having authority over our lives is to Seek God first and move closer to our ultimate goal of total surrender to Christ.  Peter endeavored to do this when step out of the boat and walking toward Jesus, however a distraction took his eyes off of Christ and Peter began to sink. A disciple was someone who had chosen to be with his rabbi as much as possible in order to learn everything he could from him so he could one day be like him. In ancient times, disciples tried to be around the rabbi everywhere not just during formal teaching times.

Paul refused to allow distracted to stoop him from completed the race, though Paul was stoned, shipped wrecked, and in prisoned.  Paul was convinced that nothing was more important than preaching Jesus.

There are many types of distractions that the enemy uses to redirect our attention.

1.     Money: It can become our god

²⁴“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money (Matthew 6: 24).

³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 1. Job: ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”  ⁴¹ And Jesus  answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-41) 

2.     Electronic media: Internet, TV, movies, music, video games, newspapers, magazine all can become distractions

3. Family:  For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law ³⁶ and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.( Matthew 10:^A35-36)

4. Ministry: Yes you heard me correctly when you get so caught up in doing what you feel God has called you to, and you forget its not your ministry but God’s and that he does not need you but allows you to be apart of it. Our very best is filthy rags.

What are the distractions in your life??? What have you allowed to become your gods? Ours is a jealous God and He will not share his glory with anyone. Do not let distraction blind you to the fact we need God and we need to be about our Father’s will while it is dark