7 Distractions To Avoid From Your Focus - Outline

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Here is our teaching outline for SUNDAY NITE LIVE.  Join us at 6 PM (EST).

Philippians 4:1 AMP

“Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown (wreath of victory), thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Philippians 4:6 AMP

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”

Philippians 4:7 TLB

“If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:8 AMP

“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”

Genesis 3:1-3

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”

Genesis 3:4-6

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Acts 3:2-4 AMP

“[When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple. 3 So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift.  4 And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us!”

Proverbs 4:25-26 AMP

“Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.  Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.”

Proverbs 4:27 NLT

“Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

Numbers 23:19 AMP

“God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?”

Matthew 14:28-31 NLT

“Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Several observations about Peter’s water walking experience.

First, the scripture says “…Peter went over to the side of the boat.”

Second, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. 

Third, but when Peter allowed the circumstances to distract his focus from Jesus he began to sink.

Fourth, when we allow distractions to break our focus. . .we become terrified.

Seven things that happen when we become distracted and our focus broken.

First, we fall to victim to our circumstances instead of being victorious over them.

Isaiah 41:10 MSG

“Don't panic. I'm with you.  There's no need to fear for I'm your God.  I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."

Second, we will be double-minded when we lose our focus.

James 1:8-9 AMP

“[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].”

Third, we will feel intimidated and insecure when our focus on God is broken.

Philippians 1:28 AMP

“And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.”

Fourth, confusion and chaos will enter our lives when become distracted.

Romans 16:17 AMP

“I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties and cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them.”

Fifth, without our focus. . .we will become unstable.

James 4:8 AMP

“Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].”

Sixth, we will never experience lasting success if we are unable to remain focused.

1 Peter 5:8 AMP

“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.”

Seventh, without focus. . .we will live a life filled with fear and doubt.

Mark 11:23 AMP

“Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.”

Mark 9:23 NLT

“`What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.’”

Seven principles to keep you focused on your future.

First, focus requires a reference point.

Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG

“We’d better get on with it. . .keep your eyes on Jesus. . .Study how he did it.  Because he never lost sight of where he was headed.”  

Second, focus requires effort

Focus requires a conscious mental decision to do whatever is necessary.

Third, focus should be taught and modeled early.

Fourth, focus must be filtered through priorities.

Fifth, focus can be strengthened.

Proverbs 13:20 NLT

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”

Sixth, God is focused. . .should we be any less?

Luke 2:49 AMP

“And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father’s house and [occupied] about My Father’s business?”

Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Seventh, focus will produce the faith we need to accomplish our goals and dreams.

Luke 17:5-6 TLB

“One day the apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it.”  “If your faith were only the size of a mustard seed,” Jesus answered, “it would be large enough to uproot that mulberry tree over there and send it hurtling into the sea! Your command would bring immediate results!”

Romans 10:17

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

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