STAY FOCUS
Text: Philippians 3:13,14
Chapter 4:1
INTRODUCTION:
[12]Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if
that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:1
[1]Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in
the Lord, my dearly beloved.
INTRODUCTION: Our context in Phil.3: 12 and Chap.4: 1, explains the proper attitude
Believers ought to have on the process of ''sanctification.''
V.12, This is the gradual, lifelong path of becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ.
V.13-15
"Our place in eternity is secure from the moment we trust in Christ, but it takes time to see
our actions and attitudes change to be like His."v.20
-Paul's life was transformed by meeting our Lord Jesus Christ, and the man who had led the
persecution of believers became the greatest missionary of the early church.
- He pointed out that he was not perfect, but encouraged believers to imitate his unique
Focus on the pursuit of Jesus.v.17
[17]Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for
an ensample.
-He also weeps for those who reject the Gospel, a choice that will result in their destruction.
V.18, 19
-Paul's new life was not an easy life. He faced opposition, persecution, and great hardship;
yet his service to God never wavered.
-The love God had showed toward him created an obligation on Paul's part to do the work to
which God had called him.
Now, we have three important things to Focus On.
I. Focus on Pleasing God.
Tumutok sa Pagpapalugod sa Diyos .
2 Timothy 2:4
[4]No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please
him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
A. If our motive for serving God is not right, it will not withstand the trials and hardships
of life.
Hebrews 12:2
[2]Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the
throne of God.
B. If we recognize that our lives are not about pleasing ourselves but about pleasing God,
it changes the way we look at both service and difficulty.
2 Corinthians 5:14
[14]For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all,
then were all dead:
II. Focus On What Lasts
Luke 10:39-42
[39]And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
[40]But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost
thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.
[41]And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled
about many things:
[42]But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken
away from her.
A. This truth should not lead us to be foolish, but to be even more committed to using the
time and talents God has given to us primarily on things that last.
B. “We only have one life to use in a way that will make an impact on eternity, and we
should not waste it.”
Psalms 27:4
[4]One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house
of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his
temple.
C. If we spend our lives on things that are eternal, we will not suffer the regret of wasting
them.
-Everything that we have can be taken away from us. Many people who were once rich
become poor. Many who were once healthy get sick. Many who had good relationships find
them broken. The notion that we are in control of our lives may be comforting, but it is false.
2 Corinthians 4:18
[18]While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for
the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
-Focusing on the eternal only happens when we make the Right Choice.
III. Focusing on What Matters Most
Pagtuon sa kung anong Pinakamahalaga.
A. Our Lord’s Second Coming.
Titus 2:13
[13]Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ;
-As children of God we should all be looking forward to the day when the Lord will return.
-We know that His coming could be at any moment, but the Scripture is also clear that no
one is able to set a date or a time for “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing”
B. Our Lord’s Great Commission.
-It is possible for us to become so focused on future prophetic events that we miss the tasks
that God has assigned for us today.
- Jesus told the disciples that instead of worrying about “the times or the seasons”
they should instead be witnesses for Him.
Acts 1:6-8
- There is no more important mission that we have been given than bringing lost
men and women to salvation in His name.
Conclusion:
1. Let’s Focus on Pleasing God,
-Our highest goal should be to honor and please God because of His Grace and Great Love
for us.
11. Let’s Focus On What Lasts
-It is easy for us to get swept up in the pressures and burdens of daily life, only to find that
we have spent most of our time and energy on temporal things that are not that important.
111. And Focusing on What Matters Most.
“When we win the lost, we are focused on what matters most.”
While we eagerly anticipate Christ’s return, we should be busy fulfilling His Great Commission.
