Refocus on Jesus, the Only Thing That Matters
- Summary: Life in our day can be complex, fast-paced, and stressful. It’s easy to lose sight of the relatively few things that really matter. If we keep Jesus Christ as our one central focus from day to day, all the rest will fall nicely into place.
Hebrews 12:2-3
- •• Fix your eyes on Jesus [KJV: looking unto Jesus]. Consciously, deliberately focus on Him often throughout the day.
•• In my opinion, that is the best key to simplifying our lives. Jobs, daily schedules, appointments, etc., are important. But they will be accomplished better if we maintain a continual awareness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in all that we do.
•• “Consider Him,” the Bible says. “Seven times a day do I praise thee,” wrote the Psalmist (119:164, KJV). This speaks of an ongoing sense of relationship with God throughout the day. As we “consider” Jesus during our daily activities, His presence, love, and care for our lives will bless each of our activities.
- •• The Scriptures of the Bible speak of Jesus. He Himself said, “[they] testify about me.” And keep in mind that only the Scriptures of the Old Testament existed at the time Jesus said this.
- • Read the entire Bible, the Old Testament as well as the New, to find Jesus and life in Him. From Genesis to Revelation you will find rich descriptions of Jesus — some prophetic and forward-looking (often in the Old Testament, as well as in the New), some contemporary with His life on earth, and some looking back historically.
- •• I personally experienced salvation in Jesus Christ in 1969. I had been reading the New Testament night after night in my room at McChord Air Force Base. The Scriptures about Jesus began to penetrate my innermost thoughts, and one night I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to save me. And He did! It was the Bible, the Word of God Almighty, that had revealed Jesus the Savior to me.
- •• The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus. We might say that the Spirit’s central focus is upon Jesus Christ, and upon drawing us to Him — “He [the Spirit] will testify about me [Jesus].”
•• So as you are seeking the gifts of the Spirit, aim to point to Jesus. For example, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10, KJV). In fact, the entire last book of the Bible is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1, KJV).
•• Christ’s apostles fully understood this. As they ministered the spiritual gift of healing, they continually drew attention to Jesus. For example:- • [the apostle Peter, healing the lame man] “In the name of Jesus, rise and walk.”
• [Peter to paralyzed Aeneas] “Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole.”
• [the apostle Paul casting a demon out of a possessed girl] “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!”
- •• We are called to be witnesses unto Jesus.
- • Millions of unsaved people say that they “believe in God.” The demons “believe” in God! (James 2:19) But they're not saved.
• Lost souls need to hear of Jesus the Way to God.
• This is one of the central errors of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They bear witness to Jehovah/Yahweh. But they fail to do it the biblical way. They fail to follow the mandate of Jesus’ words: “I [Jesus] am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- •• We are to honor Jesus as we honor the Father.
- • In our conversations.
- • In our times of personal praise.
- • In our worship times in church
- • In our prayer time
- •• We are not doing a disservice to God the Father by honoring and worshiping Jesus His Son. No! To the contrary, it was God the Father Himself who said of Jesus:
- • “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)
• “Let all God’s angels worship him [Jesus]” (Hebrews 1:6).
- •• He is the head over all concerning the church. When you’re “in church,” focus on the Lord of the church.
- • Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).
• He said that when even two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there in the midst! (Matthew 18:20). Think of this as you gather with other believers — for prayer, for worship, for Sunday or midweek service, for home-based small groups. Jesus is right there among you!
- •• Regard the people you’ll encounter today as if they were Jesus!
- • Including that prisoner!
• Including that drug-addicted prostitute or homeless person.
• Including that dishonest businessman — remember Matthew/Levi, the despised tax collector, who became an apostle (Matthew 9:9).
• Including that cursing, swearing Christ-denyer — remember the apostle Peter! (Matthew 26:73-74)
- •• In all things let Jesus have the preeminence.
- • Fix your eyes on Jesus.
• Read the Bible looking for Jesus.
• Allow the Holy Spirit and His spiritual gifts to point to Jesus.
• Let your witnessing center on the person of Christ.
• In your praise and worship — and all else that you do — honor Jesus even as you honor God the Father.
• Respect the Headship of Jesus over everything related to the church.
• Regard people as if they were Jesus.
• In everything let Jesus have the preeminence in your life.
One central focus will simplify your life and make it better. That focus is Jesus, the Son of God.
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©2005, James H. Feeney.
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Pentecostal Sermons and Bible Studies
by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.