Refocus Your Life
Well, we made it through Christmas, and the new year has begun. And we’re doing just fine! (For the most part.)
Donald S. Whitney, author of Praying the Bible, says, “Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It’s so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we’re going and where we should be going. The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings.”
And perhaps when we do, we will find that we need to refocus our lives. That is what we want to consider this weekend as we study a challenge the apostle Paul gives to the Corinthian believers. One of the key questions we want to answer is, “Why should we try to refocus our lives?” Another might be, “What should our focus be anyway?” Or maybe, “What changes will it bring?” (You can find a whole bunch of questions that might help you refocus this coming year by reading the excellent blog post 10 Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year.)
We think we’re doing just fine, but we all know deep down that we have to deal with God. Perhaps you are in a place where you are wide open to his working in your life and gladly embracing everything he has for you. Or maybe not! You could be running from his plan and purposes. Or you could be anywhere in between from stagnant, to wrestling, to tentative. Well, open your heart to the Lord! I have news for you: He isn’t going anywhere! So for our good, let’s look at what it might take to move toward God this year.
That is where we are headed in this weekend’s message.
Sermon Notes
Refocus Your Life
Pastor Roger Freeman // 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
January 7–8, 20171. A New Purpose (7:1c)
“bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God”2. A New Process (7:1b)
“beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body (flesh) and spirit”3. A New Perspective (7:1a)
“Since we have these promises”
c.f. 6:14-18 - God has promised to be among us and make us his own