December 31, 2023
Focus
- Darrin Simpson
Sermon Notes
Passionately Pursue Jesus - Jesus is leading us in everything we do, so we are intentional about having a personal, growing relationship with Him. Life change in us leads to life change in others.
Putting Jesus first requires us to get focused.
What do you need to start/stop doing to put Jesus first in your life?
Luke 9:43-44 NIV
And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
Luke 9:45 NIV
But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Luke 9:46-48 NIV
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
Greatness doesn’t come from wealth, status, or position … it comes from service.
What do you need to start/stop doing to put Jesus first in your life?
Luke 9:49-50 NIV
“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”
Control and Comparison Problem
Luke 9:51-55 NIV
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.
Us vs. Them mindset
What do you need to start/stop doing to put Jesus first in your life?
It’s time to get focused, church, and truly put Jesus first.
What’s your Next Step?