Dr. Rob White - March 13, 2016
Believe - Chapter 8
March 13th, 2016
A sermon based on "Believe" by Randy Frazee by Rev. Dr. Rob White for Athens Universal Life Church
From Series: "Believe"
Believe is a unique spiritual growth journey that helps you to think, act, and be more like Jesus. In it, general editor and pastor Randy Frazee walks you through the ten key Beliefs of the Christian faith, the ten key Practices of a Jesus-follower, and the ten key Virtues that characterize someone who is becoming more like Jesus. Each chapter uses short topical passages from the New International Version to help you live the story of the Bible. As you journey through this book, whether in a group or on your own, one simple truth will become undeniably clear: what you believe drives everything. Each chapter includes both Old Testament and New Testament Scripture passages that relate to the specific belief, practice, or virtue in that chapter. Chapters being with a key question, a key idea, and a key verse to guide the reader, along with helpful introductions, summaries, and through-provoking questions. Using this edition of Believe, church families around the globe can now embrace a full ministry year through worship services, small group studies, and family activities. About the BELIEVE experience Know what you believe and why it matters. Grounded in Scripture, BELIEVE is a unique discipleship experience that helps Christians of all ages become more like Jesus in their beliefs, actions, and character. This series illuminates the core beliefs of the Christian faith to help you think, act, and be more like Christ. The BELIEVE experience includes books of carefully selected Scripture for adults, students, and kids; a companion book for discipleship and growth; a storybook and a coloring book for children; and curriculum for every age group. All editions of BELIEVE unpack 30 key ideas of the Bible: 10 key beliefs, 10 key practices, and 10 key virtues of a Christian, so your whole church can learn to be more like Jesus together.
More Messages from Dr. Rob White...
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In the enlightening sermon titled “Reclaiming Our Focus: Overcoming Distractions and Fixing Our Eyes on God,” Dr. Rob White delves into the prevalent challenge of staying focused on God amidst the myriad distractions of modern life. The sermon opens with a candid acknowledgment of the Minister’s own struggle with distractions, emphasizing the pervasive nature of this issue in today’s fast-paced world.
The central theme revolves around the biblical admonition found in Matthew 6:24, highlighting the impossibility of serving two masters – God and worldly pursuits. The Minister passionately advocates for prioritizing God above all else, emphasizing that putting God first in our lives is not only spiritually enriching but also transformative in navigating life’s challenges.
Drawing insights from the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:4-8, the sermon warns against allowing the thorns of life, symbolizing worries, riches, and worldly pleasures, to choke the growth of God’s Word within us. It encourages self-reflection to identify and remove these thorns, creating an environment conducive to spiritual growth.
The sermon further explores 1 John 2:15-16, cautioning against the love of worldly desires. It vividly illustrates the incompatibility of loving the world and loving God, urging believers to make a conscious choice where to invest their affections. The metaphorical imagery of a ship guided by a lighthouse and the contrast between light and darkness underscore the importance of anchoring ourselves in the Word of God to overcome worldly temptations.
The narrative seamlessly transitions to the practical aspect of reclaiming focus by proposing a 30-day challenge. The challenge involves dedicating time to worship, fellowship, and reading the Bible before engaging in worldly activities. The Minister confidently asserts that this intentional shift in priorities will yield positive transformations in one’s life.
In exploring Colossians 3:2, the sermon encourages believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly matters. This deliberate mental redirection, likened to wearing glasses that filter out distractions, involves viewing daily challenges through a heavenly perspective. The analogy of a garden carefully tended to keep out weeds underscores the need to identify and uproot worldly distractions that threaten spiritual growth.
The conclusion of the sermon is a powerful call to action. Believers are urged to cast aside distractions, identify and uproot thorns, and fix their gaze firmly on the Creator. The Minister emphasizes that by doing so, true fulfillment and purpose are found in living a life wholly devoted to God.
In summary, “Reclaiming Our Focus” offers profound insights and practical guidance for believers seeking to navigate life’s distractions with God at the helm. The sermon serves as a compelling reminder to prioritize God in every aspect of our lives, ultimately leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment.