Follow Along with the Message

Unfocused

Pastor Nate Sickler

...what we're focused on impacts everything about our lives personally, internally, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. 

1. The  pursuit of Jesus and His way is  challenged by distractive and destructive ideas and practices. (Colossians 2:6-8)

a.  - a functional belief that through our own effort we can attain salvation and spiritual growth. 

b. In Colossae this legalism came in the  of Gnosticism, Asceticism, and Mysticism... (Colossians 2:16-21)

i.  Gnosticism = special  

ii.  Asceticism = special  

iii.  Mysticism = special  

c. These teachings are just as present  as in the 1^st Century. 

2. The  of these distractive and disruptive teachings is that they  free people. (Galatians 5:1)

Like the lenses in telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes; the order of our  determines how effectively we focus. 

3. The only effective order of our focus is to see  through the lens of Jesus and His life-giving work for us. (Colossians 2:9-10, 13-14)

This is possible because Jesus has not only provided freedom, but also  over sin, death and the enemy! (Colossians 2:15)

As we embrace the truth of God's Word we will  freedom instead of bondage, grace instead of condemnation, and victory instead of defeat. 

Am I focused up?

• Is your focus on practice  a person or a person who guides your practice? 
• Are you  focused on Jesus? 

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