Sermon: The Right Focus
Summary: When we as God's people are going through difficulty due to our faith and the ungodly seem to prosper in their ungodliness, we need to remember not to focus on them or even on our own difficulty, but on God who remains near to us, strengthens us, and gives us wisdom and godly perspective to persevere through life until he receives us with honor.
Text: Psalm 73
Scripture Reading: Heb 12:1-2
Intro: 1. There are many things in life where you have to stay focused a. When I was in the A Cappella Chorus, had to focus on director b. When marching, we were to stay focused on commands c. Riding a Bike, driving, playing basketball, have to stay focused 2. If you lose focus, or focus on wrong thing, results could be fatal a. Could mean coming in when not supposed to when singing b. Could not turning when marching and messing up your column c. Could me a wreck, basketball in the face, etc. 3. Same is true in spiritual life. Need to have the right focus (Ps 73) a. The Psalmist focuses several places b. Nearly had a fatal accident spiritually c. Text shows three possible places to focus
I. Focus on the well being of the wickedA. The Psalmist focuses on what is going on with the wicked B. He spends a lot of time describing what it is he sees 1. He describes them a. They live and die at ease - No pains in their death = Don't just live in comfort, they die in comfort = Lived a life of contentment and ease = Died being satisfied with their life - Their body is fat = In ancient times, this is a complement = Fatness is a sign of wealth = Some Bibles say bodies are "sleek & sound" = Not sickly, no health problems, well fed - Not in trouble like other people = They are prosperous in many ways = They have all they need = They don't fret about getting what they want b. They are arrogantly wicked - v.6 - They are people of pride and violence = They have money, powerful, influential = People respect their riches and influence = You don't get in their way, they will hurt you - v.7 - Their imaginations run riot = They scheme new ways to get ahead = They will get ahead at expense of others - v.8 - They mock and speak of oppression = They rather be the oppressor than the one being oppressed = Have no problems with this -v. 9-12 - No fear of authority, even God = Set mouth & tongue against heaven & earth = Even mock God as know and do nothing 2. Are there people like this today? Yes there are a. Those who lack integrity in business. Reward? A bailout b. Life is full of comfortable pagans - Successful financially. - Mock God and Christians c. Those who cheat, lie, steal, dishonorable, and get ahead d. Many people in world admire these kind of people C. ILL: A teacher of historical theology talking about doctrine of sin 1. He told us that it is a myth that people living in sin are unhappy 2. Related his own experience, he was a sinner of sinners 3. Contrary to popular opinion, sinning was fun. a. He was not an unhappy person while in sin b. If he were, he would have stopped, but he didn't 4. Nothing bad happened to him a. Another myth, somehow your life be a mess in sin b. His life was never a mess c. Went through college, got a job, married, etc. D. Let's face it - Plenty of things in life do not seem to fit at first 1. The wicked are happy, well fed, get ahead due to wickedness 2. No pain, anguish, sometimes, they seem happier than believers 3. Maybe makes believers feel better to think they are all unhappy a. Maybe that more a reflection of unhappiness of believers b. Fact of the matter, the wicked do prosper 4. Leads us to the next place one can focus
II. Focus on the Futility of FaithA. The Psalmist now focuses on himself, his faith, its reward B. It is as if he says, "Whats the use?" 1. v.13 - In vain have I kept my heart pure a. "Vain" means useless, fruitless, futile, unrewarding, unproductive b. He spent a lifetime of effort staying pure c. Denied self all kinds of opportunities and pleasures because they were not godly d. Result, he at bottom of the social and corporate ladder 2. v.14 - Stricken all day long a. Life had been pretty hard for him - Maybe others held him in disdain - He is at the bottom of the barrel - No one strove to be him b. He managed to stay clean, but at great cost - He is chastened every morning - He is despised and wretched 3. Result? - God is good to those who are pure in heart... a. Really? I don't see it at all, says the Psalmist b. In fact, he sees just the opposite c. Purity of heart is vain, useless, without reward C. ILL: Reminds me of the game of Life, by Milton Bradley 1. You remember the game? Commemorative edition a. Went through life, object was to make lots of money b. At end was day of reckoning. - If you win, you go on to millionaire estates - If lose, you go to the poor farm c. Nothing about virtue in this version of the game d. Life is all about becoming a millionaire 2. Earlier version of the game in 1860 by Milton Bradley a. It was called the Checkered Game of Life b. Board was a modified checker board c. Unlike 1960's version, there was some virtue in it - Good path included honesty and bravery - Bad path included idleness and disgrace - Industry & perseverance led to wealth and success 3. Game with similar name late 1700's - Human Game of Life a. Went through stages of life navigating the paths of vice and virtue, very much unlike 20th century game of LIFE b. Parents were encouraged to play with their children c. Point of game is to show that life is a voyage that begins with birth, ends with death, God is at the helm, and rewards are beyond the grave d. Isn't this a reflection of how society has less virtue today? 4. The Psalmist sees he is losing at the game of LIFE a. Everyone else is becoming millionaires b. He has kept his hands clean and is a loser c. Will wind up in the poor house D. What other conclusion can he come to at this point? 1. He focused on others, then on himself a. His faith has been useless b. Perhaps it is time for him to give up virtue and purity c. Why shouldn't he be able to get some perks wicked get? 2. But Psalmist stops short of playing the game of LIFE this way a. What happen if he bought into this worldly philosophy b. Asaph, the author, is a spiritual leader, a worship leader - He wrote many songs praising God - How next generation of children react if he defected - Was his faith nothing but lies? 3. So, Asaph, tries to understand, make sense of it all 4. To make sense of it, he is going to have to change his focus
III. Focus on the Goodness of God (v.16f) A. Only when he changed his focus did things start to make sense B. The turning point was when he went to the sanctuary of God 1. He saw that the wicked were all on a sinking ship a. Were happy, merry, healthy, no trouble, but ship sinking b. Their prosperity, health, gaiety, ease, all was temporary c. They would be swept away d. They would be nothing more than a distant dream 2. Psalmist realized that without God, he was just a beast, animal a. He was senseless, ignorant, no wisdom or discernment b. Like an animal, not understand what in front of him c. Like a rat faced with rat poison - All he sees is something good, desirable - Not understand that it is literally a dead end d. But God let him understand nature of rat poison 3. Psalmist realizes that the greatest good is God a. Not wealth, ease, worldly renown, etc. - Those things will fail you - They will wear out, get old, and be destroyed - Nothing of the earth is my greatest good b. God is my strength and my portion - Not money, fame, wealth, influence, power - My portion is not a place at the table of world - It is God c. Desires nothing other than God on earth The nearness of God is my good - Psalmist nearly forgot God in all this - Poverty, persecution, death not separate from God - Everything else get old and pass away, God wont - Psalmist gains the peace that passes understanding 4. Only way to gain this peace is with God a. Peace is partially a matter of focus - When Psalmist focused on self, or unfairness, God was out of focus and so was everything else - When focus on God, everything in focus - God truth b. (Jas 1:5) - If lack wisdom, ask God, he gives generously C. ILL: Ever known anyone sold out on a product or something? 1. Amway salesmen, or someone like it 2. All they ever talk about a. They go to rallies and motivational seminars b. Everything in life connects with it in some way c. They live, eat, sleep, and drink their product 3. That is the way it is with Christ a. Acts, disciples always talk about Gospel even in difficulty - Every opportunity, spoke of death and resurrection - No matter what kind of difficulty, disciples rejoiced - If beaten, put in prison, slandered b. Christians the same way up till today - Passionate about Christ - Even if it bring persecution or ridicule - Nothing better than Christ 4. Christian's central focus is on Christ D. (Phil 4:8-9) - Saying let mind dwell on things of God and have peace 1. What is more honorable, noble, etc. than God? 2. Is saying also not to focus on the troubles of the earth and life a. That will throw God out of focus b. If God is out of focus, everything will be out of focus 3. Lets never get wrapped up in our troubles
a.
Not get bogged down with "why me Lord?" 4. Instead, continue to go to sanctuary. What does that mean? a. Focus on God through reading the Bible b. Focus on God through prayer c. Focus on God through mutual encouragement with brother or sister
Concl: 1. Surely God is good to his people a. God is good to those who are pure in heart b. Jesus said, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God c. Have you been purified through his blood? (inv) 2. Are you facing trouble, trial, etc? Don't get bogged down in it 3. Consider what we learn from the Psalmist a. Went to sanctuary of the Lord - Need to pray about it b. Said that the Lord is his strength - Ask God for strength c. Psalmist said with your counsel you will guide me - Live in the word, God will guide you - Lean on your brethren to support and encourage you d. Nearness of God is my good - Thank God that he remains near you all the way to the end, which is the beginning
BULLETIN OUTLINE:
Sermon: The Right Focus
Summary: When we as God's people are going through difficulty due to our faith and the ungodly seem to prosper in their ungodliness, we need to remember not to focus on them or even on our own difficulty, but on God who remains near to us, strengthens us, and gives us wisdom and godly perspective to persevere through life until he receives us with honor.
Intro: Ps 73 shows possible places to focus
I. Focus on the well being of the wickedA. They live and die at ease B. They are arrogantly wicked C. Are there people like this today? D. Plenty of things in life do not seem to fit at first
II. Focus on the Futility of FaithA. It is as if he says, "Whats the use?" 1. v.13 - In vain have I kept my heart pure 2. v.14 - Stricken all day long B. God is good to the pure in heart? C. Psalmist stops short of giving up D. To make sense of it, have to change focus
III. Focus on the Goodness of God (v.16f) A. Went to the sanctuary of God 1. Saw the wicked were all on a sinking ship 2. Realize that without God, he was just a beast 3. Realize that the greatest good is God B. Only way to gain this peace is with God 1. Peace is partially a matter of focus 2. Jas 1:5 - If lack wisdom, ask God C. Christian's central focus is on Christ D. (Phil 4:8-9) - Let mind dwell on things of God
Concl: Consider what we learn from the Psalmist 1. Pray about it 2. Ask God for strength 3. God's counsel you will guide 4. Nearness of God is my good
Small Group Notes: The Right Focus
Summary: When we as God's people are going through difficulty due to our faith and the ungodly seem to prosper in their ungodliness, we need to remember not to focus on them or even on our own difficulty, but on God who remains near to us, strengthens us, and gives us wisdom and godly perspective to persevere through life until he receives us with honor.
Open: - What is something unfair or unjust in your life?
Explore: (Psalm 73)
1. What does the opening statement of the Psalm declare about God? How did the Psalmist have difficulty with this statement?
2. Describe what the wicked must have been like based on the Psalmist's description in the text.
3. Why is the Psalmist not satisfied with how his life is turning out? What possible changes in his life might he have been considering?
4. What stopped the Psalmist from giving up on his way of life?
5. How did the Psalmist's perspective on others, himself, life, and God change? What wound up being his greatest and only desire?
Apply:
6. How do you feel when bad people are a success and good people fail?
7. How should you react when you experience failure in life, or when you feel angry, bitter, or despair about how things are turning out?
8. What is a key to contentment when your integrity and good work goes unnoticed unfairly?
Prayer
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