The Focused Life

Introduction: Have you ever wondered, what is my purpose in life? Why are we here? Where am I headed? Christians should be able to find answers to all of these questions. The answers are found in living a focused life. Within the prayer of Jesus in John 17, is filled with practical truth for humanity. How? What is it? Within the prayer we note the relationship of Jesus with His Father—and see a picture of the relationship we are to have with Jesus. This is expressed by “as” in 17:2; 11; 14; 18; 21-23. Watch how Jesus related to the Father. How the Father related to Him. That’s how Jesus wants to relate to you! We must work to build this type of relationship with God!

I. Jesus lived a ______________ life.
    A. He knew exactly God’s plan for Him & centered His life around it. Consider:
        1. Lk. 2:49—even at 12 yrs old; Jhn. 4:34—Knew He was born to die!
        2. Jhn. 9:4—work while it is day; Heb. 10:7; Mt. 10:45
    B. God has a purpose for us in this life!
        1. Must serve Him __________. We’re Christians first in everything.
            a) YOU are God’s representative; an ___________ for Christ!
        2. Psa. 139:1-6; 13-14— - He knows all about us!
        3. Come to grips w/His plan—it will __________ your life!
        4. Psa. 37:5; 16:3—sort things out; find out what it is!
    C. Jesus never lost sight of His purpose!
        1. Had same _______________ as we do—Heb. 4:15; 2:18

II. Why is it important to live a focused life?
    A. If you are focused, nothing can _____________ you.
        1. Jhn. 17—the hour has come (referred to His death.)
        2. 2:3-4 - my hour has not yet come. He would not be distracted!
        3. His purpose was not to work___________ but to ______ ________.
    B. If you are focused, nothing can ______________ you.
         1. Jhn. 7:30; 8:20—He wasn’t afraid—wasn’t His time to die.
        2. We must understand that God will ____________ us.
            a) God’s man in the center of His will is immortal until God is finished with Him.
        3. Our life is in God’s hand—He will protect us.
    C. If you are focused, nothing, can ____________ you.
        1. Jhn. 12:27—Jesus struggling w/inner suffering; grief; torture.
            a) it was for this purpose He had come.
        2. Discouraged? Turn it into an ________________.
    D. If you are focused, nothing can _______________ you.
        1. Jhn. 16:32—He would be left alone at the cross.
            a) He was not here to gain _____________; He was here to fulfill God’s plan.
    E. If you are focused, nothing can ______________ you.
        1. Jhn. 17:1—His hour had come. He would ___________ God in this.
            a) most view death as an _______. His death was a _______________!
            b) He wasn’t defeated; He overcame!
        2. 1 Cor. 15:54-57—VICTORY through Jesus!

Conclusion:
A. Know what God wants you to do!
B. Know God in such a way that you will realize His purpose for your life.



The Focused Life Introduction: Have you ever wondered, what is my purpose in life? Why are we here? Where am I headed? Christians should be able to find answers to all of these questions. The answers are found in living a focused life. Within the prayer of Jesus in John 17, is filled with practical truth for humanity. How? What is it? Within the prayer we note the relationship of Jesus with His Father—and see a picture of the relationship we are to have with Jesus. This is expressed by “as” in 17:2; 11; 14; 18; 21-23. Watch how Jesus related to the Father. How the Father related to Him. That’s how Jesus wants to relate to you! We must work to build this type of relationship with God! I. Jesus lived a ______________ life. A. He knew exactly God’s plan for Him & centered His life around it. Consider: 1. Lk. 2:49—even at 12 yrs old; Jhn. 4:34—Knew He was born to die! 2. Jhn. 9:4—work while it is day; Heb. 10:7; Mt. 10:45 B. God has a purpose for us in this life! 1. Must serve Him __________. We’re Christians first in everything. a) YOU are God’s representative; an ___________ for Christ! 2. Psa. 139:1-6; 13-14— - He knows all about us! 3. Come to grips w/His plan—it will __________ your life! 4. Psa. 37:5; 16:3—sort things out; find out what it is! C. Jesus never lost sight of His purpose! 1. Had same _______________ as we do—Heb. 4:15; 2:18 II. Why is it important to live a focused life? A. If you are focused, nothing can _____________ you. 1. Jhn. 17—the hour has come (referred to His death.) 2. 2:3-4 - my hour has not yet come. He would not be distracted! 3. His purpose was not to work___________ but to ______ ________. B. If you are focused, nothing can ______________ you. 1. Jhn. 7:30; 8:20—He wasn’t afraid—wasn’t His time to die. 2. We must understand that God will ____________ us. a) God’s man in the center of His will is immortal until God is finished with Him. 3. Our life is in God’s hand—He will protect us. C. If you are focused, nothing, can ____________ you. 1. Jhn. 12:27—Jesus struggling w/inner suffering; grief; torture. a) it was for this purpose He had come. 2. Discouraged? Turn it into an ________________. D. If you are focused, nothing can _______________ you. 1. Jhn. 16:32—He would be left alone at the cross. a) He was not here to gain _____________; He was here to fulfill God’s plan. E. If you are focused, nothing can ______________ you. 1. Jhn. 17:1—His hour had come. He would ___________ God in this. a) most view death as an _______. His death was a _______________! b) He wasn’t defeated; He overcame! 2. 1 Cor. 15:54-57—VICTORY through Jesus! Conclusion: A. Know what God wants you to do! B. Know God in such a way that you will realize His purpose for your life.