Don't Be Distracted

Introduction:
1... We live in a busy world that supplies us with endless distractions from our faith. When we
become distracted from our faith, we become separated from God.
2... There are all kinds of spiritual distractions that take us on all kinds of wrong paths that leads
us far away from God.
Action Point:
Seek God first and seek Him always, and the distractions will disappear and fade behind us as we
move ever closer to our ultimate goal. (Distraction leads to Destruction).
1 Peter 2:11
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which
war against the soul;
KJV
Note: Peter is talking about things that war against the soul.
What distracts you from fleeing sin and pursuing Christ?
1... It could be your job, or kids, or family, or home or even ministry . . . it could be a hobby,
school, friends or getting a date . . . it could be a boyfriend or girlfriend, a husband or wife . . . it
could be finances, or lust, or emotions, or anger . . . it could be a lack of love, or lack of
forgiveness, or lack of involvement in the church, or distance from brothers and sisters in Christ
who could actually help you stay on track.
2... What would you say distracts you most from Christ?
Definition of Distraction:
1... Something that prevents concentration or focus.
2... In simple terms, it is something that may not take away our attention fully, but causes us to
divide our attention between two or more things and not able to concentrate on any one thing.
3... If we are to defeat distractions, then we must know what is important and what is not. (We
live in a generation that is being distracted from the things that are important).
First Things First:
1... Jesus reminds us of what should be primary focus of a Christian: He told us in (Matt.6: 33)
to, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
2... The bottom line is this, there is nothing more important than getting our priorities straight.
3... (Matt 10:37-38) says, He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and
he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his
cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (We can sugar coat Matt.10:37-38, but in the
end it still says the same thing). Anything that you put before God is a distraction.
Eliminate the Distractions.
1... We have so many things in our lives that distracted us. We drive down the road talking on
cell phones, texting someone, trying to find our best radio program. (I followed a lady one day

who was all over the road, pulled up beside her at the red light and she was putting on her
makeup).
2... The same is true in our spiritual lives, we live in a world full of distraction. (Many of the
distraction are our on doings, and only you can change that). If our priorities are not in the right
place we will never get a handle on distractions.
3... Jesus tell us in (Matt. 5:29-30) how to deal with distractions. And if thy right eye offend thee,
pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should
perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut
it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish,
and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Distraction leads to Destruction).
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus:
1... The whole purpose of our enemy trying to get us distracted is that we take our eyes off the
ultimate goal.
2... As the writer of Hebrews says, (Heb. 12:1, 2) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and
perfecter of our faith.
(In the last part of this message I want to list some common things that distracts us).
Money:
1... We all need money to live in this world, but we must not be owned.
2... (Matthew 6:19-20) says, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and
rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3... So in a nut shell, if we trust God, He will take care of us. That doesnt mean we should quit
our jobs, or not earn moneywe just need to realize that God is more important, and is far more
capable of taking care of us than we are. Money might be the blood flow of the world, but it is
not the blood flow of those who are in Jesusfaith is.
(Things that distract us).
Media:
1... It is so easy to get caught up in the media. And when I say media, Im referring to the
Internet, TV, movies, music, video games, newspapers, magazines.
2... The key to overcoming the media is to be wise in what we watch, read, play, etc, and in how
much time we spend with it. (Nothing wrong with is until it distracts us from God).
Relationships:
1... In a nut shell, relationships are extremely important, but our relationship with God is of the
utmost importance.
2... We need good relationships, but when we allow our personal relationships to distract us from
God they become wrong.
Routine:
1... Its so easy to get caught up in all the things we have to do, like work, eat, sleep, etc.
2... Make sure spending time with God is a part of our routine. And also, make sure you are
willing to abort your routine, and let God have complete control.
Our Work:
1... Work, work, work. What a distraction this can be! And Im not just referring to a job, I mean
everything from a job, to leading worship, a bible study, or anything!

2... I love this following scripture found in (Lk.10:38-42) which says, As Jesus and his disciples
were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lords feet listening to what he said. But Martha was
distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, Lord, dont
you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! "Martha,
Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is
needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
3... It is so easy to get caught up on our duties, but the most important thing is that we do it
entirely for the Lord.
Our Hobbies:
1... Don't leave God out of your hobbies.
2... Are you allowing the things that you like to do distract you from God?
Your Pastor:
1... Our Pastors! What!? What's this doing on the list!? What Im referring to is becoming
dependent upon your pastor.
2... When you come to church I take pride in feeding you a balanced meal, but have about the
times between church? That is your responsibility.
3... A lot of people fall into the habit of only giving God Sunday morning. This would be like
only eating once a week!