Worship that is Relevant Focuses on the Present and the Future, NOT the Past, Part 1

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-2

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Insights:  We must keep in mind throughout this sermon series that we are turning out attention toward REAL worship and each letter represents a specific aspect regarding worship that we are breaking down into great detail.  We have been looking at the letter R since the beginning of the year and how it points to the Relevancy of worship in our daily lives.  Of all the sermons we have preached in regards to this aspect of worship, I believe yesterday’s sermon has been the most vital to our understanding of Relevant worship.  The reason is because the whole point of relevant worship is about focus.  On what or whom are we placing our focus determines how we respond to every life situation we face.  This week we will look at three areas in which we ought to place our focus and not get side tracked on three areas that our enemy tries to get us to focus our time and energy.  Tomorrow I will elaborate more on this concept that I am about to introduce to us today regarding our focus, but until then we must understand that relevant worship focuses our attention on the present and the future, not the past.  Notice that we are to arm ourselves and this is in the present tense.  We are arming ourselves for the purpose of suffering in this present life.  Notice also that the focus points to the future as well when Peter tells us that we will live the rest of our lives for the will of God because we have ceased to sin (this statement does not mean that we no longer sin, but we are no longer bond by its dominion over our lives).  The point is that our focus is not on our past.  Our past is behind us and we can do nothing about it.  We can, however, choose how we will live this moment as we plan for our future involvement in God’s glorious plan.  Beloved, evaluate your life today and determine if you are focusing more on your past than you are on the present and the future.  If for some reason you come to the realization that your focus is misaligned, then repent and return to Jesus and let Him fix your vision.

Questions:

1.  In what time frame do you spend the majority of your time?

2.  Do you understand the need to keep the proper balance between living in the moment and living with our future hope in mind?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the promised hope in glory that You have given to me.  Help me to live each day to the fullest because of this secured future.  May my focus be properly aligned on You and what You are doing in my life at this moment.  Amen.