First sermon given in 2013. Spoke to youths about what type of distractions can sway us from our focus. Note: only pointers in the powerpoint.

1. DISTRACTIONS
when life gets muddled up

2. for he observes himself, goes away, and
immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
James 1:24

3. Those who hear and don’t act are like those
who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two
minutes later have no idea who they are, what
they look like.
James 1:24, The Message.

4. RELATIONSHIPS

5. RELATIONSHIPS
EVALUATE
friends that gossips; influence negatively
FIND
relationships that builds

6. MEDIA

7. MEDIA
EVALUATE
which media absorbs your time the most?
FIND
a new substitute that builds

8. PROCRASTINATION

9. PROCRASTINATION
EVALUATE
do I do last minute work? do I have a plan?
FIND
a need for urgency. life’s too short to waste.

10. SELF GLORY

11. SELF GLORY
EVALUATE
are my gifts more important than God? where
do I find recognition from?
FIND
your place in God. Who am I?

13. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you
are a listener when you are anything but,
letting the Word go in one ear and out the
other. Act on what you hear! Those who
hear and don’t act are like those who glance
in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes
later have no idea who they are, what they
look like.
James 1:24-27, The Message.

14. But whoever catches a glimpse of the
revealed counsel of God - the free life! -
even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks
with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a
man or woman of action. That person will
find delight and affirmation in the action.
James 1:24-27, The Message.

15. Anyone who sets himself up as “religious”
by talking a good game is self-deceived.
This kind of religion is hot air and only hot
air. Real religion, the kind that passes
muster before God the Father, is this: Reach
out to the homeless and loveless in their
plight, and guard against corruption from
the godless world.
James 1:24, The Message.

16. “ME” PRAYER.
break me. revive me. sustain me.

17. Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on
your faithfulness; give me an undivided
heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11