Distractions Are Dangerous

Transcripts for Dr. Wiersbe's sermons are forthcoming. Below is an outline of his message.

The book of Hebrews was written to Christians who were taking their eyes off of Jesus.

The author of Hebrews compares the Christian life to running a race.

Looking on Jesus is the way the Christian life begins and ends.

We must keep looking on Jesus by faith through the Word of God in the midst of our Christian life.

When we take our eyes off of Christ, things go wrong.

Three events in the life of Peter illustrate three distractions that keep us from really trusting the Lord:

• The first distraction in our lives is ourselves (Luke 5:1-11).
  • Peter saw his sin in the light of his success, but he said the wrong thing: “Lord, depart from me.”
  • Don’t spend your time looking at yourself. You will either get proud or discouraged.
  • Spiritual autopsies pull our eyes away from Jesus.
  • Let the light of the Word shine on the sin in your heart, and allow it to turn you back to God.
• The second distraction in our lives is circumstances (Matthew 14:22-33).
  • The same waves that caused the disciples to be afraid were stairsteps for Jesus to come to them.
  • The Christian life is not calm or easy. It means doing the impossible one step at a time.
  • Jesus sent the disciples into the storm because He loved them and was helping them increase their faith.
  • Jesus promises to help us through the trials of life.
  • Don’t look at Jesus through your circumstances; look at your circumstances through Jesus.
• The third distraction in our lives is other Christians (John 21:3-23).
  • Jesus had told the disciples they would no longer be fishers of fish but fishers of men. But Peter still went back to his old ways.
  • When we take our eyes off of Jesus and return to our old lives, we pull others with us.
  • Jesus reestablished Peter back to Himself.
  • It should not matter to us what God is doing through other people.
  • We are called to follow Jesus, not other Christians.

When you are tempted to look at yourself, your circumstances, or other Christians, take what you see and relate it to Jesus.

When you keep your eyes on Jesus, He will give you victory in the race of the Christian life.

Distractions lead to dangers, disappointments, and defeats, but looking on Jesus brings blessing, victory, and joy.