Philippians 1:18
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Philippians 1:20-21
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
To focus is to give something all your attention. To focus is to refuse to be distracted by lesser important matters. To focus is to identify what is most important among important things. To focus is a sign of a person who is decisive. When we begin focusing we begin succeeding. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
Apostle Paul writes several things to the church in Philippi. He begins by clarifying some contentious issues and focusing the church on that which matters. His message is that they remain focused. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
An issue arose about the many preachers that were arising. Some seemed genuine and others were outright self-seeking individuals who were using the gospel for personal gain. The discussion in the church shifted sharply into discussing these two groups that are preaching the gospel. Paul realizes that the church has lost its attention from the gospel. He, therefore, writes to dismiss the hot debate by stating that what matters is that Christ is preached. Whether out of false motive or genuineness, the church should be glad that by all means the gospel is spreading and that should be the focus. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
To discuss the motives of a person is wrong and self-defeating. God has not given us the ability to read and establish anyone’s motives. Only God can expose motives. Therefore if preaching is out of false motives, it is none of our business. If in the end, the gospel has spread, that is what matters, that is what we should focus on. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
If we focus on who has false motives and who is genuine, we may end up stopping the work we should focus on. The debate will replace the work. The efforts will move from preaching Christ to scrutinizing preachers. If that happens, our core business will suffer. Therefore, whatever happens, do not lose focus on your key objectives. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
The next issue that Paul focused on was persecution. There was a possibility that Paul would die in prison from where he was writing this message from. Other believers were dying and being persecuted. There was fear and concern that persecution would deal a fatal blow to the ministry. There was fear that persecution would cause some to give up faith and return to their past ways. Paul, therefore, addresses the issue of life and death by saying neither should be a concern. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
Paul tells the church that what matters is that Christ is exalted. If Christ is exalted because Paul is still alive and not affected by persecution, that is okay. If Christ is exalted when Paul dies, that is still okay. What matters is that at all times, Christ is exalted. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
If I live in poverty and misery because of my faith and Christ is exalted that is okay. If I live in excessive drowning wealth and Christ is exalted that is still okay. What matters and is the focus is that in the life I live, Christ should be exalted. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
Whether your prayers are answered or not. Whether your dreams come true or not. Whether issues are resolved or not. Whether you experience a happy life or not. Whether lonely, single, and desperate or not. Whether in need or not. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
Don’t lose focus by having excessive concern about fake people around you. Don’t lose focus because of haters who even hated Jesus for right doing. Don’t lose focus because of false accusations. Don’t lose focus because of one or two failures because failures come before success. Don’t lose focus because of mistreatment. Don’t lose focus because of one setback. Don’t lose focus because of one event or one person. As life goes by, good and bad things will always happen to us because we are in a world of sin, do not lose focus. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
Don’t lose focus on your studies because of food, or friends or a bad teacher or exciting trips and games. Stay focused on your goal. Don’t lose focus in your business, do not eat all your profit, reinvest and expand, stay focused on being bigger and with higher income. Don’t lose focus on your health which is your primary capital, eat well, rest enough and work hard. Don’t lose focus on your marriage. Do not be distracted by erratic spouse conduct. Stay focused on having a happy marriage. Don’t lose focus on finding and being found by the right person, being ignored and rejected are normal, stay the course. What happens and what doesn’t happen shouldn’t derail you from your urgent personal goal. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
If you are in business your goal is profit, don’t lose focus just because one customer misbehaved. If you are saving money, your aim is to accumulate more, don’t lose focus by getting tempted to bet or make an unplanned purchase. Whichever way it goes don’t lose focus!
Keep me focused dear LORD! Keep me focused on all aspects of life. Enable me to overcome distractions. Bless my focus that it may yield fruit in its season, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
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Amen.
Amen
Amen
Amen
May the gracious Lord help me never to lose focus in Jesus name amen.
Thanks Doc for the timely message this morning.
I am blessed.
Hallelujah!
Timely. Amen!
Amen!