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Distraction

Glenn Blankenship
03/05/17 - Sunday

Revelation 2:1-7
2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Satan does not present himself as the red, horned, pointy tailed being that we often see him portrayed as in pictures. He does not show himself as ugly or scary. He instead uses regular things, ordinary tools to attack us - something that tastes good, a friendly co-worker, a fun activity. An friendly co-worker can become a confidant who then becomes attractive to us physically and then a temptation. Satan has many tools in his toolbox.
The tool to discuss in this lesson is Distraction.
It may be as we use our bibles on our computers or phones that we get distracted by Facebook, Instagram or games instead of using our time to study. A distraction takes our minds from what we intend them to be, from where they ought to be.
Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."
Let us look at examples how people in the Bible dealt with distractions.
ADAM & EVE Gen 3:6
Eve saw that the tree was good for food, despite that God had said "do not eat". Adam was with her as they took delight in the sight and taste of the fruit. They were distracted by Satan and a piece of fruit and made decisions that brought pain and separation into this world.
NOAH Gen 9:20
Once his family settled after the flood, he planted a vineyard. He became drunk and disgraced himself in front of his children.
ABRAM Gen 14:21-24
The king of Sodom tried to repay Abram for saving them, but Abram didn't want the riches to distract him from all that God had provided.
Gen 22:1-17 When God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, Abram did not allow his emotions to distract from what God requested of him.
LOT Gen 19
Lot allowed the land and his riches to distract him form choosing the best place for his family to live. He was distracted by worldly comforts and contentment.
JACOB Genesis 27
Jacob while distracted by his mother, she convinced him it was best to cheat his brother out of his birthright. We cannot allow family to get between us and our service to God.
DAVID 2 Samuel 11
David was distracted by his view. This led him to commit adultery and murder.
EPHESIAN CHURCH Revelation 2:1-7
They became distracted and stopped their work for God - had left their first love.
IF SOMEONE WROTE A LETTER TO ARGO PARK, WOULD THEY ACCUSE US OF LEAVING OUR FIRST LOVE? OF BEING DISTRACTED BY WORLDY CARES?