Sidetracked, detoured, and distracted…

We all seem to lose our way from time to time, but it should be a short trip back to what God has for you. We might stumble but are always learning and growing in our obedience. James tells us:

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (James 1:23-24 ESV)

The Bible is an amazing thing. It is accessible and understandable to small children, yet confounding and infinitely deep to the theologian. As earnestly as any man studies Scripture he will inevitably encounter the infinity of God, and will be unable to grasp every part of its instruction. Scripture contains the very breath, the very life of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is like a mirror that reveals to us two things: one, who we are presently, and two, whose image we are being conformed to (Romans 8:29).

We would do well to gaze honestly into the mirror of Scripture and humbly submit to the image it reflects. As you study the Bible and are convicted by the way you are living, don’t resist the truth, and don’t make excuses for yourself. Submit to God’s Word as the highest and final authority, and he will continually conform you to the image of Christ.

We know what we are supposed to do! Pastor Steve reminded us that the call of Jesus is for us to Follow Him, while He makes us into Fishers of Men.

Following Jesus Means: Mark 1:17; Matthew 4:19

*“follow” = know and submit
*“make you” = transformed / changing / becoming Christ-like
*“fishers of men” = committed to Jesus’ mission / making disciples

We have heard the call, and started following Jesus, but we get distracted from following through on the fishers of Men (making disciples) part.

We are easily distracted! We are inclined to take detours off the road which we are called to travel. There is an expectation that comes with being a Christ Follower we never get around to doing.

What are some of our Barriers? What are the detours that get us off course?

1. DISTRACTIONS. This is perhaps one of Satan’s most effective weapons in hindering our growth. He knows that all the desire in the world to do something good is worthless if he can keep you busy doing everything else. You can know the Word of God inside and out, but if you fail to apply it, you are not going to grow as you ought to. We live in a world that is far too busy. From the time we wake up in the morning, until we go to bed at night, our schedule is micromanaged. We have so many things we think we have to do that there is little time left to do things necessary to grow spiritually. We “pencil in” a little reading time, a short prayer and a couple of hours of worship each week, but beyond that we are just too busy to take our spirituality serious. Growing in Him certainly does involve making time for Him and doing His work, but it also involves a determination to NOT let anything distract us from that. (Luke 10:38-42)

BATTLE PLAN: The answer to distractions is reminders. We need to be reminded by strengthening our prayer life. Prayer will align us with the heart of God. The enemy wants to trip you up and distract you. Listen to the words of C.S.Lewis; “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”

Read: Psalm 55:1-3

YOUR PLAN: I like Lewis’ plan about doing it before the days distractions have time to take root. Sit down with your calendar and plan times of remembrance throughout the day when God can speak to you about all the distraction in your world. Did you find something with which to write? (Just making sure you’re doing it!)

2. AN IMPROPER MINDSET. Too many of us think that making disciples is too hard, too stressful, too costly- a job for pastors and those who have the gift of evangelism. Has making disciples been regulated to the fringe of the faith in your mind? We need to remember that it is a command and an expectation of those who choose to call themselves Christ Followers.

BATTLE PLAN: The cure for wrong thinking is being reminded of the truth. While it is not easy, you can reprogram your mind. In fact, that is what Paul called for in Romans 12:2,

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

YOUR PLAN: Memorize the truth. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Ps 119:11). When we are going through our day and the enemy tries to render you useless to the plan of God, then the truth that you have hidden in your heart will remind you of what you should be doing. Make three cards of a verse that God can use to remind you of your purpose to be a disciple maker. Put one on your mirror, one in your car, and one at work. You have one week to memorize, so get to it!

3. POOR PLANNING. It has been said that we “don’t plan to be poor planners”. Truth be told, we get to the end of each day and wonder where all the time and opportunities have gone. There is always something else to do so that we don’t have time to study, pray, make disciples, and for some, even worship. When we make plans or set up commitments, we don’t think about how it will affect our spirituality.

In Luke 14:26-33, He used the examples of building a tower and going to war with a smaller army than the enemy. Such efforts require planning!

Others do not have a systematic plan in place to ensure growth. For example, if your knowledge is to increase, there needs to be some sort of plan with which you will systematically read and study the Bible. There needs to be a time set aside regularly so that you can develop your knowledge.

BATTLE PLAN: The answer for poor planning is INTENTIONALITY. If we are going to make disciples, we are going to have to be intentional. Make a plan to speak to that person, to share the truth, and to help those new believers grow in their faith.

YOUR PLAN: Get out your calendar and your pencil and write out a plan to disciple. Who will it be? Where will it be? On what days will it be? Got it all written on your calendar?

4. LACK OF DISCIPLINE. We have already noted that spiritual growth takes planning and a proper attitude. Implementing these plans takes discipline. When we lack spiritual discipline, we are not going to do that which will promote our growth. We will allow everything that comes along to distract our growth. Everything we start will either fail to be completed or finished with less than our best. One who lacks discipline is quick tempered, easily discouraged and led into sin. Because of a lack of self-control, he might set out to do right but quickly returns to his old ways.

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 9:27

BATTLE PLAN: The cure for lack of discipline is accountability. In order to make sure that we are following through on our commitment to make and grow disciples, we need others in the Body of Christ to stand beside us and encourage us to Git-R-Done.

YOUR PLAN: Take out a note pad and write down three people that you will give permission to hold your feet to the fire. Now pull that calendar back out; we are going to wear that thing out! Schedule a meeting with one of the people you have identified and make a plan for holding one another accountable. Make sure one of the areas for accountability is making disciples.