2.  Talented people, when performing at a high level, are so focused they are “in the zone.”  Many fail to achieve, not for lack of talent, but due to an inability to focus. 2 “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge

3.  Focus is also essential for the Christian: Phil. 3:8-15a  Christians may become distracted:  Some persistent sin,  Cares of this world,  Neglect of spiritual things. 3

5.  Who we are: Gen. 1:26-27; Jn. 4:24; Lk. 24:39; Matt. 10:28; 16:26; Eccl. 3:11  Without God we are lost: Rom. 3:10-12, 23; 6:23; Eph. 2:11- 13; Rom. 8:7; Col. 1:21; 2 Cor. 5:10-11a; Lk. 9:23-25; 2 Pet. 1:9  We are saved in Christ:  Reconciled: Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18; Col. 1:21-23a  Redeemed: Rom. 3:24; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Eph. 1:7  What more could one ask for?! Col. 1:12-13; 2 Pet. 1:3-4; Rom. 8:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 1 Jn. 3:1-3 5 Are You Focused?

6.  Where we are: we are in three places…  We live in a dangerous place…the world: Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; 2 Pet. 2:20-22  We are in a called out relationship with God: 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Cor. 1:9; Col. 3:15; 1:13; Heb. 12:22-23; Dan. 2:44  We are in a finite and fragile state: Jas. 4:14; Eccl. 12:1; 2 Cor. 5:10-11a 6 Are You Focused?

7.  Where we are going: we are going to three places…  We all are going to an inevitable appoint- ment: Heb. 9:27  We all are going to appear before Christ’s judgment seat: 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:11a  We all are going to heaven or hell: Jn. 5:28- 29; Matt. 13:24-30 7 Are You Focused?

8.  First: “I do not count myself to have apprehend- ed…”: Phil.3:13; Col. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 4:16-18  Second: “Forget those things which are behind…”: Phil. 3:13; Acts 26:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:16  Third: “reach[ing] forward to those things which are ahead…”: Phil. 3:13; 1 Tim. 1:13; Matt. 11:28-20; Eph. 3:20  Fourth: “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”: Phil. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-22:6 8 Are You Focused?

9.  Study the word: Matt.14:25-31; Heb. 11:6; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 11:1; Jn. 6:68; Heb. 11:1-2; Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Eph. 3:1-5; Rom. 10:17; Col. 3:10; Rom. 12:1-2a  Pray: Jas. 5:16; Eph. 3:20; Lk. 18:1-8  Meditate: Prov. 23:7; Phil. 4:8 9 Are You Focused?

10. 10  Are you focused?  Who you are?  Where are you?  Where are you going?

11. 11  Do you know how to maintain focus? Phil. 3:13  Are you putting Paul’s admonitions into practice?  Study God’s word  Pray  Meditate