Focus for Effect #4: The Resurrection of Christ  | Pastor Mac Hammond 
 
Recap
 
What a wonderful Easter weekend we had as we celebrated Jesus! His resurrection is the focal point for our faith, for it bridges the gap between the seen realm and the unseen realm. As you go through your day today, remember that the resurrection power of Jesus has the ability to raise your circumstances high above anything you can imagine. The touch of death does not need to destroy your life! God’s resurrection power is at work in you and through you to touch this world for Him.
 
Dive Deeper
 

The affliction that you face today does not need to ruin you. It does not need to overwhelm you or worry you. The affliction you face today can be light and momentary as you move your focus from what is wrong to what is right.

Now, that may sound difficult, for you may be facing a situation that doesn’t appear to have anything right in it, but as Pastor Mac pointed out this past weekend, every day we have the opportunity to focus our minds on what is always right: the resurrection of Jesus.

You may see that death has touched your life in some way. You may see a crumbling relationship or a negative bank balance. You may be uncertain of what your future will hold. Today, though, you can turn your attention away from what is wrong and turn it toward the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus showed us that what looked like defeat was deliverance in disguise. He showed us that Friday and Saturday were agonizing, but Sunday eventually came! The resurrection power of Jesus is at work, and it can impact your life!

A good question to ask yourself is this: What attention are you giving to spiritual truth throughout your day? Are you spending time outside of your prayer and Bible time where you are focusing on what God can do in your life? The more you magnify God in your thought patterns, the more the relief of God’s peace and His presence can come into your life.

Focus on the resurrection of Jesus, for His resurrection power is what we celebrate every Easter.

 
Read About It
 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18 TPT

…because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.

Ephesians 1:19-20 KJV

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

1 Peter 1:13 KJV

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 
Discussion Questions
 

When you look at life through the lens of God’s resurrection power, how does that change your perspective?

How can you focus more on Jesus throughout each day? (If you don’t have a good answer, ask the Lord to show you ways to make this happen, and He will!)

What is the central focus of your daily life?

Recent Sermon Notes

The Importance of Fresh Encounter | Heidi Baker

Pastor Mac taught the fourth message in his series, “The Impossible Dream.” We are called to dream the impossible dream. Or you could say God’s dream for us, because for us, it’s an impossibility. But nothing is impossible for God. That’s why it’s called the impossible dream. Pastor Mac said, “I feel like that this particular subject is something that will do as much to move your life forward in God while you’re on this earth as anything possibly could.”

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM, “Trust” #4 | Mac Hammond

Pastor Mac taught the fourth message in his series, “The Impossible Dream.” We are called to dream the impossible dream. Or you could say God’s dream for us, because for us, it’s an impossibility. But nothing is impossible for God. That’s why it’s called the impossible dream. Pastor Mac said, “I feel like that this particular subject is something that will do as much to move your life forward in God while you’re on this earth as anything possibly could.”

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Pastor Jim presented his 30th installment in his series on the book of Romans entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” The book of Romans has been deemed one of the most priceless literary treasures in the world. In fact, many secular colleges study the book of Romans just for its literary value. Many scholars call Paul’s letter to the Romans the Definitive Statement of the Christian Doctrine. Presently, our study of Romans brings us to chapter 8—a chapter scholars claim to be one of the most powerful chapters in all the Bible.

GRACE UNVEILED: “Ever Doing the Things I Don’t Want to Do” #29 | Jim Hammond

Last weekend, Pastor Jim gave the 29th installment to his teaching series on the book of Romans entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” In this chapter, Paul talks about his own personal struggle as to why he keeps doing carnal things that he doesn’t want to do, yet he keeps doing them. This portion of scripture has to do with believers who are alive in their spirit man but are walking out their lives in spiritual defeat because they’re trying to obey the law with all of its rules and regulations in their own self-effort, their own strength. Thus, the subtitle of this message is “Ever Doing the Things I Don’t Want to Do.”

The Impossible Dream: Strongholds, #3 | Mac Hammond

Pastor Mac presented the third installment of his new series entitled, “The Impossible Dream.” He said it was important that we have a clear understanding of what is the impossible dream. It’s not enough simply to dream. You need to go out on a limb and dream an impossible dream. What is an “impossible” dream? It’s a dream that can’t be fulfilled without God’s ability and power! Pastor Mac said, “God has called us to be dreamers.”