Focus on Effect | Mac Hammond
 
 
Recap
 
Pastor Mac began a new series entitled, “Focus on Effect.” He started off by telling us the topic of the new series is something we probably think we already know about, but in fact, we don’t know enough about it as we probably should. The scriptural reference was 2nd Corinthians 4:17–18: “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.” Though Pastor Mac has taught on this passage before, he said he’s “gotten a glimpse of a different side of this mountain. And I’m seeing it from a perspective that has really impacted me in a positive way.” He added, “And I want it to be that way for you all as well.”
 
Dive Deeper
 
2 Cor. 4:17, “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.
 
Verse 17, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment.” Paul didn’t say “his” light affliction. He said “our.” He’s not just talking about himself. He’s talking about “our” affliction.
 
The word affliction is the Greek word thlipsis actually means “adversity, trouble, hardship, agony, burden, difficulty.” In other words, the hard or difficult places in our lives Paul called “light and momentary.”
 
He says our light affliction will work a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Meaning we will grow as a product of this in a way that we wouldn’t otherwise grow if we never encountered any difficulty.
 
Getting weighed down by hardship takes away the quality of life that God wants us to have. We should be able to experience peace and joy even in the midst of great difficulty and challenge.
 
Is that a contradiction of terms? It is not. If Paul can experience the hard places of his life as light and momentary, then we can too. We just need to understand the balance of this passage in verse 18.
 
If you’re not going to put into practice what it says in verse 18, then you’re not going to get verse 17. Verse 18 says, “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.”
 
There are two arenas upon which we can focus. The first arena is the “seen realm” which is the temporal realm. Temporal means “subject to change.” This natural world is all subject to change. We are not to focus on the temporal seen realm.
 
The other arena of life is called the “eternal realm.” If you’re a born again child of God, then you live in both of these arenas. However, we are to only be mindful of the unseen realm.
 
The unseen realm is the revelation of God’s Word. The Bible reveals eternity to us, the unseen realm, which can also be called the spiritual realm. And God says it is that realm that we are to give our attention.
 
Verse 18 from the Passion translation: “Because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary. What is unseen is eternal. Focus our attention.”
 
We know reading the Word brings faith. We know that renewing our minds will bring transformation once our mind and heart are aligned.
 
“But” says Pastor Mac, “this isn’t either of those things. This is what we give our attention to as we walk through the days of our lives.”
 
The enemy is a master of distraction. He understands that when we focus our attention on a thing, we will succeed. That’s why he works hard to keep us distracted, to break our focus.  
 
There will be things that occur that will distract you from where your focus should be.
 
Attention is what you’re looking at, thinking about, focusing on at the moment. To focus means to concentrate with such an intent that it brings clarity. And that’s what giving something attention will do for you.
 
If you’re focusing on the wrong thing, you will be off target in what you want to see occur with your life. If you’re “on target” with your focus, the effect you desire will be all of your hard places will become light and momentary.
 
Read About It
 
2nd Cor. 4:17, “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.
 
1st Cor. 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
 
Discussion Questions
 
What do you think Paul meant when he talked about “our light affliction”?
 
Make a list of all the things that vie for your attention. How many things would be on your list?
 
Is there something in your life that used to be an addiction, but you’ve overcome it?
 
Conversely, is there anything in your life that might fit under the category of an attention addiction?
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Recent Sermon Notes

THY KINGDOM COME, #2, “Seek First the Kingdom of God” | Mac Hammond

Jul 23, 2024

Pastor Mac delivered the second installment of his series entitled, “Thy Kingdom Come.” The book of Hebrews says that in the end times, God is going to shake the world systems. Some things will be removed by the shaking. Things that cannot be shaken will survive. And what survives the shaking will be transformed. Regarding the world’s systems, Pastor Mac says, “If our dependence is more grounded in these worldly systems than our dependence on God, we too will be shaken.” We are in the midst of the world being shaken. It’s important we understand why the shaking is happening and what we are to do in the midst of it.

THY KINGDOM COME: There Is a Shaking Going On | Mac Hammond

Jul 14, 2024

Pastor Mac began his new series, “Thy Kingdom Come,” by addressing the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Calling the event one of the saddest days in our nation’s history, Pastor Mac went on to say the event, interestingly enough, fit into the subject of his message subtitled, “There’s a Shaking Going On.” He said, “A lot of us were truly shaken by what happened. But we must keep the perspective of the Bible in mind; He is not shaking things by having someone take a shot at President Trump that killed someone else.” He cautioned, “We’re going to see more and more of these things in the immediate future because we are living at the end of an age.” He continued to address the coming shaking of the world.

GRACE UNVEILED, #14, “Revelation Grace” | Jim Hammond

Jul 7, 2024

Pastor Jim shared the 14th installment of his series on the book of Romans, entitled “Grace Unveiled.” Revelation 5:3 was the text for the message: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” It goes against our flesh nature, but this verse is telling us to jump for joy when you experience tribulation.

Spiritual Warfare and the Imagination | Jim Hammond and James Tan

Jun 30, 2024

Guest Minister James Tan joined together with Pastor Jim to tag team preach the message, “Spiritual Warfare and the Imagination.” Their message was based on 2nd Corinthians 10:3–5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” Pastor Jim and Guest Minister James took us step by step on how to cast down and take captive any thoughts that do not exalt the knowledge of God.

GRACE UNVEILED, #13, See Jesus in His Grace | Jim Hammond

Jun 23, 2024

, Pastor Jim gave his 13th installment of his series “Grace Unveiled.” Still in Romans chapter 4, Pastor Jim says if you don’t understand the message of this chapter, you will not be able to understand the rest of Romans. Chapter four makes the case that you are made righteous by His grace, not by your good works or by your good deeds. It is through faith in His grace. One must understand that His righteousness is a gift. It can’t be earned. Pastor Jim went through the chapter and carefully laid out the understanding of each verse.