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?

Recent Sermon Notes

Between the Calling and the Separation | Pastor Marie Helene Moulin

Our very special guest minister came all the way from Nice, France to deliver a special word from the Lord to us. When Pastor Marie-Hélène Moulin was praying about the message the Lord wanted her to share with our congregation, His words were simply to tell us, “The Lord is recruiting!” In preparation for the work of end time harvest, the Lord has begun to call believers into full-time ministry. She explained that not every believer is called to full-time ministry. However, every believer is called to the ministry of reconciliation—sharing Jesus with the lost.

Help of the Holy Spirit | Dennis Burke

we had the pleasure of being ministered to by guest speaker, Dennis Burke. He began his message, “Help of the Holy Spirit” by declaring, “I believe over the next few minutes, the Holy Spirit’s going to deposit something into your life.” Really, that’s why we come to church. We come to church to make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit in order for Him to deposit in us things that are life changing! One word from God “can truly revolutionize something in your life.”

The Impossible Dream, #2: Fasting and Prayer | Mac Hammond

Pastor Mac gave the second installment of his series entitled, “The Impossible Dream.” He said, “Even though I say about every new series I teach that it is the most important message I’ve ever preached, when it comes to this message—for this day, at this time, and where we are right now—I truly believe that about this message. God has a dream for your life. And it’s not possible for you to achieve that dream without His partnership in your life.” That being said, what is God’s “Impossible Dream” for your life?

The Impossible Dream | Mac Hammond

Pastor Mac taught the first message in his new series entitled, “The Impossible Dream.” He said “the impossible dream” is a good message for the outset of a new year. However, it’s a good message for all to hear at any time during the year. He began the message by asking a rhetorical question: “Do your dreams fall only within the realm of logical possibility. Or do your dreams require the element of the miraculous in order to be realized?” He went on to explain how God-given dreams will always necessitate the supernatural power of God in order for them to be fulfilled.

GRACE UNVEILED, “Dominion of Grace” #25 | Jim Hammond

This past Sunday, Pastor Jim gave the 25th installment to his teaching series entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” In the past messages, we’ve been studying Romans 3, 4, 5, and 6. Before teaching on chapter 7, Pastor Jim wanted to break down these chapters again in a way we have not heard them before. He said, “You’re going to hear these chapters taught in a different way.” So far, we focused on the gift of righteousness. And we focused on justification. But there is a third subject that Pastor Jim wanted to focus on before we moved on to the next chapter.