You're Focused On The Wrong Thing | Dr. J. T. Flowers | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

You're Focused On The Wrong Thing

Dr. J. T. Flowers

Time of Celebration Ministries Church • Jul 20, 2025 • 72 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Dr. J. T. Flowers unpacks the story of Amnon and Tamar from 2 Samuel 13 to illustrate how misdirected focus, corrupt counsel, and unchecked lust produce tragic, long-lasting consequences. Believers are called to guard their hearts and minds by hiding God's Word deep within themselves to maintain spiritual purity in an ungodly culture. True authority over spiritual distractions and enemy traps comes only through full, undivided submission to God's Word and divine instructions.

Themes

Spiritual FocusPurity & HolinessUnwise CounselSubmission to AuthoritySpiritual DisciplineOvercoming Temptation

Pastor's Points

1.

Make sure you are submitted to authority—first to God, then to leadership.

2.

Refuse to focus on the flaws of others.

3.

Do not dismiss the reality of your own flaws.

4.

Don't play the victim, particularly in scenarios that you created.

5.

Refuse to coddle and don't expect anybody to coddle you.

6.

Don't overthink any situation.

7.

Don't quit in the face of difficulty.

Key Points

1.
Focusing on the wrong thing sets in motion a vicious cycle of long-lasting, life-changing, and destructive consequences.
2.
We must pay close attention to who advises us, as foolish or corrupt counsel leads to spiritual defeat even when it comes from friends or family.
3.
Lust and unchecked passion, when detached from God's purpose, lead to perversion, exploitation, and self-destruction.
4.
To stay on the path of purity in an ungodly culture, believers must intentionally hide God's Word in their hearts through daily reading, memorization, and meditation.
5.
When God chooses us for an assignment, His focus is on accomplishing His purpose rather than removing temporary discomfort or stretching.
6.
The devil's primary tactic is using temptation and distraction to get believers out of position and relocate them away from their God-given purpose.
7.
Spiritual authority and power to resist temptation come only after complete surrender and total submission to God's authority.
8.

Sermon Moments

“Lust always takes, exploits, and shames; it is concerned about self alone, whereas true love seeks to honor God.”

“The most deceitful, wicked, and dangerous person is the one who wears a mask, pretending to be what they are not.”

“Succumbing to just one distraction or temptation can alter your destiny and the destiny of others forever.”

“Living the Christian life is not easy—it takes grace, which is the power of God working through human containers to do what is humanly impossible.”

“Discomfort is a necessary part of growth, as comfort retards spiritual development and halts our progress in God.”

“The devil's lure is to keep you looking at what you have no business looking at until desire overtakes your focus.”

“An uninvolved member in the body of Christ is a dangerous member; every believer has a share to contribute to the functionality of the church.”

This Week

Examine where your daily focus is directed and realign your thoughts with God's Word rather than worldly desires.

Evaluate who you allow to advise you, cutting off corrupt or foolish counsel even if it comes from close friends or family.

Intentionally read, memorize, and meditate on Scripture daily so truth is deposited deep within your heart to guard against sin.

Surrender fully to God's authority in every area of life so that you are spiritually empowered to resist the enemy.

Refuse to focus on the flaws of others; instead, humbly examine and address your own shortcomings.

Stop playing the victim or soliciting pity in situations that your own choices created.

Persevere through spiritual stretching and discomfort, trusting that God's grace will sustain you through difficult assignments.

Remember This

Remaining focused on God's Word and completely submitted to His authority protects us from the destructive cycle of misdirected focus and empowers us to fulfill our divine purpose.

A Challenge for You

Make a righteous resolve that you are going to obey God in all things, walking away from darkness and giving Him full control of your life.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.