Matthew 26:36-39 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 36 Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” 39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Kingdom of God focus that unleashes our potential in Christ Jesus Fierce focus Kingdom of God focus that unleashes our potential in Christ Jesus

DEFINITIONS: FIERCE: 1. Having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness. 2. (Of a feeling, emotion, or action) showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity. FOCUS: 1. Center of activity, attraction, or attention. 2. Point of concentration 3. Directed attention or emphasis

I will not deny you Matthew 26:33-35 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter *said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

1. The reality of our FOCUS is found in the follow-through.

I do not know the man! Matthew 26:73-75 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Listen to these words Acts 2:22-24 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

1. The reality of our FOCUS is found in the follow-through.

2. A FOCUS that follows-through, is SET on things above.

Set your mind Colossians 3:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Romans 8:5 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Dwell on these things Philippians 4:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

2. A FOCUS that follows-through, is SET on things above.

3. A FOCUSED MIND does ALL things for the gospel!

I DO ALL THINGS FOR THE GOSPEL 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

3. A FOCUSED MIND does ALL things for the gospel!

Run in a way that you may win 1 Corinthians 9:24 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Hebrews 12:1-2 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

4. A FOCUSED MIND takes aim!

Self control in all things 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Fierce focus The reality of our FOCUS is found in the follow-through. A FOCUS that follows-through, is SET on things above. A FOCUSED MIND does ALL things for the gospel! A FOCUSED MIND takes aim! I believe today that you’re ready to take aim To get focused To lay aside every encumbrance To more effectively run the race set before you! You can do it!