Respectable Challenges to Fellowship with Jesus: Dr. Jeff Mayfield
Sermonette Highlights [statements are his points in my words; underscoring, emboldening and bracketed statements are mine]:
Dr. Mayfield’s 7 minute video is below the following points:
- The things that hinder our fellowship with the Lord may be socially respectable or shameful distractions
- Dr. Mayfield uses the following three examples: politics, finances and pornography
- If any of those three distractions take up much of our time and are higher than God in our hearts, then it is an idol
- We usually aren’t concerned with forsaking our favorite activities unless we become aware that these take us from fellowship from the Lord, hindering us spiritually; limiting our joy
- Socially respectable distractions / idols are more difficult to identify; therefore, more difficult to forsake or displace by activities that will improve fellowship with the Lord, and increase personal joy
- Fellowship with the Lord will provide more joy to one than any other type of activity
- If you engage in pornography, adultery…then you might more easily understand that you must forsake it, and seek the Lord’s help in doing so
- With socially acceptable distractions / idols, it is more difficult to identify them as problems; therefore, they may continue to be a hindrance to your fellowship with the Lord far longer than another’s porn is to him / her
- Joy in the Lord is possible with political and financial disappointments
- The apostle Paul from prison, Philippians 4:11: Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me
- Fellowship with the Lord is the source of abiding joy
- Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart [Himself]
The following link is to the above sermonette, in case you should want to explore Dr. Mayfield’s YouTube site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOHuD6fw2nc
For other posts on contentment, see CATEGORIES, Spiritual Disciplines. Posts on The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs address hindrances to contentment; Burroughs describes it as an inability to accept affliction from the Lord. All Christians are told in the Bible to expect affliction; it is what the Lord uses it to conform us to a likeness of Christ.