February 9th 2025 - Don't be Distracted!

·33 min·3 clips

Science says you can't actually multitask—you're just high-level distracted.

The episode opens with Derek asking the congregation to rate their multitasking abilities, then citing scientific research that true multitasking is impossible—it's actually micro-switching that reduces quality and focus. He connects this to spiritual life, noting that many start their faith journey hyper-focused on Jesus but become distracted over time. Derek references Jesus' statement about hating one's family to emphasize singular focus. The sermon is part of a series on Ephesians exploring how to live a 'new creation' life. Derek reads Ephesians 3:14-21, highlighting it as the halfway point of the book. He explains that Paul wrote from prison, urging believers not to be discouraged, as discouragement is a distraction. Derek lists common distractions like politics, anxiety, anger, and fear, sharing that he left Facebook to avoid political co-option. He defines faith as allegiance to Jesus, noting that something always competes for this allegiance, even after baptism. The core aim, according to Paul, is to become 'love incarnate'—filled with God's love to exude Christ-like love. Derek uses a D-Day beachhead analogy to describe Christ dwelling in hearts. He acknowledges listeners might feel becoming loving is impossible, but points to God's 'immeasurably more' power in verse 20. The sermon closes with an invitation to participate in God's transformative work, referencing the song 'How He Loves' to illustrate freedom from regrets.

As heard by us

A lively sermon about how politics, anxiety, anger, fear and regret can pull attention from the life Jesus intends.

Derek treats distraction as more than a productivity snag. In this sermon, it is anything that keeps drawing attention away from the life Jesus intends.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You'll reconsider distraction as a spiritual problem, not merely a crowded calendar.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Vineyard Altoona Podcast