After walking out of church last week I commented to a friend that I could hear our sermon from church every week for the entire year and still need to listen again to apply what I learned. It was an excellent sermon on Philippians 2:1-5. It was convicting to the point of being overwhelming, and overwhelming to the point of almost making me want to give up before I tried to apply it because I know that I will fail at it.
Despite that fact, I did read my notes twice during the week and thought about the sermon more times. I was especially struck by the part about vain conceit. Some of how it was presented made me realize how prevalent this issue is in my own life. It was definitely an issue I was more aware of in myself throughout the week.
Every now and again I get overwhelmed by the amount of teaching I receive - from the Bible, sermons, books, and from people with far more wisdom than I have. Sometimes I simply want to think about and apply one thing that I learned, but I get distracted from applying it consistently by hearing something else that I need to change. I think that Satan likes to use this feeling of being overwhelmed to stop me from actually focusing on one area and growing within it. Although the teaching is very good, the volume I receive at times makes me want to give up before I start because the list is never-ending. I guess that is what sanctification is about - continually changing and growing to become more like Jesus. I will need to remember that next time I feel like it is a lost cause.
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