The Christ Centered Life (Part 1)
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Transcript of The Christ Centered Life (Part 1)
The Christ Centered Life
The Standard response:1. God2. Family3. Country
How Should We Set Priorities?
If the amount of time we give determines priorities it would be something like:1. Work2. Recreation – TV, Internet, hobbies, etc.3. Family – school functions, vacations, ballet, etc.4. Health – gym, walking, etc.5. Education6. Church7. Community
How Should We Set Priorities?
Maybe our Priorities are based on what is most important to us, what we’d be least likely to give up:1. God2. Family3. Friends4. Country5. Recreation
How Should We Set Priorities?
Priorities change but Christ should always be
at the Center.
A Better Way to View Priorities
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Christ Centered Priorities
Matthew 22:33–38 (HCSB) 35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: 36 “Teacher,
which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “Love the Lord
your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This
is the greatest and most important commandment.
Our First Priority is to Love God
Love Him with my heart – emotions, passions, with zeal
Love Him with my soul – my talents, abilities, gifts, my personality
Love Him with my mind – my intellect, my rational being
Love Him with:
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Do I have the heart, soul and mind of Christ in these?
Matthew 32:39-4039 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets
depend on these two commandments.”
Second priority is to love our neighbor
Who is your neighbor?
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
How can I better love my neighbor in each of these?
There is no conflict in loving God with all my heart, soul and mind. But there is in loving
people.
What do I do when my heart (emotions), soul and mind (intellect) are in conflict on how to
love a person or persons?
Conflict in loving
Your child’s inoculations.Disciplining our children.Homework vs. play.Giving to a pan handler. Reporting a student that has cheated on a
test.Standing up to a bully.Giving to the church or other charity.
Examples of conflicted love
Trust GodProverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all
your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
What do we do?
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Am I trusting God or self?
Circumstances change priorities◦ Health◦ Family issues◦ Economics ◦ Social issues◦ Environmental
Seasons of life change priorities◦ High School◦ College◦ Young family◦ Retired
Priorities Change, but not the Center
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Christ provides balance, integration and stability
Because Christ is central, I’m the same person in each area.
John 13:34–35 (HCSB) 34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The Role of the Church
Worship – keep focus on the center Instruction – in God’s Word and application
toward family, work, community, etc. Fellowship – encouragement, friendship,
accountability, retreat from the world and training ground to enter the world.
Evangelism – When we love within the church, people notice. Bring the center to others and others to the Center.
Role of the Church
John 13:34–35 (HCSB) 34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
When we practice loving each other:
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
A Christ Centered Life
Note the direction of the arrows
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Brings others to Christ
Is there any area in your life where Christ is not at the center?◦ Family?◦ Work?◦ Community?◦ Education?◦ Recreation?◦ Church?◦ Other?
If Christ is at the Center of your life He will become the center of other’s lives.
Evaluate yourself!