Celebrating 68 Years: Christ at the Center
Summary
Today is a day of joyful worship and deep gratitude, as we gather to remember and celebrate the faithfulness of God over 68 years in this church community. We began by lifting our voices in praise, echoing the psalmist’s call to worship the Lord with thanksgiving, recognizing that we are the flock under His care. Our hearts are drawn to the central truth of the gospel: though we were once dead in our sins, God, rich in mercy, has given us new life through Christ’s death and resurrection. As we come to the communion table, we do not merely perform a ritual, but we remember with our whole being the sacrifice of Jesus—His body broken and His blood poured out—so that we might be reconciled to God and filled with joy and gratitude.
Reflecting on the legacy of this church, we honor not just an anniversary, but a spiritual heritage built on prayer, faith, generosity, love, and radical obedience. The story of this church is not about any one person, but about Jesus, who has held us together from the very beginning. The words of Zechariah remind us that it is not by our might or power, but by the Spirit of God that anything lasting is accomplished. The true measure of our life together is not in programs or numbers, but in our faithfulness to love God and our neighbors, and in our surrender to Jesus’ lordship.
Turning to Colossians 1, we are reminded that Christ is central—He is the visible image of the invisible God, supreme over all creation, and the one for whom and through whom all things exist. Jesus is not just a part of our story; He is the subject, the main character, the one who holds all things together. Like rebar in concrete, Christ is the strength and cohesion beneath the surface of our lives and our church, sustaining us through every season. As we look to the future, we do so with hope, knowing that it is Christ who leads us. He is the head of the body, guiding us into deeper discipleship, authentic community, and mission in our world.
Each of us is invited to reflect personally: Is Jesus truly central in my life? Am I allowing Him to hold me together, or am I trying to manage everything on my own? Is He my leader, or am I still in the driver’s seat? The legacy we celebrate today is a call to make Jesus central, to trust Him to hold us together, and to follow Him as our leader into the days ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Christ Must Be Central, Not Peripheral
The heart of our faith and our community is the centrality of Jesus. He is not simply an important figure among many, but the very center of our lives, our worship, and our mission. When Jesus is truly central, everything else finds its proper place, and our identity and purpose are anchored in Him alone. [47:24]
- God’s Power, Not Ours, Sustains the Church
The enduring legacy of this church is not the result of human strength, cleverness, or resources, but the Spirit of God at work among surrendered people. Our story is a testimony to what God can do through ordinary people who are willing to pray, obey, and love sacrificially. True fruitfulness comes from dependence on God, not self-reliance. [39:28]
- Christ Holds All Things Together—Including Us
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, the assurance that Christ is the one who holds all things together is a profound comfort. Like rebar in concrete, Jesus is the unseen strength that sustains us through every trial, transition, and season of life. We are invited to let go of the need to control and instead rest in His sustaining power. [49:22]
- Following Jesus Means Surrendering Leadership
To follow Christ is to let Him be our leader, not just in theory but in daily practice. This means relinquishing control, allowing Him to guide our decisions, and trusting His wisdom above our own. Authentic discipleship is marked by a willingness to be led, even when it challenges our preferences or comfort. [56:20]
- Legacy Is Built on Faithfulness, Not Fame
The true legacy of a church or a believer is not measured by visible achievements or recognition, but by quiet, consistent faithfulness to God’s call. Generations of prayer, generosity, and obedience—often unseen by the world—are the foundation upon which God builds His kingdom. Our calling is to continue this legacy, making Jesus central and following Him with our whole lives. [54:23]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[10:43] - Reading from Ephesians 2: Grace and New Life
[12:24] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[14:14] - Prayer of Gratitude and Joy
[14:49] - Instructions for Communion
[20:38] - Thanksgiving for Christ’s Victory
[21:33] - Psalm 150: Praise in All Things
[30:35] - Celebrating Church History and Legacy
[34:27] - Scripture Reading and Reflections on 68 Years
[37:03] - The Spiritual Foundation and Early Days
[39:28] - Not by Might, but by God’s Spirit
[42:01] - Christ Is Central
[46:09] - The Supremacy of Christ in Creation
[49:22] - Christ Holds All Things Together
[54:23] - 68 Years of Faithfulness
[56:20] - Christ Leads Us Forward
[59:36] - Personal Reflection and Response
[01:04:02] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Held Together"
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### Bible Reading
Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what are some specific ways Paul describes the supremacy and centrality of Jesus?
2. In the sermon, what metaphor did the pastor use to describe how Jesus holds the church and our lives together? [[51:55]]
3. What does the pastor say is the true measure of a church’s legacy—programs and numbers, or something else? [[39:28]]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the life and legacy of the church? [[39:28]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that Jesus is not just an important figure, but the very center of all creation and the church? How does this challenge common ways people view Jesus? [[46:09]]
2. The pastor compares Jesus to rebar in concrete. What does this image communicate about our dependence on Christ, especially during difficult seasons? [[51:55]]
3. The sermon says, “It is not by our might or power, but by the Spirit of God that anything lasting is accomplished.” What does this mean for how we approach ministry and life? [[39:28]]
4. The pastor asks, “Is Jesus truly central in my life? Am I allowing Him to hold me together, or am I trying to manage everything on my own?” Why is this distinction important for personal faith? [[01:00:20]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to make Jesus central, not just present, in our lives. What is one area of your life where Jesus is not at the center? What would it look like to put Him there this week? [[01:00:20]]
2. The pastor described times when we try to “juggle” life on our own instead of letting Christ hold us together. Can you share a recent situation where you tried to hold things together yourself? What would it look like to trust Jesus with that instead? [[49:22]]
3. The legacy of the church is built on faithfulness, not fame. Are there “unseen” acts of faithfulness—prayer, generosity, obedience—that you feel called to continue or begin? How can you take a step in that direction this month? [[54:23]]
4. The sermon says, “Following Jesus means surrendering leadership.” Is there a decision or area of your life where you are still in the driver’s seat? What would it mean to let Jesus lead in that area? [[56:20]]
5. The pastor reflected on the church’s history of prayer, generosity, and love. Who in your life has modeled this kind of legacy for you? How can you honor or imitate their example? [[37:03]]
6. The message invites us to rest in Christ’s sustaining power instead of striving in our own strength. What is one practical way you can “let go” and rest in Jesus this week? [[49:22]]
7. As we look to the future, the sermon calls us to hope because Christ leads us. What is one hope or prayer you have for your own spiritual journey or for our church in the coming year? [[58:10]]
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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray, asking God to help each person make Jesus central, to trust Him to hold them together, and to follow Him as leader in every area of life.
Devotional
Day 1: Worship with Joy and Thanksgiving
True worship flows from recognizing God’s greatness and responding with joyful praise and gratitude. When we gather, we are invited to come before the Lord with singing, thanksgiving, and awe, remembering that He is our Maker and we are the people under His loving care. Worship is not just a ritual, but a heartfelt response to the God who holds the depths of the earth, the mountains, and the seas in His hands. As we lift our voices, we are reminded that our lives are sustained by His goodness and that we are never outside the reach of His shepherding love. [00:00]
Psalm 95:1-7 (ESV)
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Reflection: What is one specific way you can express joyful gratitude to God today, either in private or with others, as an act of worship?
Day 2: Saved by Grace, Not by Works
God’s mercy and love have rescued us from spiritual death, not because of anything we have done, but purely by His grace through faith in Christ. We were once lost in sin, following our own desires and separated from God, but “But God, being rich in mercy,” made us alive together with Christ. This new life is a gift, not something we can earn or boast about, and it is meant to fill us with humility, gratitude, and awe as we remember the cross and resurrection. Let the reality of God’s grace shape your identity and your response to Him today. [10:43]
Ephesians 2:1-9 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you still feel the need to “earn” God’s favor, and how can you rest in His grace today?
Day 3: Christ Is Central—The Supreme One
Jesus is not just a part of our story; He is the center, the visible image of the invisible God, supreme over all creation. Everything was created through Him and for Him, and He stands before all things as the One who is to be highly esteemed and worshiped. The legacy of faith is built on making Jesus the main character, not just in the church, but in every aspect of our lives. To make Christ central is to elevate Him above all else, allowing His presence and lordship to shape our identity, our mission, and our daily choices. [46:09]
Colossians 1:15-18a (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where Jesus is present but not central, and what would it look like to truly put Him first there?
Day 4: Christ Holds All Things Together
In every season—through joys, transitions, challenges, and change—it is Jesus who sustains and holds all things together, both in the church and in our personal lives. We are not called to juggle or hold everything by our own strength; instead, we are invited to depend on Christ, who is the “rebar” beneath the surface, the glue that keeps us from falling apart. When we surrender our need for control and trust in His sustaining power, we find peace and strength that endures. Let Christ be the one who holds you together today, especially in the places where you feel weak or overwhelmed. [49:22]
Colossians 1:17 (ESV)
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Reflection: Where in your life are you trying to hold things together on your own, and how can you invite Jesus to be your strength and sustainer in that area?
Day 5: Christ Leads Us Forward
Jesus is not only central and sustaining; He is also our leader, the head of the body, guiding us into purpose, mission, and authentic community. As the church and as individuals, we are called to follow Him—allowing Him to set the direction, to shape our discipleship, and to lead us into deeper love for God and neighbor. Following Christ means surrendering our own plans and letting Him guide our steps, trusting that He knows the way forward. As we look to the future, may we be a people who continue the legacy of radical obedience, letting Jesus lead us into new seasons of faithfulness and fruitfulness. [56:20]
Colossians 1:18 (ESV)
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Reflection: What is one decision or area of your life where you need to let Jesus lead instead of trying to direct things yourself?
Quotes
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