Centering Our Lives on Christ: Belonging and Holiness
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound prayer of Jesus in John 17, a moment where He turns to the Father just before His crucifixion. This chapter is a window into Jesus' heart, revealing His priorities and desires for His followers. Jesus prays not for His own escape from suffering but for the glorification of the Father through His impending sacrifice. He prays for His disciples, and by extension, for us, that we might be sanctified and unified, reflecting the glory of God in our lives.
Jesus' prayer highlights two key themes: belonging and holiness. He emphasizes that we belong to God, challenging the cultural norms that suggest we belong to ourselves or our families. This belonging to God redefines our identity and purpose, calling us to live lives that reflect His glory. Jesus also prays for our holiness, not as a checklist of do's and don'ts, but as a life centered around God. Holiness is about setting our lives apart for God's purposes, much like an athlete dedicates their life to their sport.
The analogy of the sun and the solar system illustrates this concept beautifully. Just as the sun is the center of our solar system, Jesus should be the center of our lives. Everything we do should orbit around Him, influencing our decisions, actions, and priorities. This centrality of Christ in our lives is what sets us apart and enables us to reveal the Father to the world.
As we reflect on Jesus' prayer, we are invited to examine what our lives orbit around. Are we centered on Christ, or have other things taken His place? The call is to realign our lives, making Jesus the center, so that we can truly reflect His glory and fulfill the mission He has given us.
Key Takeaways:
- Belonging to God: Our identity is rooted in belonging to God, not to ourselves or our cultural expectations. This belonging redefines our purpose and calls us to live lives that reflect God's glory. [50:07]
- Holiness as Centering: Holiness is not about a list of rules but about centering our lives around God. Like an athlete dedicates their life to their sport, we are called to dedicate our lives to God's purposes. [55:18]
- Jesus as the Center: Just as the sun is the center of our solar system, Jesus should be the center of our lives. Everything we do should orbit around Him, influencing our decisions and actions. [01:04:13]
- Prayer as Rhythm: Jesus' life was marked by a rhythm of prayer, constantly in communion with the Father. Our lives should reflect this rhythm, with prayer being a natural and integral part of our daily walk. [43:23]
- Reflecting God's Glory: Our lives are meant to reveal the Father to the world. By centering our lives on Christ and living in holiness, we show the world who God is and invite others to find their hope and joy in Him. [01:10:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[32:49] - Introduction and Community Updates
[33:45] - Invitation to Community Events
[35:56] - Prayer for Community Needs
[37:50] - Jesus' Prayer in John 17
[39:15] - The Rhythm of Jesus' Prayer Life
[41:48] - The Concept of the Drummer's Pocket
[43:23] - Jesus' Prayer Priorities
[44:54] - Glory Through Suffering
[45:54] - Belonging and Holiness
[47:17] - Jesus' Prayer for His Followers
[48:53] - Cultural Assumptions of Belonging
[50:07] - Belonging to God
[55:18] - Holiness as Centering
[01:04:13] - Jesus as the Center
[01:10:31] - Reflecting God's Glory
[01:13:16] - Invitation to Recommitment and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 17:1-26
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the main themes Jesus focuses on in His prayer in John 17? How do these themes reflect His priorities for His followers? [37:50]
2. In John 17, how does Jesus describe the relationship between Himself, the Father, and His disciples? What does this imply about the nature of belonging? [48:53]
3. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17 illustrate the concept of holiness? What does He ask the Father to do for His disciples in relation to holiness? [55:18]
4. What analogy is used in the sermon to describe the centrality of Jesus in our lives, and how does this relate to the concept of holiness? [01:04:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17 challenge the cultural norms of belonging to oneself or one's family? What implications does this have for a believer's identity and purpose? [50:07]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that holiness is more about centering one's life around God rather than following a list of rules? How does this perspective change the way we view holiness? [55:18]
3. How does the analogy of the sun and the solar system help us understand the role of Jesus in our lives? What does it mean for Jesus to be the center of our lives? [01:04:13]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the rhythm of prayer in Jesus' life, and how can this rhythm influence our own spiritual practices? [43:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current life priorities. Are there areas where you have placed something other than Jesus at the center? How can you begin to realign your life to make Jesus the center? [01:12:12]
2. Consider the cultural assumptions about belonging that you have encountered. How does the idea of belonging to God challenge or affirm these assumptions in your life? [50:07]
3. Holiness is described as centering one's life around God. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your life is centered around Jesus? [55:18]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of a rhythm of prayer. What changes can you make to incorporate a more consistent prayer rhythm in your daily routine? [43:23]
5. Think about the analogy of the sun and the solar system. What specific areas of your life need to be brought into orbit around Jesus? How can you make this shift? [01:04:13]
6. Jesus prayed for His disciples to be unified. How can you contribute to unity within your church or small group? What actions can you take to foster a sense of belonging and community? [47:17]
7. Reflect on the idea of revealing God's glory through your life. What is one way you can intentionally reflect God's glory in your interactions with others this week? [01:10:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Our True Belonging in God
Our identity is deeply rooted in our belonging to God, not in cultural expectations or personal desires. This belonging redefines our purpose, calling us to live lives that reflect God's glory. In a world that often tells us we belong to ourselves or our families, Jesus' prayer in John 17 reminds us that we are God's. This truth challenges us to reconsider how we define ourselves and what we prioritize. By understanding that we belong to God, we can find a sense of purpose and direction that transcends societal norms and personal ambitions. This belonging is not just a label but a call to live in a way that reveals God's glory to the world. [50:07]
"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed cultural expectations to define your identity? How can you begin to embrace your true belonging in God today?
Day 2: Holiness as a Life Centered on God
Holiness is not about adhering to a strict set of rules but about centering our lives around God. Just as an athlete dedicates their life to their sport, we are called to dedicate our lives to God's purposes. This dedication involves setting ourselves apart, not in isolation, but in a way that our lives reflect God's character and love. Holiness is about aligning our actions, thoughts, and desires with God's will, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives. By doing so, we become living testimonies of His grace and truth, inviting others to experience the transformative power of a life centered on God. [55:18]
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." (1 Peter 1:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life that needs to be more centered on God? How can you take a step towards holiness in that area today?
Day 3: Jesus as the Center of Our Lives
Just as the sun is the center of our solar system, Jesus should be the center of our lives. Everything we do should orbit around Him, influencing our decisions, actions, and priorities. When Jesus is at the center, our lives gain clarity and purpose, and we are able to reflect His love and truth to those around us. This centrality of Christ is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that shapes how we live each day. By making Jesus the focal point of our lives, we align ourselves with His mission and become conduits of His grace and truth in the world. [01:04:13]
"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." (Colossians 1:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: What are some things in your life that have taken the place of Jesus at the center? How can you begin to realign your life around Him today?
Day 4: The Rhythm of Prayer
Jesus' life was marked by a rhythm of prayer, constantly in communion with the Father. This rhythm is not just about setting aside time for prayer but about integrating prayer into every aspect of our lives. Prayer becomes a natural and integral part of our daily walk, guiding us in our decisions and sustaining us in our challenges. By cultivating a rhythm of prayer, we open ourselves to God's guidance and strength, allowing His presence to shape our thoughts, words, and actions. This rhythm is not about perfection but about persistence, continually seeking God's presence and aligning our hearts with His will. [43:23]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate a rhythm of prayer into your daily routine? What specific times or activities can you dedicate to prayer today?
Day 5: Reflecting God's Glory
Our lives are meant to reveal the Father to the world. By centering our lives on Christ and living in holiness, we show the world who God is and invite others to find their hope and joy in Him. This reflection of God's glory is not about drawing attention to ourselves but about pointing others to His love and truth. As we live out our faith, we become beacons of hope and light in a world that desperately needs to see God's presence. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, inviting us to live in a way that honors God and draws others to Him. [01:10:31]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can your life better reflect God's glory to those around you? How can you be intentional about pointing others to Him today?
Quotes
"Jesus was a pocket prayer. He was someone who was praying at the right times in the right moments that made every other part of his life fit together easily." [00:42:46] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He prays for his followers that they might be sent and show the world the glory of the Father." [00:44:30] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus came that we might know the Father, that we might see and experience the Father. And now his prayer is that the disciples of Jesus might continue to reveal the Father." [00:46:00] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Holiness is not just doing one thing but rather centering your life around one thing. Centering your life around things. Like an Olympic athlete, they set their life apart for the Olympics." [00:57:09] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus was holy the way He lived. He was gracious. He was humble. He was joyful. He was present. He was self-sacrificing. He was peaceful. He only did what His Father told Him. His life centered around God's purpose for Him." [00:59:06] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Holiness, being set apart, is not about making Jesus first, but realising that our life is to orbit around the sun." [01:04:48] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Instead of putting Jesus first in our lives, we need to make him center of our lives. Not Jesus, then my family, but Jesus in my family. Not Jesus, then my job, or Jesus, then my career, but Jesus in my career." [01:08:29] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Holiness, being set apart, belonging to the Father, not yourself, not others around you. This isn't what saves you. Just let me make that very clear. Holiness doesn't save you, but it sustains you. It fulfills you." [01:10:03] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus was in this rhythm of prayer because he was orbiting around the Father. Everything was in conversation and communion with the Father." [01:10:31] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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