Christ's Centrality: The Foundation of Our Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Christ as the Focal Point of History

The death and resurrection of Christ are not merely historical events but the pivotal moments that define all of history. Everything before Christ was designed to lead to Him, and everything after is made possible by His sacrifice. This understanding elevates our perspective, allowing us to see our lives as part of a grand, divine narrative where Christ is supreme. Recognizing Christ's centrality in history helps us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and understand our place in God's eternal plan. [06:53]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How does viewing Christ as the center of history change the way you perceive your current struggles and challenges?

Day 2: God's Eternal Purpose in the Gospel

God's eternal purpose, set before the foundation of the world, was to culminate in the gospel. This plan highlights the eternal significance of Christ's work and our place in God's divine narrative. The gospel is not an afterthought but the very reason for creation and history. Understanding this helps us to see our lives as part of a larger story, where every event is woven into God's redemptive plan. [18:05]

Ephesians 3:9-11 (ESV): "And to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: In what ways can you align your daily life with God's eternal purpose as revealed in the gospel?

Day 3: Divine Design in Life's Events

Everything that happens in the world, including crises and challenges, is part of God's divine design to bless His people. This is possible only because of Christ's sacrifice, which secured the promises of God for us. By trusting in these promises, we live a life of faith, relying on the grace purchased by Christ's blood. This perspective allows us to see even the most difficult circumstances as opportunities for God's grace to be revealed. [30:43]

Romans 8:32 (ESV): "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, and how might it be part of His divine design for your life?

Day 4: Living by Faith in God's Promises

Living a gospel-centered life means trusting in the promises of God, which were secured by Christ's blood. This trust transforms our daily lives, allowing us to rely on grace and live with purpose. By focusing on God's promises, we can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [38:40]

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV): "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today, and how can it change the way you approach your current circumstances?

Day 5: Displaying Grace and Treasuring Christ

To be gospel-centered is to display the beauty of grace in our actions and to treasure Christ above all. This understanding transforms our perspective, enabling us to live with purpose and joy. By treasuring Christ, we find our true identity and purpose, and our lives become a reflection of His grace to the world around us. [55:30]

Philippians 3:8 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can display the beauty of grace in your actions today, and how can you make treasuring Christ a daily habit?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound centrality of Christ in history, the gospel, and our lives. We began by acknowledging the fears and anxieties that often plague us, from global crises to personal struggles, and how these can be overshadowed by the massive truth of Jesus' centrality. The gospel, defined as the death and resurrection of Jesus for sinners, is the supreme expression of God's grace, which in turn is the supreme expression of His glory. This sequence—gospel, grace, glory, joy—forms the foundation of our faith and life.

We delved into the concept of Christ being the center of an eternal line of history, a line that stretches from eternity past to eternity future. This centrality is not just a theological concept but a reality that encompasses all of history and creation. Everything before Christ was designed to lead to Him, and everything after is made possible by His sacrifice. This understanding elevates our perspective, allowing us to see our lives as part of a grand, divine narrative where Christ is supreme.

We examined biblical texts, such as Ephesians 1 and 2 Timothy 1, to illustrate how God's eternal purpose is centered on the gospel. These scriptures reveal that God's plan for creation and history was always to culminate in the gospel, with Christ's death and resurrection at its core. This plan was set in motion before the foundation of the world, highlighting the eternal significance of Christ's work.

Furthermore, we discussed how everything that happens in the world today, including the most challenging and painful events, is part of God's divine design to bless His people. This is possible only because of Christ's sacrifice, which secured the promises of God for us. By trusting in these promises, we live a life of faith, relying on the grace purchased by Christ's blood.

In conclusion, to live a gospel-centered life means to rely on blood-bought grace, display the beauty of grace in our actions, and treasure Christ above all. This understanding transforms our perspective, enabling us to live with purpose and joy, knowing that we are part of a story much greater than ourselves.

Key Takeaways

1. centered life means trusting in the promises of God, which were secured by Christ's blood. This trust transforms our daily lives, allowing us to rely on grace and live with purpose. [38:40]
5. Displaying Grace and Treasuring Christ: To be gospel-centered is to display the beauty of grace in our actions and to treasure Christ above all. This understanding transforms our perspective, enabling us to live with purpose and joy.

** [38:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Prayer and Acknowledgment of Anxieties
[01:35] - The Centrality of Jesus
[02:23] - Gospel, Grace, Glory, Joy
[03:38] - Christ's Centrality in History
[05:08] - Ministry as Life Service
[06:20] - The Eternal Line of History
[07:20] - Reality and Christ's Exaltation
[08:30] - The Gospel's Central Role
[10:11] - Ephesians 1: God's Eternal Purpose
[13:11] - Grace and Joy in God's Plan
[19:24] - Confirmation in Other Scriptures
[22:02] - The Book of Life and the Lamb
[28:16] - Christ's Work and Our Response
[36:32] - Living by Faith and Trusting Promises
[41:17] - The Impact of Christ's Sacrifice
[52:50] - Practical Application of Gospel-Centered Living

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Ephesians 1:4-6
2 Timothy 1:9
Romans 8:32

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Observation Questions:

According to Ephesians 1:4-6, what is the purpose of God's election and predestination? How does this relate to the concept of grace? [11:43]
In 2 Timothy 1:9, what does it mean that grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began? How does this shape our understanding of God's eternal plan? [20:12]
Romans 8:32 speaks of God not sparing His own Son. What does this imply about the nature of God's love and the assurance of His promises? [42:00]
The sermon mentions that everything before Christ was designed to lead to Him, and everything after is made possible by His sacrifice. How does this perspective change the way we view historical and current events? [08:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of Christ being the center of an eternal line of history challenge or affirm your current understanding of history and its purpose? [06:20]
The sermon suggests that everything happening in the world is part of God's divine design to bless His people. How can this perspective influence our response to global crises and personal challenges? [30:43]
In what ways does the understanding of living a gospel-centered life, as described in the sermon, differ from a life focused on personal achievements or societal standards? [54:06]
How does the assurance that all promises of God find their "yes" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20) impact the way believers live out their faith daily? [36:56]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a current fear or anxiety in your life. How can the centrality of Christ in history and your life help you address this fear? [00:16]
The sermon emphasizes living by faith in the promises of God. Identify a specific promise from Scripture that you can hold onto this week. How will you remind yourself of this promise daily? [38:40]
Consider a recent event in your life that was challenging. How might viewing this event as part of God's divine design to bless you change your perspective or response? [30:43]
The sermon calls for displaying the beauty of grace in our actions. What is one practical way you can show grace to someone in your life this week? [55:30]
How can you actively treasure Christ above all in your daily routine? Identify one specific change you can make to prioritize your relationship with Him. [57:33]
Think about a time when you felt caught up in something bigger than yourself. How did that experience affect your faith, and how can you seek similar experiences that elevate your perspective? [04:42]
The sermon mentions the importance of relying on blood-bought grace. What does this mean to you personally, and how can you apply this understanding in your interactions with others? [54:06]

Sermon Clips

"Everything before Christ came was designed to lead toward it and prepare for it including everything that was going on in God's mind in eternity and everything after the Cross and the resurrection this gospel events at the center everything after it absolutely everything that happens in the universe on this line is made possible by the cross if you view it as something happening for the sake of the glory of God in the people of God for their everlasting joy which is why it exists." [00:08:09]

"God's eternal purpose and I say eternal because it says he chose us before the foundation of the world so there's a new universe yet just God and God's thinking of you in your sin your fallenness and he chooses you through Jesus Christ in him in the beloved which says this God's purpose for creation and for history is that it flow to the gospel it's all planned we've already been chosen for grace as sinners in Christ so Christ must come and everything must prepare for that because that's the way the whole thing is being designed." [00:17:57]

"God saved us and called us to a holy calling not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began we are saved how so by works by things we do to show ourselves worthy no but because of his purpose and grace it's not works it's Grace if it were not by grace it be by works if it's by works it's not by grace." [00:19:56]

"All who dwell on the earth will worship it the Beast everyone well no not everyone and then he gives an exception who won't be worshiping the Beast everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of the life of the Lamb who was slain that's absolutely staggering in many ways." [00:22:52]

"Everything you do in life that has any spiritual value at all that pleases God see that near the end of verse 21 everything you do that pleases God is only possible because God is at work in you may he equip you with everything good that you may do his will working in you that which is pleasing in his sight that's how you are able to do things that please God God's working in you that which is pleasing in his sight." [00:31:56]

"All the promises of God find their yes in him that is why it is through him that we utter our amen to God for his glory all the promises of God find their yes in him which means the entire life of faith is secured by Christ when he purchased by the blood of the eternal covenant the new covenant in which all the promises flow to all those who are in him." [00:36:40]

"The way I live the Christian life is by moving from one moment to the next okay so sitting there I know I could have preached in a few minutes before that I'm gonna sing how will I sing how will I sing so that's pleasing to God and how will I preach so that it's pleasing to God and then and then we'll go to lunch and then I'll go to the airport I'll get on a plane that'll sit beside somebody and then I'll meet my wife at home and then I just walk from thing to thing in my life and at every moment the the question that's being posed to me is what promise are you trusting God to fulfill now." [00:37:58]

"Fear not for I am with you that's a promise don't go over to fast I am with you be not dismayed I am your God I will strengthen you I will help you I will hold you up with my righteous right hand believe that Carsten believed that Benjamin believed that abraham believed that Callos leave that barnabas as you go to first grade he will help you he'll be with you I tried to teach my kids that every step of their life was the trusting of God to do something good for them she couldn't show up he's going to give sustaining grace he made promises to that effect and so you hold on to a promise at every moment." [00:39:59]

"To be gospel centered cross centered Christ centered means at every moment I'm trusting a promise that he bought 2,000 years ago second text I look at so Hebrews 13 2nd Corinthians chapter 1 verse 20 and here's the last one Romans 8:32 maybe my favorite verse in the Bible he who did not spare his own son this pause there and and let these words have the proper fact not spare what when you say he didn't spare what was that imply it implies this was hard for God this this cost God he didn't spare and hear the word his own son not just son but his own son he who did not spare his own son but gave him up and what does that mean to the cross that means torture that means to watch your son be lacerated driven through with nails of spikes thrust through with a sword beard plucked out spit on his face God did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all if he did that the Texas how will he not also with him graciously give us all things." [00:41:17]

"Everything from the cross on everything flows from the cross Ebola Isis moral collapse because it says all things or which is another verse that says the same thing verse 28 all things work together for good for those who love God Ebola Isis moral cleft all things work together for good for those who love God how can that be these are sinners they don't deserve that how can that be answer the gospel Christ died to do that kind of sovereign manipulation of the universe for the good of his people." [00:44:17]

"That's why I say everything that flows from the cross includes everything and everything is made the servant of God's people we will see some day when history is written and the whole the whole canvas is put before us from eternity to eternity with all the colors and all the billions and billions and billions of details of lives and movements in history all on the canvas that God is painting and and this line of God's people and God's elect and in God's predestination for the joy of the glory of God's grace all that flowing there we will see how all the pieces serve that line serve to make our eternity supremely happy." [00:52:50]

"To be gospel-centered it's first to do everything you do in reliance upon blood-bought grace and blood-bought promises so you go out of here you got an afternoon to face got some issues gonna make some phone calls gonna cook a meal you're gonna do some homework read a book you know whatever you gonna do it and you should be thinking how may I do it in reliance upon I want to walk by faith the Bible says I live by faith in Him who loved me and gave himself for me so how do I live by faith in the next two hours next three hours the answer is you think he died and secured for me the absolute certainty of the fulfillment of a promise I will hold to a promise and I will move into day believing that promise is gonna come true for me." [00:55:30]

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Christ's Centrality: The Foundation of Our Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Christ as the Focal Point of History

Day 2: God's Eternal Purpose in the Gospel

Day 3: Divine Design in Life's Events

Day 4: Living by Faith in God's Promises

Day 5: Displaying Grace and Treasuring Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Christ's Centrality: The Foundation of Our Faith

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