Embracing Christ's Centrality for True Joy

In our time together, I sought to explore the profound concept of being truly Christ-centered, both individually and as an institution. The term "Christ-centered" can be understood in two distinct ways. One is an external imposition, where Christ is made central due to external pressures or benefits. The other, which I advocate, is an intrinsic centrality where Christ's own glory and majesty naturally draw us to make Him the center of our lives. This is akin to the sun's gravitational pull, which naturally holds the planets in orbit due to its immense mass and brilliance.

I emphasized that Christ's centrality should not be a mere academic or institutional slogan but a genuine reflection of His supremacy in wisdom, power, love, justice, and beauty. This intrinsic centrality is not about us making much of ourselves but about recognizing and responding to Christ's own self-exaltation, which is the most loving act He can perform. Christ's self-exaltation is not egotistical; rather, it is essential for our deepest satisfaction and joy because He is the ultimate source of fulfillment.

We journeyed through key events in redemptive history—predestination, creation, incarnation, propitiation, sanctification, and consummation—each demonstrating God's self-centered motives for His glory. This understanding challenges the prevalent notion that love is about making much of us. Instead, true love is about God enabling us to enjoy making much of Him, which is the ultimate expression of love and the path to our deepest joy.

In conclusion, I urged everyone to embrace God's god-centeredness and Christ's christ-centeredness as the foundation for true joy and the authenticity of our mission. This perspective transforms every aspect of life, from academics to personal relationships, making Christ supreme in all things.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Centrality:** True Christ-centeredness is not imposed externally but arises from Christ's own intrinsic glory and majesty, drawing us naturally to make Him central in our lives. This is akin to the sun's gravitational pull, which holds the planets in orbit due to its immense brilliance. [03:44]
  2. God's Self-Exaltation: God's actions throughout history, from predestination to consummation, are driven by His desire to exalt His own glory. This self-exaltation is not egotistical but is the most loving act, as it leads us to the ultimate source of joy and fulfillment.
  
  3. Redefining Love: Love is not about making much of ourselves but about God enabling us to enjoy making much of Him. This redefinition challenges the self-centered gospel of self-esteem and aligns with the biblical understanding of love.
  
  4. Christ's Loving Self-Exaltation: Christ's self-exaltation is the most loving act because it directs us to the source of our deepest satisfaction. Unlike human self-exaltation, Christ's exaltation is essential for our joy and fulfillment.
  
  5. Embracing God's God-Centeredness: Embracing God's god-centeredness and Christ's christ-centeredness is crucial for authentic joy and the durability of our mission. Rejecting this centrality leads to a loss of hope and joy.
  
  ** [03:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:13] - Opening Prayer
• [01:00] - Defining Christ-Centeredness
• [02:41] - Intrinsic vs. Imposed Centrality
• [03:44] - Christ's Gravitational Pull
• [05:01] - Christ's Self-Centeredness
• [07:03] - God's Self-Exalting Motives
• [08:22] - Creation for God's Glory
• [09:39] - Incarnation and God's Glory
• [11:01] - Propitiation and Righteousness
• [13:11] - Sanctification for God's Name
• [14:54] - Consummation and Christ's Return
• [17:12] - Objections to God's Self-Exaltation
• [20:50] - Redefining Love
• [24:01] - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer
• [27:41] - Christ's Loving Self-Exaltation
• [29:18] - Embracing God's God-Centeredness

1. Ephesians 1:5-6
2. Isaiah 43:6-7
3. John 17:1-5

1. According to Ephesians 1:5-6, what is the purpose behind God's act of predestination? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on God's self-exaltation? [07:22]
2. In Isaiah 43:6-7, what reason does God give for creating humanity? How does this passage support the idea of God's intrinsic glory being central? [08:22]
3. In John 17:1-5, how does Jesus begin His prayer, and what does this reveal about His priorities? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on Christ's self-exaltation? [24:01]
4. What analogy does the sermon use to describe Christ's intrinsic centrality, and how does this help us understand His role in our lives? [03:23]

1. How does the concept of Christ's intrinsic centrality challenge the way individuals and institutions might typically view being "Christ-centered"? [02:41]
2. What implications does God's self-exaltation have for our understanding of love, especially in contrast to the prevalent notion of self-esteem? [20:50]
3. How does the sermon redefine love in the context of God's actions throughout redemptive history? What does this suggest about the nature of true fulfillment? [21:11]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that embracing God's god-centeredness and Christ's christ-centeredness can transform personal and institutional missions? [29:18]

1. Reflect on your personal life: Is Christ's centrality in your life more like the sun's gravitational pull or an external imposition? What steps can you take to ensure it is the former? [03:23]
2. How can you actively recognize and respond to Christ's self-exaltation in your daily routine? What practical changes might this require in your priorities or actions? [06:02]
3. Consider the prevalent notion of love as self-esteem. How can you shift your understanding and practice of love to align with the sermon’s definition of enjoying making much of God? [20:50]
4. In what ways can you embrace God's god-centeredness in your academic or professional life? Identify one specific area where you can make Christ supreme. [30:22]
5. Think about a recent decision or action. Was it motivated by a desire to make much of yourself or to make much of God? How can you ensure future decisions are aligned with God's glory? [19:42]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace the concept of intrinsic Christ-centrality? What role can you play in fostering this understanding within your small group or church? [04:45]
7. Reflect on a relationship in your life. How can you demonstrate love by helping the other person find satisfaction in God rather than in themselves? What specific actions can you take this week? [21:28]