Making Jesus the Center of Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! It's wonderful to see you all here today, and I hope you're doing well. We're excited to kick off a new series called "DNA," where we'll explore the core values that define us as a church and as followers of Christ. This series is especially timely given the growth we've experienced, and it's a great opportunity for newcomers to get to know us better.
Today, we focus on the foundational principle that Jesus is our center. Hebrews 3:1 reminds us to take a good hard look at Jesus, who is the centerpiece of everything we believe. Our mission is to help people make Christ the center point of their lives. Many people know about Jesus, but He isn't the center of their lives. We must ask ourselves if Jesus is truly the center of our lives or just an add-on.
We all have a selfish nature and a spiritual enemy that tries to divert our focus from Jesus. Ephesians 6:17-18 and Hebrews 4 emphasize the importance of the Word of God and prayer as our spiritual weapons. The Word of God is our sword, and prayer is essential in our spiritual battle. Jesus used Scripture to fight off temptation, and we should do the same.
Consistency in reading the Bible and praying is crucial. Hebrews 4:12-16 tells us that the Word of God is alive and active, capable of judging our thoughts and attitudes. It’s not just literature; it’s a living guide that helps us align our will with God's will. Prayer, on the other hand, is our direct line to God. It’s not about formality but about building a relationship with Him.
We need to make a commitment to Scripture and develop a lifestyle of prayer. Colossians 4:2 urges us to devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Whether it's setting a specific time for prayer or praying throughout the day, the key is consistency.
As we embark on this series, let's refocus on making Jesus the center of our lives through a renewed commitment to His Word and a lifestyle of prayer.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus as the Center: Jesus should not just be a part of our lives but the very center around which everything revolves. This means our decisions, actions, and thoughts should all be aligned with His teachings and example. When Jesus is the center, our lives gain purpose and direction. [41:16]
2. The Power of Scripture: The Word of God is described as a sword in Ephesians 6:17. It is our primary weapon against spiritual battles. Consistent engagement with Scripture not only equips us to fight off temptation but also provides us with divine wisdom and guidance. [44:04]
3. Importance of Prayer: Prayer is essential for maintaining a close relationship with God. It’s not just a ritual but a lifeline that keeps us connected to Him. Colossians 4:2 encourages us to devote ourselves to prayer, making it a regular part of our daily lives. [45:34]
4. Consistency in Spiritual Practices: Knowing the importance of reading the Bible and praying is one thing, but doing it consistently is another. Just as physical health requires a balanced diet and regular exercise, spiritual health requires regular engagement with God's Word and prayer. [48:41]
5. Approaching God with Confidence: Hebrews 4:16 tells us to approach God's throne of grace with confidence. God is not a distant, wrathful figure but a loving Father who wants us to come to Him as we are. This understanding should encourage us to maintain a consistent prayer life. [53:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:41] - Introduction to DNA Series
[37:42] - Importance of Note-taking
[38:13] - Definition of DNA
[38:56] - Spiritual Values and Their Impact
[39:56] - Jesus as Our Center
[41:16] - Making Jesus the Center of Our Lives
[42:40] - Selfish Nature and Spiritual Enemy
[44:04] - The Sword of the Spirit
[45:34] - The Role of Prayer
[47:04] - Spiritual Attacks on Devotional Life
[48:41] - Consistency in Bible Reading and Prayer
[50:29] - Spiritual Strength and Consistency
[52:19] - The Living Word of God
[53:43] - Approaching God's Throne of Grace
[55:13] - Commitment to Scripture
[56:50] - Direction from God's Word
[58:31] - Jesus as the Word Personified
[01:00:02] - Practical Tips for Bible Reading
[01:03:01] - Developing a Lifestyle of Prayer
[01:07:20] - Power of Agreement in Prayer
[01:10:10] - Culture of Prayer in the Church
[01:13:20] - Closing and Call to Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 3:1 - "Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest."
2. Ephesians 6:17-18 - "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
3. Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 3:1, what are believers encouraged to do with their thoughts? How does this relate to making Jesus the center of our lives? [41:16]
2. In Ephesians 6:17-18, what are the two offensive weapons mentioned for spiritual battle? How did Jesus use one of these weapons during His temptation? [44:04]
3. What does Colossians 4:2 urge believers to do regarding prayer? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on a lifestyle of prayer? [45:34]
4. The sermon mentioned that the Word of God is described as what kind of weapon in Ephesians 6:17? How is this weapon used in spiritual battles? [44:04]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for believers to fix their thoughts on Jesus, as stated in Hebrews 3:1? How does this practice help in making Jesus the center of our lives? [41:16]
2. How can the Word of God and prayer serve as effective tools in spiritual warfare according to Ephesians 6:17-18? What might be the consequences of neglecting these tools? [44:04]
3. Colossians 4:2 speaks about being watchful and thankful in prayer. What does it mean to be watchful in prayer, and why is thankfulness an important aspect of our prayer life? [45:34]
4. The sermon emphasized the need for consistency in spiritual practices. How does regular engagement with Scripture and prayer contribute to spiritual health and growth? [48:41]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Is Jesus truly the center of your life, or is He more of an add-on? What changes can you make to ensure He is the center? [41:16]
2. The sermon highlighted the importance of using Scripture as a weapon in spiritual battles. Can you recall a time when a specific Bible verse helped you overcome a challenge or temptation? How can you incorporate more Scripture into your daily life? [44:04]
3. Prayer is described as essential for maintaining a close relationship with God. Do you have a consistent prayer routine? If not, what steps can you take to develop one? [45:34]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of approaching God with confidence. Are there any barriers or fears that prevent you from approaching God in prayer? How can you overcome them? [53:43]
5. Consistency in spiritual practices was emphasized in the sermon. What specific strategies can you implement to ensure regular Bible reading and prayer in your daily routine? [48:41]
6. The sermon encouraged believers to devote themselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. How can you cultivate a habit of thankfulness in your prayer life? [45:34]
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you need direction or guidance. How can you use Scripture and prayer to seek God’s wisdom and direction in that area? [56:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as the Center
Description: Jesus should not just be a part of our lives but the very center around which everything revolves. This means our decisions, actions, and thoughts should all be aligned with His teachings and example. When Jesus is the center, our lives gain purpose and direction. Many people know about Jesus, but He isn't the center of their lives. We must ask ourselves if Jesus is truly the center of our lives or just an add-on. [41:16]
Hebrews 3:1 (ESV): "Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where Jesus is not currently the center? How can you begin to make Him the center of that area today?
Day 2: The Power of Scripture
Description: The Word of God is described as a sword in Ephesians 6:17. It is our primary weapon against spiritual battles. Consistent engagement with Scripture not only equips us to fight off temptation but also provides us with divine wisdom and guidance. Jesus used Scripture to fight off temptation, and we should do the same. The Word of God is alive and active, capable of judging our thoughts and attitudes. It’s not just literature; it’s a living guide that helps us align our will with God's will. [44:04]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more consistent Bible reading into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take to make this a habit?
Day 3: Importance of Prayer
Description: Prayer is essential for maintaining a close relationship with God. It’s not just a ritual but a lifeline that keeps us connected to Him. Colossians 4:2 encourages us to devote ourselves to prayer, making it a regular part of our daily lives. Whether it's setting a specific time for prayer or praying throughout the day, the key is consistency. Prayer is our direct line to God, and it’s about building a relationship with Him, not just about formality. [45:34]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: What specific time of day can you set aside for prayer? How can you remind yourself to pray consistently throughout the day?
Day 4: Consistency in Spiritual Practices
Description: Knowing the importance of reading the Bible and praying is one thing, but doing it consistently is another. Just as physical health requires a balanced diet and regular exercise, spiritual health requires regular engagement with God's Word and prayer. Consistency in these practices helps us grow spiritually and stay aligned with God's will. It’s about developing a lifestyle where these practices become second nature. [48:41]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can ensure consistency in your Bible reading and prayer life? Can you set specific goals or reminders to help you stay on track?
Day 5: Approaching God with Confidence
Description: Hebrews 4:16 tells us to approach God's throne of grace with confidence. God is not a distant, wrathful figure but a loving Father who wants us to come to Him as we are. This understanding should encourage us to maintain a consistent prayer life. We can come to God with our needs, knowing that He is gracious and willing to help us. This confidence in approaching God can transform our prayer life and deepen our relationship with Him. [53:43]
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: What is one specific need or concern you have that you can bring to God in prayer today? How can you approach Him with confidence, trusting in His grace and mercy?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus is our center. That's why we named it Center Point. We want Jesus to be the center, and I love the way Hebrews 3.1 reads in the message. It says this, My dear Christian friends, companions, and following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He is the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God calls us to do. Amen. He is the centerpiece of everything we believe, everything we teach. That's what we want for us in our lives, that Jesus would be the center of our lives." [41:16] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A lot of people already know about Jesus. He's just not the center of their lives. A lot of people attend church so glad, but did you know people who attend church sometimes don't have Jesus as the center of their life? There's even people that believe in God or believe that Jesus came, but He's not the center of their life. He's not their Lord. He's not the, He's not who they listen to for their life's instruction. He's kind of an extra, a part of their life. Their life doesn't revolve around Him. Jesus never wanted to be an add-on. He's the main event." [42:40] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We keep Jesus at the center of our lives by spending time in his Word and in prayer. Write that down if you're taking notes. We keep Jesus at the center of our lives by spending time in his Word and in prayer. Now, let me stop right there and just say this. I think I know what many of you are thinking. I think that many of you are thinking, yes, I already know that. Read the Bible and pray. I already know. I've been going to church a long time. I've been following Christ a long time. I already know that. So, my question to you is, are you doing it?" [47:04] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Let me ask you this. Are you getting to know the word by spending, time in the word? Let me say it one more time, just to make sure that makes sense. Are you getting to know the word? Jesus is called the word. Are you getting to know the word by spending time in the word, God's word? The reality is a lot of people aren't. Lifeway did a study that says only about half of Christians open the Bible more than once a week. Some of them, not at all. We got to do better than that, y'all. Anybody think we could do a little better than that?" [01:00:02] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Don't let prayer be your backup plan. Don't wait for a crisis to pray. Let prayer be part of who you are. Let it be part of your day. In fact, in Colossians, it says we need to devote ourselves to it. Colossians 4.2, devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. In other words, get into habit of prayer. One thing we talk about sometimes is pick a time daily that, you know what, this is going to be my time with God, my appointment with God." [01:04:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We have a selfish nature, and if we're not careful, instead of it being all about Him, it becomes all about us. Not only do we have a selfish nature, we have a spiritual enemy that doesn't want Jesus to be the center of our lives. We have a spiritual enemy that doesn't want Jesus to be the center of our church. And so, let's start there with our text today. Let's go to Ephesians 6, 17 and 18. We'll also be in Hebrews 4 if you want to turn to those passages of Scripture." [42:40] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's Word is like a sword. God's Word is our sword. And Jesus showed us how to use God's Word because He's quoted Scripture to fight off temptation. He used it like a sword. He used it like a sword against the enemy. The enemy came to Him in the desert and said, why don't you do this? Why don't you do that? And He kept saying, it is written. It is written. It is written. He used God's Word like a sword, right? And so, if we're in a spiritual battle, as Ephesians says that we are, we need to carry our sword into battle. We'd never go into battle without a weapon, right?" [45:34] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Word of God is alive and active. What we got to understand is, this is so much more than just great literature. It's alive. It's active. God can speak through His Word. There is life in His Word. He can help us to have revelations that we hadn't had before, and He can speak directly to our situation as we're studying His Word. And if we read the Bible just for information, we're missing out because it's way bigger than that. The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges thoughts and attitudes." [52:19] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Getting stronger spiritually doesn't come from me giving you, or another person you listen to, giving you deep thought. Getting strong spiritually comes from doing what we already know to do consistently. Spending consistent time with the Lord in prayer. Spending consistent time with the Lord, reading His Word, studying His Word on our own. Let me give you one more passage that we're going to look at that shows us the importance of both Bible study and prayer in the same way." [50:29] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have had a culture of prayer for a long time. Every Sunday before we start any service, our dream team is in there praying over the service. When you get involved, whatever life group you choose, as they get started in a couple of weeks, whatever group you're in, they're going to have a time in their group where they're praying together, praying over needs, things like that. Our staff prays all week long, and on Tuesdays, we come together. We pray together, God. Meet these, we pray over the requests that you give on those connect cards. We pray over our church. We pray that God would give us wisdom. We're all the time going to the Lord in prayer, asking for his help." [01:10:10] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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