Christ Centered

Introduction | Colossians 3:15-17

A Christ Centered Life is a phrase we hear in sermons, Bible studies, small groups, personal quiet time. I believe it is a phrase that becomes just that - a phrase. Something we pull out of our Christian dictionary to explain the Christian life.

Sometimes when we pull from our Christian dictionary, we don’t have a clear definition.

Today I want to share a clear definition of a Christ-Centered Life.

Stand and read along Colossians 3:15-17

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Back in 2013, I remember being at my grandparents house in the summer and my grandpa asking if I heard about the christian, Nik Wallenda, who was going to walk across the grand canyon on a tightrope, with no safety harness. The bottom of the canyon was 1500 ft below him. Midway through, he experienced 20mph wind gusts.

Through the fear & obstacles, he knew that is was essential to stay centered on the rope and focused on goal before him.

I share the story as a real example for us. It is essential we are centered on Christ. One unbalanced moment of sin, could cause a life threatening fall.

I have three definitions from Colossians 3 of a Christ-centered life.

Discern the Peace of the Lord

The first phrase we read in verse 15 - “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” To let the peace of God rule in our hearts, we must first discern the peace of God.

Discerning the peace of God should be approached with patience, deep faith, strong ear to listen, and a surrendered heart to follow Christ, no matter the decision.

Sometimes where the peace of God leads, may not be the most comfortable. Often times when we hear peace, we think relaxing, calm, comfortable.

How the peace of God works, is that you will discern a calmness and confidence about the decision. But the decisions might lead to a moment that is uneasy, not your preference, out of your comfort zone, awkward. Don’t confuse God’s peace with personal comfort. {Some of you will see how good that is later}

(John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”)

If you follow the peace of God/let it rule in your heart , you will have a calmness and confidence of the decision. Do not follow a plan because one might appear easier. Follow Christ because His plan is holier!

When the peace of God rules in your heart, we can come together as the body of Christ and fulfill God’s personal mission for us and fulfill God’s mission for Northside.

Be patient, have deep faith, strong ear to listen, and a surrendered heart to follow Christ - then discern the peace of God.

Dwell in the Word of the Lord

To let the word of Christ “dwell in us richly,” we must spend a great deal of time in the Bible learning about Him. We must cherish His Word in our hearts, as the psalmist put it in Psalms 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Dwell richly or full with the Word of God. This is unlimited of the best food at the freest price. We should full of the Word of God. Just like when you went to get lunch today, and you walked out of the restaurant saying one of these statements, if not both “I ate too much” OR “I’m ready for a nap.” Dwell in the Word richly/fully!

These two modifiers explain how the word of Christ is able to dwell richly in the congregation. They were to teach and admonish each other with a mutual involvement in the lives of others. They were to accomplish this through songs of various kinds. These songs, in turn, were energized by the freedom of the word of Christ so that an ever new song of grace appears.

Ultimately, letting the word of Christ dwell richly in us should help us to do everything in the name of Jesus, that is, according to what He has communicated that He desires (Colossians 3:17).

Do Everything in the name of the Lord

A Christ- centered life is one that honors Jesus in everything you do. It means something when the name of Jesus is mentioned. People are curious and Christians want to be apart of that work.

When someone is talking about cooking and preparing food. If you hear my name with it, no one on this earth think, “ooh, I want to eat what Noah is cooking.” When yall hear about our Northside ladies making cakes - it’s a race and sometimes a fight to get it. The name that comes with it matters.

When something is spoken in the name of Jesus, it matters. When a deed is attempted/accomplished in the name of Jesus, it matters. This is true because of who Jesus is.

A Christ- Centered life is one that does EVERYTHING in the name of Jesus. One commentator wrote, “A true christian commitment incorporates both.” Word and deed in the name of Jesus

The person of Jesus was everything to them, and, because of grace, all of life was to be a contribution to him. His authority and reputation concerned them. They were to do nothing apart from his direction, approval, and purposes. Living in accord with his name means “in harmony with his revealed will, in subjection to his authority, in dependence on his power.”

Closing

A Christ centered life is one that starts with Jesus. Is He the center of your life / the Savior of your life?

Followers of Christ who center their lives on Him start to become more like Him. They talk about Him, think about Him, dream about Him, and scheme to spend more time with Him. They choose to obey His commands out of love and honor for their Lord, not from fear of being caught in sin. The greatest desire of Christ-centered believers is to please Him and grow to be more like Him. Their lives echo Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” The chief aim of a Christ-centered life is to glorify God.

There will be moments in life where the life you live is not centered on Christ. You may be leaning a little left or right. Might be losing your balance. If you notice that your life is not centered on Jesus, take this moment make an alter and ask God to center your life on HIM.

This entire book was written to the church as a body, one group. God has been calling you to be centered with other believers, and that place is Northside. Come along other believers and center on Christ together.

A CHRIST CENTERED LIFE...

-Discern the Peace of the Lord

-Dwell in the Word of the Lord

-Do everything in the Name of the Lord