What’s At Your Center?

Opening Scripture

Luke 9:23–24 NIV

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Leading up to this moment, the disciples weren't necessarily wrong about who Jesus was—they were wrong about what they expected His Messiahship to look like.

They tried to fit Jesus into their mold of what they wanted the Messiah to be. They were looking for an earthly king—someone who would deliver Israel from Roman oppression, restore the kingdom, and establish Israel’s victory. But Jesus came revealing a Kingdom that was much bigger than the political revolution they were expecting.”

We try to force Jesus into the mold of who we think He should be—or who we want Him to be. Instead of allowing Jesus to define what following Him looks like, we attempt to redefine Jesus so that following Him fits comfortably into the life we already want.

We end up focusing on things that really don’t matter such as His appearance, His race/ethnicity, or even how He does or does not forgive Sin.

ALL of these things are tied to our Flesh — NOT the Spirit of God!!

We know that this is tied to our Flesh because it goes against God’s Will and His Word!

When we become more concerned with making Jesus conform to our culture than allowing our culture to conform to Christ, that's self-centeredness.

Get Your Mind Right!

Colossians 3:1–3 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

When we choose to repent and surrender to Jesus we are called to set the intentions of our hearts, and minds on things that are eternal — rooted in the likeness of Jesus!

You can tell what's at the center of your life by what consistently captures your heart, occupies your mind, influences your decisions, and determines your direction.

If our minds aren't anchored in Christ, our lives will eventually become vulnerable to whatever else captures our attention.

Our Minds and hearts should be focused on Godly things — NOT things that gratify the flesh

What gratify’s the flesh will become a distraction preventing you from coming closer to Jesus!

Get Fully Invested

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God created us to have fellowship with us — When Sin separated us from God, He was willing to send us Jesus His Son to take our place in punishment so we could be reconnected to Him.

Our bodies are to be a temple for the presence of God

We are called by God to treat our bodies with care

We shouldn’t live nor lead our lives the way the world does

We shouldn’t be getting drunk

We shouldn’t be overeating or eating unhealthy

We should be striving to take good care of our health with regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet

This Is What We Live For…

2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Jesus died for everyone to be given the opportunity through Him to be forgiven and set free from the bondage of sin and addiction.

As we receive Jesus into our heart and lives we must understand that we are no longer living for ourselves but instead living form Him.

Jesus MUST be at the center of our entire life — He is our foundation!

There is NOT enough room for our ego, our flesh, and for Jesus — We must pick either or

To Live for Jesus is to die to self.

Your Next Steps

Identify What’s Actually at Your Center

Write down the three things consuming most of your attention right now. Ask yourself whether each one is drawing you toward Jesus, distracting you from Jesus, or attempting to replace Jesus.

2. Start Your Day by Surrendering Yourself

Before checking social media, emails, news, or everything demanding your attention, pray something as simple as:

“Jesus, my life belongs to You today. My plans, decisions, desires, words, relationships, and opportunities belong to You. Help me deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You.”

Then ask throughout the day:

“Jesus, what would following You look like in this decision?”

3. Change What’s Feeding Your Mind

Identify one influence that has been feeding your flesh or distracting you from Christ and reduce or remove it this week. Replace that time intentionally with Scripture, prayer, worship, or something that directs your attention toward Christ.

4. Give Jesus Access to the Area You’ve Been Holding Back

Name that area specifically and ask:

“What would complete obedience to Jesus look like here?”

Then take one concrete act of obedience this week.

5. Do Something This Week That Benefits Someone Other Than You

So deliberately do something this week where you aren't the beneficiary.

Serve someone. Encourage someone. Give generously. Forgive someone. Help someone without receiving recognition. Share Jesus with someone. Meet a need.

And don't post about it.

Don't look for applause.

Don't expect anything in return.

Do it because Jesus is at the center.