The Christ Centered Life

The Standard response:1. God2. Family3. Country

How Should We Set Priorities?

If the amount of time we give determines priorities it would be something like:1. Work2. Recreation – TV, Internet, hobbies, etc.3. Family – school functions, vacations, ballet, etc.4. Health – gym, walking, etc.5. Education6. Church7. Community

How Should We Set Priorities?

Maybe our Priorities are based on what is most important to us, what we’d be least likely to give up:1. God2. Family3. Friends4. Country5. Recreation

How Should We Set Priorities?

Priorities change but Christ should always be

at the Center.

A Better Way to View Priorities

Christ

Family

Work

Church

Community

Education

Recreation

Christ Centered Priorities

Matthew 22:33–38 (HCSB) 35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: 36 “Teacher,

which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “Love the Lord

your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This

is the greatest and most important commandment.

Our First Priority is to Love God

Love Him with my heart – emotions, passions, with zeal

Love Him with my soul – my talents, abilities, gifts, my personality

Love Him with my mind – my intellect, my rational being

Love Him with:

Christ

Family

Work

Church

Community

Education

Recreation

Do I have the heart, soul and mind of Christ in these?

Matthew 32:39-4039 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets

depend on these two commandments.”

Second priority is to love our neighbor

Who is your neighbor?

Christ

Family

Work

Church

Community

Education

Recreation

How can I better love my neighbor in each of these?

There is no conflict in loving God with all my heart, soul and mind. But there is in loving

people.

What do I do when my heart (emotions), soul and mind (intellect) are in conflict on how to

love a person or persons?

Conflict in loving

Your child’s inoculations.Disciplining our children.Homework vs. play.Giving to a pan handler. Reporting a student that has cheated on a

test.Standing up to a bully.Giving to the church or other charity.

Examples of conflicted love

Trust GodProverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all

your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

What do we do?

Christ

Family

Work

Church

Community

Education

Recreation

Am I trusting God or self?

Circumstances change priorities◦ Health◦ Family issues◦ Economics ◦ Social issues◦ Environmental

Seasons of life change priorities◦ High School◦ College◦ Young family◦ Retired

Priorities Change, but not the Center

Christ

Family

Work

Church

Community

Education

Recreation

Christ provides balance, integration and stability

Because Christ is central, I’m the same person in each area.

John 13:34–35 (HCSB) 34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Role of the Church

Worship – keep focus on the center Instruction – in God’s Word and application

toward family, work, community, etc. Fellowship – encouragement, friendship,

accountability, retreat from the world and training ground to enter the world.

Evangelism – When we love within the church, people notice. Bring the center to others and others to the Center.

Role of the Church

John 13:34–35 (HCSB) 34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

When we practice loving each other:

Christ

Family

Work

Church

Community

Education

Recreation

A Christ Centered Life

Note the direction of the arrows

Christ

Family

Work

Church

Community

Education

Recreation

Brings others to Christ

Is there any area in your life where Christ is not at the center?◦ Family?◦ Work?◦ Community?◦ Education?◦ Recreation?◦ Church?◦ Other?

If Christ is at the Center of your life He will become the center of other’s lives.

Evaluate yourself!