Message
God’s Will/My Will:From Diminishing to Flourishing – Christ – How is Jesus in the center? Cross and Resurrection
Romans 12:1-3 (The Message), Jn 3:16-17, Jn 15:5, Isaiah 53:5, Luke 24:34
Sunday is a central message of what’s central in life (and in death – Q&A#1 of the Heidelberg Catechism). It’ a message at the center of our 5 week worldview series and at the center of Scripture. A message at the center of all life, of history’s purpose and meaning – it’s that central. Central to our flourishing, central to our happiness, central to living life well. The what and the who of this central message are one and the same – JESUS!
Whether you’ve never met Jesus, don’t know much about Him, or you’ve known Jesus for a long time, the questions of the centrality of Jesus in our life are the same. Two questions quickly present themselves. The first question is basic, yet of profound impact and influence, Do you know Jesus and is Jesus central in your life? Everything else in life is peripheral and everything else finds its gravity and orbit circling around JESUS. This central life in Jesus, the life we’ve been created for, the life we’re looking for, involves what Scripture reveals as ‘dying and rising in Jesus.’ So, the second question follows, Are you engaged in daily ‘dying and rising’ in Jesus Christ? When we are, life finds its orbit, its meaning, its beauty, its purpose.
Do you know Jesus and is Jesus central in your life?
So central, so basic, so authentically real, is life in Jesus Christ. As basic as bread and water, as oxygen and blood, is the life we are offered and given in Jesus Christ. “It is for freedom that you have been set free. So stand firm (Jesus central) and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal 5:1)
The invitation has been given to us, “Come to me… come to the table… find the life you are looking for.” In preparation for Sunday, read Psalm 63 and 107. And as you read, hear the invitation to the life you’re truly looking for, the life you were created for, the life Jesus offers and gives. Where are you in the knowing and receiving of God’s love that is ‘better than life?’ Of what crowd of people in Psalm 107 do you come from as described in Psalm 107? Sunday we will celebrate communion together as God’s household, gather around Jesus (centrally), feast together following worship with a fellowship meal, and be sent out to tell others the Good News – in Jesus, the life we are looking for is found. Bring your offerings of praise, of worship, of confession, of thanksgiving, of money, of food and drink.
See you Sunday, it will be a God reorienting of life experience,
Pastor Mark