Sermon Title: How To Live Confidently in a Chaotic World - Stay Centered
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
Dr. David Jeremiah, in his book, Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World, makes these comments concerning this passage:
"I'm sure you've been through trying times, perhaps the loss of a job or a loved on. While surrounded by sorrow, you might have found that it helped to fix your mind on one thing, something positive and productive. For instance, work can be a true blessing. We call it "staying busy." But Paul counsels us to set our hearts on Christ in such a way that every facet of this life is transformed by its relationship to Him.
We know we are destined for heaven. We realize we are citizens of another world. Therefore we are to set our hearts on the things of God, which are perfect and beautiful, rather than the things of the world, which are in disarray even at the best of times. When Paul wrote this statement, he used a verb tense that means 'keep on doing this,' as opposed to a one-time action. In other words, it's not 'think about heaven at this moment.' It's 'Keep on keeping your mind immersed in God and His Word, all the time.' This is a discipline too few of us have mastered: the art of heaven-based thinking. Some call it the practice of the presence of God.
In times such as these we have to look somewhere for answers. The psychologist tells us we should look within. The opportunist tells us we should look around. The optimist says we should look ahead, and the pessimist says we should look out. But God says we should look up - even when we feel down.
Think for a moment about a compass that you might carry on a hike. You can turn your feet in any direction, but the arrow of the compass will faithfully point to magnetic north. That way, should you ever become lost, the compass will align your position for you. In life, our true north is Christ. Whatever direction our world's path may twist, however off-path it may wander, our lives should point faithfully to the One and Only Lord of every place, every time, every situation. When He is our determining point, everything will find its proper orientation."
Amen Dr. Jeremiah - our lives should truly "point faithfully to the One and Only Lord of every place, every time, every situation"! May each of us look towards our Lord this day for continued direction in the midst of whatever chaos we find ourselves in. On Sunday, I will talk more about being centered by focusing on God's control of our lives, His care for us and His commitment to us. Hope to see you then!
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
Dr. David Jeremiah, in his book, Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World, makes these comments concerning this passage:
"I'm sure you've been through trying times, perhaps the loss of a job or a loved on. While surrounded by sorrow, you might have found that it helped to fix your mind on one thing, something positive and productive. For instance, work can be a true blessing. We call it "staying busy." But Paul counsels us to set our hearts on Christ in such a way that every facet of this life is transformed by its relationship to Him.
We know we are destined for heaven. We realize we are citizens of another world. Therefore we are to set our hearts on the things of God, which are perfect and beautiful, rather than the things of the world, which are in disarray even at the best of times. When Paul wrote this statement, he used a verb tense that means 'keep on doing this,' as opposed to a one-time action. In other words, it's not 'think about heaven at this moment.' It's 'Keep on keeping your mind immersed in God and His Word, all the time.' This is a discipline too few of us have mastered: the art of heaven-based thinking. Some call it the practice of the presence of God.
In times such as these we have to look somewhere for answers. The psychologist tells us we should look within. The opportunist tells us we should look around. The optimist says we should look ahead, and the pessimist says we should look out. But God says we should look up - even when we feel down.
Think for a moment about a compass that you might carry on a hike. You can turn your feet in any direction, but the arrow of the compass will faithfully point to magnetic north. That way, should you ever become lost, the compass will align your position for you. In life, our true north is Christ. Whatever direction our world's path may twist, however off-path it may wander, our lives should point faithfully to the One and Only Lord of every place, every time, every situation. When He is our determining point, everything will find its proper orientation."
Amen Dr. Jeremiah - our lives should truly "point faithfully to the One and Only Lord of every place, every time, every situation"! May each of us look towards our Lord this day for continued direction in the midst of whatever chaos we find ourselves in. On Sunday, I will talk more about being centered by focusing on God's control of our lives, His care for us and His commitment to us. Hope to see you then!
