Christ the Center
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Four Shifts of the Saints
Four Shifts of the Saints
1. The Status Shift: From sinner to saved
1. The Status Shift: From sinner to saved
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
The great exchange:
God gave his perfect life, in order to save yours.
The innocent one, exchanged his life for the guilty ones.
That’s the gift.
Bridge illustration.
Who are the saints?
Many think it’s those who are just super good.
It’s actually those who have trusted Christ.
You are safe now.
Even if nothing else ever happened in your life, the end result would still be amazing.
2. The Focus Shift: From my personal goals to my Savior’s goals.
2. The Focus Shift: From my personal goals to my Savior’s goals.
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.
It makes sense ethically.
Reciprocity. If someone literally gave up their life for you, doesn’t it make sense to give back?
It makes sense emotionally.
There is no greater display of live than to live and die for the sake of another. We are recipiants of that great love. When we realize that and feel it, it is moving.
It makes sense logically.
“The truth will set you free.” We are going to live on for all eternity, and our personal goals and achievements will be nothing.
“Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I'll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee." Leonard Ravenhill
“I don’t primarily live for Christ because I ought to; I live for Christ primarily because it is the only thing that makes sense in light of reality.”
This is an example what Jesus meant when he said, John 8:32
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
People spend their life enslaved to chasing their own dreams, bucket lists and goals. It’s bondage. It never satisfies. And it won’t last. It’s vanity.
The words of the philosophers in the Lincoln Park seem to be fitting in this situation: “I tried so hard and got so far
But in the end it doesn't even matter.”
New Direction:
God, what is your will and how can I line my life up with that?
God want’s all nations to hear the Godspel.
Main goal - to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
You start looking at your career not as an end in itself, but as a means to glorify God.
“God, my life is a blank slate for your goals.”
Life has shiftef from self-centered or career-centered, or education-centered or family-centered to something new, Christ-centered.
3. The Life Meaning Shift: From vainly seeking to truly finding.
3. The Life Meaning Shift: From vainly seeking to truly finding.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
The paradox: You must lose your life, so you can find your life.
We must give up control, so he can have control.
Car Illustration: Jesus, hop in the back seat.
What greater meaning could you have, then the meaning and purpose that God has made you for?
4. The Power Source Shift: From my power to Christ’s power
4. The Power Source Shift: From my power to Christ’s power
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Illustration: Pump adapter that never worked.
Hudson Taylor: He had so much to do, yet seemed so calm. He was abiding in Christ.
Young guy - “Let’s let God show up.”
Caution: You can’t try to remain the one in control of your life, and then expect Christ to empower you. Abiding in Christ means surrendering to his will, and trusting for His empowerment to do his will.
What’s your next step?
What’s your next step?
Status Shift: From Sinner to Saved.
Receive the gift of salvation.
Remember the incredible gift you have already received.
Focus Shift: From personal goals to my Savior’s goals.
Shift your focus to Christ’s goals.
Meet with a leader from Challenge to talk about how to start prioritizing Christ’s goals.
Life meaning shift: From vainly seeking to truly finding
Surrender control of your life to Christ, so you can truly experience the life God has for you.
Turn away from a certain sin you know you are holding on to.
Power source shift: From my power to Christ’s power.
Do something for Christ outside of your comfort zone, and rely on him to empower you.