Values Determine Direction VII

Sermon Notes

Value Determines Directions VII “Christ Centered”

*Self Centered vs. Christ Centered*

*1Co 1:18* For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
*1Co 1:19* For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
*1Co 1:20* Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
*1Co 1:21* For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
*1Co 1:22* For Jews demand *signs* and Greeks seek *wisdom,*

1. *Self Centered relies on external influences, where Christ centered relies on internal*

* If we are self centered we will be consumers by nature.
* We will have to have certain things happen in order for us to feel God.
* When this happens, our experience is on our terms and not God’s.
* Overflow Struggles with this in, consumers not contributors are a majority

*1Co 1:23* but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
*1Co 1:24* but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
*1Co 1:25* For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
*1Co 1:26* For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
*1Co 1:27* But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
*1Co 1:28* God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
*1Co 1:29* so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
*1Co 1:30* And *because of him *you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

* 2. Self Centered relies on my will. Christ Centered relies on His.*

* We cannot do this without Christ and His Spirit
* Defying Statistics is evidence of Christ
* Overflow Excels in this with, Decision making, leadership and risk taking


*1Co 1:31* so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
*1Co 2:1* And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
*1Co 2:2* For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
*1Co 2:3* And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, *1Co 2:4* and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
*1Co 2:5* so that your faith might *not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God*.

3.* Self Centered relies on seeing. Christ Centered relies on faith*

* Trusting God is simple, it’s obedience.
* When we are obedient, it shows that we trust God
* Disobedience is proof of a lack of faith
* Overflow Struggles with this in, tithing, situations, and relationships



Conclusion:
What determines what happens next? Are you about you or about Him?

Podcast - Sermon Preview

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LIFE Group Questions


1) Are you Self Centered or Christ Centered?

*_Self Centered _ *
*Come to church for a specific preacher
*Consumer - at church to get your needs met
*Self-reliant - faith in yourself
*Disobedient - to what God is asking you to do

_*Christ Centered*_
*Come to church to hear the word of God
*Contributor - want to help others
*Christ reliant - faith in God
*Obedient to God - trusting His way is best

2) We as humans “LOVE” to be self centered. Proverbs 26:12
What can you do to become less self centered? Phillipians 2:3-4, Ephesians 4:29-32

3) Are you about you or are you about God? James 3:14-18

4) This is all goes back to being a heart issue. Are you willing to surrender to Him, having faith that what God is doing is what's best for you? Proverbs 16:9, Psalm 32:8

5) Do you trust God with your life? Jeremiah 29:11

6) Are you willing to be obedient in everything? John 14:15, Isaiah 1:19, 1 John 3:24

7) Do you want to be a part of what God is doing?
- trust Him, step out in faith Deuteronomy 31:8

8) Do you want to be self centered or Christ centered? Romans 12:2