The Center Of The Universe

Text: Colossians 1:15-20, Title: The Center of the Universe, Date/Place: WHBC, 9/16/18

A. Opening illustration: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Physical/Physiological, Safety, Love/belonging, Esteem, and Self-actualization (meaningfulness in life). We need a spiritual “gut-check.” Uncle Chuck,

B. Background to passage: Today we are going to talk about priorities. No apologies or caveats about the message today. Some of these things overlap, but ultimately, there is only one that reigns supreme on our hierarchy of priorities. Just by the way, I am skipping the normal idols that supplant the proper positions of glory in our lives. Possessions, passions, and self are only the obvious and wide hurdles. They take many down, but those in the church that believe they have sidestepped or overcome these defensive linemen, still have the linebackers, the cornerbacks, and safeties before you get to the endzone; and first downs are not good enough in the football game of life, only the endzone provides complete satisfaction and purpose to your existence.

C. Main thought: We must decide what lies at the center of our universe.

1) People at the Center (v. )

a. Times of struggle have often pitted Christian men and women to ask the question about the value of those closest to them versus the value of the allegiance to Christ.

b. Argumentation

c. Illustration: the Chinese pastor in the dark room – “Is it worth it?”, proudest man in prison if he hears of the martyrdom of his wife and children if they stand for Christ, Star Wars fans may remember when Yoda tells Anakin, when he is having dreams about the death of Padmea during childbirth, “death is a part of life, learn to let go of things that you fear to lose, fear is a path to the dark side,”

d. People in this life are dear to us, this is not a sin. In fact, relationships are given to us to be a blessing and a help in our holiness and pursuit of God. The place where idolatry arises is when others take the place of prominence over God in our lives. There are times in your life where you are going to be faced with decisions that require you to take into account things more important that those close to you. There are not exceptions in the scripture that say that it’s OK to consider the desires of your children, spouse, parents, teachers, over the desires of Christ. You must choose a side, and your allegiance must be with Christ. If it is not, your commitment to Christ, maybe even your salvation is in question. How you deal with this reflects value, which is the ultimate call and bar of prominence of Christ in your life.

2) Church at the Center (v. )

a. The church is Christ’s bride. It is of utmost importance to him. It is through the church that God promises to display his wisdom to the world and the heavenly hosts. But the church is the church and it is not Christ.

b. Argumentation

c. Illustration: Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped. -Augustine, one of my main convictions about worship, is not the genre of music, not the lights, not instruments, not the overhead, not the sound, but evaluation based on a simple truth, worship that does not lead people to the throne of God has missed the point. Talking to Philip the other day about the number of adult baptisms they have had, most are people raised in the church, never having left, but missing Christ.

d. Here in the south we have placed such a high value upon church attendance, church service, church giving, church events, church trips, church meals, church worship, etc. that one can go through the church being a “churchian” instead of a Christian. You can do all of those things and miss the point. You can go through the church and serve in every position, even pastor, have perfect attendance in SS, go on mission trip after trip, give your tithe, none of these things being inherently bad, but all the while making church your god. Please examine your heart, what is first, Christ or the church? This reflects in your decisions and attitudes, and ultimately where you place preeminence. Christ must be more important than church to you.

3) Salvation at the Center (v. )

a. Another rung on the ladder of improper supremacy is the salvation of men. I know, a collective gasp just came from the room, but just hold on. I did say that there was some overlap, however there is only room for one at the top of the ladder. The salvation of men and the reaching the nations is a nobler goal than the priority of man or church as an organization, but it is only a means not the end. The end is the exaltation of Christ forever and ever. This involves evangelism but does not follow subsequent.