Making Christ the Centerpiece

1.   Of our FAITH

      a.   Romans 1:8 - a faith known throughout the whole WORLD

      b.   1 Cor 2:1-5 - Our faith is to rest in the POWER of God

      c.   1 Cor 1:24 - Christ is the WISDOM & POWER of God

      d.   1 Corinthians 15:12-17

      e.   Galatians 2:16 Jesus is the only source of JUSTIFICATION

      f.   Galatians 2:20 - ‘through faith Christ LIVES in me.’

2.   Of our LIFE

      a.   Colossians 3:4 - Christ is our LIFE

      b.   Colossians 3:11 - Christ is our ALL in ALL

      c.   Philippians 1:21 - for me to LIVE is CHRIST

      d.   To do this, we must follow Christ’s EXAMPLE - 1 Pet 2:21-23

            i.   By THINKING like Christ - Philippians 2:5

            ii.  By SERVING like Christ - Philippians 2:7 (Gal 5:13)

            iii. By HUMBLING ourselves like Christ - Philippians 2:8a

            iv. By OBEYING like Christ - Philippians 2:8b (Heb 5:8-9)

3.   Of our HOPE

      a.   Acts 2:25-27 - Christ was the center of DAVID’S hope.

      b.   Ephesians 2:11-12 - to be w/o CHRIST, is to be w/o HOPE.

      c.   In Christ we have the hope of the RESURRECTION

            i.   1 Corinthians 15:19-22 our hope is not only in this LIFE

            ii.  John 14:1-3 Our hope will be made manifest at His return

            iii. Rom 5:1-5 our hope will not bring us shame (9:33, 10:11)

      d.   Ephesians 4:4 - this is the only LASTING hope

4.   1 Thessalonians 1:3 brings the three together in their proper order:

      a.   Our WORK of FAITH

      b.   Our LABOR of LOVE

      c.   Our PATIENCE of HOPE in our Lord Jesus Christ