Ephesians 1:20-23(MSG) All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
Focus Fuels Direction
1 John 2:15-17(NIV) Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
What is the system of this world? A life that doesn’t need God
And if we don’t need God, we focus on ourselves. And before we look up, we have created a world that is all about self.
WE MUST STOP CHASING A COUNTERFEIT CULTURE
Two realities about chasing counterfeit. 1. REVEALS SPIRITUAL EMPTINESS
1 JOHN:15 (NIV) Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV) For Christ’s love compels us.. that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2. ELIMINATES OUR NEED FOR FAITH
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
We Must Focus on Authentic
Ephesians 1:20-23 (MSG) All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
