Putting the Focus on Christ... In Our Church

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Pastor Jimmy Brown
The last two months we were challenged to put the focus on Christ in our personal lives and in our families. This month, let’s talk about how we can put the focus on Christ IN OUR CHURCH. Our focal passage is Colossians 3:15-17: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

First, we put the focus on Christ in our church by striving for peace and unity in the church. The simple truth is that how well or how poorly we get along with each other in the church either glorifies or defames our Lord. We are challenged to: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3) because God’s desire is that “the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:12-13).

Second, we put the focus on Christ in our church by submitting to His authority and surrendering to His will. We must remember that God has entrusted the church to us, but it is HIS church. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Col 1:15-18).  That means that we don’t run the church according to our desires and whims. Rather, we must make sure that all of our programs, ministries, and services are consistent with Christ’s character, commands, example, and purposes as revealed in the Bible.

Third, we put the focus on Christ in our church by worshipping Him. We learn in the Book of Revelation that Jesus will be praised and worshiped throughout eternity. Let us go ahead and join the eternal song: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev 5:12). In our worship we acknowledge His identity. We praise Him for His character. We thank Him for His works. We express our love and devotion to Him. We sing to Him and about Him. We teach about Him through the truth of His Word.

Fourth, we put the focus on Christ in our church by loving one another. Jesus commanded: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn 13:34-35).  Paul encouraged: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Rom 12:10). John  
challenged: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 Jn 3:18).

Fifth, we put the focus on Christ in our church by doing our part in the Body of Christ by serving one another. Paul painted the picture: “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Rom 12:4-5). Further, he taught: “From [Christ the Head] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph 4:15-16). Therefore, let us “Serve one another in love” (Gal5:13).

And finally, we put the focus on Christ in our church by doing His work. Jesus made it clear that He came to “seek and to save what was lost” (Lk 19:10) and to teach and preach about, and invite people to enter, the Kingdom of God. Then before ascending into Heaven, Jesus charged: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20). As Jesus’ followers, we have been commissioned with the ongoing task of building up God’s Kingdom by introducing people to, and teaching them about, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2). Let us put the focus on Christ . . . IN OUR CHURCH! 

Always remember: Jesus Loves You and So Do I!

Pastor Jimmy