Who is the most important person in the room? We probably know the answer we’re supposed to give: others. But if we’re honest, our hearts often want to answer: me.
We want our preferences, our opinions, our needs, our comfort, and our way. And when everyone is trying to occupy the center, relationships become exhausting and joy becomes harder to find.
That’s exactly where Paul takes us in Week 2 of our fall series, “JOY THAT HOLDS.” Last week we looked at our circumstances and discovered that Christ can give us joy even when life is difficult. This week, Paul turns our attention toward our relationships and shows us another way Christ-centered joy holds: by putting Christ ahead of ourselves.
Paul writes to a church he loves, but there is tension within the congregation. His solution isn’t to demand that everyone agree about everything. Instead, he calls them to humility—to consider others more significant than themselves and to look beyond their own interests. Why? Because Christian unity isn’t built on everyone having the same opinions, personalities, preferences, or backgrounds. Our unity is built around our shared Savior.
Since Christ has already humbled Himself for us, we don’t have to fight to make ourselves the center. Instead, we are free to move out of the center. And when we do…there is more room for everyone else. Joy doesn’t come from getting everything to revolve around us. Joy grows when Christ—not self—occupies our center. Services are at 8:30 & 10am. Live Streaming available at 10am.
Pastor Wes Asheim
