pressing on and leaning in toward christ at the end of 2013

Pressing On and Leaning InToward Christ

at the end of 2013

Bounded Set

Bounded Set

Bounded Set

Outside = unsavedInside = saved

Acts 26:18 (ESV)

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Bounded Set

Outside = unsavedInside = saved

Bounded Set

Outside = unsavedInside = saved

?

Bounded Set

Outside = unsavedInside = saved

Bounded Set

• Location—Have I stepped over the ‘faith’ line?

Helps to answer the question: “Who is saved?”

Bounded Set

• Location—Have I stepped over the ‘faith’ line?

• In / Out—Can I say that I’m “in Christ?”

Helps to answer the question: “Who is saved?”

Bounded Set

• Location—Have I stepped over the ‘faith’ line?

• In / Out—Can I say that I’m “in Christ?”

• Moment—When did this happen?

Helps to answer the question: “Who is saved?”

Centered Set

Centered Set

Toward Christ = discipleAway from Christ = non-disciple

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT)

17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Centered Set

Set of “disciples”

Set of “non-disciples”

Centered Set

Away from Christ = non-disciple Toward Christ = disciple

Centered Set

Toward Christ = discipleAway from Christ = non-disciple

Centered Set

• Direction—Is Christ the center of my life?

Helps to answer the question: “Who is a disciple?”

Centered Set

• Direction—Is Christ the center of my life?

• Toward / Away—Am I facing fully toward Him?

Helps to answer the question: “Who is a disciple?”

Centered Set

• Direction—Is Christ the center of my life?

• Toward / Away—Am I facing fully toward Him?

• Movement—Can others detect my progress?

Helps to answer the question: “Who is a disciple?”

The Set of All Christians

BOUNDED SET– Location– In / Out– Moment (snapshot)– Ans. “Who is saved?”

CENTERED SET– Direction– Toward / Away– Movement (video)– Ans. “Who is a disciple”?

So, how does this help?

• All who are trusting Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross for their sins are saved by faith

So, how does this help?

• All who are trusting Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross for their sins are saved by faith

• Not all Christians are faithful disciples, focused on Christ and following the Holy Spirit’s lead

So, how does this help?

• All who are trusting Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross for their sins are saved by faith

• Not all Christians are faithful disciples, focused on Christ and following the Holy Spirit’s lead

• A Christian who lives a self-centered life, instead of a Christ-centered life, is “carnal”

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

So, how does this help?

• All who are trusting Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross for their sins are saved by faith

• Not all Christians are faithful disciples, focused on Christ and following the Holy Spirit’s lead

• A Christian who lives a self-centered life, instead of a Christ-centered life, is “carnal”

• Disciples who make disciples are centered on Christ and consistently orient others to Him