“Close to Jesus" to “Jesus Centered" | Troy Kennedy | Westside Essentials

Essentials

Jan 30

Written By Troy Kennedy

Teaching Notes

The measure of spiritual growth is:

Growing love for God

Growing love for people

“Jesus Centered” definition: “My relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship in my life. It guides everything I do."

“… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 

The movement to the Jesus Centered life is primarily a move of attitude.

The top 3 most significant catalysts are:

Giving away my life: "I am willing to risk everything that is important in my life for Jesus."
Jesus is first: "I desire Jesus to be first in my life."
Identity in Jesus: "I exist to know, love, and serve God."

I realize that:

Everything I have...

Everything I can do...

Everything that I am...

Is a gift of grace.

It is a movement from the kingdom of “me” to the kingdom of “Thee.”

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matt. 6:33 ESV

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Gal. 2:20

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…”
Phil. 3:7-8

“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
Matt. 10:39

Recommended Reading: “More” by Greg Hawkins

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Going Deeper Discussion

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matt. 6:33 ESV

1. Read Matthew 6:19-34 for little more context.
2. In this passage Jesus is contrasting the economy of the world with the economy of the kingdom of God. How would you explain the difference?
3. What is this passage say about the heart of God?
4. What does it say about people?
5. What is Jesus challenging us to do?
6. What are "all these things" from verse 33?
7. What are some practical every day ways that you can "seek first the kingdom of God?"