Something is off...

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message serves as a gentle yet firm reminder to the church that our priorities and focus should be on Christ, not on fleeting attractions or superficial excitement. We are called to be a community united by our love for God, not swayed by external influences. The speaker emphasizes that something is indeed "off" when we prioritize human personalities over the Person of Jesus Christ.

Key Scripture References

• Matthew 15:8-9 - In this passage, Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their external religiosity and lack of true devotion to God. The Lord says, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." This echoes the sentiment in our message that we must not be swayed by external attractions or superficial excitement.
• 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 - Paul writes, "So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's." This passage reminds us that our true treasure and boast should be in Christ alone, not in human personalities or external influences.
• John 6:53-58 - In this well-known passage, Jesus states, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." This highlights the importance of communing with Christ's body, not merely with external trappings or attractions.
• Galatians 1:6-10 - Paul warns against those who would distort the gospel and introduce new teachings that are contrary to the apostles. This serves as a reminder that we must be careful not to prioritize human personalities or external influences over the clear teaching of Scripture.
• Colossians 1:15-17 - The apostle Paul writes, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for by him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things were created through him and for him." This passage reminds us that Christ is our supreme treasure and priority.
• Psalm 119:113 - The psalmist writes, "I hate the double-minded, but I love your law." This verse highlights the importance of having a single-minded devotion to God's Word, rather than being swayed by external influences or superficial attractions.

Key Takeaways

• We must prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else. When we focus on human personalities or external trappings, something is indeed "off." We should be excited about communing with the body and blood of Jesus, not just with a particular speaker or worship band.
• Our true treasure and boast should be in Christ alone, not in human leaders or external influences. As Paul writes, all things are ours because we belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
• We must be careful not to distort the gospel or introduce new teachings that are contrary to Scripture. This requires a commitment to biblical truth and a willingness to prioritize the clear teaching of God's Word.
• Our love for Christ should be evident in our relationships with one another. We should strive to build up one another in the faith, rather than being swayed by external attractions or superficial excitement.

This Week's Challenge

This week, take time to reflect on your priorities and focus. Ask yourself: Am I excited about communing with Christ's body and blood, or am I drawn to external trappings or superficial attractions? Pray for a renewed commitment to biblical truth and a single-minded devotion to God's Word.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in your life where you may be prioritizing human personalities or external influences over Christ? How can you realign your priorities this week?
• How can you use your relationships with others to build up one another in the faith, rather than being swayed by external attractions or superficial excitement?
• What are some practical ways you can demonstrate your love for Christ and His body this week? How can you prioritize communing with Christ's body and blood above all else?