Christ the Center of Our Life and Ministry – José Cruz
Sep 13, 2023
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Dr. José Cruz, Coordinator of Spanish Doctor of Ministry Students at DTS-E, discusses the significance of spreading God's love and the impact of prayer. The podcast explores the importance of having Jesus as the center of our lives and ministry, highlighting personal anecdotes and the transformative effects of devotion and spiritual disciplines. It also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering believers and the message of hope in Christ as the center of our lives.
Making Jesus the center of our lives transforms our character, love for others, and ministry perspectives.
Having Jesus as the center brings a message of hope to the world and reminds us that he is the source of true hope in challenging times.
Deep dives
Having Jesus as the Center Shapes Character and Devotion
When Jesus is at the center of our lives, he shapes our character and devotion. This is exemplified in the story of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. Simeon is described as a righteous and devout man, while Anna is a woman devoted to worship and prayer. Their lives are centered around Jesus, and as a result, their character is molded according to his values. Similarly, when we make Jesus our center, we experience transformation in our character, love for others, and ministry perspectives. This transformation is seen in the example of a pastor who engaged in biblical meditation and experienced a deeper appreciation for his wife, a refreshing in his ministry, and increased strength against temptation.
Walking with the Spirit by Making Jesus the Center
When Jesus is the center of our lives, we walk with and in the Spirit. In Luke 2, Simeon is moved by the Holy Spirit and guided to the temple to meet baby Jesus. He demonstrates the importance of being attentive to the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit. Just as Simeon and other individuals in the New Testament were filled with and led by the Spirit, we are called to walk in the Spirit. This requires an ongoing relationship and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance. By making Jesus our center, we can experience a deeper walk with the Spirit, leading to a life characterized by faithfulness, purpose, and divine guidance.
Jesus as the Center Brings Hope to Our Lives and the World
Having Jesus as the center not only transforms our personal lives but also brings a message of hope to the world. In the passage from Luke 2, Simeon proclaims that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's salvation and the light for revelation to all peoples. Through Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles find hope and glory. Making Jesus the center of our lives means embracing the message of hope he brings and sharing that hope with others. It is a reminder that in the midst of challenges and uncertainties, Jesus is the source of true hope, both personally and for the world.