Have you wondered about the symbol, , that has accompanied our Centered Series? If so, GOOD! That’s the point. Some may be aware of its significance at varying degrees. Never-the-less, whether you’re seeing it for the first time, are casually aware of it, or fully grasp its significance, allow me to explain what it is and why it’s been chosen to represent our series.
Simply put, it is a symbol used by the early church to represent Christ and His Church. The X (Chi) and the P (Rho) in the symbol are the first two Greek letters in the name “Christ” (χριστoς). One of the great significances of this symbol is that it can be found etched into the walls of the underground catacombs in Rome where the church gathered to worship during times of great persecution and martyrdom. This symbol represents our faith legacy. When I see it, it points me to Christ and reminds me of the faithful followers of Jesus who risked and gave their lives to worship our Savior and King.
Why could they do such a thing? Because their lives were completely Centered on Christ.
So now when we look at the series title and see the Chi-Rho symbol centered inside the circle, may it inspire and convict us. May it remind us of our faith legacy and motivate us to place Christ at the center of our lives.
This week we kick off our series in the book of Colossians. Colossians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a church in the fledgling town of Colossae. As our series title suggests, his primary message to the church was for them to stay centered on Christ. Words can’t express just how fired up I am to dive into this study with you! As I’ve studied and prepared, my mind has been blown by just how incredibly rich and practical each passage has been. This is a perfect series to invite a friend, starting this Sunday.
So, come on and join me. You can begin by preparing your heart and asking God to teach us. Then you can begin to read the whole book or listen to it on the Dwell App that Pastor Nate mentioned a couple weeks ago by clicking here. Then you can listen here to the songs we will be singing this Sunday. As a tip, there is a brand new one that I absolutely love.
I love you all. See You Sunday!
Also, to help us out, here is the passage for Sunday.
Colossians 1:1–8 (ESV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.