The Pre-eminence of Jesus

[Jaylen]

Things become a formula or practice when we forget why we are doing the things we are doing. When we get caught in just “doing” the right thing over an over again we forget why we are doing that very thing. Sometimes this is innocent, sometimes its intentional neglect of Christ. Jesus must be the reason we do what we do, and we must do it with conscious acknowledgment of just that.
I believe ACOP is doing that by making sure their statements are aligned with Christ at the center. They are also doing it in practice by constantly acknowledging and exhalting Jesus above anything else

[Deleted User]

• We can ensure that the name of Jesus doesn’t become just a formula or an incantation by checking our hearts and our attitudes when we do things in the name of Jesus. Are we just saying his name just to say it? Or are we living in a way that honours him and obediently submits to him in everything that we do? I think by thinking deeper about the actions we are doing and the prayers we are praying we can use the name of Jesus in an important and valuable way without it just becoming a formula.
• What it means for Jesus to be at the center of ACOP is that he guides every decision that we make. I loved how it was mentioned in the video that before every leadership meeting, they always pray “Jesus have your way”. By submitting to his guidance and being obedient to the things he says, ACOP can follow the things he says to do. Jesus is what sets us apart from other religions.

[Kimberly]

I liked the reponse about doing things in the name of Jesus being seen as an attitude. If we have an attitude of serving Jesus, our hearts will want to do things to serve Jesus, and declare Jesus’ name over our situations. Keeping Jesus as our foundation, and ensuring we keep close to Him can help us from adopting a formula view.

Having Jesus at the center of ACOP means that everything we do is done in His name. It is not to empower ourselves, and to make people think that we are good. It is to point people to Him, to glorify Him, and to deepen relationships.

[Merodee]

Respond in paragraph format to the following prompt(s):

• How can we ensure that the name of Jesus never becomes just a formula or an incantation?
• What does it mean for Jesus to be at the center of ACOP?

I think that we must pray humbly and often that the Holy Spirit will keep us re-vitalized in the Person, Name and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who keep us. Years ago before debit cards, I use to write cheques. Frequently I would scroll my name as authorization of payment. When I would sign a cheque, my name was a formula of authorization. Sometimes I would send a signed cheque with my husband Kevin to make a transaction on my behalf. Kevin, with my signature, could act on my authority.

Did this transaction reduce me as a person? I do not think so. In fact, I believe it endorsed me. It proved me as a legal person with identity. There times that we will use the Name of Jesus to transact Kingdom business. I do not believe that this reduces His value. I believe that this endorses Him.

The banker could recognize my signature as authorization of payment, but he did not know me personally. My husband, however, identifies my signature, recognizes its authority and knows me intimately. May we always abide with the Lord and know the Authority of His Name, the wonders of His Person and the union we share with Him.

Jesus is head of the church.