Good Morning.
Stand with me and hold up your Bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
"The Five Points of the Compass: Centered on Jesus"
Good morning, beloved!
Today, I want to talk to you about something many of us use but might not think much about—the compass.
A compass is simple, yet powerful. It’s a tool that helps us navigate when we’re lost, guiding us in the right direction. But today, I want to take a closer look at a spiritual compass—a compass that leads us to Jesus, the center of our lives.
A compass has five points, and each one speaks to a powerful truth about the journey we take with Christ. Each point of the compass can show us something profound about the life of faith. But the most important thing to remember is that at the center of this compass is Jesus. Everything flows from Him, and without Him, we cannot find our way.
The North—Jesus is Our True Direction
The North is unchanging, always steady, always pointing in the same direction. No matter where you are in the world, North is constant. In the same way, Jesus is our True North. In the midst of all the noise and confusion in life, He is the one thing we can rely on to show us the right way.
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is not just a guide among many; He is the only way to salvation. Our world is full of different philosophies, opinions, and choices, but Jesus cuts through the noise and offers us one clear path—His path.
I remember a man named James. He was successful by the world’s standards. He had a good job, a beautiful home, a family—but something was missing. Despite all his achievements, he still felt empty. One day, he came across the words of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Something inside him clicked. He realized that all along, he had been searching in the wrong places. He was looking for fulfillment in things that could never satisfy.
But when he found Jesus, he found the direction he had been searching for his entire life.
The South—The Promise of New Life
The South is a direction of growth and renewal. Just as the sun sets in the West, the South represents the potential of new beginnings. In Christ, this is the promise of new life. Jesus does not just offer us a second chance; He offers us a new chance—completely transformed.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are told, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This is the power of Christ’s grace—He doesn't just forgive us and leave us as we are. He makes us new.
I think of Sarah, who had spent years trapped in addiction. The shame, the failure—it seemed insurmountable. But one day, she came to the end of herself and turned to Jesus. She didn’t just find forgiveness; she found freedom. She found a new life. Through Christ, she became a new creation. The chains that held her were broken. When Jesus steps into your life, He brings about transformation. The old is gone, and the new has come.
The East—The Light of the World
The East is where the sun rises—a symbol of light breaking through darkness. Jesus is that light. He is the light of the world, and when we follow Him, we walk in that light, never having to fear the darkness again.
In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This world is filled with darkness—fear, confusion, pain, sin. But Jesus shines through it all. His light guides us, brings us peace, and gives us hope.
I think of a man named Mike, who had spent years living in darkness. He was a prisoner to his fears, insecurities, and shame. He couldn’t see beyond the darkness of his mind and soul. But when Mike came to Christ, it was like the light turned on in his life. He could finally see clearly. His fears were replaced by peace, his confusion by clarity. Jesus' light illuminated his path.
Just as the East always heralds the dawn of a new day, Jesus brings light into the darkest places of our hearts. No matter how dark it seems, He is the light that guides us.
The West—The Promise of Eternal Life
The West represents the setting of the sun—the end of the journey. But in Christ, the West is not something to fear; it’s something to look forward to. For us as believers, the end of the journey is just the beginning of eternity with Jesus.
In John 3:16, we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The promise of eternal life is not a distant hope—it’s a present reality. We don’t just wait for heaven; we live in the hope of heaven right now.
I think of a woman named Linda. She had lost a loved one, and the grief was overwhelming. But in the midst of her sorrow, she held on to the promise of eternal life. She knew that death was not the end. Because of Jesus, she could have peace, knowing that one day, she would be reunited with her loved one in the presence of God.
The West is not just a direction toward death; it’s a direction toward eternal life. Jesus gives us a hope that nothing on this earth can take away.
The Center—Jesus is the Heart of the Compass And at the center of the compass, we find Jesus. Without Him, the compass is meaningless. Without Jesus, we are lost. He is the heartbeat of our journey, the source of our direction, life, light, and hope. In Colossians 1:17, we are told, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Imagine a compass without a center. It would be useless. In the same way, our lives without Jesus would be aimless and uncertain. But when Jesus is at the center, everything else falls into place. He is the one who holds us together and keeps us on the right path.
The compass points to Jesus.
He is our True North.
He is the promise of new life.
He is the light in our darkness.
He is the promise of eternal life.
He is the center of it all.
Maybe you’ve been feeling lost or unsure of your path.
Maybe you’ve been seeking direction in all the wrong places.
Jesus is calling you today to come to Him. He is the compass that will guide you.
He is the one who will transform your life.
If you’ve never made Jesus the center of your life, or if you’ve drifted away and need to return, today is your day. Jesus is waiting to lead you home.
If you feel God tugging at your heart right now, I want to invite you to step forward. If you need prayer, we’re here to pray with you. If you’re ready to accept Jesus as your Savior, now is the time to make that decision.
Let’s bow our heads together:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Jesus, our True North, our Light, our Savior. We thank You that through Him, we have direction, hope, and the promise of eternal life. For those who are coming to You today, we ask that You open their hearts and bring them into Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As the worship team leads us in song, I invite you to come forward. Let Jesus be the center of your life today.
Closing: Remember, no matter where you are in life, no matter what you’re facing, Jesus is the compass that will always lead you home. He is the center of your life—always, forever, and without fail. Amen.
