Well, it's Christmas Eve. Certainly you're done with your shopping, right? I have a feeling some of you will be heading toward Harbison right after church. Let me survey the men for a moment. How many of you enjoy Christmas shopping? How many of you men did some Christmas shopping this year?

I read this week a survey that indicated that men will almost do anything else than go Christmas shopping. 37 percent of men would rather bake cookies than go Christmas shopping. Women, give them an option next time and see what they choose. Now get this one. 89 percent of men would choose to watch their favorite sports team lose. On this one, I'm in the 11 percent minority. I'd shop four hours a day for two consecutive weeks if I could change the outcome of the Clemson-Carolina game.

Today, we're concluding our Christmas series of messages on the theme "Jesus-the Center." We've talked about how Jesus is the Center of the universe, the Center of the Church, and the Center of the Bible. Today we will talk about Jesus being the Center of your life.

Sometimes the Christmas season brings out the worst in people. Like in San Rafael, California. Two men exchanged gifts and were offended by what the other gave. In the resulting fight, each man hit the other over the head with a flowerpot. Both were hospitalized.

Twenty-year-old Brandi Nicole Nason was also less than pleased with the gift she received. When her former mother-in-law's house burned, Nason was accused of throwing the Molotov cocktail that started the $200,000 blaze.

Many people don't know what to do with their Christmas tree once the celebration is over. A woman in Victoria, British Columbia, had an idea. She was arrested for beating a man with her Christmas tree. The incident was sparked when the man grumbled that the load of gifts in his arms was heavier than the tree she was carrying.

Why do people act like that? Boy, I'm glad I'm not like that. Or come to think about it, maybe I am. I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. I try to keep Jesus on the throne (in the center) of my life 24-7. But I confess that I struggle. Many times I do stuff that kicks Jesus right out of the center of my life.

Everyone gets mad at times, but anger is not one of my glaring weaknesses. I can only remember getting into a fight one time. I must have been 12 or 13. I lost that one; so I gave up fighting.

Years ago, patience was one of my strengths. But then I had children. So, yeah, countless times I've booted Jesus off the throne when I grew impatient. And I wonder how many times I figured I had a better idea than God and attempted to take matters into my own hands. And then there are those times I've said things that put others in a negative light or had lust in my heart. And what happens? Jesus no longer is at the center of my life.

After years of studying the Bible, I can tell you I am very familiar with what is right and wrong. I know pretty much the kind of standard that God expects me to live. I know what it takes to keep Jesus at the center of my life. But for me, those slip ups don't just happen once a month or even once a week. Keeping Jesus on the throne of my heart is a constant battle

You don't have problems like that, do you? Yeah, right! Most of you here this morning claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. You're believers. But can you honestly say that Jesus is the Center of your life? Do you realize that when you engage in any form of behavior that does not honor God, Jesus no longer remains on the throne of your life.

I could spend the rest of my message telling you why Jesus always needs to be the Center of your life. But I'm going to assume that I don't need to convince you of that need. Instead, I believe you struggle just like I do and want to know how you can keep Him at the center.

Let's look at what the Bible says. There are three key verses that I think can help us deal with this dilemma. In Matthew 1, we read some of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, informing him that his fiancee was with child although she was a virgin. She would give birth to a very special Son. Listen to the words of the angel. "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20).

Jesus came to save people from their sins. This verse teaches a very important truth, especially if you earnestly desire for Jesus to be the Center of your life. If you're here today and have never made a personal commitment to be a follower of Jesus Christ, I just want you to know straight up that God loves you very much. This baby whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow is the Son of God, God in the flesh. He died on the cross to save you from your sins and to keep you from spending an eternity apart from God in hell. To be forgiven from your sins and to be given the gift of eternal life in heaven, you must make a personal decision to let Jesus come into your heart and take control of your life-to be the Center of your life.

If you are tired of the constant bad decisions and junk you've allowed to accumulate in your life, I encourage you to give your life to Jesus today. Let Him be the Center because He can turn your life around.

This verse is also important for the believer. One of the most important things you can do in your struggle to keep Jesus on the throne is to keep reminding yourself, "I am saved. I am saved." Jesus came to save people from their sins. If you have given your life to Jesus, then you are saved. Even though you may struggle spiritually, you are saved.

Unfortunately, there are many Christians who choose to live outside of God's desires and have no intentions at all of letting Him be the Center. Sometimes I wonder if these folks are truly saved. But that's not for me to judge. I'm going to assume the best about you this morning. I'm going to assume that you sincerely desire to live with Jesus on the throne of your life 24-7.

There is a second verse that is very helpful. "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him" (Colossians 2:6, NLT). Many people falsely assume that once they become a Christian, then everything just falls into place. When I gave my heart to Jesus at the age of ten, Jesus took up residence in my life. He was on the throne, the Center of my heart. As I've already shared with you recently, there were periods in my teenage and early adult years that Jesus was rarely at the Center of my life. Why? Because I did not continue to follow Him. I followed my own sinful and selfish desires.

I'm afraid there are too many nominal Christians who simply don't want to follow Jesus. They want to be in his corner, especially if they get into a bind or if something bad happens. Then they get all lovey-dovey with Jesus. But that's not what Jesus wants. He wants you to follow Him, do the things He did and think the way He thought. In fact, and don't miss this, Jesus will never be at the Center of your life until you choose to follow Him.

So far we've looked at two verses, each teaching us an important truth. I am saved. I must follow Jesus. Will you say those two things with me? I am saved. I must follow Jesus. There's still a missing element. You may wonder what steps you need to take to follow Jesus. You may even wonder if following Jesus means that you have to go to Africa or become a preacher or start teaching Sunday School. That may be in God's future for you.

However, this next verse clarifies more, I believe, what it means to follow Jesus and to make Him the Center of your life. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). For Jesus to be at the Center and to remain at the Center means that everything you say and everything you do is for the glory of God and is spoken or done in His name.

I know that sounds vague. Let me illustrate it this way. It's like your five-year-old handing you something she drew and says, "I did this for you." That's the approach we need to take with everything we do-everything. And as long as you do everything to bring glory to Jesus, He will be the Center of your life.

Let me give you some ways this principle is fleshed out in your daily life. Take your job, for example. As you get out of your car, you can whisper a prayer to God, "Thank you for my job. I want to work today as if I am working for you. In whatever way I can serve you today, Lord, that is my heart's desire." It's a matter of focus and attitude, letting Jesus live His life through you.

Let's say you're going through a difficult time right now. To keep Christ at the Center, you constantly recognize that God is in control. Even though the trials are no fun, you look for things that He may be teaching you. You have a grateful heart, knowing that you're saved and forgiven and that He will see you through.

You're around a bunch of friends or work associates and they want to grab a few drinks. Immediately, you've got to remind yourself, "I must follow Jesus. I will glorify Jesus in everything I do." So in this situation what is the best way to do all in the name of Jesus? Is this what He would want me to do? If it's a gray area and not necessarily an immoral thing you're being asked to do, then ask yourself, "Is it the wise thing for me to do?"

This biblical principle certainly works in your private world also. If you're a genuine follower of Christ, it affects how you spend your time when no one is watching. It affects what movies you watch, which sites you surf, which books or magazines you read.

If you're a high school student or single adult, this principle will help you make decisions on which relationships to begin and which ones you need to suspend. If you're in a relationship and you know it isn't glorifying to God, then you need to break it off-that is, assuming you want Jesus to be at the Center of your life.

So here is the bottom line what I'm trying to teach you today. I am saved. I must follow Jesus. I will do everything to bring glory to Him. I am saved. I must follow Jesus. I will do everything to bring glory to Him.

And by the way, when you mess up like I do, do you know how to get Jesus back at the Center of your life? You practice spiritual breathing. You exhale-admitting to God that you messed up with your thoughts, words or actions. You let Him know how sorry you are, and you thank Him for forgiving you. Then you inhale-asking Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. You ask Him to take the throne again and to help you keep Him at the center all the time.

I am saved. I must follow Jesus. I will do everything to bring glory to Him. Think of all the marriages that could be saved if husbands and wives followed these biblical truths. Think of the many ways you could witness for Christ. Think of the amount of guilt wiped away. Think how much more healthy our relationship with others would be.

Pop musician Billy Joel gave his daughter a tremendous surprise on her twelfth birthday. She was in New York City, and he was in Los Angeles. He phoned her that morning, apologizing for his absence, but told her to expect the delivery of a large package before the end of the day. The daughter answered the doorbell that evening to find a seven-foot-tall, brightly wrapped box. She tore it open, and out stepped her father, fresh off the plane from the West Coast. Can you imagine her surprise?

Your gift came in the flesh too. The gift of Jesus, born in Bethlehem. He wants so much to fill you with His surprises each day. He longs for your happiness and joy. He longs to live at the center of your life because He knows that's how you will reach the greatest fulfillment in life. He doesn't just want to reside in your heart. He wants to be the Center of your life. So how about it? Is that what you want also? I am saved. I must follow Jesus. I will do everything to bring glory to Him.