Staying Focused on God's Calling | Kent Priebe Commissioning Service

The sermon delivered at Centre Street Church's commissioning service for Pastor Kent Priebe challenges believers to live with radical focus on God’s eternal purposes, warning that a life divided between worldly pursuits and divine calling leads to spiritual emptiness. Drawing from Scripture and the example of Jesus, the speaker identifies five non-negotiable priorities: pursuing God, cultivating disciple-making relationships, advancing God’s mission, practicing generosity, and embracing simplicity. He argues that true rest and freedom come not from doing less, but from dedicating everything to one master—Jesus Christ. The message is both a personal challenge and a collective call to the church: if Christ returns in five years, would your life look different? The answer, he insists, must be yes. With urgency and hope, he urges the congregation to invest their time, talent, and treasure in what lasts—eternal relationships and eternal impact—rather than temporary achievements. The commissioning of Kent Priebe is not just a leadership transition but a symbolic recommitment to this eternal mission. The sermon culminates in a powerful call to action: live not for comfort, but for Christ. The speaker reminds listeners that every gravestone bears a dash—a reminder that our lives are brief, but our choices matter eternally. He challenges individuals to ask, 'What are you investing in that will last?' and to answer with courage, faith, and love.