Look Upward
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[1] Title
Pray
What Christ Had Done
What Christ Had Done
Paul has written a couple chapters of clear teaching on who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us (and some warnings).
Christ has paid for sin, reconciled us to God, and given us the pattern and power to grow spiritually.
But, Paul is never satisfied to simply give right teaching to the people of God; he wants to see it change the way we live.
Paul is never satisfied to simply give right teaching to the people of God; he wants to see it change the way we live.
Such is my hope for you. Not to simply teach, but to see God’s truth influence your life.
As we move into the second half of Colossians, we begin to see how letting Christ live within us is equal to allowing him to shape our moral and ethical behaviour into the image of himself.
Since Christ is Lord over all creation, we should crown him Lord over our lives.
Since Christ is the head of the body, his church, we should nurture our connection to him.
Jesus entered the physical world in a real human body and won us salvation. It’s important to know that the way we live in our body makes a difference.
A relationship with God is living a human life here on earth in union with Christ.
Today’s short passage:
[2,3,4,5]
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
[6]
What we set our mind to is what we become, notice:
What we set our mind to is what we become, notice:
Me: Health/running podcasts made me fit
Me: Financial podcasts made me financially fit
Albert Einstein: dismissed from school for lack of interest, fired as a boarding school tutor, persisted.
Lou Gehrig: was an awkward rookie, Ty Cobb said, “Look at those piano legs - he’ll never last”, shortcomings to “Iron Man” of baseball
D.L. Moody: Sunday school teacher said, “He’ll never amount to much”, one of the greatest pastor/evangelists of the 19th century
Seeking things above
Seeking things above
Letting heaven fill our thoughts means concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal
Let’s look at what it means to seek the things above
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Seeking heavenly things begins on our knees. Through prayer as we ask, seek, and knock on the gates of heave in seeking more of God. ()
“Today I seek you first in prayer. Today I seek you in your Word. Today I seek you in every area of my life, in every step I take.”
This type of seeking leads and saturates our conversations, our friendships, our studies, our work, even how we play - and when it does, it enhances our relationship with Christ.
Letting heaven fill our thoughts means concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal
The act of seeking means intentionally setting your mind.
The act of seeking means intentionally setting your mind.
Set
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Preaching the Word: Colossians and Philemon—The Supremacy of Christ Instructions Regarding Our Fullness (vv. 1, 2)
As the story goes, penny-pinching Jack Benny was walking along when suddenly an armed robber approached and said, “Your money or your life!” There was a long pause as Benny did nothing. The robber impatiently cried, “Well?” Jack Benny replied, “Don’t rush me! I’m thinking about it.”
As the story goes, penny-pinching Jack Benny was walking along when suddenly an armed robber approached and said, “Your money or your life!”
There was a long pause as Benny did nothing. The robber impatiently cried, “Well?”
Jack Benny replied, “Don’t rush me! I’m thinking about it.”
Millions of people today think their things are their life.
Why? Their things are tied to their identity or to their proof of success.
Paul wants us to know that we are not to set our minds on “earthly things” which would be both material (cars, clothes, and cabins) and immaterial (honors, positions, advancement).
He doesn’t want us to withdraw from the world (in not of), the difference for the Christian is to no longer see these things as if they are all that matter.
Rather, the Christian’s mindset is to be dominated by “things above”.
Set your minds and concentrate…concentrate…concentrate…stay the course…finish the race...
Chad breaking Dads nose pitching in Frogtown. (Broken concentration)
What we set our minds on will determine the direction of our Christian lives. I choose heaven. What do you chooose?
The mindset begins with, “Lord, set my mind on things above.”
Jesus said, if you remain in me, I will remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you. ()
We must remember: Setting our minds is a deliberate act of the will.
We must remember: Setting our minds is a deliberate act of the will.
We can set our minds on: taking a vacation, purchasing a new something, finishing a project. We can set our minds on things above. We choose what we think about.
It’s incredibly helpful to memorize scripture.
Paul’s reasoning for teaching us to set our minds on heaven is based on the past and future of all true believers:
Paul’s reasoning for teaching us to set our minds on heaven is based on the past and future of all true believers:
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
BELIEVER’S PAST
BELIEVER’S PAST
“For you died to this life...” means that we should have as little desire for improper worldly pleasures as a dead person would have.
“For you died to this life...” means that we should have as little desire for improper worldly pleasures as a dead person would have.
The old you is dead and gone. The new you has come up out of the baptism waters (stood up from the altar).
Your life is now hidden with Christ in God means it is concealed and safe. It’s a fact right now. Take heart, your salvation is sure, and live each day for Christ.
We have power to live for Christ now and we have hope for the future of heaven.
BELIEVER’S FUTURE
BELIEVER’S FUTURE
The Christian’s real home is where Christ lives:
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Two ways out of this life: Death (which to the believer is a going home celebration) and the return of Christ (which to the believer is a going home celebration).
This truth brings real perspective to our lives.
We should live and act as the Lord teaches us so we are prepared for either one.
What does it mean to ‘think’ about the things o
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.