March 8, 2020
Morning Service

In the first half of this letter, Paul has stressed to us the preeminence of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives.  He is preeminent in all creation (1:16), in our reconciliation to God (1:20), and He is the Head of the church (1:24).  He revealed to us the mystery of our faith is “Christ in us the hope of glory.”  He encouraged us to “let our roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him so we can grow in our faith.” (2:7) We can do this with all confidence because Paul assures us that “we are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (2:10) He explained that through our spiritual death into the waters of baptism, we are “made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” (2:13) This death, burial and resurrection sets us free from all judgment and condemnation as we now know that “the substance is Christ.” (2:17) Jesus is everything to us and it is through Him that we are made complete, needing nothing else.  It is our love for Him that should motivate us to follow Him wherever He leads us.  Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship.  We have accepted His proposal and now, as the church, are truly the Bride of Christ.  By accepting His invitation and we have become children of God through our marriage to Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Paul now uses the rest of his letter to answer the simple question; now what?  Because we are now one with Christ having surrendered our will to His there will be a change.  We have begun a journey to one day meet our Savior and there will be a transformation of us along the way.  “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”  Paul now describes what that journey and our transformation will look like now that we have begun.

Col 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  (3)  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

            Since we have now began our journey with Christ, having spiritually died in the water of baptism to arise to the newness of life, here is what we should be focusing on.  Things have now changed and Paul explains it by saying “your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  It is no longer about us, but it is about Him and building our relationship with Him.  First he tells us to “seek those things which are above.”  To seek is an action verb; we must be actively searching for the things God has to share with us.  Jesus commanded us to do this is Matthew:

Mat 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

            God will reward the one who pursues Him as we are told to “ask, seek and knock.”  I hope that is part of the reason you are here this morning.  You came seeking what God has for you.  Along our journey we need to be persistent with our efforts to be found a faithful follower by constantly seeking to know God at a new and deeper level.  You can have as much of God as you are willing to pay the price for.  A halfhearted effort to seek after God will result in a walk with the Lord that seems unfulfilling or not even worthwhile.  Our focus is “seek those things above;” placing great value on nurturing our relationship with God and allowing the transformation to occur in your life.

            Secondly, Paul encourages us to “set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Our resurrection into the “newness of life” comes with a new perspective.  We are no longer to look at things from the earthly point of view, but with a heavenly one.  This is a tough part of our transformation into what Christ wants us to become.  We have always taken the perspective of life from our own point of view; a “me centered” thinking.  Now we must seek to set out minds on seeing things from a “God centered” perspective.  In allowing the Holy Spirit to change how you think also changes your behavior.  Paul gives us one great example of the change that will occur in his letter to the Philippians as he talks about the way we are to handle worry and stress in our lives.

 Php. 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (9) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

            Paul says as we seek God and set our minds on the things above, we don’t have to worry but only pray; pray about everything trusting Him to work all things out for the good.  That act of faith will be rewarded with the “peace that passes all understanding will guard you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Don’t set your mind on all the things that are wrong with this world and with your life, but “meditate on these things; things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.”  This explains well how we to “set our minds on the things above not on things of the earth.”  It gives us a whole new perspective on how to handle different parts of our lives.  We could look at how we are now to view many things differently not just stress and worry but also relationships, trials, work, parenting, hobbies, and even our finances.  

Php. 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: (12) I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

            Seeking things above and setting our mind on that perspective will enable us to proclaim this same testimony in our lives.  Through Christ being first and foremost in my life, I can handle any and all things that I am confronted with by trusting Him to be my strength.  He will never let me down.  It can be very freeing to “let go and let God!”  Giving Him complete control.

            Let me get up close and personal this morning. What is your mind set on, things above or the things of the earth?  During the course of your day is your view on what is happening around you from your perspective or His?  What is your heart seeking most for, a deeper relationship with God or a deeper enjoyment of this world?  If you are not enjoying the “peace that passes all understanding” then perhaps you need to adjust you view of the world and examine what it is you are seeking and where your mind is set at.  I will leave you with the words of Jesus to examine your own heart with today.

Mat 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  (21)  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

            What is your treasure?  Who or what are you seeking?  What have you set your mind to?

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that challenges us to look deep within ourselves and define our true motives.  Please help us to surrender to our lives to Your control.