Set Your Mind On Things Above Series

“SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE” Col. 3:1-4

FBCF – 8/4/24

Jon Daniels

INTRO – Olympics – Women’s 10 mm air rifle competition – Bullseye the size of a period in size 12 font – shooting from 33 feet away – South Korea’s Ban Hyo-Jin won gold by 1/10 of a point over a shooter from China. US shooter, Sagen Maddalena, placed 4th.

Amazed by the skill of these shooters. They wear heavy clothing that helps them be as still as possible. Wear eye gear that helps them zero in on target. It’s all about focus & concentration.

Same is true in our lives as Christ-followers. Focus & concentration both needed for us to grow in our walk w/ Christ & navigate our way through all of the experiences that life throws at us – some good, some bad.

Watch this video: NELON VIDEO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITLqGzdsWt8)

The 3 people in that video were a father & mother, Jason & Kelly Nelon Clark, & daughter, Amber. They along w/ the Amber’s husband & 3 other people were all killed in a plane crash on Fri, July 26, on their way to a Gaither Homecoming Cruise. The sole survivor of the family is daughter, Autumn, who also sings w/ them & was going to meet them at the cruise later. She & her husband are expecting their first child & first grandchild in the family in December.

How do you navigate through this type of tragedy? How do you make it through this type of storm? By staying focused on Jesus & concentrating on Him & His Word. Amber posted on Instagram, “We appreciate your prayers, love, & support as we navigate the coming days.” Their pastor said, “A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.” (Stephen Peeples)

Today, we are going to talk about that focus & concentration as we look at Colossians 3:1-4 w/ this message entitled, “Set Your Mind on Things Above.”

EXPLANATION – Colossians 3:1-4 (p. 984)

Remind you that the theme of Colossians is the Superiority of Christ – the dominance, excellence, perfection, preeminence, prestige, & supremacy of Christ. There are many people today who are like the false teachers in Colossae – the Judaizers. They will give Jesus Christ a place of eminence – a high place, but not necessarily the HIGHEST place. Jesus doesn’t deserve just a high place or high recognition or high honor. He deserves & is supremely worthy of the highest place, highest recognition, highest honor. He is not a “great Man among great men” – He is not just a great prophet or A god or A son of God. He is God – the Son – the 2nd Person of the Trinity, preeminent & superior over all! The first 2 chapters of Colossian powerfully establish this truth:

- Colossians 1:15-19

- Colossians 2:9-10

Chapter 3 begins the practical section of the letter as Paul begins to outline how we are to live our lives as Christ-followers based on the truths given to us in chapters 1 & 2. Christ is preeminent in the Gospel, the cross, creation, & the Church, & He must be preeminent in our lives. That’s why this sermon series is called “Our Life in Christ.”

APPLICATION – The life of the Christ-follower must be one of focus & concentration on Jesus.

IF – v. 1a – IF is a big word w/ 2 letters. I know you know what it means, but let me give you the actual dictionary definition of this little big word: “in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that”

- “In case that you’ve been raised w/ Christ…Granting or supposing that you’ve been raised w/ Christ…On condition that you’ve been raised w/ Christ”

Before we go any further into these verses, let’s consider what it means to be raised w/ Christ. Let’s consider WHO is raised w/ Christ.

WHAT IS IT? To be raised w/ Christ means that the very life of Jesus abides in us. When He gave His life for us, He raised us from our spiritual grave & set us on the throne in heaven w/ Him. It means that b/c HE is alive forever, those of us who know Him are alive forever, too.

- Ephesians 2:6 – “For [God] raised us from the dead along w/ Christ, & we are seated w/ Him in the heavenly realms – all b/c we are one w/ Christ Jesus.” (NLT)

WHO, THEN, IS RAISED W/ CHRIST? Only those who have “received Christ Jesus the Lord” (2:6) – “accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord” (NLT).

That’s why the word “IF” is such a big word! IF you have accepted Jesus, THEN you have been raised w/ Him. IF you have NOT accepted Jesus, THEN you have NOT been raised w/ Him. You’re still dead & need to accept Christ right now!