Get Closer To God- Alive In Christ Series

Series: Action [#161]

GET CLOSER TO GOD- ALIVE IN CHRIST

Colossians 3:1-4

Introduction:

We had another funeral this week. Thank you for your help, prayers, and providing a meal for the family. The funeral was for Rusty Mercer who was 28 years old. The family expected 25 people and there were over a 100 people. The family requested something that I don’t like to do; but I did it any ways- We had an open microphone time, (which usually I do not like); and there were several who spoke. They all did well; and they all said something that caught my attention- “When Rusty died, it left a hole in my heart.”

I understand what they are saying; but I have an answer for them- Be alive in Christ. Let Jesus get you through these tough days. We have been given the victory through Jesus Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection.

Colossians 3:1-2

To feel alive in Christ…

1. Set your heart on things above.

Christians, do you want to feel alive? Too often, Christians live their lives like they are dead. How do you set your heart on things above? You do that by what you fill your mind with.

Do you fill your mind with…

* Poison?

Poison is stuff like pornography, occult, trashy novels, things that blasphemy God, anything that is bad for your mind. I read this week that the average screen time per person in the U.S. is now 7 hours per day. That tells me that the kids and adults in the U.S. are getting their values from TV, computers, phones, etc…

Do you fill your mind with…

* Stuffing?

Stuffing is simply stuff. It's neither good nor bad. A lot of books, movies, tv shows are just stuffing. They're not harmful, they're just "there".

Do you fill your mind with…

* Brain food?

These are things that inspire you, teach you, help you grow, teach you a skill, that make you a better person. Things that build you up rather than tear you down.

Do you fill your mind with…

* The Bible?

The Word of God. David said, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." It keeps us on the right track. You have to realize that you have to decide what you're going to fill your mind with because it's going to come out of your life.

Colossians 3:3-4

To feel alive in Christ…

2. You have to die to self.

Before you were saved or if you have not been saved, you were or are dead in your sins. The math is simple- Born 1 time = Die 2 times. Born 2 times = Die 1 time. If you are never born again before you die physically, you will also die spiritually. What is the result of being born again? The destination for the Christian is eternal life in Heaven. The destination for the “lost” is eternal death in Hell. You have to die to self in order to have life in Christ.

Conclusion:

If you want to appear with Christ in glory, then you have to give your life to Christ. Christians, if you are not living a life that is alive in Christ, that is your fault. You have been crucified with Christ, you no longer live; it is Christ Jesus that lives in you.