Sermon Central
-
Now That You Know The Truth - What Are You Going To Do
Contributed by Kelvin Parks on Jun 23, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: The purpose of the Epistle is to combat errors in the church and to show that believers have everything they need in Christ.
Now That You Know the Truth - WHAT YOU GONNA DO
“What Christians Should Do”
Introduction
The purpose of the Epistle is to combat errors in the church and to show that believers have everything they need in Christ. You see … the church had been infiltrated by religious relativism (a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them) some believers attempting to combine elements of paganism and secular philosophy with Christian doctrine.
In Chapters 1-2, Paul has maintained that Christ is “all-sufficient” in matters of salvation and overcoming sin
Oh, yes He is … and Paul records in Colossians 2:10 “And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.”
That’s why no weapon formed against you will prosper.
Beginning now in chapter 3, Paul gives some basic and practical admonitions that pertain to living a life in Christ. When carried out, these “Basics For Living In Christ” that we will discuss this morning, will assure us of Christ is sufficient in everything we need for this life and the one to come
Having said that, I would like to use as a subject for this sermon:
Now That You Know the Truth - WHAT YOU GONNA DO
#1. SEEK THE HEAVENLY. Which simply means … set (to direct with fixed attention) your mind on things above
Walk with me [v.1-2]
Well preacher, why is this so important? Well, It is essential if we desire [repeat] to be “transformed”. I don’t know if you realized it or not but as Christians we should be transformed … we should show a sign. We shouldn’t be the same as we were before we got saved. I know you don’t believe little old me, and I not going to waste my time trying to pump you up and motivate … I’m just going to let you read it for yourself. Then you actions or shall I say inaction will be between you and God.
Walk with me Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Let me give you one more point under this caption “Set you mind on things above”. This is important because it is necessary if we want to be able to “live according to the Spirit”.
Well the same rules apply as before … let me let you read it for yourself.
Romans 8:5-6 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [v.6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
But the question is:
Now That You Know the Truth - WHAT YOU GONNA DO
Well preacher, I know what the Bible says but …
ØMy lights are off
ØCar note is 3 months past due
ØIf I don’t come up with some money by Monday, BELLSOUTH is going to cut my phone off too
How am I going to seek things above when I got all of these problems … all of this mess going on below?
May I submit to you this morning that … not that I am trying to get in you business or anything, trust me I got enough problem of my own. But just maybe you are going through because you have not got your life in the proper perspective. Perhaps you are going through because you don’t know how to “seek those things which are above”.
Well the rules haven’t changed … you are going to have to read it for yourself. Walk with me to Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Well that is fine and dandy preacher … but I need some specifics. Well… not that I am trying to get into you business … but a lot of folk spend too much time trying to fix stuff that they had no business messing with in the first place. In other words, it wasn’t broke up you touch it. A lot of you are going through right now because you don’t know who Christ really is.
Yeah … we will sing a song What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and grief’s too bear, what a privilege it is to carry everything to God in Prayer.
But … I don’t believe many of us know or truly understand the sufficiency that we have in Christ.
