INTRODUCTION
1. Most often people tell you to “get your head out of the clouds”
a. That phrase is most often spoken to day-dreamers
b. But it offers us opportunity to consider what Paul is saying in Colossians 3:1-4
2. Christians should have our heads in the clouds
a. Our thoughts should be on heavenly things
b. We are far too often bogged down with earthly troubles
3. Paul told the Colossians that
a. Jesus is seated in heaven
b. Your mind should be there with Him
c. He will reveal your life
4. At the end of all things the rest of you will follow the fate determined by where you have kept your mind focused, either eternal in heaven or destroyed with the earth
TRANSITION: Paul informs us that:
I. Jesus is seated at God’s right hand
A. Sounds simple enough
1. Remember what the Hebrew writer told us?
a. Hebrews 8:1, “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens”
b. Priests continually offered their ministries
c. Jesus completed all the sacrifices
d. No more sacrifices, no more blood needed to save us
2. The idea that He is seated is significant
a. Priests were always busy, never could rest, there was always another sacrifice, always another animal to slaughter
b. Jesus made one sacrifice and sat down forever
c. There was no longer a need for bloodshed
B. He is seated as God’s right hand
1. The right hand was the seat of honor
a. Exodus 15:6, “Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces”
b. Matthew 20:21, “And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."
2. We call someone on whom we depend and are friendly our right hand man
3. Jesus has the position of honor, glory, and power at the heavenly throne of God
C. His seat is in heaven
1. Our ultimate goal is to go to heaven
2. Even unbelievers will say they would prefer heaven over hell
3. And heaven is where our Lord and Savior is
a. The place of which He emptied Himself to come to earth
b. The place of glory returned to Him because of His work here
c. John 17:1, “Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You”
4. He received back the things He gave up to come to earth so that He could glorify the Father and save you and me
5. Jesus is seated in heaven
TRANSITION: Since He is there:
II. Your mind ought to be there
A. He says, “Set your mind on things above…” (v. 2)
1. How do you set your mind on those things above?
2. “Keep seeking things above…” (v. 1)
a. Hunger and thirst for righteousness
b. Desire the pure milk of the word
B. It is a contrast Paul makes here
1. Focus on the world, things temporal
a. 1 John 2:17, “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever”
b. Focus on the world and you get nothing because it is passing away
2. Focus on heaven
a. When you do you get Jesus Christ (that’s where He is)
b. You get heaven, His current home
C. It is a mind-set
1. You follow things that matter to you
a. Interests determine your actions
b. Such is the way of men
2. Develop interest in the Lord
a. You can and will if you try
b. Philippians 2:5-10, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
c. Philippians 4:8, “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”
3. Yon control your thoughts
a. It may not be easy at first
b. But it gets easier with practice
c. Work on controlling your thoughts
4. And think on heavenly things, things that are righteous and lead to godly lives because Jesus is in heaven and you want to be with Him
TRANSITION: Finally, in the end, wherever your mind is:
III. He will reveal your life
A. Secrets will not stay secret
1. You will be revealed for who you are
2. Rudy slipping on ice thinking no one saw
3. Your life will be laid out, the good and bad
B. What will be revealed?
1. The things you have done
2. Nehemiah was interested in this in Nehemiah 13
3. 3X he prays to God about what will be remembered
a. 13:14, remember my loyal deeds
b. 13:22, remember me for demanding purity from the Levites
c. 13:31, remember me, O my god, for good
4. Nehemiah asks God to remember his good and not his bad
a. He hopes to be revealed as a good person, godly in his ways
b. But he realizes he must have good to offer
5. Not the concept of meritorious salvation
a. He is still dependent on God’s grace
b. But he knows he needs righteous and goodness as a part of his faith
c. Something good to be remembered by God
C. If your mind is on heaven where Jesus is you will live a good and righteous life
1. You will be revealed with Him in glory
2. You will be in heaven where your mind was with Jesus while you were on earth
