The bible tells us that in the Last days, people would be lovers of self,proud, blasphemers,, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,,,,,, calling evil good, and good evil
What can we do? LOOK UP ,,, keep our minds on spiritual things, not earthly things.
2 Cor. 4:18
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
SERMON TITLE. LOOK UP
READ COL 3:1-15
I. LOOK UP (v 1-2)
Set your thoughts, and desires on things above
Illustration. When I graduated high school, and started working, I bought a 1965 Super sport malibu, 327, bucket seats,,, I really loved that car, I would lay awake at night thinking of where I could go in my new car. I loved how it looked, and the smell of the new car. It was maroon, and had a white vinyl top. I just couldnt think of anything else, but that car. I had my mind set on eartly things, instead of heavenly things. if i had my mind on spiritual, instead of temporary things..there is no telling what I could have done for the glory of God
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Seek those things which are above.. think of heavenly and spiritual things.
Philip. 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.
Paul said that he had learned to be content.....
Philip. 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
We can't be content when we are daily thinking of earthly things,,, comparing ourselves to others.
We can only be content when we set our desires, and our minds on Christ and God, and heavenly things.
( when the scribe ask Jesus , what is the most important commandment, Jesus told him.... LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART , SOUL, AND MIND, AND LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.
II. PUT TO DEATH,,( V 5)
1. fornication - (that is sexual immorality)
2. uncleaness ( impurity)
3. inordinate affection ( Lust) we can get caught up in these sins if we are not careful,,,, (ills of wolf and knife)
4. evil concupiscence ( evil desires and greed)
5. covetousness ( wanting what somone else has)
III. TAKE OFF (v8)
1. anger ( A young girl who was writing a paper for school came to her father and asked, "Dad, what is the difference between anger and annoyance?"
The father replied, "It is mostly a matter of degree. Let me show you what I mean." With that the father went to the telephone and dialed a number at random. To the man who answered the phone, he said, "Hello, is Melvin there?"
The man answered, "There is no one living here named Melvin. Why don’t you learn to look up numbers before you dial?"
"See," said the father to his daughter. "That man was not a bit happy with our call. He was probably very busy with something and we annoyed him. Now watch...." The father dialed the number again. "Hello, is Melvin there?" asked the father.
"Now look here!" came the heated reply. "You just called this number and I told you that there is no Melvin here! You’ve got lot of guts calling again!" The receiver slammed down hard.
The father turned to his daughter and said, "You see, that was anger. Now I’ll show you what annoyance means." He dialed the same number, and when a violent voice roared, "Hello!"
The father calmly said, "Hello, this is Melvin. Have there been any calls for me?"
2. wrath (rage)
3. malice ( slander)
4. blasphemy
5. filthy communication ( filthy language ,,, telling dirty jokes,,,)
6. lie not one to another
IV. PUT ON ( V 10-14)
1. New man ( seeking after knowldge of Christ,,, trying to be like Jesus,,,, wwjd
2. Bowels of mercy ( compassion)
3. kindness (The famous preacher, Charles Swindoll once said, "Kindness is a language that deaf people can hear and that blind people can see."
4 humbleness of mind ( being humble,, recognizing God is God, and I am not..be humble before God
5. Meekness ( gentleness)
6. long suffering ( patience)
7. Forebaring one another ( bare each other's burdens
8. Forgiving one another ( YOU ARE THE PRISONER!
One of the greatest quotes you will ever read on forgiveness comes from Lewis Smedes:
"To forgive is to set a prisoner free.......and only to finally discover that the PRISONER WAS YOU
9. Above all, put on love, which binds us together...
.To “love your neighbor as yourself” is best described in Matthew 7:12 - "Do for others what you would like them to do for you.” In other words to love God supremely and to love other people purely is the Bible in a nutshell. It is the beginning and end of life the way God intended it to be lived.
