Summary: Starting the New Year With God.

INTRODUCTION

Last year’s NBA season was also a season of Moving up with the powerful! Everybody wants a championship ring. Many superstars have move-in into powerhouse teams despite their fans’ disappointment.

In the political scene in the country also, after Duterte’s win in the elections, many have transferred their party affiliation. Of course, they moved with the power!

Moving up with the power has been the name of the game in many aspects of life. Even in the lives of the believers, with the desire to have a more happy and pleasing life, some are moving up with the powerful!

New company

New job

New faith?

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

5 So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. 8 But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 10 and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.

KEEP SEEKING ABOUT THINGS ABOVE, 1-2

A. Consider your position in Christ

You are in Christ, raised with Him. You are a citizen of heaven!

B. Consider your focus on Christ

You have to set eyes and heart on things above.

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

KEEP LIVING WITH CHRIST IN GOD, 3-4

A. Consider your condition

Christ will never abandon you! He is always with you.

B. Consider your future with Christ

Christ promised us blessings and peaceful lives.

5 So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. 8 But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 10 and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.

KEEP DYING FOR EARTHLY DESIRES, 5-10

A. Consider your nature

You are spiritually alive in Christ. His Spirit in us made us alive in Christ.

B. Consider your Creator

You are re-created by God through Christ. You are now a new man!

CONCLUSION

If you are thinking of moving up with the powerful based on the world’s standard, Don’t! No one and nothing is more powerful than God. No one is as victorious as Yahweh.! If you are a believer, don’t move out from Him. KEEP UP WITH YOUR GOD!