Life Choice series
Serving with a heavenly mindset
Colossians 3:1-10
Good Morning everyone and to those who are listening with us online this morning.
We have been in a series called “life choices” for several weeks and this morning we will finish up the series. Some of you will say Amen.
Colossians 3:1-10 read slowly
Prayer-
While we all should want to serve the Lord as believers- We need to Explore and allow the Lord to transform our minds to heavenly things, as recorded by Paul’s writing to the church.
After we come to Christ as Lord, we should desire to serve Him in some way in the kingdom of God.
We are not all preachers but in some area of our life, we should want to use our talents or resources for His honor and glory.
God’s word here calls us to live with a heavenly perspective, shaping our thoughts and actions in alignment with eternal truths. (Service)
We need our thoughts and words to align with the Lord’s. Hebrews 10:23
Paul gives us rules for holy living and holy service unto the Lord
Colossians 3:2 -"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Rick Renner
“Your faith and your mouth must be connected. A mere mechanical profession doesn’t come from the heart; therefore, it doesn’t bring forth fruit.”
“Let us come into agreement with God and then begin to speak what he says, holding tightly to what we confess and refusing to let anyone take it from us.”
Setting Our Minds on Heavenly Things
Paul urges believers to fix their thoughts on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns.
Fixing their thoughts is to be focused…zeroed in on what the Lord is wanting us to do. In this case, Paul is reminding the church to stay focused on heavenly things rather than earthly things.
Earthly things that take us out of focus of what God is wanting to give us.
Sometimes too much of a good thing can take us out of that focus!
Nothing wrong with what your doing except if what you are doing takes you away from the Lord himself or the Lord’s house and God’s people.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter (finisher) of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
This is not about neglecting our earthly responsibilities but prioritizing our daily lives to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
Setting our minds on heavenly things means cultivating and meditating on God's kingdom and His eternal truths.
It means aligning our thoughts with God's will, which will change our attitude and allowing the Lord’s thoughts and actions to become our thoughts and actions.
How to Set Your Mind on Things Above?
When it comes to refocusing on Christ, the Bible gives us some clear instructions.
Put to Death What Is Earthly… our text Colossians 3:2
Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, and adultery.
To feel about these things as God feels about them and put them to death in our lives.
To hate these sins in our life enough that we turn them over to the Lord to help us get victory in them.
Put to death some and …put on the new self…
We put to death the earthly things that are destroying us- the ones we just named…
Put on the New Self. ...
2 Corinthians 5:17-
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” (In Christ…we are new creation.) (It is how the old is gone and the new has come into our lives.)
God has given direction for things that need out of our lives and things that are needed in our lives if we are to live as Christ wants us to live.
We have a desire because we want to please Him to get rid of everything that displeases and want everything that please to be put into our lives.
Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts. ... Colossians 3:15
Put to death anger that causes division among believers
Let the old…anger be gone and the peace of God to come in…(New)
For something to rule our lives wither good or bad, it has ot be given authority to be able to do that.
What are you giving authority too in your life and does it please God or is it something He is wanting out of your life.
Let the Word of Christ Richly Dwell. ... Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Have you taken the time to allow God’s Word to be in your heart?
Have you meditated on Hs word and allowed it to rule the decisions you make?
Give Thanks to God.
The new you who is the new creation of Christ and has the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us should be bringing praise unto God in all things
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”
When it gets into our hearts it becomes a truth…a godly truth that can be lived out where the enemy cannot steal it but we can use it for God’s honor and glory.
We begin to see things the way God see them.
WE begin to declare His Word instead of our own.
You now speak boldly from the heart and it becomes your faith in action.
We now invest in heavenly things and are not caught up in earthly things that have no eternal value.
Philippians 4:8
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”
We guard against worldly influences and align our thoughts with God's perspective.
C.S. Lewis
"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither."
Renewing Our Minds
Living with a heavenly mindset requires the continual renewal of our minds through God's Word and Spirit.
As our minds are transformed, we begin to discern God's will and experience His peace.
Renewing our minds involves actively engaging on Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with believers.
We replace worldly thinking with God's perspective, leading to spiritual growth and maturity.
Romans 12:2
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Paul preaches transformational power and renewing of minds according to God's truth.
Ephesians 4:23-24
“To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Paul encourages believers to allow the Holy Spirit to renew their thoughts and attitudes.
Rick Warren said, "God's Word is the perfect guide for a heavenly perspective."
Living as people of God
Embracing a heavenly mindset means living as people of God's kingdom while on earth.
We can live with purpose, hope, and joy while going through life's challenges.
Our identity in Christ influences our priorities, decisions, and relationships.
We are called to reflect Christ and desire His kingdom on earth.
How does our life reflect Christ?
Our lives reflect the Lord when we shine light into the darkness.
We bring hope where there is no hope.
We walk with people as they suffer and we shower those around us with love.
We strive to walk in light and love.
Philippians 3:20-21
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like his glorious body.”
Paul reminds believers of their future transformation awaiting them. This truth encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, eagerly anticipating Christ's return.
1 Peter 2:11-12
“Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your souls. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong. They may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Peter reminds us the temporary nature of our earthly existence and warns against being entangled in worldly desires.
Charles Spurgeon
"Seek those things which are above, for the heart will never be right unless it be renewed in heavenly things."
Closing/ Call to Action:
Summary: The world we live in often entices us to chase after its fleeting pleasures and riches but let us be reminded that these things are temporal and will ultimately leave us empty and broken.
We live in a world that is consumed by chaos and darkness. Every day, we are bombarded with news of conflict, suffering, and despair. It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of worldly pursuits and seek to impress those around us with our accomplishments and possessions.
The world may promise us happiness and security, but ultimately, it will fail us. As Jesus said in Luke 12:15, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."
But there is hope! As we turn away from the world's empty promises and turn to God, we find a loving Father who stands by us in times of trouble. Psalm 34:19 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles."
And in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul writes, "We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
But as followers of Jesus, we are called to a higher purpose. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that He will bring order to the chaos and light to the darkness.
James 4:4 warns us, "Friendship with the world means enmity with God."
Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT) "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth."
These passages collectively emphasize the importance of prioritizing heavenly treasures, cultivating virtuous thoughts, renewing our minds through God's truth, embracing our heavenly citizenship, and guarding against worldly influences. They call believers to live with a transformed mindset that reflects God's kingdom values and anticipates the eternal inheritance awaiting us.
Living with a heavenly mindset transforms every aspect of our lives. Let us commit to:
Prioritizing eternal values in our thoughts and actions.
Engaging daily in renewing our minds through Scripture and prayer.
Embracing our identity as citizens of heaven and reflecting Christ's character on earth.
Let us live today with a heavenly perspective, impacting our world with the truth and love of God's kingdom.
