“Out of This World Investments”
Colossians 3:1-4
Introduction: The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything about how we should view the world. That event brought about an entirely new reality, a whole new realm of possibility for those “in Christ.” That Sunday morning saw Christ defeat death, overcome sin, satisfy the wrath of God and it made it possible for you and me to rise from the dead too. Without that event, this world and death and eternal torment in Hell would be the only reality for us. However, the good news is this…
1. Principle: You can be raised with Christ.
Col. 3:1a
• Sunegeiro infers a spiritual reviving with someone. To rise with.
• Col. 2:13. This new life requires a willingness to put off the old. Pretty good trade!
• The text applies to those who are in Christ.
- Are You In Christ?
- Have You Died?
- Have You Been Raised With Him?
IF yes, then…
3:1b-2
2. Principle: One who is in Christ should focus on and seek the things where He is.
A. Christ is with God. This is a reality confirmed by His resurrection.
• This is a real place!
• This is a great place!
• We should be spiritually minded and eternally focused.
- Zeteo is a verb meaning to be about or to desire.
- -ano is an adverb which contrasts location. This word signifies above or on top in contrast to below or on the bottom ge.
- We are to invest ourselves in the place where Christ is.
B. We should NOT be focused on the things around us in the world.
These things are temporary. 1 John 2:17 “All the world is passing away…”
These things are corrupt. Matt. 6:19 (moth, rust, thieves)
These things pale in comparison to what lies ahead.
These things cannot satisfy. Eccle 6:7 all of man’s work is for his mouth yet he is not satisfied”
Points of Contact:
• It is difficult to set our minds on things we cannot see. Our tendency is to be about the things we can see and touch and hear and smell.
-Illustration: A husband and wife can contribute $8,000 this year to a Roth IRA. Let’s just take the IRA’s and think about how that cash in hand can be spent on things we can see and touch. Knowing this, it’s really hard to mail a check to an account you can’t touch, that you can’t spend from.
• Most messages deal with drawing our attention to the “earthly” things. Schools are mostly secular, workplaces and the marketplace and the media are as well. If we surround ourselves with “earthly minded” people we will be drawn to be the same and act the same as they.
• Here’s the problem: Those who do focus on worldly things tend to find themselves empty and disillusioned because all of these things are corrupted. All of these things perish and the life lived in the flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.
• However: By focusing on things above, the Christian sees a greater value in their obedience to Christ and they find lasting hope and peace that is “out of this world!”
• Paul’s example: Paul writes this in chains yet seems so positive because he is a living illustration of the impact of this type of thinking.
• If we follow Paul’s advice, we will be more focused on the work of Christ and in being pleasing to him. If we ignore it, things that are vaporous will consume us; we will have no eternal reward; and we will fail our Lord.
Vs 3-4
C. Principle: The life that is hidden with Christ will be revealed with Christ when he is revealed.
• Here Paul is indicating that those in Christ have died to this world and that their new lives are hidden or being kept concealed where Christ is. Paul indicates that Christ who is hidden with God will be revealed (this is a promise just as true as the res.) and that those whose lives are hidden with Him will be revealed at the same time.
• (1 Cor. 15, 1 Thess. 4:13-18) all Christians will see and experience new life at the coming of Christ.
Points of Contact:
• The resurrection of Christ, His ascension and His promised return should serve as reminders that our real life is now hidden but will surely be revealed.
Illustration: If someone tells me to invest in a “sure thing” I might be a little leery of their advice. However, if they show me check after check of their returns, I have some evidence. Christ’s Resurrection is a guarantee that this account Paul tells us to invest in will give its promised returns.
• Why then do most Christians live without regard to this truth? We fail to live with the expectancy and urgency that Christ and Paul encouraged.
• How will many feel on the day they realize that their eternal lives have been revealed and that they have invested in that which no longer matters? ILL. Retirees who have to eat ALPO.
• On the contrary, how will those like Paul who invested on the hidden reality of a coming event be thrilled at the return on their investment? ILL. Folks who looked poor all of their lives who live like kings at retirement.
Theme: Christians should invest in God’s Kingdom knowing returns are guaranteed.
Application: How do we do this? Vs 5-17 gives several precepts that teach a few principles.
• Remind yourself daily of the reality of Christ’s resurrection and promised return.
• Live according to God’s moral design.
• Relate to one another in love with kindness, forgiveness, patience and humility.
• “Invest” your time, talent and resources in the Kingdom through the church.
• Be in worship!
• Lead others to Christ. Teaching.
• “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus…”17
• Illustration: In our church there are several couples who built houses last year. All of them lived in rental homes until their new homes were completed. How many of them do you think spent a lot of time fixing up those rental homes? Yes, they wanted it to be clean and comfortable and functional, but they did not worry over curtains and pillow shams. They didn’t worry about gardens and wall coverings. Their focus was on preparing their new home. Those of us who have risen with Christ have a new home to invest in and this old home is dead. Which one are you investing in?
Invitation:
- Be In Christ
- Open your spiritual eyes.
- Wait for your investment to be revealed. This is faith and hope and peace!
• Rev. 22:12 “I am coming quickly and my reward is with me.”
