Encourages believers to focus on heavenly matters, find joy in Christ, and live lives hidden with Him, seeking wisdom from God's Word.
Good morning, dear friends. It's always a delight to gather together in this sacred space, where we can lift our hearts in worship and open our minds to the wisdom of God's Word. We're here today, not because we are perfect, but because we are in pursuit of the One who is. We're here today, not because we have all the answers, but because we have questions, and we're seeking answers from the One who is the Answer.
We find ourselves today on the threshold of a profound passage from Paul's letter to the Colossians. The third chapter, the first four verses. Let's read them together:
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
This passage, my friends, is a divine invitation to recalibrate our focus, to realign our hearts, and to rekindle the flame of our faith. It's a call to preserve our precious possessions, to persevere in spiritual significance, and to protect our purposeful pursuits.
In the passage we read, Paul urges us to seek the things that are above. This is a call to prioritize our spiritual treasures over earthly possessions. It's a call to value our relationship with Christ and the spiritual growth that comes from it more than material wealth or worldly success. This is not to say that material possessions are inherently bad. Rather, it's a reminder that they are temporary and can distract us from the eternal treasures that truly matter.
The nature of these precious possessions: What are the things that are above? They are the spiritual blessings that come from a relationship with Christ. They are the peace that surpasses understanding, the joy that is unspeakable, the love that is unending, and the hope that is unshakeable. These are the treasures that moth and rust cannot destroy, and thieves cannot steal.
The process of preserving these possessions: How do we keep our focus on the things that are above? Paul gives us the answer in the same passage. We are to set our minds on things that are above. This means making a conscious effort to think about and meditate on spiritual truths. It means spending time in prayer and in the Word, seeking to know God more and to understand His will for our lives.
The purpose of preserving these possessions: Why is it important to seek the things that are above? The answer lies in the latter part of the passage. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. This means that our true identity, our true worth, and our true happiness are found in Christ. When we seek the things that are above, we are seeking to know and experience more of Christ, who is our life.
The promise associated with preserving these possessions: What is the outcome of seeking the things that are above? Paul tells us that when Christ, who is our life, appears, we also will appear with Him in glory. This is the ultimate hope and reward for those who preserve their precious possessions. It's the promise of eternal life with Christ, where there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, and no more death.
As we turn our attention to the second aspect of our divine invitation, we find ourselves in the realm of spiritual significance ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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