Above or Below
Colossians 3:1-16
“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. “C. S. Lewis
I) What Are We Commanded To Do?
a. Seek those things that are above (Colossians 3:1)
b. Set your affection on things above (Colossians 3:2)
i. Our goal is to be more mindful of heavenly, spiritual truths instead of earthly pleasures, wealth and honours.
ii. Our goal is to be like Christ
II) Why Are We Command To Do This?
a. A Christian is to be dead to earthly things as our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
b. Christ is now our life and as a result we’re to desire Godly purity (Colossians 3:4)
i. As Paul states, “to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21)
ii. We are bought with a price and not our own (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
iii. The ultimate hope of the Christian is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. As such we are to purify our self in anticipation of the Day of the Lord( I John 3:1-3)
III) How Are We To Perform the Command?
a. Mortify therefore your members. We are to kill sin in our life (Colossians 3:5)
i. Fornication (porneia; pornography) or sexual relations outside of marriage.
ii. Covetousness (pleonexia; avarice or greed) or a strong desire to possess material things which is idolatry.
iii. Covetousness is listed in all of the following as a sin equal to that of fornication and many other gross sins.
1. Colossians 3:5-8 {mortify or kill}
2. Romans 1:29-31 {God gave them over to a reprobate mind}
3. Ephesians 5:1-6 (Let it not be once named among you}
4. I Corinthians 6:9-10 (Shall not inherit the kingdom of God}
b. Allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16)
c. Allow our lives to demonstrate our heavenly thinking (Colossians 3:10-15)
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