Getting your Mindset Right

STORY:

The years when I focused my heart and mind on the temporary.

I believe I was saved: The Holy Spirit was still convicting me.

I could never be satisfied focusing on the temporary.

Problem: My mindset.

A godly mindset leads to godly character:

We all know we should have godly character: Love, joy, peace, patience… generosity, self-discipline.

We all know we should turn from sin.

Two things need to happen to experience real change:

A genuine conversion: Rom. 3:23, James 2:10, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, Acts. 16:31, John 3:16-18.

Pig illustration: Keeps going back to the mud.

Being converted:

A New Creation (2 Cor. 5:17)

Born again (John 3:3)

Dead and raised (Col. 3:1-3)

This is where we meet our passage for today.

Col. 3:1-7.

Letter written by the apostle Paul

To the church in Colossea.

Speaking directly to those who have already been converted.

I’m going to speak to you today, as Paul did, to those who are already converted.

For those of you who have yet to commit your life to Christ, I invite you to listen in to this conversation. Evesdrop a little bit here.

A godly mindset.

A heavenly mindset.

A godly mindset leads to godly character.

A godly mindset produces godly character.

A tree comes from it’s roots.

Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Truths that Change You

1. You have been raised with Christ (Col. 3:1a)

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ...

Baptism (Col. 2:12)

Colossians 2:12

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Past tense - Certainty

Raised to live a new life

2. Christ is now seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1b)

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

...set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians & Philemon Commentary

The starting point of Christian spirituality is the realization that Christ’s resurrection resulted in his exaltation to sit on a throne at God’s right hand (3:1).

Matthew 19:28 NIV

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Psalm 110:1 NIV

The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Christ is seated in the place of authority over all things.

He is seated next to God the Father. The Most High God.

Not a functional God.

Not a God who is made up.

But the Real God.

CBR: Christ was victorious (Matt. 26:53-54)

Matthew 26:53–54 NIV

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

Jesus, was betrayed, brought before trail, mocked, beaten, crucified, dead, burried, but then he was raised.

Now, he is seated in the place of authority on his throne.

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians & Philemon Commentary

Christians have a new set of values because they know that Christ reigns.

-Cornerstone Bible Commentary

Application: Set your hearts and minds on things above (Col. 3:2)

Colossians 3:2 NIV

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

We are now to live with a new mindset.

Before, we were focused on the things of the earth.

Temporary

Despair: Things just aren’t coming together for me in this life.

Health

Finances

Status

Career

Dreams

When we focus on earthy things, and then things just don’t come through for us, what happens? I’ll show you.

“Young at Heart” - Doris Day and Frank Sanatra - Nothing ever works out for him.

False Hope: “I’m good, things are going well without Christ!” But the biggest need in the world is missed.

A wasted life.

It’s not that we are to be thinking about heaven all the time. Rather, our mindset is to be shaped by these heavenly realities.

God is real

Jesus died for your sin.

You are now completely forgiven.

Jesus, our King, is now seated in the place of highest authority.

One day, we will be with him

Because of that, there is never a reason for long term despair.

3. You died, your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)

Colossians 3:3 NIV

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

What does this mean? You died?

Out with the old, in with the new

“Born again” John 3:3

John 3:3 NIV

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Baptism symbolizes this.

Conversiion.

Something so radical happens to us when we are saved, it is as if we died and came back to life as a new person.

Application: Take radical measures to eradicate sin, not manage it. (Col. 3:5-7)

Colossians 3:5–7 (NIV)

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

Illustration: Our Pepper Tree

“You used to walk” - This was your way of life. - Let it grow

“Put to death” - Roundup

Old vs. New

Used to live in it: Let it grow, enjoy it, maybe even defend it.

Killing it: You got the round up bottle out. You got the clippers out. and your willing to call your neighbor to come over with his chain saw.

The difference between the Rich Young Ruler and Zacheus

One walked away sad.

The other rejoiced.

Hidden - It’s safe, for the rest of eternity.

4. Christ is coming back (Col. 3:4a)

Colossians 3:4 (NIV)

When Christ, who is your life, appears...

Christ, “who is your life.” -

He is your everything.

He is not just to be a peripheral part of your life, he is your life.

Most people are ok with religion being a part of life, but not with Christ being life.

Story of the guy at SDSU

It didn’t make sense to him. Actually, he hated it.

From what he shared with me, it seems that his grandparents were living out what is taught in Col. 3.

He came once, that’s what we celebrated

Christmas: He fulfilled the prophecies of the savior being born (Micah 5:2)

Good Friday: He fulfilled the prophecies of how he would die for our sin (Is. 53:7)

Easter: He rose from the dead, and is now sitting at the right hand of God (Ps. 110:1)

Still waiting: Fulfill the prophecy of his return, when he comes on the clouds (Dan. 7:9-14).

5. One day, you will appear with Christ in glory (Col. 3:4b)

Colossians 3:4 (NIV)

...then you also will appear with him in glory.

We are going to be made fully new:

No more struggle with sin.

No more pain.

No more anxiety.

with a new body. And

We will be with him forever.

Application: We don’t live the same way others do, because our mindset is different.

We don’t need to feel compelled to live to fulfill a bucket list.

It’s ok if our dreams don’t come true.

Everything is not going to come together in this life; because for us, everything is going to come together when we meet Christ face to face.

So, we live to please God in this life.

We can have real, deep joy in light of the realities that are in Christ.

Vision

How might this year look different if you made your goal of the year to “set your minds on things above, not on earthy things?”

A week, a month, a year from now.

Mission Trails:

Generosity

Love for God and others

Heart for those who don’t know God

Anxiety and worry decrease.

Joy would increase.

Consider putting this at the top of your goals for 2023:

If you don’t have any goals. Make this your one goal.

Colossians 3:1 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Let’s Pray