The Truth About The Christian
Notes
Transcript
Paul has been dealing with the cult for several verses now. Having spelled out what Christianity is not (Intellectualism, Ritualism, Mysticism, & Legalism), Paul now shows us what Christianity is.
He starts by pointing us directly at the one event that separates Christ from all other gods: The Resurrection!!!
The Reality of Christ’s Resurrection (v. 1a)
The Reality of Christ’s Resurrection (v. 1a)
“If then you were raised with Christ...”
The Christian life is a shared life. The life of the risen Christ is shared with each believer by means of the indwelling Spirit of God.
He is alive.
His ministry is alive.
We can only experience that life through Him.
The Reality of Christ’s Relevance
The Reality of Christ’s Relevance
What We Are To Seek (v. 1b)
What We Are To Seek (v. 1b)
“seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”
We are to explore.
For those who are truly saved by the grace of God and have been born again, we are called to a new life. We are called into a new journey. This journey has many familiarities with the previous journey we traveled:
many of the same people will be present
Our secular job may not change.
Our family will most likely remain the same (depending on the stage of your life you are in)
The Church you attend may even remain the same.
Though these things may very well remain, the purpose of these things in our lives has been altered. Up to the point of our conversion, our interactions with each of these things have revolved specifically around worldly things.
Now, we are called to explore a new dimension with them. We are called to “seek those things which are above”.
Notice that it is a process. He does not merely say to understand the things of Christ. He says to seek them out.
This means it will take time, effort, and a determination. But please note the destination that this journey takes us too, “the right hand of God.”
It is not a meaningless journey. It is an invaluable journey. It is a journey like no other.
The psychologist says to all such, “Look within.” The opportunist says, “Look around.” The optimist says, “Look ahead.” The pessimist says, “Look out!” God says, “Look up!” We are to seek those things which are above. We are to “seek those things which are above.” The cultist’s advice was to look down—to pick up a new set of chains, to put on a new straitjacket, to bow down before a new guru tyrant. No! Look up! See Him!
Part of the fun and excitement that accompanies any new journey is the exploration that goes along with it. As we seek out things above, our eyes are opened to new truths, our hearts are filled with new convictions, and our lives take on a new purpose. It is a never-ending process of development.
5 Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
We have been given an open invitation to roam the heavenlies, and the invitation says, “Come and see!”
Come and see my glory. Come and see my majesty. Come and see my power. Come and see my wisdom. Come and see my love. Come and see my mercy. Come and see my grace. Come and see my face!!!
Let us explore the place of Christ with a determination. Let us seek out who we are by searching where He is.
May we seek those things which are above.
What We Are To Set (v. 2)
What We Are To Set (v. 2)
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Not only are we to explore the things of heaven, we are to establish heaven in our heart.
Notice the terminology: “Set....your mind on things above.”
This word set means to direct one’s mind and concentration upon something. We are to direct our attention to the things of Christ. This cannot be overstated.
Living in a society that is constantly pulled this way and that by something, it is hard to direct attention to any one particular thing. The number one excuse for most people who do not read their Bibles is that they simply do not have time. Why? Because their attention is being pulled into too many different directions.
I think Paul is teaching a very valuable lesson here. He is explaining that “Our Reason Determines Our Reward”!!!
Notice that the verse lays out two different areas of focus. We can either set our minds on things above, or we can set our minds on things below. It is up to us where we put our focus.
Paul is urging his readers to establish heaven in their hearts.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Your reason determines your reward. “Set your mind on things above,” Paul says.
What We Are To See (v. 3)
What We Are To See (v. 3)
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Not only are we to explore the things of heaven and establish heaven in our mind, we are to enjoy heaven here on earth.
Notice two things:
You.....DIED!!!!
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive A. It Is an Executed Life
The old person you were has been executed. He has been put to death. When Jesus died, He did not merely take your sin to the cross. That would still leave you. When He died, not only did He take my sin; He took myself. “I am crucified with Christ.” His death had my name on it. When Jesus Christ died on that cross, Adrian Rogers died on that cross. You died on that cross. Paul died on that cross. Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ.”
Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive C. At the Cost of Personal Realization
“One time, a young man came to an old saint who taught the deeper life, the crucified life, and said, ‘Father, what does it mean to be crucified?’ The old man thought for a moment and said, ‘Well, to be crucified means three things.’ ” Now, listen to this, folks. Here’s what it means to take up a cross. “First, the man who is crucified is facing only one direction.” That’s good. When you’re crucified, you’re only facing one direction. “The old man scratched his scraggily head and said, ‘One thing more, son, about the man on the cross. He is not going back. He has said his final goodbyes. Thirdly, he said, the man on the cross has no further plans of his own.’ ”
Your new life is hidden with Christ.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
If we are truly going to experience heaven on earth, we must be purposeful to direct our attention to Heaven.
This new life that God has called you to is hidden in Him. In other words, if you are going to fulfill the calling that God has placed on your life, you must learn the extent of that calling by seeking His face.
As we do so, we will find that this new life has a major shift from the old one. Our old life was mainly pointed inward, to where our new life is mainly pointed outward. God helps us to focus our aim and balance these with one another as we seek Him.
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Our Christian purpose is twofold. As previously stated, we are called to experience Christ for ourselves, but we are also called to share that experience with others so that they might also experience Him for themselves.
We are to bring heaven down!!
It is truly rewarding when it finally clicks in your brain that God has chosen you to be the conduit of His blessings. I truly believe that you can measure the heavenly focus of any group, small or large / family or congregation, by the amount of blessings you see poured out upon and through those people.
God is omnipotent, but He has chosen to work through us.
The Reality of Christ’s Return
The Reality of Christ’s Return
Sharing In His Life Now (v. 4a)
Sharing In His Life Now (v. 4a)
“When Christ who is our life appears...”
All notes from above point goes with this point.
Sharing In His Lordship Then (v. 4b)
Sharing In His Lordship Then (v. 4b)
“then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.