"Spiritual Thinking"

June 22, 2025

FBC Baxley

am service

Israel/Iran… SPARK Conf. August 24th BPC________________________________

Mattie Bass.....here

Welcome radio and online guests…

Vision Statement: FBC Exists to Live & Share the Love of Jesus Christ, through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry & Evangelism.

** I want you to know, GOD LOVES YOU!

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will, way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, Some Saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “Spiritual Thinking”

Scripture Passage: Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

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

4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

PRAY-

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Three Points:

Heavenly Vision

2. Hidden Identity

3. Holy Discernment

Sermon: Spiritual Thinking: Setting Your Mind on Things Above

Main Idea: Christlike minds are fixed on eternal realities, not earthly distractions.

Illustration – “The Airplane Window”

A few years ago, a man was seated next to a commercial pilot on a flight out of Atlanta.

As they ascended through the clouds, the man glanced out the window and was struck by how small everything became.

The cars looked like ants, buildings like Monopoly pieces.

he turned to the pilot and said, “It’s crazy how tiny everything looks from up here.”

He just smiled and said, “Perspective changes everything.

What feels overwhelming down there looks completely different up here.”

That line reminds us of Paul’s call to believers in Colossians 3—that when we’ve been raised with Christ, we no longer see life from the ground up but from heaven down.

T.W. Hunt once wrote, “The mind of Christ is not merely a clean mind—it is a mind set on eternity.”

We’re continuing our Mind Shift series today with a message called “Spiritual Thinking: Setting Your Mind on Things Above.”

We're going to walk through two powerful passages—Colossians 3:1–4 and 1 Corinthians 2:14–16—and learn what it means to think spiritually in a world full of distractions.

I. Heavenly Vision – Seek Things Above

Colossians 3:1–2 – “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.”

Paul begins with a condition: “If then you have been raised with Christ…”

But in Greek, this phrase—εἰ οὖν—isn't expressing doubt.

It’s better understood as “Since you’ve been raised…”

This is not a question; it’s a declaration of our new position in Christ.

Then he gives two imperatives:

First, “seek”—the Greek word ζητεῖτε, meaning to continually pursue. This is not a one-time glance heavenward. It’s a daily pursuit of eternal things.

Second, “set your minds”—the word φρονεῖτε—which means to fix your mind or direct your inner disposition. Not just your thoughts, but your orientation, your focus, your mindset. “Golf” grip, stance, feet, head, club, shoulders, everything!!

Paul contrasts the eternal with the earthly.

In a world that wants you to obsess over the here-and-now—social media, status, politics, possessions—God calls you to look up.

T.W. Hunt wrote, “The spiritual mind is a trained mind. It feeds on what will last forever, not on what fades with time.”

Illustration: Think of a compass. If it’s not pointed true north, you’ll get lost.

Believer, your true north is Christ, seated at the right hand of God.

The only way to stay on course is to keep your mind fixed on Him.

II. Hidden Identity – Your Life Is with Christ

Colossians 3:3–4 – “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.”

Now Paul takes it deeper: You have died. That’s past tense.

You died to this world when you came to Christ.

Your real life—the part that matters most—is not visible to this world.

It is hidden (κεκρυμμένη) with Christ. The word means “securely concealed.”

Just like a valuable item in a vault, your life is secure in Him.

And don’t miss this—Paul says, “Christ who is your life.”

He is not just a part of your life. He is your life.

The world may look at you and see someone ordinary, but heaven sees someone glorious, redeemed, and destined for eternity.

Illustration: Like a seed buried in the soil—hidden, unseen, yet full of potential—you may not appear glorious now, but when Christ returns, your hidden life will be revealed in glory.

T.W. Hunt said, “The man whose mind is consumed with eternal truths will not find his identity in this world but in the One who reigns above it.”

So let me ask you: where are you looking for your worth?

Your social status? Your financial achievements?

Or are you living from your hidden identity in Christ?

III. Holy Discernment – Live with Spiritual Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:14–16 – “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him… But we have the mind of Christ.”

Paul now contrasts two kinds of thinking:

The natural person—ψυχικὸς ἄνθρωπος—is the man without the Spirit. He sees only through human eyes. Spiritual truth sounds foolish to him.

But the spiritual person—those in Christ—has the mind of Christ (νοῦν Χριστοῦ). That doesn’t mean we know everything Jesus knows. It means we now process life through the lens of His Spirit.

This is the supernatural ability to see life from God’s point of view.

Illustration: It’s like night vision goggles. Without them, you’re blind in the dark.

But with them, what was once hidden becomes clear.

That’s what the Spirit does—He allows you to see eternal realities others can’t.

Spiritual thinking is not natural. It’s learned. It’s developed.

And it’s Spirit-empowered.

T.W. Hunt emphasized this when he wrote, “Spiritual discernment is not automatic. It is cultivated by walking with God, meditating on His Word, and listening to His Spirit.”

So how do we live with holy discernment?

We ask the Spirit to train our minds.

We test everything against God’s truth.

And we guard against being shaped by the shallow thinking of this world.

Conclusion: Make the Shift

So, if we want the mind of Christ, we must think from above. We must seek, set, see, and sift everything through the eternal lens of Jesus Christ.

Let me give you three specific life applications to help you begin this Mind Shift today.

Life Applications

#1: Start Your Day with Scripture and Stillness

Before the rush of the world hits you—before the notifications, emails, news, and demands—begin your day with stillness before God.

Open the Word. Reflect. Pray. Let eternity orient your day.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105

#2: Filter Earthly Distractions Through Eternal Priorities

As you move through your day, ask:

“Is this building the kingdom or just feeding my ego?” “Is this drawing me toward Christ or away from Him?”

Let eternal values shape your time, your choices, and your affections.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” – Matthew 6:33

#3: Ask Daily for the Mind of Christ

Every day, pray this simple prayer:

“Lord, help me think like You today. Shape my reactions, my words, and my priorities according to Your eternal truth.”

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:5

Final Word:

You are not just thinking differently—you are thinking spiritually.

And that, is the Mind Shift that leads to transformation.

“When we set our minds on things above, we start living from above—even while we’re still here below.” – T.W. Hunt

Let’s make the shift today.

-PRAY

-Invitation