Living for the Kingdom

Today’s Reading from God’s Word

Colossians 3:1–4 CSB

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you 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.

Introduction

During July, we’ve been walking through the incredible reality of the Kingdom of God.

We’ve seen that Jesus is the Savior of Mercy (Titus 3). We’ve literally been rescued from eternal peril and destruction.

We’ve been washed and reborn and forgiven.

Made heirs of the kingdom.

We’ve learned that the kingdom is for the Desperate and Destitute (Luke 4), those who admit their need and humbly receive grace.

And, we’ve examined the King’s Invitation (Matthew 22) seeing both the generosity of His call and the seriousness of our response.

The kingdom demands more than hearing the invitation — it requires accepting it and being clothed in Christ.

The kingdom is everything. It is a declaration of what matters most.

In a world where everything seems to be shifting, we’ve planted our feet firmly in the one truth that doesn’t change: Jesus is King, and His kingdom is worth everything.

Sometimes congregations hit a plateau — because they lose their sense of urgency.

We can shift from mission to maintenance. Settle into our comfort zone and rarely push ourselves.

From fire to formality.

From reaching outward — to looking inward.

So today, I want us to examine Colossians 3:1-4 - where Paul is writing to Christians who already knew the gospel … but needed to be reminded of what it mean to live raised — to live like their hearts and minds were anchored in heaven, not earth.

These first four verses are to any congregation that has grown tired, drifted from its mission, or forgotten the power of the new life.

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite parts of Texas, the Texas Hill Country, got hit with catastrophic flooding that has been likened to an “inland tsunami”.

Water levels on the Guadalupe River rose over 26 feet in 45 minutes.

Hardest hit was the Christian girls camp near Kerrville, Camp Mystic, where 165 people became stranded.

Into the chaos stepped Scott Ruskan, a first-time Coast Guard rescue swimmer.

Just trained. Just assigned. This was literally his first mission.

But when lives were on the line, he didn’t hesitate.

He dropped in — literally — out of a helicopter and into the flood.

"We decided to leave me on scene at Camp Mystic. That was kind of our main triage site we were trying to help out with," he recalled, explaining that the thought process was that it would free up more space on the rescue helicopter so that victims could be taken to safety.

He continued, saying, "I kind of discovered I was the only person there as far as first responders go. So I had about 200, kids mostly. All scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their life. And I just kind of needed to triage them, get them to a higher level of care and get 'em off the flood zone."

The heroic first responder worked alongside members of the United States Army National Guard to get the people loaded and to safety.

"We kind of came up with two different landing zones. There was one off an archery field and then one in a soccer field. We were able to kind of land those 60s [rescue helicopters] in there. I was kind of the main guy as far as grabbing people," he said.

This the coordinated efforts of Scott and others, 165 people were rescued and over 440 in total were saved from flood zones.

When asked about it afterward, Scott didn’t claim to be a hero, he simply said, “It was time to serve. I had to go.”

That spirit — that urgency — is what Paul is calling us to in Colossians 3.

You don’t wait for perfect conditions.

You don’t hold back until it is easy.

When you’ve been raised with Christ — you move.

You set your heart on the things of heaven.

You die to yourself.

You live hidden in Christ.

And you don’t delay.

And so I ask, If the kingdom is really everything — are we living like it?

Have I set my heart where Christ is — or am I just surviving?

Have I died to myself, or am I still clinging to comfort and control?

Am I seeking the lost and serving the body — or have I grown comfortable watching others do it?

Lift Your Eyes — Seek What is Above (v. 1)

Colossians 3:1 CSB

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

See how Paul points to a new reality. You have been raised with Christ.

This is the truth.

It points back to what Paul has just said in Colossians 2:12-13.

Colossians 2:12–13 CSB

when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses.

Since this is true, live like it.

Now back to v. 1:

Colossians 3:1 CSB

… seek the things above, …

“Seek” means to actively pursue.

To aim at something with urgency and focus.

It is written in the present imperative — meaning keep on seeking. Don’t stop. Don’t coast. Keep aiming your life upward.

I must not shift my focus.

Let’s look again at v. 1:

Colossians 3:1 CSB

…seek the things above, where Christ is, ….

Paul ties our seeking to a Person, not a place.

Again again at v. 1:

Colossians 3:1 CSB

…seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

We seek what is above — because Christ is there, seated at the right hand of God.

This is kingdom language.

“seated” means “enthroned, ruling, and victorious.”

“right hand of God” refers to “power, authority, and sovereignty.”

Paul isn’t calling you just to have sweet feelings about heaven — He is calling you to live under the authority of the king, shaping your life around His reign.

So, where is your focus?

What happens when you take your eyes off of Him?

You start looking inward.

You start looking at everyone else

You start looking back at how things used to be.

You stop looking up.

And when this happens:

Passion fades

Urgency fades

Evangelism fades

Worship becomes mechanical

Service becomes optional

And the kingdom stops feeling like everything — and starts to feel just like another thing.

So, I have to guard my heart.

I have to have a heart that seeks what is above.

Verse 1 is about direction.

Now, we move into verse 2, which is about discipline.

It’s one thing to point our heart toward heaven.

It is another thing to train our minds to stay there.

Remember this:

The heart sets the direction.

The mind determines the discipline.

Set Your Mind — Think Like a Citizen of Heaven (v. 2)

Colossians 3:2 CSB

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

Notice that just like “seek” in v. 1 is active, “set your minds” is too.

This is an intentional, ongoing, mental choice.

I must fix my thoughts; shape my outlook, and form my values on what is above.

What you consistently think about shapes what you care about. And what you care about shapes how you live.

What does it mean to “set your mind on things above?”

It means to develop a “kingdom filter” — a spiritual mindset that interprets life, decisions, relationships, and struggles from heaven’s perspective.

It means we stop acting like a person of the world and start responding like a citizen of heaven.

When conflict comes, you think what brings glory to Christ here?

When hardship comes, you think how is God forming and shaping me through this?

When opportunity comes, you think how does this serve the mission of the king?

What happens when we don’t set our minds on things above?

We drift into earthly things. (in this context, not so much sinful things, as small things.)

Distracting things. Divisive things.

Earthly thinking fuels criticism instead of compassion.

Earthly thinking obsesses over control instead of surrender.

Earthly thinking guards comfort instead of pursuing calling.

Earthly thinking gets lost in what’s wrong instead of remembering who reigns.

Do you need to reset your mental habits?

If you are stuck in a pattern of fear, negativity, selfishness, and comparison, it is because you are not training your mind to dwell on the truth of heaven.

Philippians 4:8 CSB

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

Romans 12:2 CSB

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

If you want to live a kingdom life, you need a kingdom mind.

It will not come by accident.

It takes practice. Intentionality. Focus.

You cannot live for the kingdom when your mind is trapped in the world.

You won’t rise if your thoughts are stuck in the dirt.

If you’ve been raised with Christ, it’s time to start thinking like it.

So, what we’re talking about here is a mindset — not just emotion.

And that mindset is formed when you die to yourself.

Kingdom living doesn’t happen by adding Jesus onto your life — it happens by laying your life down so that He can live through you.

This is exactly where Paul takes us in v .3.

Die to Self — Live Hidden in Christ (v. 3)

Colossians 3:3 CSB

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

I believe this is the heart of the passage.

Everything flows from this truth: you died.

He doesn’t say, “You’re dying,” or “try to die to yourself more,”

He says it as a finished act: you died.

This happened when you surrendered to Christ — when you were buried with Him in baptism and raised in newness of life:

Colossians 2:12 CSB

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

Romans 6:4–6 CSB

Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin,

What does it mean to “die”?

It means the old you is over.

The you who lived for self - dead.

The you who chased the world - dead.

The you who had to be in control - dead.

The you who had to protect comfort -dead.

This isn’t self-improvement. This isn’t behavior management. This is spiritual crucifixion.

Galatians 2:20 CSB

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Now, back to v. 3:

Colossians 3:3 CSB

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

What does this mean?

Here we see both security and surrender.

Security:

Your identity is no longer rooted in what you do or what others say — it is rooted in Christ.

You are protected, covered, and wrapped up in His righteousness and reign.

Surrender:

Your life is not your own. You’ve given it over.

You’re not the author, director, or lead character anymore — Jesus is.

The world may not understand your choices.

They may not see what fuels your priorities.

But your life is hidden in something deeper than they can see.

Congregations stall, lose their passion, and become inward focused when too many Christians are trying to live half-dead.

We want the kingdom - but we don’t want the cross.

We want life - but we don’t want surrender.

We want to serve - but only when it’s convenient.

We want to grow - but only if it doesn’t require sacrifice.

And what happens?

We can grow restless, apathetic, and critical.

Because we’re trying to resurrect the very self we were supposed to bury.

So, stop waiting for life to settle — start dying to self.

Some of you may be thinking:

I’ll serve when I’m less busy.

I’ll lead when my kids are older

I’ll give when I feel more stable.

But death to self doesn’t wait. The cross doesn’t accommodate comfort.

“You died.” That’s past tense. This means your life isn’t about you anymore.

It’s about Christ, His mission, His people, and His kingdom.

The answer for down times and spiritual slumps is not more programs, more effort, or better strategies.

The answer is deeper surrender.

We don’t need more activity - we need more disciples who have truly died to self.

Died to my comfort

Died to my convenience

Stopped waiting for perfect conditions and started living like Christ is my life.

Until we do this, we’ll stay stuck.

Now, the exciting thing is that in our text Paul doesn’t stop with verse 3. He doesn’t leave us in the grave.

The gospel never stops at death — it always moves forward to glory.

He called us to die, but now, in v. 4, he calls us to live.

And this is not just a better version of your old life, it is a new life hidden in Christ, sustained in Christ, and destined for glory with Christ.

Live for Glory — Because Christ is Your Life (v. 4)

This is the crescendo.

Paul started with seeking, moved to thinking, called us to dying, and now, he gives us a vision to live for.

Let’s briefly take this part in 3 parts.

“Christ, Who is Your Life”

Colossians 3:4 CSB

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

This is literal truth.

Jesus doesn’t just give you life; He is your life.

He is not part of your life. He is not a priority in your life. He is the whole foundation and meaning of your life.

He is your breath, your direction, your anchor.

He is your security in suffering, your strength in weakness.

He is not your Sunday morning routine, He is your reason to exist.

“When Christ … Appears”

Colossians 3:4 CSB

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

This is hope — a future vision of the return of the king.

This life isn’t all there is.

We’re not storing up rewards here.

We’re not trying to fit in here.

We are living in light of His return!

When you believe Jesus is coming again, it changes how you live right now.

You stop worrying about earthly recognition and start focusing on eternal reward.

You stop clinging to comfort and start leaning into calling.

“Then You will Also Appear with Him in Glory”

Colossians 3:4 CSB

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

There is a resurrection promise here.

You may be hidden now — unseen, misunderstood, and unrecognized. But when He returns, you will be revealed with HIm.

No longer hidden.

No longer fighting flesh

No longer stumbling in weakness

You will be clothed in glory.

You will share in the honor of your king - not because of your greatness, but because of your union with Him.

Romans 8:17 CSB

and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

So, live now for what will matter then.

If glory is your destination, then allow it to shape your direction.

Don’t build your life around the temporary.

Don’t waste your energy trying to win earthly prizes.

Don’t live for the approval of people who won’t be standing next to you on judgment day.

Live for the glory that is coming.

Live like Christ is your life.

Live like Heaven is your home — because it is.

Remember:

The world is not your life. Christ is.

The world is not your reward. Glory is.

The world is not your goal. The kingdom is.

So,

Seek what’s above

Set your mind there

Die to everything else

Live in the joy and hope of the glory to come.

As We Close...

Let’s go back to where we began:

Colossians 3:1 CSB

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

This is not a suggestion. It’s not a maybe. It’s a spiritual fact.

You have been raised.

You have died to the old life.

You have been made alive with Jesus.

You’ve been seated with him in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6)

You’re hidden in Him, and one day you will appear with Him in glory.

Are you living like it?

If for you, ...

the fire has faded, the mission has stalled, and you’ve grown comfortable or gotten distracted...

you are not living like the kingdom is everything… or acting as if you believe the king is coming again...

The time is now:

Seek the things above

Set your mind there

Die to self

Live for glory

Let Christ be your life — your everything.

Remember who you are and what really matters.

Have you lost your focus?

Have you taken your eyes off Jesus?

Have you been living like you’re still in the grave?

Are you waiting for ease instead of stepping out in obedience?

Stop waiting

Stop spectating

Stop waiting for life to slow down.

Jesus is on the throne right now.

The next level for Cornerstone — new growth, new passion, new leadership, new impact — will not come until surrender does.

If you’re not a Christian, this is your call to be raised with Christ.

You’re dead in sin, but God offers you new life.

All by grace and mercy.

You can be buried with Jesus in baptism today … and raised to walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:12 CSB

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

Come forward if you need prayer.

Come forward if you need surrender.

Come forward if you’re ready to finally live like Christ is your life.

Because when you do, everything changes.