Hidden With Christ In God
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Do you ever feel out of place when your somewhere?
Get together with lawyers
Most comfortable with the guys on the worksite
When you become a Christian, it’s not just a membership to a new club. You have become someone new. It’s not taking on a new personality. You are literally someone new.
You are going to feel out of place in this new life. We should not feel comfortable in this world.
Let’s see what Paul has to say about it...
But first, lets pray…
Raised with Christ
Raised with Christ
v.1 Raised with Christ in God
Compare 2:20 “If with Christ you died...”
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
God mad you alive at the moment of your conversion.
The moment you came to true, repentant faith in Christ
If (Since) then you have been raised with Christ… (3:1)
In one sense, we are waiting for the day of resurrection when Jesus returns to call us home, but in another sense we are already there: “You have been raised”
We have been made alive in Christ - past tense - our spiritual self has been brought to life from the dead: “You who were dead in your trespasses…” v.13
But we’re still stuck in these bodies - how wonderful it will be…
You no longer belong to this earthly realm but to the heavenly realm above
already/not yet -
new life here and now, in Christ and Christ in you
But, we also look ahead to the future glory (v.4)
Phil 3:12, 21
Citizens of heaven - We are sojourners now here on earth, but our true home is with Christ
And where is Christ?
Where Christ Is…
Where Christ Is…
seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God
The “right hand” of God
Not two thrones sitting side by side
Symbol of God’s power and authority
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Signifies Christ’s position of authority, He is exalted above all else
This is where God has placed this God-Man Jesus: Truly God and Truly Man
And the amazing thing is: We now identify with Christ! We identify with His death and resurrection.
And - since that’s where He is, in one sense, we are now there with Him
Not on the throne, but if we are in Him, we are with Him
We are not condemned. We are not to worry. We’re already there !
Orient Your Compass
Orient Your Compass
Therefore, orient yourself - set your compass - move in this direction
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Driving: If your driving and you see something shiny in the ditch and stare at it...
Driving instructor: Keep your eyes up ahead - look far! You’re gonna hit something if it jumps or a bend in the road comes or a stop sign
Sailors: North Star
No matter where you are in the northern hemisphere, you know you are facing north if you are looking at the North Star.
v.2 Set you minds on things that are above...
phroneō). vb. to think
Don’t be led by mere emotion, direct your thoughts toward what is above: Think, ponder, meditate, dwell on them
Actively seeking/thinking: be deliberate, it doesn’t just happen on its own
Set your eyes straight on Christ and His words
The ways of the world will lead you astray
We see this now in our country and in the west - this has always been the case
Take your eyes off Christ - you end up in the ditch
Remember from ch. 2
False teachers or gurus were judging other Christians
special diets, festivals
“Shadows of the things to come”
asceticism
self-denial or self-discipline
Renouncing worldly pleasures: prolonged fasting from food, wear uncomfortable clothing, abstain from sexual relationships, Inflicting pain on yourself
Achieve a higher state of consciousness or spirituality
“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
You should be seeking change, but don’t look to these worldly, earthly rules and regulations and special diets - they’re of no value.
Ironically, the false teachers thought they were obtaining a higher spirituality through these rituals - but they were still gratifying their fleshly desires - they were “puffed up in their pride.”
As we looked at last week, we too can deceive ourselves and be puffed up in our pride.
If it can happen to Paul, it can happen to you: Paul thorn 2 Cor:12
The Things That Are Above
The Things That Are Above
So, what are these things that are above? What are we keeping our eyes fixed upon.
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
Keep your eyes fixed on Christ and what He has done for you. Unwavering - and you won’t be led astray.
Saturate your life with the gospel.
[Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus]
To the unbeliever it might sound insane, but it’s Jesus all day long!
How many times in his letters does Paul return our attention to the gospel? We will forget…
Ultimately, how do we best find ourselves seeking / thinking about the things above?
We live to read our Bibles. Want to know God’s will for your life? Read your Bible. Want to know how God wants you to pray? Read your Bible.
Hidden in Christ (v.3)
Hidden in Christ (v.3)
If (Since) 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. (Why?) For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Moses asks to see God’s glory:
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
See also Ex 20 (Thunder & Lightening)
Sinful man cannot be in the presence of a Holy God
We are hidden from God’s wrath against sin in Christ
When Christ returns, He will judge everyone
For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he (Jesus) will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King (that is Christ) will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Put to death therefore (mortify -KJV) what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming (upon the sons of disobedience) In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
All sin must be paid for
Hidden:
And what of those who are hidden in Christ?
Because we are hidden in Christ, we are hidden from His judgement and condemnation. We are protected.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
When Christ who is your life
Christ is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g !!
All of my hope is in Christ
Why on earth would I look anywhere else?
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
There is no where else to look!
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.
Put to death therefore
Put to death therefore
Paul dives headfirst: Therefore
[Col 3:5-11]
This is what you are to do.
Indicative - imperative
Since this - then do this.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Final words:
Since then you have been raised with Christ
Present tense
You were dead - at the moment of your conversion you are now alive
With Christ
Know and have confidence - hidden in Him
One day you will be glorified with Him - new body / no more sin
Seek - set your mind on the things above
Eyes on the gospel
gospel saturated life - in all aspects - not just Sunday morning
Therefore put to death
Next Sunday, Lord willing, we’ll look deeper at what this new life looks like
v.5 Put to death
v.12 Put on
Rock of Ages
