Awakening - Part 1

Gospel came to you; Hope reserved in heaven; Experienced the grace of God; Walk worthy of God; Bearing fruit; Increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with power; Sharing in the inheritance of the holy ones; Rescued from the domain of darkness; Transferred us to the Son’s Kingdom; Redemption; Forgiveness of sins; Christ is the Image of the Invisible God; Things in heaven and earth are created by and for him; He holds all things together; He is the head of the body; He is the firstborn of the dead; He will come to have first place among everything; Reconciled all things to himself through the blood of his cross; He reconciled you, to present you holy, blameless, without accusation; Christ in you, the hope of glory.

This is from chapter 1…Just chapter 1…

Do not let anyone take you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, according to the elementary spirits of the cosmos, rather in accordance with Christ. (Col 2:8)

During the last three week we have been discussing ‘traditions’ as we went through chapter 2.

Paul wants to put a stamp on why he has said these things…

If therefore, you were raised (to life) together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God; mind the things above, not the things on earth, for you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. When Christ is revealed, your life with him will be revealed in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

He is going to go on to tell them kill off the pornia, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed (because this is idol worship)…and rid ourselves of all things like this…anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another…

The lie is twisting the message to say something it does not, It ties right back to the traditions…

There is a limit to what traditions are acceptable

You are not allowed to cross a line, which is idol worship

MORE ON THAT NEXT WEEK, God willing…

If therefore, you were raised (to life) together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God; mind the things above, not the things on earth, for you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. When Christ is revealed, your life with him will be revealed in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

Seek the things above

Prioritize daily prayer and Scripture meditation over endless scrolling or news feeds.

Invest time in mentoring younger believers instead of chasing career titles.

Give generously to gospel work rather than hoarding for personal security.

: “You’re so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good”, used to shame practical service or dismiss evangelism as escapism.Weaponized

Mind the things above, not the things on earth

Rehearse Christ’s victory when anxiety about opposition to your belief strikes.

Filter choices by asking, “Does this draw my thoughts to Christ?”

PARENTS: Celebrate spiritual growth more than academic award.

I am proud of my kids when the love of Christ flows through them to others

I could care less about their grades…

: “Stop focusing on heaven; real people have real problems here”, employed to guilt believers into abandoning biblical hope for activism without gospel priority.Weaponized

Seeking what is above does not ignore earth;

It reorders earth under Christ’s dominion.

Closing

Seeking above does not ignore earth; it reorders earth under Christ’s rule.

A mind fixed on glory fuels, not flees, earthly obedience.

The accusation of escapism collapses when heavenly focus produces the most engaged, joyful lives.

Because you died and rose with Him, live like the old address is canceled and the new one is already occupied.

Awakening - Part 1