Colossians 3:1-4 and Luke 11:9-13: Spiritual Power for a Godly Life

Scripture Reading

1 Timothy 4:7–10 Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Intro

Proverbs 29:18 says Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.

Without vision… we are prone to wander to and fro… (Amos 8:11-12).

To be blown and tossed about (Ephesians 4:14).

Without vision… without a clear purpose and direction… we will wander aimlessly.

We need a focal point… something we are aiming for and shooting at.

What is the Vision of your life?

Where are you going?

Where are you heading?

Are you driving towards something or are you wandering about aimlessly.

I want to share with you this morning something that has been both convicting and encouraging to me.

Something the Lord has used to refocus my life and I hope… to refocus yours.

The New Year is a time for fresh starts.

To say that was last year… this year will be different.

And so I want to issue a challenge for the New Year.

Both a Challenge and an Encouragement.

The Challenge… is Godliness.

To make Godliness the Number 1 aim and the Number 1 focus of your life.

The thing that all of your life… all of your attention… all of your efforts are fixed.

And here’s where this was convicting for me.

Of course I try to live a godly life!

But am I actually striving for godliness?…

Is it something I’m intentionally aiming for and working towards or is it something I’m hoping is just happening in the background.

I think that’s how most of us treat godliness.

Its just something that will magically happen.

Meanwhile all of our focus and all of our attention is on other things that striving for godliness takes a backseat until something blows up or something huge comes.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification.

Sanctification… growing in godliness… is God’s will for you life.

How many are always asking, “What is God’s will?”

Well if you truly want to be living in God’s will… the answer is striving for a godly life.

And so the first thing I want to do is refocus our vision.

And then here’s the encouragement… how do you actually do that?

And can you actually do that?

Many of you are striving for godliness, but you feel so weak… powerless.

You feel like you’re just spinning your wheels still dealing with the same sins again and again and again.

You want to be godly but you just feel like… a failure.

If Godliness is the aim… how do you do that?

How can you actually grow in Christ and stop spinning your wheels?

How do you make real, spiritual progress this next year and in the years to come?

But first… we need to have a godly vision… something we are aiming for… before we can talk about the power to actually do it.

Here’s the Challenge:

Challenge: Make Christ and Godliness the #1 Aim of Your Life

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

Paul says If you have been raised with Christ seek the things that are above.

There’s a huge emphasis in Colossians about the Believers union with Christ.

That you have died with Christ and been raised with Him emphasizing this idea that you are a New Creation (Colossians 2:12; 2 Cor 5:17).

You have been raised to a new, spiritual life.

And so he says seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

So these things that are above would obviously be heavenly things… the things of God with a heavy emphasis and focus on Christ.

They would also be referring to holiness because Paul says in Colossians 3 verse 5 immediately after this Put to death therefore what is earthly within you.

He talks about putting off the old self and putting on the new.

Putting off the old Adam and the old way of life which belongs to the flesh and put on the New Adam and the New Way of life… Christ and walking in Him.

So the things that are above are referring Christ and Godliness.

The upward call as Paul says in Philippians 3:14.

This fits with what Paul’s been saying in the overall context of the letter.

Seeking the things that are above is essentially defined for us in what Paul prayed for the Colossians in Colossians 1:9-12.

Colossians 1:9–12 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Seeking the things that are above is seeking Christ… being filled with the knowledge of His will and increasing in the knowledge of God.

And Godliness walking in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work.

Its what Paul says in Colossians 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him… seek the things that are above.

This is how the New Testament elsewhere uses the word seek.

Jesus said Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

That’s what it means to seek the things that are above.

Well what does that seeking look like?

Going back to our passage Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

The idea is let all your thinking… all your focus… all your hopes, energy, and effort be set on the things above.

Set the whole focus of your life… vision!… on Christ and Godliness.

On Heavenly things…

On seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Like the needle of a compass that’s the true north of your soul.

Are we striving after godliness like that?

And the present tense of seek and set your minds carries the idea of seek… and keep on seeking.

Set your mind and your focus… and keep on setting your mind and your focus.

Orient your entire life to these heavenly things!

Why?

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.

You’re a heavenly citizen of a heavenly Kingdom.

You don’t live for the things of this world… you belong to Christ.

Its like Paul says… I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:10).

The Christian life is no longer living for ourselves… we’ve died.

The life we now live is Christ.

Does that describe your life?

Does that describe the whole focus of your life?… what you’re aiming for every breath, every day?

Set your mind on things above.

Conviction

This is where this was convicting for me.

How often do I think about godliness or have the heavenly mind.

Am I striving or am I just coasting?

The fact of the matter is… this relentless godliness… this relentless striving for Christ is absolutely necessary because without it we can do nothing.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit… apart from me you can do nothing.

And yet how often do I try?

How often do I try to live on my own out of my own strength and my own power?

Its not that we aren’t trying to live for Christ… but its the difference of trying not to mess up versus actually striving towards godliness.

And so what happens?

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint (Proverbs 29:18).

When godliness is not at forefront and the focal point of our mind the more easy it is to fall into our sin.

The temptation comes and because we don’t have that proactive vision… that proactive goal… we have not set our mind on things above… we are more prone to falling into reacting than proactively taking every thought captive saying godliness is the goal and putting to death our sin.

Godly Dad Example

Let me give you an example… and Lord knows I’m not perfect right now.

But I’ve been really struggling getting impatient with my kids.

Being short… snapping at them… not disciplining them for their good but out of a heart that says I’m frustrated.

And every day I’d go to bed feeling like a failure only to wake up and do it all over again.

Why?

Because I was just trying not to sin… I wasn’t necessarily striving for godliness.

What does Christlike Godliness look like for me as a father?

What does it say about my heart and my impatience?

Its a subtle shift but you go away from simply reacting to sin and temptation to actively striving for Christ and Godliness.

What tends to happen is we slowly drift… and its so subtle… and it doesn’t appear all that bad…

But our goal… when we aren’t striving for godliness… becomes, “I’m just trying not to be a bad dad rather than a godly one when striving to be a godly one is the answer.

And this is true for everything.

Your marriage are you just hoping your marriage is good or are you actually striving for a godly one?

Wives are you striving to be submissive and respectful and husbands are you striving to love your wives?

Are you just giving into anxious thoughts and getting swept away or are you actively striving to trust in God.

Children… are you actively trying to honor your parents?

We don’t grow in holiness just by accident!

There has to be a vision… a setting our mind on the things above.

A total consecration of our heart, hands, mind, soul, and life to Christ.

If you have your eyes fixed on Christ they can’t be fixed on sin (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Without this godliness of seeking first Christ and His Kingdom life will be joyless and bland.

You as a Christian cannot be satisfied with anything else, yet how often do we try?

The reason why so many of your are so tired and discouraged is because slowly but surely you’ve shifted your focus to just trying not to mess up and make it through instead of actively striving to please Christ.

That’s the aim of the Christian life.

Its not just not sinning… its living for Christ.

One is religion the other is worship.

And religion will always leave you feeling like you’re spinning your wheels.

Religion will always leave you tired.

Why? Because It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all (John 6:63).

The sweeter Christ is… the more bitter our sin becomes.

Christ is the goal… not just not sinning.

One honors Him… the other strives in our own flesh and our own power.

And we wear out… we get tired… we give up… because we can only run for so long.

But striving for Christ and Godliness gives a purpose and vigor to our life.

Instead of just making it through we make it our aim to please Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9).

And that’s what leads to true power and true joy in your Christian Life!

I’m not telling you to strive for godliness for godliness’ sake… although that would be enough.

I’m telling you to strive for godliness because… as a New Creation in Christ… that’s the thing you’re really hungry for… the thing you’re really thirsty for.

You weren’t Born Again just to make it through.

When you aren’t striving for Christ and honoring Him… you will feel dry… you will feel dead… you will feel tired… because we’ve bought into the lie that we can be satisfied with “enough” of Christ instead of the fullness of Him.

That’s why Jesus said after saying apart from me you can do nothing… These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11).

Do you want to have joy?

Do you want to live in God’s will and have a plan and purpose for your life?

Live a life that means something?

Make striving for Christ and Godliness the Number 1 aim of your life.

The Plight of How

The question is how?

Tell me if you’ve ever felt like me.

I want that.

I want Christ… I want godliness.

I want to live a holy and focused life… I want to have a holy vision.

I want to be a godly father… a godly husband… a godly wife, mother, and church member…

I want to be a godly Christian!

But wanting and doing are two separate things.

I want to… but I’ve wanted to before.

What’s going to change?

What good does “want to” mean for me tomorrow… and the next day… and the next day… and the next day?

I’ve always wanted to, but I cant just will myself to make it happen!

And I try!

I try so hard to live a godly life but I just keep feeling like I’m failing over and over again.

What do I do?… what hope do I have?

And that’s where the encouragement comes in.

Encouragement: God Has Promised the Holy Spirit to Empower Your Godly Striving

Here’s the problem… we can’t do it on our own.

No amount of godly striving in our own flesh or own own power will produce any fruit.

This is the Fatal Flaw of the Christian life…

We hear, “Be holy!”

And so we say, “Ok!” and we try to be holy… we try with all our might.

We strive and we strive and strive and we try to white knuckle our own holiness however we can.

But in the end we always fall short.

Because you cannot do it in your own strength and power.

Paul says in…

Galatians 3:1–3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

If your new life in Christ began with the Holy Spirit why would you ever think that you could live your life in Christ without Him?

Paul even says its foolishness.

Yet, how many of us try.

We become self-reliant instead of relying on the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had just said the flesh is not help at all… it is the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63).

And Paul elsewhere says But if… by the Spirit… you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13).

You need the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to live a godly life.

What was begun in you by grace must continue in you by grace.

The Holy Spirit is the power for a holy and godly life.

Well… where does that leave you?

What does that mean you’re supposed to do?

Here I am telling you to strive to live a godly life… make Christ and godliness your number 1 aim in life and priority.

And with the same breath I’m telling you but you can’t do it on your own… you can’t do it in your own strength and power.

Its only possible with the Holy Spirit.

But can you manipulate the Spirit?

Can you tell the Spirit to come here or go there?

He’s God!… He doesn’t follow our will.

How do you actually tap into the power of the Holy Spirit?

Ask!!!

God has not left you alone.

He has promised the Holy Spirit to help you and empower you to live a holy life.

Jesus called Him the Helper!

He said If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever (John 14:16).

Its not a coincidence that Jesus puts those two things together.

We need the Helper to love Jesus and keep His commandments… we can’t do it on our own.

So the Convicting thing is… Strive for Holiness.

But the Encouraging thing… God has promised you the Holy Spirit to help you to do it.

And the way to tap into this power and this grace is to ask God to give it.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Go to Luke 11:9-13.

And here’s the context of this passage.

Jesus’ disciples had just said Lord… teach us to pray.

And so Jesus taught them to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

And then He them gave a parable for how to pray with a man who asked his friend for something and then didn’t stop until his friend gave it to essentially say when you pray… ask and keep on asking.

Pray and keep on praying until God answers you.

And then we come to verse 9…

Luke 11:9–13 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

When you feel weak… and you feel like a failure… and you feel like you just can’t do it…

I want you to come back to this promise.

Because it is a promise… and its a promise that… today… can change your life.

Look what Jesus says… Ask, Seek, and Knock.

You’re searching for it… you’re seeking for it… you’re looking everywhere you can!

Seek the things that are above!

And times He promises it will be given… you will find… and it will be opened to you.

Its a threefold promise.

Its not a maybe… God will give it!

And to make the promise even more emphatic… He repeats it three times again!

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

In the very act of asking and seeking and knocking the blessing being sought for is received!

Its not withheld and its not reserved for a special few!

Everyone who asks receives!… even you!

And to drive the point even further home…

I mean Jesus has already promised it 6 times!, but we need this… we need this promise for our life and faith…

To drive it even further home Jesus says or What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

The answer of course is none… no father would ever do that to their son.

At least no father worthy of the name!

And so Jesus says…

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

If you ask for the Holy Spirit God will send Him!

God will you give me the Spirit:

To put this sin to death.

To be a godly father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter.

Will you help me!

Will you give me the Holy Spirit in this situation or that situation.

God I need help!… Will you send the Helper to empower me to live a holy and godly life?

Greater Measure/Filling

What we are praying for when we pray for the Holy Spirit is a greater measure of His sanctifying power and grace.

We already have the Holy Spirit.

Every Christian…from the moment of New Birth… is Baptized with the Holy Spirit and sealed with Him for the day of Redemption (Matthew 3:11; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30).

So when you pray for the Holy Spirit you’re not praying for something you don’t already have.

He’s already yours.

John 14:16–17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

What your praying for is the Spirit’s work in your heart.

For His grace and His power and His guidance.

What you are praying for is that you would be full and overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18–20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Again… you’re not praying for the Holy Spirit as if you don’t already have them.

There’ aren’t some Christians that are filled with the Holy Spirit and some that aren’t.

There’s not this ebb and flow where you can lose Him and get Him back.

Being filled with the Spirit is something than being sealed or indwelt.

Being filled is the idea of being full and overflowing.

Wind

The same word us used for wind in the sails giving us an idea that being filled is being carried along by the power of the Spirit.

Leaven

Its used to talk about leavening the whole lump to say that the Spirit must leaven our lives… invade and permeate everything we think, say, do, want.

Influence

And even here being filled with the Spirit is contrasted with do not get drunk with wine to say be under the power, influence, and control of the Holy Spirit.

So when we pray for the Holy Spirit we are praying that God would fill us to overflowing.

That a greater measure of His sanctifying power would be poured out on our life.

God give me the Holy Spirit… I can’t do it on my own!

We are praying for the Spirit’s work to change our hearts… conform us to Christ… and renew a right spirit within us.

To empower us to live a holy and godly life.

To give us a greater love for Christ and to banish every love in our heart for sin.

And you pray and you keep on praying.

Ask… Seek… Knock.

You rely on the Spirit… Depend on the Spirit… pray without ceasing! (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Godliness is found in constant prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

God help me here!

God change my heart.

God sanctify me here.

I can’t do it on my own… God I need your grace and power.

And how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

What’s It Look Like?

Now what does this look like?

Let’s go back to that example earlier and again I’ll say it… I’m not perfect and I don’t have it all figured out hence why this is a constant prayer in my life.

Morning

Everyday I pray… God help me to be a godly dad.

Help me to be patient… kind… loving and gentle.

Give me the wisdom for when to discipline and how to discipline.

And help me to be a loving father like, Heavenly Father, you are to me.

God I can’t do it on my own.

I’m powerless in myself.

Will you give me the Holy Spirit to sanctify me.

Kill my impatience and my selfishness.

Put to death my anger and my pride and my idol of comfort.

God help me to live for Christ.

Day

And then as I go through my day I go back to Him as often as it takes.

God help me here.

Lord sanctify me.

And when I stumble… its not because God was not faithful to His promise.

Its because I started walking in the flesh depending on my strength and power and not the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pray without Ceasing

That’s what it means to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

It doesn’t mean your locked up like a monk.

It means you’re going to God with every need.

Ask… Seek… Knock.

And you refuse to go away until you received what was promised.

God fill me with the Holy Spirit… may I be full and overflowing with the grace and power to hold fast to your word.

Conclusion

The challenge for the New Year… and the challenge for all of us everyday is to make godliness the number 1 priority of your life.

Set your mind and seek the things that are above.

Godliness is the aim.

Make it the sole focus and vision of your life.

Don’t coast another year… today!… start living all of your life for Christ.

And the encouragement… God has not left you alone!

He’s not given you an impossible task without the grace and the resources to do it.

The way some of you need to apply this sermon today is to say, “Man I really have not been making godliness a priority in my life.”

I’ve not been striving for Christ.

I’ve really just been living for myself.

But others of you need to hear a Godly life is not impossible for you.

Putting that sin to death is not impossible for you.

Feeling like a failure with no hope that you’ll ever change does not have to be true!

You don’t have to keep spinning your wheels and trying to save yourself by your own strength and power.

God has promised to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

That’s what some of you need today.

God’s promise to give you the Holy Spirit.

So the next time you feel helpless… overwhelmed… worn out… and defeated…

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3).

Pray for the Spirit.

And depend on the Spirit.

Ask… Seek… and knock…

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11:10).

God promises to empower you to live a holy and godly life.

Pray for godliness and a greater measure of His sanctifying power and grace and God will give it.

We strive for godliness and we pray for and depend on the Holy Spirit.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit. How you have not left us but made us your temple and dwell in us with grace and power to conquer every rebel lust.

Lord God, give us the grace to set our mind on things above. To live for Christ and His heavenly Kingdom. To die to ourselves and seek after godliness with a relentless zeal and so prepare ourselves for heaven.

But Lord, we cannot do it in our own power. We are weak and insufficient in ourselves. We need the grace of your Holy Spirit. May we be filled and overflowing.

Lord God give us victory over our sin. Overcome every darling lust. Change our hearts and renew a right spirit with in us by your transforming grace and power. Lord we pray for the Spirit asking for a greater measure of all His sanctifying influences that we may be deaf to every temptation of sin. Give us the grace and empower us as wind in the sails to walk in Christ… to live in the newness of life and a life of holiness.

Grow us in our love for Christ that all our sin would seem bitter and we may put off the old self and put on the new. Give us the grace to not grieve Him but to walk in Him, keeping in step with the Spirit and bringing all of our lives under your dominion and in conformity to Christ alone.

Thank you for being our heavenly Father who always hears us and graciously gives the Spirit whenever we ask. We love you… We worship you… Amen.