Christians and Culture, Col 3.1-4

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Title:     Christians and Culture

Scripture:   Colossians 3:1-4

Introduction:

There is now and has likely always been a tension in the lives of believers. We are told to be in the world, but not of the world. How active should a Christian be when it comes to things that are of this world below?

Some would say that we are to stay focused on heaven and not to be concerned with the world we live in. Others would point out that we are to be salt and light. What are we to do? We are to represent Christ in every decision and every action. We are to pursue that which is most significant to Him and seek to be so full of Christ…that we our decisions, actions and attitudes are indistinguishable from His.

READ Colossians 3:1-4. 4 observations to share.

I.       The FOCUS of every Christ Follower

a.       V.1, To bring about God’s will in everything.

b.      In all that we do in our lives we have a singular focus and aim:

c.       Present Imperative “seek” so KEEP SEEKING the things above.

d.      This applies to everyone who has been “raised up with Christ.”

e.       We are to pray and work toward bringing about God’s will in everything.

f.       Jn 4:34, Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work

g.       6:38, For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me

h.      6:40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

i.        Mt 6:9-10, [Model Prayer] 9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

j.        God’s will is that all peoples would be reconciled to Him

                                                              i.      John 6:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”  

                                                            ii.      Jn 3:17, For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

                                                          iii.      2 Pe 3.9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

II.    The RESOLVE that brings VICTORY

a.       V.1 gives us a truth about our reality of existence. As a Christ follower there is something different about us. We have been raised up.

b.      Now Paul reminds us in Romans 7 that we are different, but that there is a battle that rages between our old self (self-sufficient, self-promoting desires) and new self (God-seeking)

c.       The Key to victory is a change of mind…a new resolve.

d.      V.2, Second Present Imperative. (GK- Phroneo) Keep Thinking on things above, not below.

e.       Proverbs 23:7, As a man thinks in his heart so is He.

f.       Romans 12:1-2, 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

g.      We are called to think differently.

h.      ILLUSTRATION:

i.        Jobs: Some think a job is to serve a company or an employee. Jesus says it is a venue to preach.

j.        Wealth: Some think it is to accumulate- actually for you to employ in the Kingdom.

k.      Talent: Some think talent to serve you, but truly so you can serve God with it.

l.        Citizenship: Some say to bless you, but so that you can be a blessing (Salt and Light); If given a voice in your government, it is to vote those things that are closest to God’s Heart.

m.    In all that you do, should see a Kingdom purpose and Kingdom goal.

n.      Every decision- How does this reflect Christ, glorify God, demonstrate God’s greatness.

III. The RESOURCE that CHRIST Provides

a.       So counter culture- how can I accomplish this?

b.      V.3, Simply- b/c you are hidden with Christ in God.

c.       Hidden- literally to be completely concealed, overtaken, covered up.

d.      Hidden with Christ in God. A picture way of saying we are inseparably linked/connected/unity

e.       However Christ was related to God, so we are related to God with Christ. (cf. Jn 17)

f.       The Spirit of God directs us. Christ strengthens and empowers us.

IV. The REVELATION and the REWARD to come

a.       V.4, There is a time coming when this world and its system passes away.

b.      Chris, why engaged in politics but not worried about it? Because it won’t last. We are called to do as Christ wills, work to bring about understanding and submission to God by everyone in this world…but at the same time know that this is not the end.

c.       One day, this world will end. Jesus will return. He will declare “Game over” and we will stand before him to give an account.

d.      We will answer for how we lived, what we did with the knowledge entrusted to us? We will answer for how we presented Christ to the world.

e.       Every decision-