Heavenly Versus Earthly

Introduction

Good morning.....

I want us to take a moment this morning before we get going to pause and reflect on the blessings God gives us everyday. It can often seem hopeless and especially in times like now, where people struggling, getting sick, as we continue to navigate covid. We must understand these struggles...the results of sin are temporal. They will only reside with us this side of heaven. Which is why we must persevere through and realize that we have a role to play in God’s plan for humanity. We can’t shut ourselves off from and stay away from it. But we must immerse ourselves in for the sake of the cross and the price Jesus paid on it. Because that is where our hope is and that is the message that we all must be taking out into the world. It’s hard to do that from our living rooms.... and even from our pews.

So, let’s take a few moments to talk with our God individually. Thank him for his daily blessings, thank him for the cross, thank him for Jesus. And thank him that he has entrusted the advancement of that message to us. Seek forgiveness for shortcomings, lack of trust and thankfulness. We have a God that listens to the heart of His people.

....

The reason I felt compelled to start our time this morning that way is because of the focus of today’s passage. Today we see the climax of where Paul was heading in this letter and what is commanded of us.

....

Psalm 1:1–6 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Where does our help come from?

Where does hope come from?

What should consume our thoughts and focus?

The things of this world are constantly going to be thrown at us to create distrust, lack of focus and even fear.

But we must remember where our minds are to be drawn and it’s not on the things of this world but on the reality and truth of heaven.

Please stand....

Colossians 3:1–11 CSB

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. 8 But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. 11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Before we move any further…I posed this question a few weeks ago… BUT, what verse provides us with the point of Colossians?

...

And we have made it....Now I could have gone all the way through verse 17 today because 1-17 is a continually thought.

The first 11 is Paul making this declaration of of what we are and why and then the final 6 is our response to that. I chose to split them up though into two weeks. So we can focus on each separately.

....

Many of the things we hear in this first passage isn’t necessarily new. Paul has been laying the groundwork through the first 2 chapters.

And then we reach chapter 3 and he begins with this major truth filled verse.

YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH CHRIST!

Galatians 2:20 ESV

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

Meaning, when you were convicted of your sinfulness, you literally in the spiritual sense, were raised from the dead state you were in.

This is huge! Before that moment, you hadn’t truly lived. But once that happens, now you can... and what should our focus be...

As believers, we should constantly be seeking the things of God not the things of this world.

There isn’t even a break in verse 1. It’s the very next point.

You have been raised with Christ- so you better be seeking the things above- WHY?

Because it’s Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father.

That’s the credentials for why we should be looking to Him.

The things above are the things of the heavenly realm, the purposes and plans for us found in Scripture.

....

This side of Heaven, how can we truly enjoy the things of God and even His creation when we aren’t even focused on Him?

Jesus even tells us in Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This is where our hearts should be.

Another way to look at this is being preoccupied.

Anyone ever been preoccupied with something?

What’s something that you have been preoccupied by?

We must let ourselves be preoccupied with Jesus and Jesus alone.

Paul goes one here. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

It’s hard not to focus on earthly things isn’t it?

Have you ever thought about why that is?

....

It’s because we have a tendency to consume ourselves more on earthly things than on heavenly things. We don’t set our minds on things above, we set them on earthly things.

We need to be consuming ourselves with the things of God if we desire to rid ourselves of the earthy worries that consume us.

If you aren’t in the Word daily and often throughout the day, if you aren’t speaking to God in prayer, praying the way He has instructed us to in the Word, if you aren’ t serving Him through your actions in the local church.....

No wonder you are consumed by earthly worries and concerns.

...

And let’s be open and honest for a moment. There is one huge elephant in the room, earthly issue that is consuming our world right now...

Covid. And I’m going to keep this brief as it’s a side note to this. Covid is real, it kills people and makes people very sick.

BUT, church, we can’t allow Covid, the flu, whatever to keep us from being who God has called us to be.

Throughout this whole pandemic, I can honestly tell you. I have not feared Covid once, even when I finally got it. And understand this, not wanting to get it and not wanting others to get it, isn’t fearing it.

I have continued to live the life God has blessed me with regardless…why? Because of what I have chosen to allow myself to be consumed by.

If I get covid and it kills me, it kills me. If I truly believe in the sovereignty of God then that’s the way it was supposed to happen. It’s not like I will get to heaven and God and I will have this exchange.....

All I will be concerned with at that point is regarding Jesus declaring me righteous before God.

But, also, that doesn’t mean we are to be flippant and reckless with the gift of life God has blessed us with either. If you are sick and not feeling well. Stay home for that short time. We should take precautions when necessary, if we need to wear a mask then do that, get the vaccine and booster if that helps ease your mind, but, and I mean this with everything in me. We cannot forsake gathering, worshipping, serving and sharing. We are the body of Christ and we have to be what we are....regardless of people, mandates or viruses.

Hebrews 10:25 CSB

25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

And you may say, well we need to follow our government. And in most situations I would agree with you, but not when it causes us to stop being the body of Christ.

....

Ultimately though, like I mentioned earlier, God has commissioned us with this message and it’s up to us to take it to the ends of the earth. We can’t do that when we won’t leave our living rooms because a virus has consumed our fears instead of listening to almighty God.

Once again, I’m not diminishing at all the severity of this illness. BUT, people are dying without the hope of the Gospel that we are supposed to be so fixated on to take to others that we don’t care what happens to us because when we die, we are glory bound. I truly hope you are hear my heart in that.

Paul declares to us...

Philippians 1:21 CSB

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

If you are struggling with covid or anything that is disabling you from being with the body and following the Lord, reach out to me. I would love to counsel you, pray with you, help you. You will receive no harsh condemnation here. BUT, we must be focusing ourselves in the proper places.

....

We died to those fears and sins so that at the right time, we will be exalted with Christ and presented blameless and pure.

....

Therefore

We get to our verse therefore in this section. The next one is in verse 12, which we will see next seek. Paul then issues the warning for us.

As the people of God, we must flee from the things that keep us from following Him.

Paul goes into this list of the things we need to make sure we are avoiding in verse 5 on. The things we are to be fleeing from...

These are the things that can distract us, capture our gaze and ensnare us.

Because we have died with Christ, the things that once held us slave…should be the things that we likewise put to death in our lives.

The debt of sin has been paid, but the power of sin still can be strong against our weak flesh. Which is why we must be clinging to God and being consumed by him.

Remember, there is this fine line here in how we avoid and implement Godliness. We cannot start implementing a list of rules in addition to Scripture to keep us from it. That would be the very thing, asceticism, Paul spoke against in the last chapter. We must instead allow the Words of scripture to be played out through us and the Holy Spirit to be our daily guide.

Romans 8:13 ESV

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Parental Warning

This list consists of sins as they relate to our feelings. All of the immorality in our life is extended because of the lack of purity, the lust, evil desires, greed, idolatry and so on. It then plays on within our immorality.

And so he lists these things we are to be putting to death daily-

Greek Alert

Now the greek word for immorality is porneia(poor-knee-a). And it refers specifically to sexual sin. It’s where we get our English word for pornography. It’s actually a combination of porneia and graphe(which is writing). So, anything sexual that is visual or written falls under this category.

....

Immorality- All of it. The problem in our world currently is that we have tried to take control of our sexuality. We have tried calling the shots and what has transpired is immorality at the expense of something wonderful God blessed us with.

What falls under this category? Pornography, us deciding who we get can engage in intimate relationships, cheating on our spouse...

....

And from that point- it’s a downward spiral.

Impurity of any kind- This means anything that goes against the very nature of God. Particularly when it comes to sexual sin.

Lust- this can even go beyond sex, though that is it’s primary implication. It’s the desire to have what we shouldn’t.

Evil desires- Anything you desire to do against someone else that isn’t in line with appropriate biblical teachings. Example- Someone does something wrong to you, you decide to not forgive them and will find ways to get back at them.

This battle begins in the mind. Evil(UnGodly) thoughts produce unGodly actions, Pure thoughts produce, Godly actions.

Greed- wanting something that either isn’t yours or trying to get your hands on everything. It’s all about me me me and want want want. Often at the expense of others and your well being.

Often we look at greed as just money but we can desire people. King David killed because of greed. This can even be the desire for position, authority, to get a say in something. The point for Paul is, we all aren’t supposed to have everything, especially if we strongly desire it.

James 4:2 NASB95

2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

And often times the result because of greed....we create sinfulness in our lives and others.

Paul tells us here and also in Ephesians, That such behavior should be viewed as idolatry. Why would he say that?

Because if we are to be consumed by God and set our minds on the things above, when we don’t and allow ourselves to be consumed by earthly things and set our minds on these things that results in ungodly actions, we have created an idol.

....

And these actions have consequences. We don’t teach consequences well anymore.

What does this tell us?

Sinfulness against God will yield God’s wrath(judgement) because it is our disobedience.

We must make sure we are putting them away from us-

Verse 8

Anger, Wrath, Malice, Slander, Bad language.

Don’t lie!

Lying is the result of sin that shows cowardice.

Church, I have known and experienced people who lie so much that they begin to believe and not even realize the lies anymore. It’s because they are consumed with wordly desires and ambitions.

....

When you are focused on Christ and seeking Him and growing in Him....

The result should be any of these things listed should be difficult for us. They shouldn’t sit well with us.

DD/FBC

Not to say we won’t get angry or we won’t say something bad about someone. But it’s about what happens after. The conviction that should take place from the Holy Spirit.

And let me say this should always be the result-

FORGIVENESS

Ephesians 4:32 NASB95

32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

It doesn’t say do these things as long as they have been good to you and fair with you. NO. it says forgive and treat them right…WHY? Because at your worst and continually Christ forgave you. That is all the is needed.

It also doesn’t say just forgive them to their face…but you can keep talking about them behind their back.

So, if you haven’t forgiven someone and sought forgiveness from someone. You better do it.

And let me say this, if you are sitting there right now thinking, “So and so needs to seek my forgiveness.” You better take a look in the mirror.

....

All of these create ungodliness in our lives that go against the core of what Scripture calls us to be. We must flee from it.

And as a reminder, Paul tells us that we are no longer who we once were, but we are new.

New is simply what it is.....even its similar but brand new. Like having an old pair of shoes.

Shoes

But here is the rub and what he is saying in verse 10.

Though you are a new creation and you no longer are bound by sins hold, spiritual knowledge and maturity isn’t instantaneous. It’s still something you have to work at and grow in.

Like having a brand new home, it’s new and beautiful, but it’s still empty. It doesn’t just populate furniture and decor and memories. Those have to be instilled in it. It’s the same for us.

As believers, we have to nurture and grow into the image of Christ.

....

And here is the big moment. We have finally come to verse 11

Colossians 3:11 CSB

11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Here’s the thing…this idea is at the core of Paul’s message throughout the N.T. It basically was the Pauline Creed.

It doesn’t matter who you are, your habits, your customs, your status. Christ is over all of us and for all of us.

Galatians 3:28 CSB

28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:11-22

...

Paul even lays out this distinction of being a slave and being free within the book of Philemon.

This is core to us as believers.

That Christ is for all of us.

...

Now, we have to remember everything that has come before this moment. Just because it doesn’t matter who you are, your habits, your customs, your status. We still have this obligation that when it is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit that Christ is for us and over us and when we accept Jesus as our savior. \

Listen to this- If our status as a person is against God and Godly standards, it must change. We can’t be in Christ and continue to maintain a lifestyle, a view, a tradition that goes against Christ.

Because He has established the things we are to follow and not to do…not us. And his qualifications have been listed. HE IS ALL AND IN ALL!

CLOSING

It’s in this that we find our hope. What Jesus was willing to do on our behalf trumps any level of us getting our own way. The flip side of all of this is something we would never want, nor should you want. Eternal condemnation is not a game or something to take lightly and that is what is in store for anyone who is outside of Christ.

Which is why this Gospel message is so imperative. Our focus must be on point for the Gospel. Jesus died for all so that hope would be available through forgiveness and restoration. That when we call upon the name of Jesus and believe that He died for us and defeated death by rising from the dead three days later, we have forgiveness and our eternal destination is Heaven.

I implore you today, to believe. It’s not something I or anyone else can do for you, but it must come from the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Please, if you are feeling that prompting today. Come and see me after the service. If you are online, message us, call the church. This is that important.

And for us that believe,

Jesus has drawn the line in the sand and Paul has continued to lay the foundation of truth here for us. Much is expected of us in our behaviour as believers, but that pales in comparison to the actions that Christ made on our behalf on the cross.

Are you setting your mind daily on the things above?

When you get up are you thinking about the Gospel?

And you fleeing from the temptations that come from immorality? And the results that come from immorality?

Are you putting away, anger, slander, wrath, unforgiveness?

Those are the realities you must face and I must face today and every day.

I can tell you these things are not easy. The Lord recently placed this verse on my heart and it’s been my prayer for myself daily.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

It’s a daily effort. Godliness does not come naturally and so we must fight against the sinfulness of our flesh daily. We must repent often of our shortcomings as believers and strive, like Paul, to be focused.

....

Regardless of what’s going on around us, in our world, or in our own personal lives…

Our daily proclamation must be Christ is over all and for all!

And for us to be able to do that... our minds, hearts and actions must be focused on and preoccupied with the Lord.

It is the battle we will face daily of focusing on earthly matters and things or on all things heavenly.

What choice will you make each day?

Pray