I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Before we do anything, our minds give consent.

                                                             1.      It may be that we determine explicitly and carefully in our minds that we are going to do or say a certain thing.

                                                             2.      Or, it may be that we passively give mental approval for a deed or word by choosing not to think of the greater consequences of our actions.

                                                             3.      Either way, we decide what we are going to do or say.

B.      What will determine which decisions we make?

                                                             1.      Will it not be that the dispositions of our minds, that is, the preset notions and principles that we have already determined, will be the guidelines for all of our decisions?

                                                             2.      And, because that is true, is it not crucial that we train our minds to have the right notions and principles in the sight of God?

                                                             3.      Paul wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).

C.      Indeed, it is crucial to have our minds set “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).  Therefore, let us consider the passage from Colossians 3:1-4.

II.      “IF THEN YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED UP WITH HIM…”

A.      Let us understand what determines whether we have been raised up with Jesus.

                                                             1.      Notice the answer given by Paul in Colossians 2:11-14.

a.       If we have been buried with Jesus in baptism, then we have also been raised up with Him.

b.       This means that where once we were dead in sin, now we are alive (spiritually) through faith in Christ because we are forgiven of our sins.

                                                             2.      Similarly, notice the answer in Romans 6:1-14.

a.       Again, we see the necessity of baptism for one to be raised up with Jesus.  No one could claim to be raised up with Jesus if he has not been first buried (baptized) into Christ.

b.       We also see that one has newness of life because he is no longer living the old life of slavery to sin, but now he is living righteously.

B.      Therefore, Paul has directed his statement in Colossians 3:1-4 to those who have been baptized into Christ and raised to newness of righteous life.

III.   “...KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.”

A.      We know that when Jesus ascended from earth, He returned to heaven from where He had come (Acts 1:11).

                                                             1.      There He is seated at the right hand of the Father where He has all power and authority (Eph. 1:19-21; Heb. 1:3).

                                                             2.      There He will remain until “He has put all enemies under His feet” (1Cor. 15:25-26).  The last enemy that He will abolish is death, and at that time He will raise all men from the dead for the final judgment.

B.      Paul directs us to pursue those things where Jesus is, that is, things of heaven.

                                                             1.      Jesus made a similar statement in Matthew 6:33.  We are to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and we know that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

                                                             2.      Jesus made another similar statement in Matthew 6:19-21.  Rather than seeking treasure on earth, God’s children should seek a heavenly treasure.

                                                             3.      Notice that the NASB renders this phrase “keep seeking,” indicating that the pursuit of heavenly things has already begun.  Indeed, this pursuit begins on the day that one first obeys the gospel of Christ.

IV.    “SET YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THE THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH”

A.      If we are going to successfully seek the things above, we must first set our minds to do so.

                                                             1.      Like anything else, before we do something we must first decide to do it.

                                                             2.      Consider Ezra, who “set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

B.      If we intend to make wise decisions and have the right notions and dispositions of mind, then we must focus our minds on the right things.

                                                             1.      Being carnally (worldly) minded will not accomplish spiritual benefits.  See 1Corinthians 3:1-3.

                                                             2.      Only the spiritually minded will be able to accurately and consistently discern good from evil (Heb. 5:14).

C.      Therefore, we have this instruction to set our minds on the heavenly things.

                                                             1.      In Matthew 6:21, Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”  If we want heavenly treasure, we must first set our hearts (minds) in heaven.

                                                             2.      Paul instructed the Philippians to dwell on such things (Phil 4:8).

V.      “FOR YOU HAVE DIED AND YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD”

A.      We read earlier from Romans 6, but now let us consider again verse 11 - “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

                                                             1.      Paul expanded on this thought in Colossians 3:5-7.

                                                             2.      Therefore, a Christian may consider himself as a new person.  The old person whose life was about sin is dead, and the new person lives a life for God.

B.      Because of this, Paul instructs us in Colossians 3:2 to set our minds on the things above.  Our lives are no longer about the things of this world, and therefore our minds should no longer be upon the things of this of world.

VI.    “WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE, IS REVEALED, THEN YOU ALSO WILL BE REVEALED WITH HIM IN GLORY”

A.      For Christians, not only is “your life hidden with Christ in God,” but Christ “is our life.”

                                                             1.      Occasionally someone may say in hyperbole, “I live for ________” (a hobby, an event, etc.).  Christians need to be able to say in all seriousness, “For to me, to live is Christ…” (Phil. 1:21).

                                                             2.      Notice the statement made by Paul to Peter in Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”

B.      If we do seek the things that are above, this pursuit’s true value will be revealed when the Lord comes again in glory.

                                                             1.      Until the Lord comes, some will be able to give the appearance of spirituality that will deceive others while inwardly their minds are set upon the things of the world.

                                                             2.      However, when Christ returns, He will not be deceived.  Only those who have truly sought for the things above will be revealed and rewarded with Him in glory.

C.      Those souls who have sought after the things above will be evident at the judgment, for there will be a separation of what the Lord described as the “sheep from the goats” (Matt. 25:31-34).

D.      What will this revelation reveal about you?

                                                             1.      That answer depends on how you choose to set your mind today.

                                                             2.      If you choose to set your mind on the worldly things, then you can expect to receive the perishable fruit of worldly things (Gal. 6:7-9).

                                                             3.      If you choose to set your mind on heavenly things, then you can expect to receive the eternal fruit of righteousness.

                                                             4.      What are you thinking?