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3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on
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 now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life,
appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3 1-4
This morning we observed in our comment to the children how the clocks
of the world were adjusted just before midnight to synchronize them with
the rotating earth.1 Some folks remain unconvinced that such an
adjustment is necessary – but we live in a world where the alignment of
clocks is absolutely crucial. This evening I want to apply that principle to
the spiritual life – because our standards tend so easily to drift and we
need, particularly at this time of year – to readjust our priorities.
THE STANDARD is set in the phrase repeated here three times “with Christ”
THE METHOD involves our hearts, our minds and our hopes
“set your hearts…” “set your minds…” “you also will appear…”
Notice how Paul reminds us of the pivotal facts about our Lord :
• His resurrection
• His ascension and mediation
• His coming again
1
The leap second
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has done for us in the year that is past, and in prospect of all that He will
do in the year to come – we adjust our steps with the Master’s.
• Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on
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 now hidden with Christ in God.
• 4
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear
with him in glory.
⇒ What is happening
And throughout all of these runs the central motif that the reality of
what is in glory must have a real effect upon what happens here
on earth. We have moved on from Jacob’s vision of the earth joined to
heaven – to an understanding of WHAT CHRIST HAS ACHIEVED, IS
ACHIEVING and WILL ACHIEVE. And what Christ is and has done has
changed us and the world for ever!
It is when we separate our earthly decisions from the true realities of the
Spiritual dimension that we get lost, and become disappointed or
disillusioned. How easy it is to do just that!
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things
above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
This is the GLORIOUS PAST that most influences our present and our
future.
As believers we are not the sum of our DNA or the product of our
upbringing – we are those whom Christ has brought to life, and for whom
He royally intercedes!
We like to look for causes in our lives. The chief cause for the believer is
very different – he sets his heart on spiritual realities. A real living Jesus
who died for our sins and sits enthroned having accomplished all that is
needed for our salvation.
Is it not all too easy to pass it off as a glorious fact of the Gospel that has
more to do with eternity than NOW?
For all the Why questions that life raises – hear the answer in this “Christ is
seated at the right hand of God” Set your hearts on Him.
B. What is happening
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2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and
your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
We are preoccupied with what is going on in the world. For some it is the
news, for a large number of folks it is the events of a favourite soap opera.
Your security does not lie in knowledge or the possession of a secret – the
Colossian Christians had to face the real danger of that false teaching – the
New Age influence of the New Testament.
Your security does not lie in who you know or what your prospects are or
how you will cope with everyday issues.
There is a reality here which has everything to do with the Cross of Christ.
Everything to do with SIN and Grace – everything to do with what really
happens when a sinner repents and trusts in Jesus
“YOU DIED!”
The Christians to whom Paul wrote these words were fighting against a
dogma that promised something better than Christianity (the world is
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always making such offers) a hidden secret knowledge that would bring
satisfaction and security.
Paul reminds them that THEY are what is hidden – and they are utterly
secure in Jesus and in God. A glorious double indemnity against anything
Satan can throw at them.
I think it is most evident in our hope as believers that the world has bent
us to its own shape. We no longer look forward to the return of Christ as
the Church once did.
Part of this is down to the long perspective of history – even our own
understanding of Biblical history. We see the time scale over which God
has been working, and we project it on and on into a distant future.
Perhaps because we do not face the degree of persecution that some have
faced and do face today, we are a people of the here and now rather than
the coming King.
“We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall
see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).
How easily our lives have become misaligned – diverted. How easily we
absorb the “here and now” of today’s so persistent sales patter.
NOTICE THEN how Paul highlights the remedy for such falling away:
4
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with
him in glory.
…
Christ, who is your life, 4
When Christ, who is
The PRESENT reality of a FUTURE HOPE your life, appears,
then you also will
appear with him in
glory.
Christ, who is your life,
In such a manner does heaven touch earth, the glory of His presence meet
our humble existence.
It is all IN CHRIST.