TEXT: Colossians 3:1-4

SUBJECT: Colossians #7: Heavenly-mindedness

Today, with God's blessing, we'll continue our study of Colossians. We've come to a turning point in the book, and I ought to say something about it. In chapters one and two, Paul was intensely doctrinal. He taught, proved, and defended the central message of the Gospel. Which is

Christ is Enough.

We don't need human wisdom because Christ is enough. We don't need man-made rules because Christ is enough. We don't worship angels because Christ is enough. Believers need nothing but Christ, because:

In other words: Christ is enough

That's the doctrine Paul taught in the first two chapters. But now, in turning to chapters three and four, we see a change. Paul becomes very practical. He tells us how to live consistently with the doctrine.

To Paul's way of thinking, "ideas have consequences". Good ideas promote holiness. Bad ideas promote unholiness. Especially ideas about Christ.

Let me illustrate with a doctrine that seems far removed from everyday life.

It is the "Hypostatic Union". This doctrine explains the relationship between our Lord's Divinity and His humanity. The Ebionites said He is God, but not Man. The Gnostics said He is Man but not God. The Nestorians said He was Half-and-Half. The Orthodox Church knew better. It pronounced our Lord

"Very God of very God

Very man of very man".

What this means is our Lord never ceased to be God, but in time, added a human nature to His Divine nature, leaving us with One Person in two natures forever.

Today, most believers think this is impractical. It may be true, but so what?

Paul didn't think this way. He thought the "hypostatic union" was central to living the Christian life.

He gives the doctrine in Philippians 2:5ff.

That's the doctrine. But how does it connect to my life? He explains in the two previous verses:

You see? The doctrine shows you how to live with an overbearing boss, a crying baby, a weak husband, or a cold pastor. Rather than demanding your rights, you give them up and serve others with humility.

That's the consequence of a good idea.

Do you want to be a good husband? If so, get rid of your books on marriage and study the Atonement. It is in that doctrine that you'll learn how to "Love your wife and give yourself for her".

Do you want to increase giving in the church? If so, forget fund-raising techniques, and study The Donation of Christ. It's hard to "Thank God for His unspeakable gift" and to pinch your pennies at the same time.

In short: What you believe matters! Especially what you believe about Christ.

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This brings us back to our verses. If Christ is enough, certain things must follow.

The first paragraph explains how that doctrines affects the way we think.

"If you are raised with Christ" begins v.1.

The word "if" does not imply uncertainity. Just a few verses earlier, Paul said they "were raised with Him". Actually, in the New Birth. And symbolically in water baptism. Thus, "if" means "since" or "because". "Since you were raised with Christ" is the idea.

Because they are "raised with Christ", they must "Seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God".

To "seek" doesn't mean to idly wish for something, but to pursue it with everything you've got. In the present tense, it means "Keep on seeking" or "Never give up".

What are we to seek? "Those things which are above". Heavenly things are to be sought in this life. This is no new thing; holy men of every age have "sought those things which are above".

Think of:

This is what our Lord wants us to do--"to seek things above". To make the priorities of heaven our priorities. He says so in Matthew 6:33:

The contrast could not be sharper. It is not "The kingdom of heaven" versus "exotic vacations" Or "It's righteousness" against "luxury cars". No! Heavenly things are set in contrast to food, drink, and clothing--things you can't live without!

Our Lord wants us to think more of heavenly things than the things most necessary for life on earth.

What are "those things" we're to think of? Every heavenly thing is the right object of our meditation. But Paul zeroes in on one...

"Seek the things that are above, where Christ is..."

Christ Himself is the worthiest object of our meditation. We "set our minds" on Him--His Person, His work, His Word, His people, His glory. These must be our priorities; these must be our preoccupations. Long ago in a quiet place, the disciples

"Saw no one but Jesus only".

Christ is the "one thing needful". We are to seek Him supremely.

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If you're seeking Christ, it means you're not doing something else. It means you are not "Setting your minds on things on the earth".

What are these "things on the earth"? I wish I could limit them to scandalous things only: fornication, idolatry, blasphemy, and the like. But I can't.

Respectable things are on the list too: "Cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, pleasures of this life".

In short, Everything but Christ is a "thing of the earth"--and mustn't become your first priority. Not your health, not your family, not your job, not your politics, not your church, not your ministry. Only Christ is Number One!

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Why shouldn't you "set your minds on earthly things"? You needn't guess. Paul tells you why: "For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God".

When you were saved, the person you once were "died". He cared only for "earthly things"--girls or money or school or whatever. But he died. And a "New Man" has replaced him, a man who wants something better. II Corinthians 5:17 puts it this way:

This new life is "hidden" from most people. They don't see or feel it's glory. The philosopher and man-made saint they admire to no end. But believers? We're the "filth and offscouring of the world".

That is true. For now. But not forever. One day, that "life which is hidden with Christ in God" will be made visible to everyone.

When?

When the Lord comes again, the life you have in him now will be seen for what it is: glorious.

The Second Coming puts things into perspective. It tells us that the things men most admire are cheap and passing--"The world is passing away and the lusts thereof" John says. But the things of God are real and lasting--"He who does the will of God abides forever".

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In closing let me ask you a personal question: Are you heavenly minded? Not perfectly, but at all?

Some of you are not--I fear. You're nice; everyone likes you, but you don't "Seek the things above" because you're not "risen with Christ". You're not saved. You need to be saved. You ought to be saved. You can be saved. Through faith in Christ. Not next year, not tomorrow. But right now, you can be saved by believing in Jesus. So why don't you?

Some of you are "heavenly minded"--but not much. You've permitted worldy things to dominate your thinking. They shouldn't. They're not worth your time and attention! But Christ is. So why don't you seek Him?

Some of you are heavenly minded. I thank God for you and the encouragement you've been to me and others. But, dear ones, help us to take our minds off "the things below" and to set them on "things above". Pray for us. Teach us. Exhort us. Reprove us. In short, help us to be more heavenly minded, too.

May the Love of God be with you all. Amen.