Seek The Things Above!
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
3/10/2013 PM
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Text:
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Colossians 3:1,2
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Psalters: |
168, 204, 60, 32 |
- The present reality.
- The new believers at Colosse were in danger of relapsing paganism.
- To be risen with Christ resumes the thought of 2:12,13 and of 2:20.
- ?Ye are dead? (2), i.e., died and your life is hid with Christ in God.
- Christ alone is the answer, in all the fullness of His love and power (chapters 1,2).
- They (and we) had surrendered themselves to this Savior.
- One, the supply of grace was sufficient, and remains plentiful.
- Two, we have it now, without waiting for His return, for we are raised with Him.
- Let our union with the exalted Christ transform our entire life: mind, heart, and will.
- Therefore let us exercise the new life in consistent pursuits (?seek?).
- ?The things which are above? received the emphasis being placed before ?seek.?
- The ?seeking? is a seeking to obtain (Matt. 6:33; 13:45) more than a seeking to discover.
- ?Set your affection? is to ponder and yearn for.
- These graces enable them to gain victory in their struggle against fleshly indulgence.
- The new life changes us so the things of the world become as a tomb to us.
- The grave is a good dwelling place for the dead, but not for the dead man who lives.
- Like Jesus after His resurrection, let us live our risen life on earth in holy service.