EASTER FESTIVAL – April 12, 2020 – Col. 3:1-4
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Colossians 3. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- I haven’t look at my retirement account in three weeks, since the stock market began to tank. Ordinarily, I check it once or twice a month, but not now!
- So, this pandemic has been a good influence on me. One of the things “below,” of this earth, has lost its infatuation to me. While it is bad that its value has gone down, it is good that that I leave it alone. I’m back to where I should be – praying “Give us this day our daily bread.”
- It is difficult for us to “set our minds on the things above” and to “seek the things that are above.” We have lots of good things right here and now to captivate us. And there are also evils all around us, things to fear. It seems intuitive that we be “wide-eyed” as we go through life in this world, not only aware of potential dangers but also of potential opportunities for profit!
- While it is true that these temptations remain, we are reminded in our text that we have been “RAISED WITH CHRIST.” And this changes things for us, in our minds and in our ambitions! For according to our text:
I. We Have Died With Christ And Were Raised With Him
Text: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
A. This Occurred In Our Baptism
Rom. 6:3-5 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.”
B. This Means We Have Forgiveness Of All Our Sins, And Peace With God
Acts 2:38,39 “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.’”
Heb. 10:18,19 “Where there is forgiveness of these sins, there is no longer any offering for sin. . . . Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.”
C. So Also We Now Have Newness Of Life
Text: “You have been raised . . . Your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Rom. 6:4 “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
D. And Now We Also Have Eternal Life
Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 5:11 “This is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
Statement: My earthly fortunes have gone down recently. My heavenly fortunes are guaranteed, pressed upon me eternally in baptism. The same is true for you, for each of you who are baptized into Christ Jesus – you have forgiveness for all your sins, peace with God, a new and decent and love-filled life, and eternal life in the bliss of heaven!
Application: All of this is “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” That is the position of absolute power and rule! So you tell me: What sounds like a better thing to seek, and to set our minds on? Earthly things – accounts, houses, vehicles, food, drink, privilege, prerogative, pleasure, and power? OR the things above – eternal blessings of life and peace, no more sin or sorrow or trouble, only glory, blessing, and honor?
Transition: I know the temptation of earthly things, but when thinking clearly, there is no question that:
II.We Should Certainly Look To Christ Even Now In This Life
A. For When He Appears In His Glory We Will Appear Also With Him In Glory
Text: “When Christ Who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
Phil. 3:21 “He will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.”
Rom. 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us.”
B. This Is Our Destiny And Inheritance, Although It Remains Hidden Now With Christ
Text: “Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
1 John 3:2 “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.”
Statement: There should be much greater joy in looking to our eternal inheritance, destiny, and glory than to anything here on earth. As the Scripture asserts, this world is passing away [1 Jn. 2:17]. Whether its our health and vitality, or our money and earthly treasures, or any of the myriad of pleasurable things we enjoy, all of it will ultimately pass away. Not so the things that God has given us in Christ, the things above! These are glorious and eternal blessings – stunning and fantastic!
Application: So the apostle’s advice is right on! Let us indeed seek the things that are above! Let us indeed set our minds on the things that are above. Everything that we have of lasting and enduring value is there. It is just as the apostle wrote:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” [1 Pet. 1:3-5]
Conclusion: While it is true that God watches over and protects all of the things that pertain to our life in this world – our health, our finances, our possessions, our families and love ones, even more importantly He is keeping an “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance for us in heaven! He is guarding us through faith for His salvation which is soon to be revealed.
These are the things to focus on – especially when things are tough. But these are also the things to focus on when things are great! That way we will not be distracted by things that don’t last and that don’t really matter!
God grant each of us such blessedness to be heavenly focused and heavenly minded, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.