Text: Colossians 3:1-4

Theme: Lift your gaze off the temporal and fix it on the eternal.

Intro:

  1. Chapter 2 outlined for us our identification with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection which brought us separation from sin, freedom from the Law, and liberty in Christ.
  2. As we enter chapter 3, the Apostle Paul builds on the theme of our death and new life in Christ by emphasising our heavenly reward.

I. The Focus of Our New Life (Vs 1-3a)

  1. Focus your eyes on Christ (Vs 1)
    – The thought the chapter 3 opens with is that, since we are risen with Christ, our lives ought to be characterised by behaviour befitting a child of God, and joint heir with Christ.
  2. Now seek those things which are above.
    – To seek means, “To desire, make enquiry, to plan for.”
    – Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
  3. We are to pursue Christ
    – What higher or more noble pursuit could there be than to pursue Christ and his likeness? There is no greater pursuit, no nobler endeavour than the pursuit of Christ and his likeness.
    – Our pursuit of things above must begin with the pursuit of Christ. It must begin with devotion to Him and a desire for Christ to make us more like Himself. “More Like the Master.”
  4. As we pursue Christ, we notice that Christ is in the highest position possible, at the Father’s right hand.
    – Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
  5. Focus your heart on Christ (Vs 2-3b)
      1. “The apostle in this place evidently founds the argument on what he had said in Colossians 2:12…The argument is, that there was such an union between Christ and his people, that in virtue of his death they become dead to sin; that in virtue of his resurrection they rise to spiritual life, and that, therefore, as Christ now lives in heaven, they should live for heaven, and fix their affections there.”[1]

      [1] Albert Barnes, Esword.

    2. “Love heavenly things; study them; let your hearts be entirely engrossed by them. Now, that ye are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth; and vice versa.”[1]

    [1] Adam Clark, Esword.

  6. We are to loosely hold temporal things (Vs 2-3a)
  7. The things of the world are all temporal. They are here for a short time but will soon pass away.
    – 2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
  8. We are dead to the world
    – To put it simply, we are no longer citizens of the world, but of heaven, and nothing that we accumulate is going with us when we are taken home, so don’t bother accumulating anything here.

II. Locality of Our New Life (Vs 3b-4)

  1. Our new life is with God (Vs 3b)
    – We have eternal life secured for us in God’s store house, reserved there for us, in Christ.
    – 1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
  2. Our new life is in glory (Vs 4)
  3. Not only did he give man life at creation, but our eternal life is secure in him. He is the one in whom we live and move and have our being. As long as He lives, we live because our life is in Him. He is the guarantor of eternal life for those who have put their faith in Him.
    – 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
  4. Knowing these things are true should encourage us to seek those things which are above, and to set our affection on things above.

Conclusion:

  1. What are the things that hold your focus? Are you looking only for material gain, or are you pursuing eternal reward?
  2. Have you set your affections on Christ, or do the world and all its attractions hold your heart?