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Col 3:1-4 READ Saved-Seek-Set-See

1. Make sure you’re saved

• V 1 If then you were raised with Christ, IF THEN- IF IF IF
• Were you raised with Christ? Were you saved? This is a constant theme- its not because I want the saved questioning their salvation- its because I want the unsaved- to be saved-
• 2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
• These are not the times for going back! They are the times for going forward- we need to know that we know down in our know-know who we are and whose we are-
• Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
• Its not about walking around in fear- its about getting so close to Jesus that when things are rotten all around you- you can rest assured in your salvation-
• People say that- rest assured- but REST- ASSURED- you stop striving- you stop wondering

• I know I’m saved- I know I’m going- I know Jesus and he knows me- we love each other
• Hebrews 4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
• Some people say that any sort of striving is works based salvation- I don’t gather that at all- I just don’t want to miss out on the things of God- I don’t want to take it for granted
• What relationship flourishes when you take it for granted? We say we have a relationship with Jesus- but then we want to have a double standard and say it doesn’t require what a relationship requires- time, investment, vulnerability, honesty. Relationships are RELATING
• Friend MF- Didn’t talk since 6^th grade- hunted him down- didn’t reciprocate- over- Not friends
• Are you saved? Have you made your calling and election sure?
• Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
• I’m not sure what the broad gate is- but that’s not the one I want- I want the narrow gate!
• Romans 6:4b says “ we also should walk in newness of life.” Are you walking that way?
• 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new- Have the old things of your life passed away?
• Colossians 3:10 ⁰ and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, THE NEW MAN DOESN’T DO WHAT THE OLD MAN DOES
• Ephesians 4:22-24 READ
• IF you’ve been raised with Christ- Do it- Working to get Cintas job- and then not showing up?

2. IF you are saved- THEN Seek the things of GOD

• V2 seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
• What are the things that you seek? What are the things that work for?
• Are you working for the accolades of the world and their possessions or the things of God?
• I’ve been pastoring long enough to see the ones who seek after the things that are above
• Can tell you the story lines of the latest shows, but no stories of the bible. Can tell you the stock price but not the scripture address. Work hard to get money but not work hard to gain righteousness. They aren’t seeking after God- They are seeking- but not after God
• I don’t have hobbies- When church is shut down- I’m lost- because I love the things of the Lord
• Nothing against hobbies- unless you know and work on that perfection more than Christ
• Phil 3:12 12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
• I’m pressing on! I want to more of Jesus- I want to experience more of his grace and mercy
• Romans 8:6 For to be ^[a]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
• Do you have more desire to work for the things of this world than the things of God
• Seek after the world. Love the world. Follow the world. And wonder why you’re empty?
• I Have never- met a fully submitted follower of Jesus who wasn’t content- Lukewarm? Often
• Hebrews 12:2a ² looking unto Jesus, the ^[a]author and ^[b]finisher of our faith,
• Hebrews 4:9-11  There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.¹¹ Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
• Diligence is a lost word in Christianity- We want the simple path with the deep truths
• Doesn’t work that way- You have to put in the work necessary. No one reads your bible for you
• Matthew 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• Joy, peace, righteousness- seek after those things

3. What do you think about? Set your mind

• V2-3 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
• When you are struggling, where do you let your mind wander? To the heavens or to the earth?
• How much time do you spend thinking about eternity with Jesus in heaven?
• Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
• Honestly- how much have you thought about the future? Masks, jobs, money, food, life
• Did you feel better after working yourself into a frenzy about it? Or worse
• You have to get in the game! You have to get your mind involved!
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
• Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
• My mind wanders! I have to work at this- I can get to thinking about something completely opposite that what we were talking about- If I don’t pay attention
• “Say it again- I wasn’t listening” I say this often- Its WORK.
• 2 Corinthians 4:18  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
• But we don’t do this- We get so caught up in what this world does and what we will do
• But if we focused on the things of GOD- None of it would matter- none of it-
• Everything on this side of heaven is going to burn- all of it-
• Matthew 6:20  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
• Focus on THAT

4. See Christs return

• When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
• Christ is coming back- he will return for his church- he is coming. As sure as we are standing
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 17-18 READ “Therefore comfort each other”
• This truth should be comfort to you- RIGHT NOW- we are in the thick of it
• The early Christians lived with a daily expectation of Christs return- quitting jobs etc
• We’ve been waiting so long- that we don’t really think that it is going to happen
• Matt 24:44  Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.- Is he coming right now? I don’t know- but I know he wont come when we expect
• Class in college- collecting papers- never knew- only option- be ready.
• Revelation 1:7  Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
• This is a TRUTH- one for us to hold on to- to believe-
• But you must reflect on it. You must envision it. You must remind yourself of it
• A constant thought and reminder of Christs return should encourage you during hard times
• 1 Corinthians 15:52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
• “He’s coming on the clouds and kings and kingdoms will bow down”
• Whatever we are going through is very light and momentary compared to our glory

• We must think about, seek after, and desire the things of God- To believe that he is coming
• You must think about the future glory- This is hard for many people because its delayed gratification- It takes a long time to be able to see it and experience it.
• Orders to Egypt- missed a year of life with Gabe- I knew it would have no long effect- see it now
• But you don’t just watch- You PRAY- you pray for his kingdom to come. His will be done
• Luke 21:36  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may ^[a]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
• What a glorious day it will be for all of us when we see the fulfillment of this scripture
• Daniel 12:2  And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
  Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
• These have been promises waiting to be fulfilled for 1000s of years-
• No different than the OT people waiting for the savior- some probably thought that he would never come and then he did- And so many people missed it-
• And now- people think Jesus is never going to come- but he is- so you should get ready
• Revelation 22:20  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
• Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

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