LIVING THE RISEN LIFE

Col 3:1-4 

“A bright young girl of fifteen was suddenly cast upon a bed of suffering, completely paralyzed on one side and nearly blind. She heard the family doctor say to her parents as they stood by the bedside: “She has seen her best days, poor child!” “No, doctor,” she exclaimed, “my best days are yet to come, when I shall see the King in His beauty.”

That is our hope too…. isn’t it Church family? Think about it as we come together to celebrate our Risen Saviour. We shall not sink into annihilation when we leave this earth. Christ rose from the dead to give us a promise of our own rising. Jesus said to Martha "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26. The resurrection is the greatest promise given in the gospels for fear of death. Nothing else can take its place. Riches, intellect, worldly pleasures or pursuits, none can bring us comfort in the dying hour, except this wonderful truth found in the gospel. Resurrection Sunday is a great reminder of this truth.

Paul wrote these words “and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Eph 2:6

John said “we have overcome this world through Jesus Christ” 1 John 5:4-5

The Hebrew writer said “we are strangers and exiles on the earth” Heb 11:13

Here’s the problem! We’re not dead yet and the battle of the flesh wants us to take our eyes off the Risen Christ. The resurrection reminds us that our Christian bought lives are to have a proper perspective of this world and how we are to live in it. The resurrection reminds us to live in such a way that we are always focusing Heavenward. Everything I want and need is found in Him and it begins by living a resurrected life for the glorious risen Saviour. But the reality is…..This world is always working 24 hour a day 7 days a week. Tempting us daily to focus on self and the things that bring us pleasure over Christ and His sufficient work found in His death and resurrection. R.C Sproul said "We can serve Satan, the interests of this world, or we can serve the Living God & be servants of Christ."

My question for you is this! What’s it going to be? Him or this world? The resurrection is pivotal to our resurrection in the future of eternal hope. This is why Paul is reminding the church about who is and should be supreme in our lives......CHRIST! The world bound by Satan hates this! Especially this day “Resurrection Sunday.” Satan, will do whatever it takes to see many people go to Hell and he also desires to see the testimonies of the faithful crushed underfoot. This why we must be vigilant and sober and press on for the upward price in Christ Jesus. This is why we must be living Heavenward and not for this world. This is why we sing “My Redeemer Lives”

Look at (v1a) “if then you been raised with Christ..”  Let’s stop there for a minute! “If” is better translated “since” this speaks of something already done [past-tense] Referring to our resurrection.....which is an accomplished fact? So since we have been raised with Christ through the Gospel that saves, we enter into this at the point of conversion! “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me” Gal 2:20. This is the reality in which we must wake up to each and every day! This is our victory song. (Col 2:13; and 2:20-21). This present world system doesn’t control us and we need stop thinking it does! Christ has broken that chain by His death and glorious resurrection. We need to keep our minds focused on Christ at all times. We have been raised with Christ and we are to daily remind ourselves of this wonderful truth. Why? Because we will be able to seek the things above more clearly!

  

Look at (v1b) “seeking those things which are above...” Let’s stop there! “Seeking” in this text is a continuous action, an ambition, one’s attitude. It’s the same continues action that Jesus said in His sermon on the mount! “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matt 6:33. All our choices and decisions we make here on this earth should do with Heaven in view of our earthly responses. “Seek His kingdom” Making right choices, because we are children of His kingdom and everything should be done with this in mind. John MacArthur said “To be preoccupied with Heaven is to be preoccupied with the One who reigns there and His purposes, plans, provisions, and power. It is also to view things, people, and events of this world through His eyes and with an eternal perspective.” If we look at everything through the glasses of “Here and now” as the world wants us too.....we tend lose focus of what’s most important. Which is Christ first and foremost and secondly the blessed gospel that saves to the uttermost. So “seek” here in this text literally means “keep seeking”

What are we to keep seeking? “Those things which are above” (v1b-v2) This is that inner disposition [character or by nature] that we are to have daily...minute by minute! What does it look like to set your mind on the things above? “A man who recently played catch with his dog named Daisy. After spending forty-five minutes tossing the ball for Daisy, he came to the conclusion that when she dies an autopsy will reveal she has a tennis ball for a brain! Daisy sleeps with her tennis ball, carries it to her water dish, and she can find it wherever it is thrown. Her mind is constantly set on the tennis ball.”

This story tells us that we are to regard the things of Heaven in the same way! So let me ask you!  If they did an autopsy on your brain this morning what would they discover? A worldly perspective or a Heavenly perspective? The Bible says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21. The resurrection of Christ and what Paul is reminding us here is that we are God’s possessions for His glory and we are to seek and pursue the things that are above.

Where above?Where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. (v1c) again let’s stop there! “He is seated at the right hand of God” this is a place of honor and majesty This is a place of extreme privilege and divine authority. This seat has profound and dramatic results in the lives of Jesus’ followers and the church.

Sunday worship to honor the day of resurrection.

The founding of the church.

The writing of the New Testament.

When we picture Christ seating down at the right of the Father, this tells us that redemption has been completed in the Son. When you look into In the Old Testament we always see the Priests job was never done. Why? Because they were always sacrificing animals as an offering to God for the sins of the people.....and if you took a look inside the tabernacle you find a piece of furniture missing! A chair The sacrifice the Levites did on behave of the people, was a foretaste of what Christ would complete on the cross once and for all. How do we know this is true? “He is seated at the right hand of God” in all His glory and splendour. The Hebrew writer penned these words “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,” Heb 10:12. When you or when we as a church family come to passages like this… We really need stop and praise His name for such a great love He has for sinners. Why? But what is written next!

Look what Paul writes next (v3) “for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

“Death” refers to the death to self at the point of salvation. “If any man is in Christ.....he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Cor 5:17. Your penalty of sin has been paid for and you are dead to sin, so don’t let sin reign over you!

Remember the wages of sin is? Death

This is exactly what the world wants you to do, this is exactly what Satan wants you to do! Though sins presence and power still affect us but understand this! It cannot condemn us! Why? Our death and new birth is hidden in the resurrected Christ! That’s the gospel truth and promise. Paul says we are…. “Hidden” this gives the idea of protection from spiritual foes and enemies. The blessing of salvation is that we find rest and security because our lives are hidden in Christ alone. It’s like the T-Shirt with the arrow that says “I’m with Him” and it points to the person beside you! The Christian is hidden in Christ and nothing can separate that love and hope we have in RISEN Saviour.

Jesus said so listen to this “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:27-30. The sheep are those who are truly born again through repentance and faith in Christ alone! If this is you?  You are hidden in His sovereign omnipotent arms. That’s a great comfort especially when we are faced with so much whether it’s good or bad in this life! No matter what has happened or what will happen we are hidden in Jesus our Lord! And Paul puts the icing to the cake.... to bring this point home!

Look at (v4) “When Christ is revealed” this is referring to His second coming! John paints the scene for us in Rev 19:11-16 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

  

When He is revealed in His second coming, so will we! The King of Kings will be accompanied by the saints [Christians] This portion of Paul’s letter…. should motivate, stimulate or confirm what we always knew to be true, as we celebrate the Risen Christ! Our lives are completely full and hidden in Christ! This resurrection Sunday reminds that we too one day be resurrected but until that day comes……

Live for Christ even to death.

Proclaim the good news of the Gospel.

Walk in holiness and truth.

Deny this world and the lies they are trying to sell.

Keep focusing on the prize which is Christ.

Never look down because all it leads to is doubt and despair.

We have a Risen Lord who loves you dearly! All He demands of us is to keep seeking His face and when the time is right we will reign with Him for all eternity [our true home] This was all made possible when Jesus conquered sin and death through His glorious Resurrection.

Can you say Amen to that with me this morning?