Colossians 3:1–4

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

• Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
• Everything on earth is temporary.
• We have been raised with Christ.
• Know who you are before Jesus.

Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

• The things above are eternal.
• The works of Jesus are good and eternal.

Colossians 3:5–6 (NIV)
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."

• These are earthly things.

Colossians 3:12–17 (NIV)
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

• These are the things we must do.
• When we repent, our spirit and mind are renewed.
• We are not perfect; therefore, we must continually be renewed.
• Verses 12–14 speak about renewing our lives.
• Verse 15 speaks of living in fellowship.
• Those who set their minds on things above can live in healthy fellowship.
• To do these things:

• Know who we are before God.
• Understand our identity.
• When we are renewed in Christ, our lives are no longer ours, but Christ’s in us.

Ask yourself:

• Is Christ lazy?
• Does Christ skip worship?
• How can we fight the power of darkness if we are not like Christ?
• Know who you are and position yourself correctly.

SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE.
• Even when the world shakes, our spirit will not be shaken.
• The Spirit within us is greater than the spirit in the world.
• If we have repented long ago but still do not know our identity, it is all in vain.
• So think, and after thinking—ACT.
• The Holy Spirit will work in us to renew us so that we can do the things above.
• If we remain trapped in problems, we are not cooperating with the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."

• Live in fellowship.
• The purpose of fellowship is to build one another up, to strengthen one another.
• That is what it means to focus on the things above.
• Let the word of Christ dwell in us.
• Would Christ speak with filthy words?

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

• Everything must be done in the name of Jesus.
• Without realizing it, we are the extension of God’s hands.

Colossians 3:4 (NIV)
"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."