WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.919 Good morning. If you can take your copy of God's Word and turn to Colossians 3 for me. 00:00:16.580 --> 00:00:19.500 If you will pray with me before we begin this time in the Word. 00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:26.640 Father God, we thank you that you have set your love upon us and sent your Son to die for us. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:30.079 And we thank you that we have life in Christ. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:35.039 Lord, during this time, as your Word is opened, we ask that we be convicted in truth. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:40.019 That your Spirit would work and move in us to love and rejoice in your Word. 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:45.640 Help us have minds set towards you and the world to come. In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:54.960 In the late 1600s, there was a famous allegory, which we love here at Christ's Family, called Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. 00:00:56.620 --> 00:01:05.980 In this allegory that John Bunyan produced, he is picturing the Christian's life pre-Christ, during his life, and his journey to heaven. 00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:13.560 So he gets his place in the city of destruction, the cross where he was saved, and his journey until he gets to the celestial gate. 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:23.439 As he comes to the cross, and as he receives salvation, he feels the weight of his sin leave him, and he is put into glorious robes. 00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:28.680 And he has a mark on his face that is extinguished from the world, and he has a scroll to give him assurance. 00:01:28.960 --> 00:01:33.200 And as he continues his journey, he comes to this beautiful palace. 00:01:33.859 --> 00:01:35.040 It is glorious. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:38.659 And he looks, and he calls it the house beautiful. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:44.319 And through watchfulness and verification, he gets into the house. 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:46.859 This house is the church. 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:52.200 And he spends many days there, enjoying the rest and the fellowship of the people there. 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:54.039 And this time, they have meals together. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:55.939 They have lively conversations. 00:01:56.879 --> 00:01:58.099 That he reads good books. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:01:59.039 He reads scripture. 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.000 And he feels full. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:07.939 And as his time was coming to an end, and how it's beautiful, they took him to the top of the palace. 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:13.060 And they pointed and looked and said, over there is the delectable mountains. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:17.979 With the intention of showing them to encourage them of where they were going. 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:26.219 And it says, when Christians saw the delectable mountains, that they were the most pleasant and mountainous country. 00:02:26.679 --> 00:02:34.060 Beautiful with woods, vineyards, fruits of all sorts, flowers, springs, and fountains. 00:02:34.459 --> 00:02:36.939 Very delectable to behold. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:43.560 And when he asked the name of this country, he was told that it was Emmanuel's land. 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:48.659 And like this hill, this church, this palace they're at, it is for the pilgrims. 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:53.560 And when you go there, you will see the celestial gate. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:03:01.879 So my intention in our time together today is, as we are in our house beautiful, that you'll be encouraged and comforted. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:07.780 And as we're in Colossians 3, 1 through 2, that you'll be captivated with the most beautiful mountains. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:13.219 And ultimately, your heart will be inspired for a deep love in King Emmanuel and the kingdom to come. 00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:17.719 So I intend to show you this through one point and three charges. 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:23.599 Prior to these three points, let's look, let's read Colossians 3 and look at the immediate context. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:27.060 We're going to start in 2.20 and go to 3.5. 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:38.740 If with Christ you have died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations? 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:43.020 Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch. 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:48.819 Referring to things that all perish as they are used, according to human precepts and teachings. 00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:56.259 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body. 00:03:56.659 --> 00:04:00.599 But they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. 00:04:01.019 --> 00:04:07.919 If then you've been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 00:04:08.459 --> 00:04:12.199 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:16.560 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ and God. 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:22.639 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:26.300 Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:32.639 In this text, in the immediate context, you see two important words that provide transition. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:34.240 You see two therefores. 00:04:34.779 --> 00:04:38.699 It's translated in ESV, if then, or if with. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:43.779 But in verse 220, you see, therefore, since you have died with Christ. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:50.459 And in Colossians 3.1, you see, therefore, since you have been raised with Christ. 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:53.539 The therefores are a word used to transition. 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:57.659 They're saying, in light of what was just said, therefore, this. 00:04:58.099 --> 00:05:02.199 Typically, when you see therefores, they're going from doctrine to duty. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:04.699 From theology to doxology. 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:09.240 It's going from, in light of this beautiful truth I've just told you, do this. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:15.560 So in Romans, the book of Romans, we see chapters 1 through 11 with rich content of the gospel. 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:18.399 When we get to Romans 12, it says, therefore. 00:05:18.659 --> 00:05:22.519 And then you see a beautiful call for us to live as living sacrifices. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:26.199 So in our text here today, we have therefores. 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:35.939 And the urge is for us to go from doctrine to duty, belief, practice, and that our knowledge of God will lead to praise of him. 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:41.620 So the therefore, the first one says, therefore, since you have died with Christ. 00:05:42.039 --> 00:05:47.519 This is communicating that you are no longer living in this world or for this world. 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:50.779 When Christ died, your life died with him. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:58.379 All the things of the old man, all the sinful patterns in which you were born and lived for in your life have died. 00:05:58.959 --> 00:05:59.919 They are no longer. 00:06:00.659 --> 00:06:05.359 So he's urging them in this text not to be focused on worldly things. 00:06:05.859 --> 00:06:08.299 As if you were still alive to this world. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:10.419 He's saying you're no longer alive to this world. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:11.419 You have died. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:16.259 The importance is that we've been delivered from our sin and are now alive to Christ. 00:06:16.739 --> 00:06:18.239 Which leads us to the second, therefore. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:21.360 Therefore, since you have been raised. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:26.019 So we have died to our sin and now we are raised to resurrection life. 00:06:26.379 --> 00:06:30.960 This transition is communicating security and resurrection power in life. 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:34.420 We are born into this world as a baby. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:37.519 But we all need a second birth to go to the next world. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:40.000 We all need a new birth to be born again. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:43.420 We all need the spirit to resurrect our hearts. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:49.620 And just as Jesus Christ died and was resurrected, in him when we die and are resurrected, we receive justification. 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:53.420 So this leads us to our first point. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:56.740 Point number one is entrance into the beloved kingdom. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:06:59.840 Entrance into the beloved kingdom. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:03.519 This point we will survey a little bit of Colossians 1-3. 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:07.859 Specifically looking at the passage to describe our salvation. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:14.739 The hope in this time is that we'll answer the question of how do we get into the kingdom of God? 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:16.639 How do we become Christians? 00:07:17.059 --> 00:07:20.859 How do we experience this dying and this resurrection? 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:30.300 And I believe through Colossians 1-2 that access into the beloved kingdom comes through the king in his life, death, and resurrection. 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:35.620 And this is portrayed through his redemption, his reconciliation, and his resurrection. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:40.500 So we're going to spend time looking at his redemption, his reconciliation, and his resurrection. 00:07:41.520 --> 00:07:43.980 So read Colossians 1-14 with me. 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:55.840 He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:07:56.720 --> 00:07:59.439 In this passage, we see lots of kingdom language. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:01.780 We see a dominion and we see a kingdom. 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:03.540 There are two kingdoms here. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:07.319 And these kingdoms are not based on geography, on circumstance. 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:12.720 It's not that there is a kingdom in this world that we are a part of that we're entering into. 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.280 These are spiritual kingdoms. 00:08:14.380 --> 00:08:18.120 These are kingdoms that are in the minds and the hearts of men. 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:20.720 These kingdoms are in the thoughts and the affections. 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:26.180 And this is the kingdoms that Augustine picks up on in his two cities. 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:26.960 He says, 00:08:27.460 --> 00:08:29.560 Two cities have been formed by two loves. 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:33.220 The earthly by the love of self and the heavenly by the love of God. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:37.759 Sadly, we are all born into the kingdom of darkness. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:43.120 We are all born as citizens in the kingdom of darkness with desires for this kingdom. 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:47.899 Naturally, we are hostile to God and we do not follow his will. 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:51.460 Naturally, we delight in our autonomy and our rebellion. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:59.379 We love our evil deeds and we do not see our need to be rescued in our flesh, in our natural disposition. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:00.840 But we do. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:06.040 We need to be rescued from the deceptical, tyrannical rule of Satan. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:08.660 Satan is the god of this world. 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:11.040 He is the ruler of the kingdom of darkness. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.860 But verse 3 communicates this. 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:15.580 It demonstrates how we are rescued. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:20.860 We see prior to knowing Jesus, we were citizens of this earthly kingdom. 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:23.540 Citizens of the kingdom of darkness. 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:25.500 And that we were sons of the devil. 00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:28.340 In this kingdom, we were enslaved to our sin. 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:31.620 We listened to sergeant sin in our lives. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:34.440 And from an outside perspective, we thought we were in charge. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:35.840 We did what we want. 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.300 We did as we pleased. 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:39.899 And that was satisfying to us. 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:40.920 But we did not see. 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:43.360 We were blinded that we had two masters. 00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:48.560 That our first master was sin and our second was Satan. 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:52.080 We did not know of the danger we were in. 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:55.600 We did not know that we were following our sinful ways. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:58.519 And that we, like Christians, were in the city of destruction. 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:02.340 But by God's grace, he worked in our lives. 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:04.940 By God's grace, he rescued us from the kingdom of darkness. 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:12.740 The text says that he has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son. 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:16.060 This word delivered is like the word rescued. 00:10:16.540 --> 00:10:18.180 It's a salvific term. 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:21.919 So we, in this kingdom, were set up for our own ruin. 00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:24.659 We could not do anything to save ourselves. 00:10:25.339 --> 00:10:28.639 If we stayed here, we would all be destroyed. 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:32.419 But Christ has come and he's rescued us. 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:34.859 And he did this by laying down his life for us. 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:39.620 He did this by taking on the weight of sin for us. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:44.579 In Colossians 2, it talks about how our sin was canceled and our record debt is no more. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:46.919 And how our sins were nailed to Jesus. 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:52.059 So Christ came and he rescued us from our state in the kingdom of darkness. 00:10:52.599 --> 00:10:55.459 And he has placed us in the kingdom of the beloved son. 00:10:57.079 --> 00:10:59.360 We now have security. 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:02.259 We are now placed in this new kingdom. 00:11:02.579 --> 00:11:04.759 And we are no longer under Satan's rule. 00:11:04.979 --> 00:11:06.799 We are no longer enslaved to our sin. 00:11:07.099 --> 00:11:10.919 We are a new man in a new kingdom with new allegiances. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:13.559 And we are citizens there. 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:21.419 As we think about this kingdom, this reminds us of the theology of kingdom. 00:11:22.099 --> 00:11:23.639 The theology of the two kingdoms. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:31.919 So when I talked about it in the beginning, I said that the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of the beloved son are kingdoms that are in the minds and the heart of man. 00:11:32.239 --> 00:11:34.599 And they are in our thoughts and our affections. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:38.639 When Christ takes us and places us in his kingdom, he gives us a new spirit. 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:39.620 We are part of a new kingdom. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:42.720 And now Christ reigns in our heart. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:46.060 This is what we call the already of the kingdom of God. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.519 The already of the kingdom of Christ. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:51.159 So currently now, Christ is ruling in our hearts. 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:55.740 Currently now, Christ is reigning over our hearts and our minds. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:58.019 But we talk about the not yet of the kingdom. 00:11:58.299 --> 00:11:59.000 The already not yet. 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:01.299 The not yet of the kingdom of the kingdom to come. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:07.840 While Christ is currently reigning now in our hearts, there is a kingdom to come when Jesus Christ will come back and he will receive us. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.500 And we will be brought to heaven. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:14.779 That we will receive the glory that awaits us in this new kingdom. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.799 In the kingdom of God that is to come. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:21.700 So that is our redemption that we have through Christ. 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:25.879 Our reconciliation is in Colossians 1, 20-22. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:28.900 It says, 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:36.820 And through him to reconcile to himself all things whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross. 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:45.340 And you who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in the body of his flesh by his death. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:49.160 In order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach. 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:52.360 So our natural condition, we were in the kingdom of darkness. 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:57.379 Now, in this picture, in our natural condition, we are enemies of God. 00:12:57.959 --> 00:13:00.639 We did not like God's reign. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:03.360 We were hostile to God. 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:08.259 And we wanted to live our own self-governing lifestyles for our own glory. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:11.459 We were filled with self-love and self-interest. 00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:16.019 And in this natural state, God's wrathful gaze is upon us. 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.879 We were in his crosshairs. 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:20.539 Because the Bible says that the wages of sin is death. 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:25.799 We will die for a sin without someone taking our sin for us. 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.879 But Romans 5, 8 says, 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:32.799 But God demonstrated his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:36.740 It goes on in that passage to talk about how we have peace through this death. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:41.740 So through Christ, our sin was propitiated. 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.240 Through Christ, our sin was taken. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:47.580 And the wrathful gaze of God left us and was aimed at Christ. 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:50.919 And he received the weight of the wrath for our sin. 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:55.919 And because of that, by his blood, we now have peace. 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:58.220 We are no longer enemies, but we are friends. 00:13:58.580 --> 00:14:00.840 We are no longer against God, but with him. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:02.519 And at peace with him. 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:06.079 Number three, resurrection. 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:09.639 Colossians 2, 11 through 13 says, 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:17.919 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:21.980 by putting off the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:26.879 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him, 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:30.620 through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised us from the dead. 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:35.080 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and uncircumcision of the flesh, 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:39.620 God made alive together with him, having forgiven all of our trespasses. 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:45.840 The third aspect of this work of God in our lives is that we had dead hearts. 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:51.860 In the natural man, without Christ, our hearts were dead and did not respond to God. 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:54.019 They could not respond to God. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:59.559 In our natural state, in our natural hearts, we were inclined to self-love and self-ture. 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:01.100 We were inclined to live for ourselves. 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:03.340 And we could not see Christ's glory. 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:05.879 We could not experience the sweetness of his word. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:09.480 We could not see the wonders of his work. 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:13.019 But the text tells us that God has made us alive. 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:19.399 By the power that raised Jesus from the dead, he has raised us from the dead. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:22.220 God spoke new creation into our hearts. 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:26.220 Our dead hearts received the wind of the Spirit and were made alive. 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:29.180 They were dead and now they're living. 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.019 They were hard and now they're soft. 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.320 They were stone and now they're flesh. 00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:35.639 This is the wonderful doctrine of regeneration, 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:38.360 that we have received a spiritual resurrection. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:41.160 And we have been born again a second time. 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:45.060 So entrance into the kingdom is through God's redemption. 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:49.060 It is through God's reconciliation and it is through God's resurrection. 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:54.839 These are one work accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:58.159 And because of this work that he's done in our lives, 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:02.859 and because we have new hearts and we're a new creation, a new person in a new kingdom, 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:04.939 we now have new allegiances. 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:06.299 We have new responsibilities. 00:16:06.719 --> 00:16:09.119 We are now citizens of a different kingdom. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:13.700 And these new allegiances is we no longer love to live for ourselves. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.560 We want to live for God. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:18.620 We delight in living for God and for his glory. 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.860 We have new responsibilities. 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:24.600 Now that we have been received resurrection life, 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:27.980 now that we've been changed, we're called to a new way of living. 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:32.320 We have new responsibilities to be a new citizen, a new kingdom. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:36.879 Three of these responsibilities we will see in the text today. 00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:41.620 Number one, the first charge, the first command, responsibility we see, 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.940 is that we should seek King Jesus. 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:47.580 We see this in Colossians 3.1. 00:16:47.640 --> 00:16:48.180 It says, 00:16:49.780 --> 00:16:52.800 If then you've been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:55.320 where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 00:16:56.040 --> 00:17:00.140 The word here, seek, is an imperative, meaning it is a command. 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:05.559 It is a charge from our King that we should aim or pursue something. 00:17:05.639 --> 00:17:08.619 That we should have serious devotion to a goal, to an aim. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:15.680 This devotion, this seeking, this looking for, this desiring, is an ongoing action. 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:19.660 It is a keep on always seeking, is what Paul is saying here. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:22.599 He's saying, be always preoccupied with. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.660 This is not bound by circumstance. 00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:27.059 This is a every moment of every day. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:32.399 So the charge here is that every moment of every day, we need to seek King Jesus. 00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:35.019 We need to seek Christ and the kingdom to come. 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:39.279 Our desire should be for the world to come, not for this world. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.099 And this is hard. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.579 I think about my day. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:45.679 Sometimes I'm so busy that I have goals to accomplish. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:48.359 I don't want to stop and think and meditate on scripture. 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.879 Because I'm going. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:51.119 I'm being productive. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:53.759 Sometimes we have hard days with kids. 00:17:54.439 --> 00:17:58.659 That we feel as if we're disciplining all day long. 00:17:58.879 --> 00:18:00.500 And we feel like we're beating our head against the wall. 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:03.039 And in those moments, this command is still active. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:07.000 In those moments, we shouldn't, we're not bound by that circumstance. 00:18:07.479 --> 00:18:10.099 In those busy days, we're not bound by our busyness. 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:12.399 The seeking is all the time. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:22.160 So even in the hardest days of discipline, even in the days where our soul is down, even in our most productive and busy days, we have a priority. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.740 A charge to seek Jesus. 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:29.740 An example, I was thinking of ways to describe this seeking. 00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:32.400 It made me think of when I courted Cheyenne. 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.680 When I decided to pursue her. 00:18:34.040 --> 00:18:36.720 I saw her as a beautiful and godly woman. 00:18:36.840 --> 00:18:39.040 I wanted to set my time to pursue her. 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:43.279 And as I got to know her, I realized how much more beautiful she was than I thought. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.559 I saw her godliness and her character. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.720 And it just drew my heart to her. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:49.819 So then, things changed. 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:51.420 I now had a new goal. 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:51.980 A new reality. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.420 I wanted to marry Cheyenne. 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.059 So what did this lead me to do? 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.539 It lead me to act differently. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.319 Before, I was eating salmon. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:01.440 I was enjoying the best coffee that I loved. 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:04.240 I was living in such a way that I got what I wanted. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.539 I spent my money how I wanted. 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:07.599 And in some ways, it was not healthy. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:11.659 But when I knew I was going to have a wife and a daughter. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.399 And I was pursuing to marry them. 00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:14.819 I now live differently. 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.579 I counted every single dollar. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.599 I bought tilapia. 00:19:18.959 --> 00:19:20.199 I drank Folgers. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:27.559 And all this for the aim that I can marry Cheyenne and be a good husband and a good father. 00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:29.899 Take on these new responsibilities. 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:34.599 And that example to help us think that with Christ, we have responsibility. 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:36.219 It's not a work. 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.399 It's through grace. 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.799 But it's a call. 00:19:38.939 --> 00:19:41.079 A command for us to seek our King. 00:19:41.459 --> 00:19:42.679 To enjoy Him. 00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:45.399 To enjoy what He has given us. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.339 This should remind us. 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:49.719 Make us thankful for the three R's of redemption. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:50.859 Reconciliation. 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.539 Resurrection. 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:54.719 It should cause us to rejoice in our salvation. 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:57.000 That we are now part of His kingdom. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.960 We are now His child. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:03.759 And this seeking is motivated by these new desires we have through His Spirit. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:06.759 And these new commitments we have as His citizen. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:10.059 Christ shapes our whole lives. 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.059 And it changes it. 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:13.700 And it's by His grace and for His glory. 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:17.259 Samuel Rutherford has this quote. 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.259 I'm going to repeat it twice. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.859 And I found it really helpful. 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:26.419 Desires or more grace and groaning, which cannot be uttered, are growing pains. 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:29.819 And we should wish to feel them more and more. 00:20:30.939 --> 00:20:35.959 Desires or more grace and groanings, which cannot be uttered, are growing pains. 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:38.779 And we should wish to feel them more and more. 00:20:39.219 --> 00:20:40.879 We should long to desire. 00:20:41.479 --> 00:20:43.279 We should long to desire our King. 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:44.899 And long to desire His promises. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.639 And it should cause emotion and affection in us. 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.700 Christ loved us. 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.300 Therefore, we should love Him. 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:53.240 The fruits of the Spirit are joy, peace, patience. 00:20:53.580 --> 00:20:55.640 We're commanded to have joy. 00:20:56.340 --> 00:21:00.060 Because of Christ's life, death, and resurrection, 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:04.320 it should cause us to rejoice and desire Him more and more. 00:21:04.800 --> 00:21:06.540 Our life should be for Christ. 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.620 And when we receive Him, it should be gain. 00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:13.680 So, set your desires on Jesus. 00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:15.740 Your longings on the things above. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:18.559 Have ambition to know the things of God more deeply, 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:21.279 and the heavenly realities even greater. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:26.220 Ask God for the grace and spiritual inclination for Him and His purposes. 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:30.579 So, we see in the text, the command is for us to seek. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:32.819 What is the object of that seeking? 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:37.920 We see it's the things above, but then it has some things after that. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:43.000 It says, seek the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:46.500 So, while the things above encompass heaven, 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:48.380 the things of heaven to come, 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.900 the promises we have for heaven, 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.319 the promises we have in salvation, 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:54.240 the object is the King of heaven. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:56.220 The object is King Jesus. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:22:01.099 We should seek Him in all of His benefits. 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:04.039 Let's look at how it's pictured Him in the text now. 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:06.980 It says, seek the things above where Christ is, 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.880 seated at the right hand of God. 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:11.680 Christ is seated at God's right hand. 00:22:11.800 --> 00:22:14.020 This is the highest place of honor. 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:16.640 Does it harken your mind back to think of Matthew, 00:22:16.760 --> 00:22:17.700 where the disciples are like, 00:22:18.060 --> 00:22:19.480 can I sit at your right hand? 00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:20.180 What about me? 00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:21.760 And they're all getting mad at each other. 00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:23.480 Christ is at the right hand, 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:25.380 and God's going to determine who sits next to them. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.600 But this place is a place of honor. 00:22:27.780 --> 00:22:29.840 Those disciples wanted the highest honor. 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.660 They were thinking about themselves. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.460 But here, Christ is at that highest place of honor. 00:22:34.520 --> 00:22:35.500 There's nothing higher, 00:22:35.780 --> 00:22:37.400 there's nothing greater than our King. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:39.180 As we think of His majesty, 00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:40.780 let's think of some texts that happened 00:22:40.780 --> 00:22:42.380 after He resurrected and went to heaven. 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:44.920 It says that He has given all power and authority 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.920 in Matthew 28. 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:49.140 In Philippians 2, it says that God has exalted Him 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:52.940 and bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name. 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.540 In Ephesians 1.21, it says that 00:22:55.540 --> 00:23:00.360 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:02.440 and above every name that is named, 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:06.019 not only in this age, but also in the age to come. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:10.359 We see that Jesus Christ has the highest rule and authority. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.500 He has the greatest power, 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:15.779 and He has the most worthy name to be named, 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:18.339 in which every knee will bow. 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:21.139 So today, we should bow our hearts to our King 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:24.559 and seek Him and love Him and treasure Him 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:26.180 and rejoice in Him. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:29.500 So we see that the command is to seek. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:31.900 The object of the command is Christ. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:35.300 The end of the command is that we would enjoy Him. 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:37.900 And we see this in Philippians 3. 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:42.720 But when we think of Bunyan's, his allegory, 00:23:42.800 --> 00:23:43.780 when we think of that story, 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:47.680 they're called to look over at Emmanuel's land, 00:23:47.820 --> 00:23:49.100 the most delectable mountains. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.840 But what makes them delectable? 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.780 What makes them beautiful? 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:53.840 What is the vineyard picturing there? 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:56.519 It's picturing that it is Emmanuel's land. 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:58.640 That is the land of the King. 00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:01.060 And we should long to be with Him. 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.740 Long to see Him face to face 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:05.080 as a man sees his bride. 00:24:05.780 --> 00:24:07.880 Because what we get in weddings, 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.620 when we see our bride, 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.840 it is such sweet joy. 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:11.440 But when we see Christ, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:14.020 that joy will be so much more abundant 00:24:14.020 --> 00:24:15.640 and so much more greater. 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.380 What a beautiful thing 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:20.040 that our picture of the sweetnesses of this earth 00:24:20.040 --> 00:24:21.960 point to a much greater picture to come. 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:24.480 So in Philippians 3, 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.900 Paul says that 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:27.120 whatever gain I had, 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:29.059 I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:31.259 Indeed, I count everything as loss 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.840 because of the surpassing worth 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:34.480 of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.640 For His sake, 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:37.799 I've suffered the loss of all things 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:39.340 and count them as rubbish 00:24:39.340 --> 00:24:41.380 in order that I may gain Christ. 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.200 So in this, 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:46.140 we see that our life is for Christ. 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.420 To die is gain. 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.460 And even now, 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.400 as we seek Him, 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:51.120 He is of surpassing worth. 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:53.879 He is our treasure and our joy. 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.279 In this passage, 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:58.039 the word here for rubbish is dung. 00:24:58.179 --> 00:24:58.979 It's trash. 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.919 The idea isn't that our earthly things, 00:25:00.959 --> 00:25:02.279 these other things aren't good. 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.779 It's that in light of Christ, 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.019 they're nothing. 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:05.939 In light of Christ, 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:09.779 they are not worthy of our attention and time. 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:13.319 So all of the gifts of God 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:14.159 that we have on this earth 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.939 are but a taste of the joy 00:25:15.939 --> 00:25:17.899 we will have in Christ when we get to heaven. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:19.559 That means all our possessions 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.719 and pleasures 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:23.059 our marriage and our families, 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:25.660 our friends and our hobbies, 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:28.259 our taste of the everlasting joy 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.319 that is before us. 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.519 I read this quote of the Lord's Supper. 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.519 I'm going to read it again 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:34.259 because it pictures this so well. 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.740 Jonathan Edwards said 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:38.120 of our enjoyment of God 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:40.240 that God is the highest good 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.380 of the reasonable creature. 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:43.400 The enjoyment of Him 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.839 is the only happiness 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:47.319 with which our souls can be satisfied. 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.519 Does that make you think 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.619 of the living water incident? 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.960 That if you come to this well 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:53.119 and drink from this water, 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.299 you will be satisfied 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.919 and need to drink no more. 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.980 He continues, 00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:00.519 to go to heaven fully to enjoy God 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.400 is infinitely better 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:03.380 than the most pleasant accommodations here. 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.720 Fathers and mothers, 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.319 husbands, 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.220 wives, 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:07.720 children, 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:09.039 or company of friends 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.539 are but shadows, 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:12.500 but the enjoyment of God 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.319 is the substance. 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:15.439 These are but scattered beams, 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:17.599 but God is the sun. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.980 These are but streams, 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.019 but God is the fountain. 00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:22.099 These are but drops, 00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:23.819 but God is the ocean. 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.559 So brothers and sisters, 00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:27.099 let us enjoy these rays 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.799 and these streams 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.740 and these drops now. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.139 And let us praise God 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:30.899 who's given them 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:33.359 until we enjoy the ocean 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.099 and the fountain 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.839 and the sun 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:36.399 in the kingdom to come. 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.859 Charge number two, 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.679 set your minds 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.539 on the things above. 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:44.079 That we should saturate our heart 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.819 in the heavenly realities to come 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.759 is our second charge. 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.099 This command is also 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:50.799 a command that is ongoing, 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.639 that is active, 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:53.279 that we should always be doing. 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:55.039 This idea of setting 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:57.079 is a heart set. 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:58.139 It is not just 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:59.519 we put it before us, 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:00.059 but it is that 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:02.579 our thoughts are consumed with it. 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.799 We set our mind upon Jesus, 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.879 his promises, 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.019 and his will. 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.599 Our lives should be 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.500 forward-looking, 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.339 present living. 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.539 We should be looking 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.439 for what's to come, 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.500 living for what's to come, 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:15.339 but living in the present, 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.299 in this world, 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.679 because we are pilgrims 00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:19.439 going to our heavenly home. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.480 We should meditate 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.439 and contemplate 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:23.859 Christ and his promises. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.339 And as we do, 00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:27.259 our lives will reflect them. 00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:28.799 Stephen Lawson said, 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:30.439 what we set our minds on, 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.639 therein flows 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:33.099 the entirety of our lives. 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.799 So as we consume 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.939 our hearts with Christ, 00:27:36.459 --> 00:27:37.240 and as we consume 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.939 our affections 00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:38.559 and our thoughts 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.460 with Jesus 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.839 and his promises to us, 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:42.639 our actions will reflect it. 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.940 In our discipline, 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.599 it will reflect it. 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.319 In our job, 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.379 it will reflect it 00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:47.220 in our marriage. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:49.299 If we have the mind of Christ, 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:49.859 we don't consider 00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:50.359 our own interests 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.599 but the interests of others 00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:53.279 and lay down our lives. 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:55.059 It will reflect it. 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.779 So let us set our minds 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.679 upon Christ 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.679 and his promises. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.619 During my time 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.179 at Redeemer, 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.559 there was this sweet 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.119 old lady. 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.179 Her name was Louise. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.720 And I grew to love her. 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.220 She comes from 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.160 Presbyterian background, 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.440 loves Jay Adams. 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.539 And when I was talking 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.079 with her one time, 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.059 she coined this term 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.759 the uplook. 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:13.860 And this term, 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.600 the uplook, 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.600 became a term 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.799 that was used often. 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.900 And her thought behind it 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.339 is that in this present life, 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.620 in these temporary shacks, 00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:23.220 we should have an uplook 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.319 in everything 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.440 all the time. 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.819 She indicated 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.779 that in this present life 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.900 that our thoughts, 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.059 our motives, 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:30.880 our commitments 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:32.180 should be invested 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.860 upward, 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:33.759 not downward. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.559 Heavenly, 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:36.440 not earthly. 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.879 So brothers and sisters, 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.500 my question 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.759 just to challenge you today 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.220 would be, 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.519 where are your concerns at? 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.799 How often do you think 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.279 upon this world? 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.920 Obviously we need you, 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.680 but how often? 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:51.039 What would you 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.980 consider yourself, 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:52.859 would you consider yourself 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.799 to be heavenly minded? 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.980 Is the use of your time, 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.440 energy, 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:56.839 and money 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.640 pointing towards 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:59.180 a permanent earthly lifestyle 00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.119 or a permanent 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:01.039 heavenly home? 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:04.139 The final charge 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:04.940 in the last few minutes 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.740 for our time today 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.240 would be, 00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:07.159 put to death 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:08.399 what is earthly in you. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:10.420 Read Colossians 3, 5 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.700 with me, 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.519 the beginning of it. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.779 Put to death, 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.079 therefore, 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:15.000 what is earthly in you. 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:17.240 So as we set our minds 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.399 upon the things above, 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.639 and as we set our minds 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.119 upon heaven 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:21.359 and living for our king, 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.420 the earthly things in us, 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.759 the things that reflect 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.319 our old man, 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.680 the sinful things, 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.980 need to be put to death. 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.940 These things have died 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.519 when we died to the world. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.539 When we lived to this world, 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.799 we lived for sinful thought 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.220 and action. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:39.440 We lived for sexual morality, 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.120 impurity, 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:40.960 passion, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.580 evil desire, 00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:42.440 and covetousness. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.559 We lived for idolatry. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.320 We lived for anger, 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:46.799 wrath, 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.279 malice, 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:47.580 slander, 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.519 obscene talk. 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.920 We lied to one another. 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.559 But what is the command here 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.900 is that the old man 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.900 needs to be put off, 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:54.880 that these things 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.500 need to die. 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.759 We should be people 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:58.480 who are often killing sin, 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.559 often reflecting 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.019 on our hearts 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.319 to put sin to death 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:03.019 because we delight in Jesus. 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.700 We don't just put 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.819 our sin out there. 00:30:05.899 --> 00:30:06.839 We don't just act 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.619 like it's not there. 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.259 We don't pretend 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.500 it's there. 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.299 We don't vent. 00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:11.919 Putting sin to death 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.960 is we put it to death 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:14.259 and we put on Christlikeness. 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:16.159 We get rid of our sin. 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.779 We don't think that way 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.339 when I have a thought 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:19.940 about my wife 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:21.059 that is not good 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.039 or about my daughter 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:23.079 that is not right. 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.779 I need to reflect on my heart. 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:26.200 I need to write it down. 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.200 I need to talk 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:28.000 to my wife about it. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.859 And I need to remember truth. 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.799 And I need to fill my mind 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:33.099 with the things of God 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:34.180 that my mind and heart 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.740 are set upon him 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:37.400 and his word. 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.980 So as we close today, 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.799 let us be those 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:43.059 who shine the light of Christ 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:44.200 and do not let sin 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.400 dwell in us. 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.319 We do not let it have 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.599 a living place in our hearts, 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.440 but it is killed. 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.019 Let us kill our sin 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.960 and all its faults 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:52.339 and deceptive pleasures. 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:54.240 We have a new master 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:54.960 and this new master 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:55.900 is King Jesus. 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:57.759 Let us seek him 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:59.279 and enjoy him forevermore. 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:01.920 In him is the fullness of joy 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:03.319 and at his right hand 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:05.160 are pleasures forevermore. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:06.860 Therefore, 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:08.059 let your hearts be set 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:08.539 on the King 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.220 and the heavenly realities 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.740 that come. 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.039 And one day 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.460 when Jesus does come 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.779 and our hope is fulfilled, 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.059 our faith is realized 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.420 and our joy is inexpressible, 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.880 we will enjoy the ocean 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.400 and the sun. 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:19.640 Let's pray. 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:19.720 Amen. 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.720 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.720 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.720 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.720 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.720