This morning Pastor Josh Fairbaugh, Carmel’s Connections Pastor, shared from the book of Colossians. Colossians is a letter written by Paul, to the Christians at a town called Colossae. Paul had never been to Colossae, and we find out from reading this letter that the church was started by Paul’s friend Epaphras. Epaphras came to Paul in prison and shared with him how the church in Colossae was doing, and in response to what he hears from Epaphras, Paul writes this letter to the church.
As with most of Paul’s letters, Colossians is divided into two parts, the first half being “what’s true”, and the second half being “what to do”. Pastor Josh focused on Chapter 3:1-4 this morning.
Paul tells us what is true:
1. Be dead to the world – In verse 3, Paul uses “death” to talk about being removed from the things of this world. Too often, we orient our lives around the things of the physical world around us. In Christ, the rules of the world do not define us anymore because Jesus severs the rules!
2. Be alive to God – In verse 1, Paul shows us that we see differently because we can see glory and spiritual reality.
3. Your life is hidden with Christ in God – In verse 3, Paul uses the Greek word “crypto” which means “hidden” or “safe”…like a bank vault.
Set your mind on what is true. If you make earthly things god, it makes you an enemy of the cross. (Phil 3:18-19). Jesus died to free you from the slavery of the world. Christ died to set you free!
Questions for Diagnosis:
1. Is your emotional stability dependent upon instant gratifications, minor wins for yourself, cheap thrills, or filling your boredom?
2. Is your free time consumed by planning your next vacation, home makeover, major purchase, job change, or financial decision?
3. Are you addicted to or emotionally consumed by entertainment, sports, social media, pornography, working out, food, or any other hobby?
4. Do selfish ambition, covetousness, anger, resentment or bitterness shape the relationships in your life?
5. Do you criticize, evaluate, analyze, and speak about others in ways that may damage their reputation or lessen their dignity?
6. Parents, do you think and speak often about the material and earthly success of your children, and rarely about their spiritual well being?
Yes to any of these questions may be an indication that we are setting our minds on the things of this world…
Questions to Consider:
1. When have you witnessed the glory of God? Where was your mind “set” when that occurred?
2. Do you “consider the weight” of your neighbors. Does their eternity matter to you? Colossians 3-4 all point to how we treat other people.
