Colossians 3:1-4: Things Above

Col 3:1a “If ye then be risen with Christ” is Paul’s way of saying, “If you have been born again”.

• Eph 2:5,6  We are quickened together with Christ and made to sit in heavenly places.
• Col 3:3 Our life is hid with Christ “in” God
• Col 2:12 Our salvation is the operation of God.

Today while we are spiritually seated in Christ at the right hand of the Father we are physically earthbound.

• Eph 2:10
• 2Pet 1:3 We are equipped to live in this world and walk in good works being, dead to this world.
• Heb 2:18 with 4:15-16 Christ as our High Priest in heaven will succor us in times of need today (Webster: Literally, to run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering)

Col 3:1b-2a Affectionately desire things above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

• Philip 3:20 Our conversation (lifestyle) is heaven based.
• Heb 3:1 While we are on this earth we are partakers of the Heavenly calling 2Tim 1:9
• Philip 3:21 and 1John 3:2 and Rom 8:23 We will be redeemed physically and will be physically in the presence of our Lord.
• While our vile bodies are still earthbound we are to set our affection on things above where we are spiritually seated today.

A Glimpse of Things Above

• Ex 40:33, 34-35; 1Kings 8:10-11; Isaiah 6:1-4
• Heb 1:8 The Lord sitting upon a throne in the temple,
• Those things above begin with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, sitting upon His throne in the temple in Heaven in the midst of His indescribable glory.
• 2Pe 1:3-4 We will be partakers of His divine nature

Ø     We are already spiritually and we will be physically 1John  3:2

Ø     Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory

1Pet 1:3-4, 5 We are promised ”the” incorruptible, and undefiled inheritance that is reserved in heaven for us and ready to be revealed.

• Rom 8:17-18 We are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ
• First: Seeing Christ as He is; His divine nature revealed to us.
• You and I being like Him

Our crowns of rewards that fadeth not away.

• 1Cor 3:14, 9:25; 1Tim 4:8; James 1:12; 1Pe 5:4; Rev 2:10
• Rev 3:11 Why? Because Rev 4:4, 10-11

We will lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus in worship.

• Could the best of the inheritance reserved in heaven for us be that we will be able to offer true and pure worship to the One sitting upon the throne of His glory and we will do it willingly and lovingly and we will never desire to stop?

Question: Are you setting your affection upon the time when you will be able to stand in the presence of the glory of God because you will be like Jesus; partakers of His divine nature physically as well as spiritually?

• I need to continually ask this question of myself.
• Philip 4:8 with James 1:17-18

1Thes 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Being ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1Tim 1:1 God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

Col 1:27 The mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory