So, What’s the Upside? (Part III)

HEAVENLY PASSION

How do you understand the word passion? Today, so many people are using it, but sometimes it is not very clear because we use it in many different context. So let’s first try to understand it. Passion speaks of a very strong emotion towards a person or an object. It’s passion when that person or thing becomes a driving force or a reason for living. Passion is that something which gives people genuine happiness in their lives.

Someone has rightfully said, "Tell me what your passion is, and I’ll tell you who you are." In a way, you and I can be defined by our passion. How about you? What is your passion?

I know some people who enjoy sports like basketball, baseball, or football, but I’m not sure if their enjoyment towards them could be translated into passion. Probably, this is the same with those who also love to go fishing or hunting. Perhaps, they only become a passion when they drive you beyond the natural, when they begin to consume so much of your time and energies, or when you cannot imagine living your life without them. Then, they have become your passion. So what’s your passion?

Looking at the Scriptures, there is no doubt that we who belong to Christ have been the object of His passion. Christ was very passionate about us that he gave up His own life just to save us. He paid the price. His passion for us is the greatest love story that any man could ever know. This heavenly passion for us defines who we are – we are sons and daughters of God.

This morning, we are concluding the sermon series we started during the resurrection Sunday entitled, So, What’s the Upside? We have been focusing on the special blessings we have received when we have surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ. I believe, time and again, we need to be reminded that having Jesus Christ in our lives is the greatest thing that ever happened to us.

The apostle Paul had the same thing in mind when he wrote the book of Colossians. There were some believers in the church who had been entertaining some erroneous teachings about Christ and His work. I believe last Sunday, Pastor AJ talked about the tendency of some to still cling to some rituals despite the fact that Christ has already freed them from such bondage. Truly, life in Christ is much better. Today we come to chapter three where we would find some additional blessings, but at the same time the implication of these blessings in terms of our day to day life. Our passage provides some practical applications knowing we are blessed. Let’s consider three important realities as we live our Christian lives:

I OUR HEAVENLY PROMINENCE: (vs. 1, 3)

When I started this series two Sunday’s ago, I remember emphasizing our exalted position as believers as being in Christ. Remember, this means that once we believe and received Jesus Christ, God elevates us by adopting us into his family. By this, He begins to treat us on the same level that He would treat his one and only son. In our text, we find almost the same emphasis, but with a little variation. Here, Paul specifically uses the phrase with Christ. Twice it is mentioned in four small verses.

With this phrase, Paul establishes our vital connection with what Jesus Christ has accomplished more than two thousand years ago. The work of Jesus, His death and resurrection, was so effective that it has totally destroyed the power of sin over us. Paul lists two special blessings in connection with this:

 

A. Power for a New Life:

Verse 1 begins with this phrase, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ.” Notice that Paul is simply stating an accomplished fact. In other words, the dynamic power that resurrected Jesus is the same power He is bestowing upon every individual who receives Jesus Christ in order for him or her to overcome the strongholds of sin in life. Doctrinally speaking, we understand this as being demonstrated by our water baptism. When an individual believer submits himself or herself to water baptism, it is a demonstration of our vital union with Christ. The one getting baptize should understand that it is not just a mere ritual, it is a commitment to live out a new life that has been made possible by the power of Christ’s resurrection. Listen to this passage:

Are you living a brand new life, a changed life? If you are a believer in Christ, you have the power to do so. You don’t have to do it according to your strength, you can rely on the power that is already in you. Christ in you means power to live a new life.

 

B. Protection in Life:

 

Jumping to verse 3, we should highlight this great phrase – "Your life is now hidden with Christ in God." This is a very powerful statement. Can you imagine hiding behind the most powerful being, Christ Himself?

Most often, with all the troubles of life, Satan constantly attempts to instill fear in us. Of course, he doesn’t just threaten our physical lives, but our spiritual lives as well. Allow me to remind you, He is already a defeated foe. He is absolutely no match to Jesus Christ. He is an all-sufficient covering for us:

s Our eternal security should never be questioned because it is not dependent on our power, it is dependent on the power of Jesus Christ at work in us. Listen to Paul expressed his confidence in Christ:

Beloved, having risen with Christ, we occupy a prominent position in Christ. With such a connection with Christ, we have received both the power to live a new life and the eternal protection in life. We are truly blessed.

II OUR HEAVENLY PREOCCUPATION: (vs. 1-2)

The apostle Paul always seeks balance in our Christian life. Once you know your exalted position, you must know how you must live your Christian life. Verse 2 clearly defines our accountability - Set your minds on things above,not on earthly things.

Of course, you won’t understand the weight of this command unless you know who you are and where you are. If you go back to verse 1, you are told that you were risen with Christ and you seat with Christ in heaven. Therefore, spiritually you are as good as being in heaven.

Now, this should not be a surprise for anyone of us. Paul has mentioned the same teaching in Philippians 3:20: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. So, when we got saved, we entered the heavenlies, we became citizens of heaven. With this new citizenship, there must also be a shift of allegiance and loyalty. And in order for this to happen, we must consider the preoccupation of our mind.

What does that mean? Well, Paul helps us understand that if we want to live a life that is really loyal to Christ,we must fill our minds with the things that would keep us close to Christ. Now, how do you do that? I believe the key here is to be preoccupied with the things that Jesus delights with. Our preoccupation should no longer be the things that appeal to the material and physical, but the things that would allow us to maintain a close relationship with Christ. For example, physically we are always concern of our food intake, or things that will keep us healthy physically, our clothes, and the things that can contribute to a comfortable existence physically. Have you ever considered being preoccupied with the things that will keep you healthy and productive spiritually? Like maintaining daily quiet time with God, praying consistently, faithfully attending Care groups and church, and zealously winning souls for Christ. There is no way we can develop the right loyalty without the right preoccupation. Jesus Himself expressed the same sentiment:

III OUR HEAVENLY PROSPECT: (v. 4)

Finally, because Christ is passionate about His children, He also has designed a glorious future for them. If you carefully look at the text, the emphasis is two-fold:

 

A. Christ will appear:

Jesus left his disciples with a clear promise that after he has prepared a place in heaven for all His followers, He will return in order to bring everyone there. Listen to the promise:

Have you ever experienced being separated from a very close loved one for a long time? I’m sure you can identify the excitement that builds up while waiting for their soon return. Jesus’ promise of second coming will never fail. He’s coming is just around the corner. Get excited! But there is one more blessing from the text:

 

B. We will appear:

Christ’s second coming will surely be glorious, and Paul wants all of us to know that we are included in this glorious event. Why is this significant? You see, it is possible that while we are living our Christian life, our friends and loved ones will hear us testify about our relationship with Christ. Many of them will probably laugh off our declarations and think we are delusional. Christ coming will be a great day of vindication. By then, everyone will know without a doubt that we are children of God. John holds the same confidence:

I absolutely agree with John that it is all because of God’s love, a heavenly passion, that we would be given the privilege to be called as God’s children, and being His children we have our heavenly prominence, heavenly preoccupation, and heavenly prospect. His heavenly passion, has resulted to us receiving great benefits. May His name receive all praise and glory for eternity!