Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV) - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Seek - present, active, imperative – keep seeking
Set - present, active, imperative – keep setting

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV) - For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:5 (ESV) - Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:

Put to death – kill it. – you are in a battle that needs your full attention

What is keeping you from growing closer to God?

Colossians 3:5-9 (ESV) - …sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Put them all away (v8) – set aside (aorist imperative – a must to do)

Put off the old self (v9) – take off/strip off (aorist participle – a completed action with ongoing implications)

Colossians 3:10-11 (ESV) - …and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

…have put on the new self = aorist participle – complete w ongoing implications

Being renewed - present passive participle – the Holy Spirit is renovating you as you surrender and submit to Him and God’s Word.

A key to change is learning about the change you’re seeking

Colossians 3:12-15 (ESV) - Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts – “Let” a term originally used in the sporting arena, umpire. The one whose purpose at the games was to direct, judge and decide the contest. - “order, rule or control” – the games

Colossians 3:16 (ESV) - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly – there is no specific measure to this…abundantly!!! Paul loves to use “riches/richly” as a description for quality of divine attributes

Colossians 3:17 (ESV) - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

THANKFULNESS is the foundational response to the gospel. Not obligation, not duty, not more work. Thankfulness that Jesus Christ is sufficient and that you have been raised with him. Your life is hidden with Christ!

Discussion Questions

1. Is there a specific way the Holy Spirit used this week’s message to convict or inspire you to grow in Christ?

2. We are to seek and set our minds on things that are above. Describe what you believe to be the “things that are above.” How does the passage help define it?

3. What is keeping you from growing closer to Christ? Something that distracts and disrupts your mind from seeking and setting on things above?

4. Explain death referenced in verse 3. Use the rest of verse 3 and verse 4 to help explain.

5. How do we “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” and “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”?

6. Is verse 17 your heart for 2023? What is one practical step you can take to pursue this?