Colossians Study: Realities of Heaven

[Colossians 3:1-4]

He is your life

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. [MSG]

• Christ Raised (v. 1) – Raised along with Christ, raised to life with Christ

• Christ Ruled (v. 1) – Christ rules at God’s right side

• Christ Focused (v. 1-2) – Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth]
  • Set your heart on what is in heaven – Seek the things above
  • Think – phroneó – Direct your mind to, seek for, observe, care for

• Christ Hidden (v. 3) – You died, your life is hidden with Christ
  • You died – apothnéskó – dying off (separation / away from)
  • Life – both physical & spiritual (present & future)
  • Hidden – kruptó – concealed, secret, hidden

• Christ Glory (v. 4) – Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory. Glory (doxa– “dox’-ah”) – praise, honor, glory, high renown, splendor

Bible Study Questions:

Seek the things that are above (v. 1) and set your minds on things that are above (v. 2)

These things make the subject of CAREFUL REFLECTION

Think on these things – Give them weight in your decision. Allow them to shape you.

1) In Philippians 4:8, Paul wrote, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (NLT).

This is to be our FOCUS. This is part of seeking and setting your mind. What do these words mean? How does the world derail us from focusing on these things?

TRUE
HONORABLE / HONEST / NOBLE / WORTHY OF REVERENCE
RIGHT / JUST
PURE / AUTHENTIC
LOVELY / ACCEPTABLE / LOVABLE
ADMIRABLE / GOOD REPORT / KIND AND GRACIOUS
EXCELLENCE / VIRTUE / VIRTUOUS
WORTHY OF PRAISE / PRAISEWORTHY

2) What can we do to follow Proverbs 4:23 command to “watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life”?

This is one part of a 12-week Sermon Series and Bible Study focused on Colossians. The 12 weeks include:

Gospel Truth
Will of God
Lord of All
Ministry to Maturity
Foolish Philosophies
Men of Rules
Realities of Heaven
Taking Responsibility
Godly Living
Worship Work
Good Words
True Forgiveness