Looking To Things Above

2. Paul’s exhortation is to not be moved away from Christ. • The philosophies of men would compel these gentile Christians to be circumcised and practice the Jewish law in order to be saved. Col. 2:8 CF. Acts 15:1-5 • Paul confronts this false teaching by establishing the fact that these brethren are complete in Christ. Col. 2:10 • Since this is the case, they needed to seek things above and set their minds of things above where Christ is and not on the things of the earth. Col. 3:1 ,2 Looking To Things Above

3. The practical application for us. • There are many things that seek to draw our efforts and focus away from Christ. • Thus we too must heed the admonition to “seek those things above” and “set our minds on things above” if heaven is our ultimate goal. • What does it mean to set our minds on and seek things above? • Why so important to heed this admonition? • Do our lives show diligence in this regard? Looking To Things Above

4. What does it mean to set our minds on and seek things above? • Focus on obtaining heaven and not be distracted by the things of the world. • “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:1618 Looking To Things Above

5. What does it mean to set our minds on and seek things above? • Focus on obtaining heaven and not be distracted by the things of the world. • “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:1618 Looking To Things Above

6. What does it mean to set our minds on and seek things above? • Focus on obtaining heaven and not be distracted by the things of the world. • “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:1618 Looking To Things Above

7. What does it mean to set our minds on and seek things above? • Focus on obtaining heaven and not be distracted by the things of the world. • “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” Heb. 11:24-26 Looking To Things Above

8. What does it mean to set our minds on and seek things above? • Focus on obtaining heaven and not be distracted by the things of the world. • “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” Heb. 11:24-26 “To turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on some one thing; to look at attentively; to look with steadfast mental gaze.” Strong Looking To Things Above

9. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb 11:810 • What does it mean to set our minds on and seek things above? • Focus on obtaining heaven and not be distracted by the things of the world. • Manifest obedience that shows we desire and strive for heaven. • “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland... But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Heb 11:13-16 Looking To Things Above

10. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the danger of neglect. • Success will only be achieved through consistent, focused effort in seeking things above. Php. 3:12-14 • “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind” Php. 3:12-15 Looking To Things Above

11. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the danger of neglect. • Success will only be achieved through consistent, focused effort in seeking things above. Php. 3:12-14 • Neglecting to make this effort leads to being sidetracked in the pursuit of the mundane. 2 Tim. 4:10 • “Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica” 2 Tim. 4:910 Looking To Things Above

12. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the danger of neglect. • Focusing on such worthless pursuits leads to spiritual decay and death. • “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” Lk. 8:14 “to press round or throng one so as to suffocate him” Strongs Looking To Things Above

13. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the danger of neglect. • Focusing on such worthless pursuits leads to spiritual decay and death. • “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Tim. 6:9, 10 Looking To Things Above

14. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the danger of neglect. • Focusing on such worthless pursuits leads to spiritual decay and death. • “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Tim. 6:9, 10 Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Lk 12:15 Looking To Things Above

15. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the value of things above. • As seen in it durability. • “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Mt. 6:19, 20 • “God, who will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality” Rm. 2:6, 7 Looking To Things Above

16. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the value of things above. • As seen in it durability. • “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”1 Pt. 1:4 • “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” 1 Cor. 9:25 Looking To Things Above

17. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the value of things above. • As seen in it durability. • As seen in what will not be there. • “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:4 Looking To Things Above

18. Why is heeding this admonition so important? • Because of the value of things above. • As seen in it durability. • As seen in what will not be there. • As implied in the lesser to greater comparison with the stresses of life. • “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2 Cor. 4:16, 17 • “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Rm. 8:18 “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mt. 16:26 Looking To Things Above

19. Are you seeking and do you have your mind set on things above? • Have you obeyed the commands of Christ that would allow for the hope of heaven? • “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Jn. 8:24 • “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5 • “With the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rm. 10:10 • “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mk. 16:16 Looking To Things Above

20. Are you seeking and do you have your mind set on things above? • Does your life continue to show that you desire and are striving for heaven? • Do you spend time daily in the word of God? 1 Tim. 4:13, 15 • Do you spend time daily in prayer? 1 Thess. 5:17 • Do you attend services? Heb. 10:25 • Do you spend time studying as a family? Gal. 6:4 • Do you seek opportunities to teach the lost? 2 Tim. 2:2 • Do you seek opportunities to encourage brethren? 1 Th. 4:18 • Do you display moral purity in your conduct? Gal. 5:16-25 Looking To Things Above