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A Christlike mindset: Hezekiah or Tychicus?. Colossians 4:2-9. Review from Colossians 3 (set your hearts on things above). Being a Christian means cultivating a Christlike mindset. We are to pursue an eternal perspective because we are now in Christ and He is all that really matters.
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A Christlike mindset:Hezekiah or Tychicus? Colossians 4:2-9
Review from Colossians 3(set your hearts on things above) • Being a Christian means cultivating a Christlike mindset. • We are to pursue an eternal perspective because we are now in Christ and He is all that really matters. • We are to seek the “things above” with single mindedness
HezekiahIsaiah 38 • Got very sick • Got the death notice • Turned his face to the wall • Wept bitterly
Hezekiah’s response • I walked with you all my life (doesn’t that count for anything?) • You have robbed me • I will be gone from this world • I made it through the ‘night’ but you crushed me at dawn • I can’t praise you when I’m dead • I want to stay with the living (keep things as they were)
God’s response • Gave him another 15 years • Promised reprieve from his enemies • Gave him an amazing sign (turned back time?)
Not a happy ending …2 Chronicles 32:24 - 33:9 • Hezekiah was healed but became proud • Became very rich but foolishly revealed all his riches to envoys from Babylon • His son Manasseh did much evil • Erected poles for Baal • Worshipped the stars • Sacrificed two of his sons in fire • Practiced sorcery, witchcraft, consulted mediums
A self indulgent father produces evil children • Eli the priest – sons blasphemed God • King David • Amnon raped his sister • Absalom killed Amnon and took the kingship • Solomon wasted himself with wealth and too many women
Instead of that …Colossians 4:2 - 6 • Devote yourselves to prayer (consistent, disciplined, hard work…continually steadfast) • Be watchful and thankful • Focus on mission • Open door for the message • Clear, powerful proclamation • For one another • Be outwardly orientated – to your friends
For example: TychicusColossians 4: 7 - 9 • Dear brother => Relational closeness • Faithful minister => Committed to task • Fellow servant => on the same page => no sense of competition => travelling with others