THE
CHRISTIAN AIM: ATTAINING ETERNAL THINGS WITH PRICELESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
COLOSSIANS 3:1-2 "If ye
then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth."
Introduction
a.
Paul encouraged the church
to aim for a life focused on eternal things and priceless accomplishments.
b.
Christians are often prone
to valuing temporary, earthly gain.
(James 4:13)
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into
such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:".
c.
This study encourages us to
prioritize heavenly values over earthly ones.
I. SEEKING
GOD FIRST
a.
Seeking God’s kingdom is an
eternal pursuit with the promise that our needs will be met.
(Matthew
6:33) "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you."
b.
Gathering for worship is a
way to seek eternal blessings.
Hebrews
10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together... but
exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching."
c.
Meditating on the Word
leads to spiritual success.
Joshua 1:8 "This
book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night... for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then
thou shalt have good success."
II. SACRIFICIAL
GIVING
a.
Giving to the work of the
Lord is an investment with eternal significance.
2
Corinthians 8:5 "And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own
selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."
b.
Despite deep poverty, the
Macedonians gave with abundance of joy. Sacrificial giving proves the sincerity
of a believer's love.
2
Corinthians 8:8 "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness
of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love."
III. SERVING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY
a.
Serving the Lord alongside
your family is a priceless accomplishment.
Joshua 24:15 "...but as for me and my house, we will serve
the Lord."
b.
A strong church is built
from strong families serving together. Believers are built together for God's
habitation.
Ephesians
2:22 "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God
through the Spirit."
IV. SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
a.
Enduring hardship for
Christ results in eternal glory and exceeding joy.
1 Peter
4:13 "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy."
b.
Christ called those who are
persecuted for righteousness "blessed".
Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
c.
Sufferings are temporary
but lead to eternal glory.
1 Peter 5:10 "...after that ye have suffered a while, make
you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
V. SATISFACTION
IN TRUSTING THE LORD
a.
Trusting God brings a
satisfaction that is eternal.
Psalms 23:1
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
b.
Christians are complete in
Christ, who is the head over all power.
Colossians
2:10 "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all
principality and power:"
c.
True satisfaction comes
from the Son of God, who is the true God.
1 John 5:20 "...This is the true God, and eternal
life."
GOD
BLESS YOU ALL.
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