WHY GOD
REMINDS CHRISTIANS TO SET THEIR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE?
Colossians 3:2 “Set your
affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
INTRODUCTION:
We are
living in the last days, and every one of us is affected by the spiritual and
moral shift happening around us.
( 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ) [1]This
know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2]For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy,
[3]Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4]Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5]Having a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof: from such turn away.
1. IN THE LAST DAYS, MANY CHRISTIANS BECOME OVERLY CONCERNED
WITH WORLDLY THINGS.
The
Bible warns us that as the end approaches, the allure of the world will pull
many away from their spiritual focus.
( 2 Timothy 4:10-11, 14-16) [10]For
Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto
Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
[11]Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him
with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
[14]Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil:
the Lord reward him according to his works:
[15]Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly
withstood our words.
[16]At my first answer no man stood with me, but
all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
a. Godly
Christians often find themselves under pressure due to worldly attitudes and
troublemakers operating within the local church itself.
b. The
Apostle John strongly encourages and rebukes the believers, warning them not to
fall in love with the temporary things of this world.
( 1 John 2:15-17 ) [15]Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the
world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16]For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
[17]And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
2. SCRIPTURE
EXPOSES THE KINDS OF PEOPLE WE WILL ENCOUNTER INSIDE THE LOCAL CHURCH
The
Word of God prepares us for the reality of the modern church climate.
( 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ) [1]This
know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2]For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy,
[3]Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4]Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5]Having a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof: from such turn away.
a. In
these last days, we sometimes witness behavior among professing Christians that
lacks basic moral excellence. Scripture explicitly warns that we will encounter
rebellious individuals who carry a form of religion but do not truly fear God
3. GOD GIVES HOPE THROUGH FAITHFUL, GOD-FEARING
CHRISTIANS
Despite
the spiritual decline of the Christian, God promises to preserve, strengthen,
and establish those who remain loyal to Him.
( 1 Peter 5:9-12 ) [9]Whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
[10]But the God of all grace, who hath called us
unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
[11]To him be glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen.
[12]By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I
suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the
true grace of God wherein ye stand.
*
These are the faithful believers within the local church
who stand alongside their Pastor to evangelize and impact their communities.
( 2 Timothy 4:1-5 ) [1]I charge
thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick
and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
[2]Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
[3]For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears;
[4]And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[5]But watch thou in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
4.FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS EARNESTLY AWAIT THE SOON COMING OF
JESUS CHRIST
Those
who set their affections on things above live in constant anticipation of the
Rapture and Christ's return, finding comfort and motivation in His promises.
( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 17-18
) [13]But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning
them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14]For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[17]Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so
shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18]Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.
Philippians 1:5-6 [5]For your
fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
[6]Being confident of this very thing, that he
which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ:
Matthew 24:44-47 [44]Therefore
be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
[45]Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom
his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
[46]Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he
cometh shall find so doing.
[47]Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him
ruler over all his goods.
God
bless you all always!
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