Set Your Minds on Heaven: Jesus and Heaven (Part 1)
Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV)
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
What is Jesus’ relationship to heaven especially during His time on earth?
1. Jesus Came Down From Heaven
John 3:12–15 (ESV)
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Jesus in a very straightforward way declares the truth that He came from heaven. As we learned last time that God the Father in a very special way makes His home, if you will, in heaven. He is omnipresent and yet He, in a special way, resides in heaven.
Read MoreSermon: The Resurrection and the Sin of Idolatry Colossians 3:1–5
TT- Believers are raised with Christ so we should focus on heavenly things not earthly things
To focus and worship earthly things rather than God is Idolatry…
Idolatry is the selfish sin of substitution in which we devote ourselves to worship something or someone in the place of God. It is foremost a sin of a covetous heart that leads us to desire more than what God provides, and to trust something or someone lesser than God to satisfy our wants and needs.
Read MoreDisciple Hour: Set Your Minds on Heaven
1. Heaven the Place Where God Dwells
Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV)
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Do we have heaven on our minds? It’s probably safe to say we don’t as much as we should. As a result of that, we tend to be tolerant, selfish, self-centered, and weak. We are far too consumed with our own indulgences. We desire to be comfortable with probably only passing thoughts of heaven. Contrast that with the fact that just about everything that’s precious to us is in heaven.
Read MoreSermon: Indifference or Repentance Matthew 11:16-24
Truth Taught- Jesus saves all who come to Him by faith, repenting of their sins and judges all who refuse.
Introduction
So far in Chapter 11 we’ve seen John the Baptist’s estimate of Jesus. We remember he had a question of clarification. He didn’t fully realize the work and ministry that Jesus was doing as the Messiah. Jesus responded by showing the disciples sent by John exactly who He is…
Disciple Hour: Chapter 8- Self Defense: a Biblical Response
Our study ends with the final chapter, which is a biblical response to those who say we should always practice pacifism and we, especially as Christians should disarm.
Pacifism- belief in a peaceful resolution of conflicts. For some it means a refusal to participate in war.
We should, of course, work for peaceful resolution to conflicts and we should work for peaceful resolution to war. We should seek peace.
What we are going to study today is to seek a biblical view of the times when these preferred responses to conflict are not possible. Can we, as Christians biblically and with God’s endorsement and blessing engage in self-defense even when that means violence on our part?
Sermon: Greatness According to Jesus Matthew 11:7-19
Truth Taught- God declares John the Baptist to be the greatest human who has ever lived
Introduction
What makes someone great? Where the world is concerned it’s riches, fame or success. A famous singer or athlete may be called great. Some billionaire may be called great, their pictures on TV, the Internet, and magazines. Everyone knows who he or she is and most want to be like them.
Read MoreDisciple Hour: The Doctrine of the lesser magistrates Chapter 6: The Role of the People
We have discussed the role of the lesser magistrates regarding unjust and unmoral laws. We have learned based on God’s Word that they have the duty to stand up and opening defy the unjust laws. We looked at multiple examples from the Bible of lesser magistrates doing this. We saw for example the three Hebrews standing firm against Nebuchadnezzar as court officials. We studied the account of Daniel also serving in the Kings court standing up to his unjust law. We also clearly saw together how God commends all who defy tyranny.
What is the mark of an unjust law? It goes against God’s Word. We must obey God rather than men.
So, the county, city, and state officials are given the responsibility under God to stand up against evil unjust laws. We looked at the great advantages the lesser magistrates have in standing up to evil. But, what happens when they refuse to?
Sermon: The Deeds of the Messiah Matthew 11:1-6
Truth Taught- Jesus is the Messiah proven by His Words and Deeds.
Introduction
Our Gospel now turns from Jesus’ instructing the twelve and sending them off back to His ministry. Jesus picks up where He left off preaching, teaching and doing all the amazing deeds He did before.
As He travels through the cities fulfilling His mission He encounters some of John the Baptist’s disciples being sent by John with a very important question.
Now, John is in prison in Herod’s Temple.
Disciple Hour: CHAPTER 5: THE DUTY OF THE LESSER MAGISTRATES
ROMANS 13 AND CONTRA-UNCONDITIONAL OBEDIENCE TO ANY GOVERNMENT (CIVIL, ECCELSIASTICAL (CHURCH), FAMILY, OR CORPORATE)[1]
Romans 13:1–7 (ESV)
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Read MoreSermon: The Supremacy of Christ Matthew 10:34–42
Truth Taught- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Introduction
Today as we finish the section where Jesus is telling His disciples what to expect when they go out in His name speaking the Gospel He shares with us a quote from the OT. Jesus quotes from the Prophet Micah 7.
In Micah 7, the Prophet is sharing his experience as he too was out among the people sharing God’s Word with them. He too lived in a society that was very corrupt and very idolatrous. He has preached and preached and it seems no one listens or cares, they are all out for other things. He feels like he’s the only one who loves God. His strength is dried up. Then in an amazing turn God reminds Micah that no matter what happens in this life, no matter who hates you even if they come from your own family, Micah is reminded to trust God who is his Savior and wait. It will all come to the light in the end. Micah waits and loves God while he does so. That’s Jesus’ encouragement for His followers and for us. When division comes even within families look to Christ even more.
