Lord’s Day Message
Topics: A living with setting mind above
Bible Verses:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-4, ESV)
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: … seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Col. 3:5a, 9b-10)
Message Outline:
In Colossians chapters 1 and 2 we see that Christians have Christ who is preeminent and the salvation Christ has accomplished. In reality philosophy and religious practices without Christ cannot help in reality, but deceive people. Then from chapter 3, then Paul begins to teach what Christians should experience and pursue.
- The Foundation of the Christian Life
- Die with Christ and resurrect with Christ
If a Christian wants to pursue a sanctified living, he should not rely on religious practices but he should know the fact that he has died and resurrected with Christ. This is the beginning and foundation for every Christian living.
- Christ, our life
Christ is our life so our pursuing should be organic and consistent with Christ. Philosophy is not in the life of Christ.
- The life hidden in God
Our life is hidden in God with Christ. “Hidden” shows we have an intimate relation with Him and we are protected by Him. It also shows that what we desire is not glory on the earth. People in the world may not understand us, but Father who loves us can keep us and care for us in all environments and in any time.
2. The expression of Christ’s life on Christians
- Seeking and setting mind on things above
What we seek and what we set our minds on show what is the most important things in our heart, which also decides what kind of living we will have.
The things above are things related with Christ, which include what He has accomplished, what He loves, what He is, and so on. These should be in our heart for us to set our mind and to pursue.
- Put off the old self with its practices
- Put on the new self
Not only do we have Christ as our life, we should also have the experience of “putting off the old self and putting on the new self.” This is the way to testify the life of Christ is in us.
Next Topics: Col. 3:10~17 The living of God’s chosen people
Announcements：
- Today afternoon at 1:15 pm, there will be a fellowship for serving young people and children will be held in meeting hall. We encourage all the serving ones (or whoever desires to serve) as well as the parents to stay for this fellowship.
- 10/2 (Chinese New Year) the church will hold another gospel meeting which will focus on singing and testimonies. We hope all the brothers and sisters can prepare and participate.
- Please exercise ourselves to attend the meeting on time.
Intercession：
- Pray for Sister Rebecca Li who was just baptized. May the Lord bless her new life and her family. Also pray for the gospel (including 10/2 gospel meeting) that more people can receive the precious salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Pray that the Lord will give every brother and sister healthiness, peace and joy in our daily living. Also pray for those (the saints or the relatives) who have sicknesses. May the Lord heal the sick according to His will as well as comfort and strengthen the saints.
- Pray for those who travel or go back to home town in the summer break. May the Lord be with them and care for them.
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