Living the Resurrected Life: Focus on Heaven
Summary
Last week, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a reality that is not just a historical event but a present and personal experience for every believer. When God raised Jesus from the dead, He also reached into the darkness of our own sin and raised us to new life in Christ. This new, resurrected life is not about being consumed with the things of earth, but about being captivated by the things of heaven. The call to follow Christ is a call to rise above the patterns of this world, to leave behind the old ways of sin and rebellion, and to embrace the virtues that reflect Christ’s character—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude.
Colossians 3:1-4 urges us to set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things. This is not a suggestion, but a statement of fact for those who are in Christ: we have been raised with Him. The challenge is to examine where our focus lies. Are our eyes fixed on the fleeting pleasures and distractions of this world, or are they lifted to the eternal realities of Christ’s kingdom? The world around us, especially through media and materialism, constantly pulls our attention downward, but we are called to resist that current and swim upstream, setting our affections on what truly matters.
Living the resurrected life also means laying down our old selves. Before resurrection comes death; we must put to death the earthly nature within us—sexual immorality, greed, anger, and deceit. This is a daily act of surrender, a persistent choice to deny ourselves and take up our cross. The old self is dangerous, even when we think it’s buried, and must not be allowed to resurface. As we die to ourselves, Christ becomes our life, and our true identity is hidden with Him in God, secure and unshakeable.
One day, when Christ is revealed in glory, our true selves will be revealed as well. The world may not recognize who we are now, but in that moment, the glory of Christ will be reflected in us. Until then, we are called to keep climbing, to persevere in the narrow way, knowing that the difference is worth the distance. The resurrected life is not easy, but it is the only life that leads to glory and lasting joy.
Key Takeaways
- The resurrection of Jesus is not just a past event but a present reality for every believer. When God raised Christ, He also raised us, calling us to live a new life that is defined by heavenly values rather than earthly distractions. This means our identity and hope are rooted in what Christ has accomplished, not in what the world offers. [00:47]
- Setting our hearts and minds on things above is a deliberate, ongoing act. The virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, and love are not natural to our old selves but are cultivated as we intentionally focus on Christ and His kingdom. This focus requires resisting the pull of culture and media, which constantly tempt us to settle for lesser things. [04:53]
- The process of living a resurrected life involves daily dying to self. Just as resurrection follows death, spiritual renewal comes as we put to death the desires and habits of our old nature. This is not a one-time event but a persistent, vigilant surrender, recognizing that the old self, if revived, can still bring harm and hinder our growth. [14:53]
- Our true security and identity are found in being hidden with Christ in God. No matter what uncertainties or fears we face, our lives are anchored in Christ’s finished work. This hiddenness means that our worth and future are not determined by the world’s recognition but by God’s unchanging promise. [16:41]
- The glory that awaits us will one day be revealed, both to ourselves and to the world. Though we may feel unrecognized or misunderstood now, when Christ appears, our true selves will be made known in His glory. Until that day, we are called to persevere, to keep climbing, and to trust that the journey of faith, though difficult, is worth every step. [20:56]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Celebrating Resurrection: Our Shared Hope
[01:05] - Raised to New Life: The Call to Come Up Higher
[02:03] - Colossians 3:1-4: Setting Our Focus
[03:18] - Lifting Our Eyes: Hearts and Minds on Things Above
[04:53] - The Virtues of the Resurrected Life
[06:01] - Earthly Things: The Old Nature Exposed
[07:34] - Media, Materialism, and the Battle for Our Attention
[09:29] - Turning from Worthless Things
[12:01] - Laying Down Our Lives: Death Before Resurrection
[13:44] - Burying the Old Self: Vigilance and Persistence
[16:41] - Hidden with Christ: Security and Identity
[18:49] - The Promise of Glory: When Christ is Revealed
[21:26] - The Narrow Way: Persevering in the Climb
[23:52] - The Difference is Worth the Distance
[24:45] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living the Resurrected Life
---
### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:1-4
“Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 3:1-4, what are believers instructed to do with their hearts and minds?
2. What are some of the “things above” and “earthly things” that the sermon and Colossians 3 mention? ([04:53])
3. What does the passage say about our identity and security as believers?
4. In the sermon, what examples are given of how our culture tries to pull our focus away from heavenly things? ([07:34])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul say that setting our hearts and minds on things above is not just a suggestion, but a statement of fact for those who are in Christ? ([03:58])
2. The sermon says that before resurrection comes death. What does it mean for a Christian to “put to death” the old self, and why is this a daily process? ([12:16])
3. How does being “hidden with Christ in God” change the way a believer views their worth and future, especially when the world doesn’t recognize them? ([16:41])
4. The sermon talks about the glory that will be revealed when Christ appears. How might this future hope affect the way we live now, even when it’s difficult? ([20:56])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to examine where our focus lies. What are some specific “earthly things” (media, materialism, etc.) that tend to distract you from focusing on Christ? What is one step you could take this week to “lift up your eyes”? ([07:34])
2. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude are listed as virtues of the resurrected life. Which one do you find most challenging to live out, and why? What is one practical way you could grow in that area this week? ([04:53])
3. The sermon says that living the resurrected life means “laying down our old selves” and that the old self is still dangerous if we let it resurface. Can you think of a habit or attitude from your “old self” that tries to come back? What would it look like to “put it to death” this week? ([14:53])
4. The world often measures worth by recognition, success, or possessions. How does knowing your life is “hidden with Christ in God” help you face times when you feel overlooked or insecure? ([16:41])
5. The sermon describes the Christian life as a climb that is “worth the distance.” When have you felt discouraged in your faith journey? What helps you keep climbing when it gets hard? ([21:26])
6. The call to “set your hearts and minds on things above” is ongoing. What is one daily practice (prayer, Scripture, worship, etc.) that helps you keep your focus on Christ? How could you make this a more regular part of your routine? ([03:18])
7. The sermon mentions that our true selves will be revealed in glory when Christ appears. How does this promise encourage you to persevere, even when you feel misunderstood or unseen by others? ([20:56])
---
Devotional
Day 1: Set Your Heart and Mind on Things Above
To live the resurrected life, believers are called to lift up their eyes and focus on heavenly things rather than being consumed by the distractions and temptations of the world. The virtues that characterize this new life—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude—are to be the focus of our hearts and minds. In a culture saturated with negativity, anger, and falsehood, it takes intentional effort to resist the downward pull and instead set your sights on what is eternal and good.
The challenge is to examine where your attention and desires are truly directed. Are you captivated by the fleeting things of earth, or are you seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God? The call is clear: lift your eyes, set your heart, and fix your mind on the things that matter most, for this is the path to experiencing the joy of the resurrected life. [04:53]
Colossians 3:1-4
Reflection: What is one practical way you can shift your focus from earthly distractions to heavenly virtues today?
Day 2: Turn Away from Worthless Things
In a world overflowing with media, materialism, and constant noise, it is easy to let your eyes and mind settle on things that have little eternal value. The psalmist’s prayer, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things,” is a timely reminder to guard your attention and desires. The allure of technology, social media, and the pursuit of more can subtly draw your heart away from God’s best.
Instead, you are invited to ask God to help you recognize and turn from those things that drain your spiritual vitality. By intentionally choosing to focus on what is true, noble, and life-giving, you preserve your life according to God’s word and make room for the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with His purposes. [09:29]
Psalm 119:37
Reflection: What is one “worthless thing” you can intentionally turn away from this week to make more space for God’s presence?
Day 3: Lay Down Your Old Self
Before you can experience resurrection, there must first be a death—the death of your old self. Scripture calls you to put to death the earthly nature and to bury the old self with its practices, making way for the new life Christ offers. This is not a one-time event but a daily act of surrender, requiring vigilance and persistence.
Just as a dead snake can still bite, the remnants of your old self can cause pain if you allow them to resurface. Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross daily, denying themselves and following Him. As you lay down your life, you make room for Christ’s life to flourish within you, enabling you to live with renewed purpose and freedom. [14:53]
Luke 9:23
Reflection: What is one habit or attitude from your old self that you need to “put to death” today in order to walk in newness of life?
Day 4: Your Life is Hidden with Christ in God
When you lay down your life and embrace the new self, your identity becomes secure—hidden with Christ in God. This profound truth means that your worth and security are not found in the shifting opinions of the world, but in your relationship with Christ. Even when the world fails to recognize your true identity, you can rest in the assurance that you are known and loved by God.
This hiddenness is not about obscurity, but about safety and belonging. No matter where you are or what you face, your life is anchored in Christ. Like Augustine’s mother, you can say with confidence, “My life is in God.” This security empowers you to live boldly and faithfully, knowing that nothing can separate you from His love. [18:35]
Philippians 1:21
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rest more deeply in the security of being “hidden with Christ in God”?
Day 5: Keep Climbing Toward Glory
The journey of living the resurrected life is not always easy; it often means swimming against the current of culture and persevering through challenges. Yet, the promise is that the difference is worth the distance. When Christ is revealed, you too will be revealed with Him in glory, and the world will finally see who you truly are in Him.
Until that day, you are called to keep climbing, to set your feet on higher ground, and to remain faithful to the end. The view from the summit—the glory that awaits—is worth every step of the climb. Let the hope of future glory inspire you to press on, trusting that God’s glory is your ultimate good. [21:26]
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to persevere in your faith journey, even when the climb feels steep?
Quotes
The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of our own resurrection. In fact, it's even more than that. In a very real sense, Jesus resurrection is our resurrection. According to the Bible, we have been raised with him. When the mighty hand of God reached into the blackness of Jesus tomb to raise Jesus to life, at the same time, God was reaching into the blackness of our sin and raising us out of it to a new life in Christ, a resurrected life, a life consumed not by earthly things, but by heavenly things. [00:00:29]
A call to follow Christ is a call to come up higher. Out of the slave galls of sin, up to the captain's quarters of Christ likeness, out of the refu of rebellion into the refuge of righteousness. When Christ came out of that tomb on Easter morning, in that moment, there became available to us a new resurrected life as well. And God wants all of us to experience the joy of that resurrected life today in the present, the here and the now. [00:01:17]
Now, if you want to live a resurrected life, then the first thing we're exhorted to do in this passage metaphorically is to lift up our eyes, to set our hearts and minds on things above, the Bible says. Now, the New International Version correctly translates that first phrase in verse one. Your translation may say if you have been raised with Christ, but the syntax of the Greek text is such that it suggests it is a an accepted fact. And so the NIV translates it since you have been raised with Christ and that is exactly correct and accurate for those who are believers who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:03:24]
And so since you've been raised with Christ, you shouldn't have your desires on the things of earth, the baser things, the lesser things, the the things of the gutter, if you will. Instead, you should seek the things above where Christ is at God's right hand. Lift up your eyes. Put your eyes on the prize. Set your heart and your mind on things above and not on earthly things. [00:04:20]
Now, in case you're wondering what the difference is between those two, the things above seem to be described down in verses 12- 15. We find there such virtues as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude. These are the things above on which we should set our hearts and minds toward which we should look with our eyes. These are the things that characterize the resurrected life. The question is, do they characterize your life? [00:04:49]
When you look in the mirror, when you reflect on your own self, do you see these virtues coming out? Do you see these things as a part of how you live your life each day? These are what characterize the resurrected life. In other words, they answer the question, where are your eyes focused on? What is your mind set? On the other hand, the earthly things are evident in verses 5 and 8 and nine. Such things as sexual immorality, lust, uh evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lies. [00:05:37]
The Bible says, "These are the things in verse six that provoke the wrath of God." But it doesn't take a genius to know which list is more characteristic of our contemporary culture, does it? In fact, it's quite easy to tell. And what it means to us is if you want to live the resurrected life, you're going to have to swim against the current of our contemporary culture. A culture that is full of evil and blasphemy, anger, rage, oh my goodness, malice, slander like you've never heard in your life. Filthy language, lies everywhere. [00:06:27]
Everywhere we turn, we have falsehoods and and and outright lies that are trying to deceive us and lead us astray. That is our culture. But we need to resist that, swim against that and put our minds on things above. And nothing I don't think reflects our contemporary culture and the characteristics of it more than the media that is all about us day after day. [00:07:17]
But the psalmist says in Psalm 119:37, "Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Preserve my life according to your word." In other words, lift up your eyes. Set your hearts and minds on things above rather than the things of earth. And it's not just our insatiable appetites for media that plagues us. There are other ways we aim too low to live the resurrected life as well. Take our fascination with material things for example. Verse five says, "Greed is idolatry." [00:09:13]
And we all know the old saying that money can't buy happiness. So why is it then that we give it such a priority in our lives to get more, just a little bit more? We'll be satisfied when we get just a little bit more. Back in 2003, a study was released that revealed the disconnect between money and happiness. Beginning back in 1975, USC researcher Richard Easterland surveyed 1,500 persons every year and found that many of us are under the illusion that the more money we make, the happier we'll be. [00:09:59]
So, we put all of our resources into making money at the expense of our family and our health. The problem is he says we don't realize that our material wants increase with the amount of money we make. The richest person you can find wants just that little bit more. It seems the study discovered that happiness was related to these things. Quality time with loved ones, good health, being friendly, having an optimistic outlook, exercising self-control, and possessing a deep sense of ethics. [00:10:42]
Now, which of the two lists we mentioned earlier does this one sound more like? It's certainly more like the things above than it is the things of earth. The scripture is true. It's accurate when it tells us what it does. So again, I say if you want to live a resurrected life, lift up your eyes. It's so important. Paul repeated it twice. Set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things. [00:11:29]
But there's a second thing in this text. Not only should we lift up our eyes, we should lay down our lives. In verses three and five, before you can be resurrected, you have to die first. Can't be resurrected unless you go through the process of death. And verse three tells us we died. It says you died. Died with Christ. that is. And then in verse five, it tells us to put to death the earthly things that we mentioned before. [00:12:11]
The Apostle Paul puts it a little more clearly, I guess you might say, in his letter to the Christians in Rome. in Rome uh Romans 6:4 he says we were therefore buried with Christ through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father we too may live a new life a resurrected life. The Bible says if anyone is in Christ old things are passed away. Behold, all things have become new. It's a resurrected life that we are given. [00:12:48]
And to live that life, you have to bury your old self. In verse 9, it says, let me read verses 9 and 10 for you. Do not lie to each other since you've taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator. You have to put off your old self. Die to your old self. Bury your old self, if you will. And once you have, don't go digging him back up because he's still dangerous. He can still cause you pain and heartache. [00:13:26]
And we have to be vigilant about laying down our lives and keeping our old selves in the grave in order to let our new selves live a new life. Perhaps that's why Jesus said we should take up our crosses daily. In Luke 9 verse 23, Jesus says, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." It requires vigilance and persistence to focus on the things above to live the resurrected life every day. [00:14:44]
But the good news is if we can faithfully die to ourselves every day, it's easier to keep our hearts and minds set on things above. William Law, who wrote the Christian classic, A serious call to a devout and holy life, makes that point. He also wrote this. If you attempt to talk with a dying man about sports or business, he's no longer interested. He now sees other things as more important. People who are dying recognize what we often forget, that we are standing on the brink of another world. Each of us is closer to that brink than we realize. [00:15:25]
The more we realize it, the easier it is to focus on the things above. Laying down your life and lifting up your eyes go together. And you have to do both to live a resurrected life. But when you lay down your life, Christ becomes your life. Verse four, you died. Your life is now hid with Christ in God. In fact, that old self, new self language in in our passage is literally old man and new man. And there are those who would say that those are references to Adam and Christ. [00:16:15]
The old man, Adam, in whom we have our our identity and our nature by birth. we put off in order to adopt the identity of the new man, Jesus Christ, the perfect one, the sinless one, the one who died for us that we might be made righteous through him. He is this new man, this new person. And so our lives become Christ's life. Paul in Philippians 1 said to me, "To live is Christ." He understood that to live is Christ. Christ becomes your life and your life is secure. Hidden with Christ in God. [00:16:57]
Can you imagine any greater security than being hidden with Christ in God? St. Augustine, the great theologian of the early church whose theology influenced the church for a thousand years. really was once upon a time leaving on a trip with his mother. And his mother, a devoted and devout Christian, was aging and growing frail. And he was concerned that she might not survive the trip and make it back home. And he said to her mother, "You may not get back home." And her response was, "My life is in God. I cannot die away from home." [00:17:39]
Wherever she was, she was at home in God. She knew that her life was hid with Christ in God. Do you know that? Are you aware of that? As a believer, as a follower of the Lord Jesus. Now, what does this mean? Hidden with Christ in God to appear with him in glory. Verses three and four. The NIV of verse 4 uses the word appear, but the New American Standard has a better translation here. It uses the word revealed. When Christ is revealed, then you will be revealed with him in glory. [00:18:29]
When Christ is revealed, then everyone's going to see who we really are, to whom we really belong. It's going to be an amazing experience, an amazing day because the world can't recognize us now. In fact, I heard one guy put it like this. He said, "I know what a Miss America looks like, but how about a Miss Kingdom of God?" You can spot Miss America with her crown and her sash and the roses and all of that, but but what do you look for in a Miss Kingdom of God? That's why the world misses it. [00:20:15]
That's why the world doesn't recognize us. In fact, even we don't see ourselves in a true light. Because when Christ is revealed in glory, then we'll be able to see ourselves properly. The reflected glory of our living Lord will be upon us. And believe me, God's faithful saints will be shocked at the glorious reception they receive in God's kingdom when everything is finally revealed. When we see once and for all that his glory is our good and we position ourselves for that reception by living the resurrected life. [00:20:49]
Now it's not the wide easy path of least resistance that so many follow. It is the straight and narrow way of death to self that Jesus talked about. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life. He said and few there be that find it. It's laying down our lives and lifting up our eyes to the heavenly things that lead us up to the glory that awaits. It may be a difficult climb. I'm not going to kid you. But I will promise you it is worth it. [00:21:28]
The late uh Baptist preacher, pastor, renowned speaker Vance Havner in his later years was at a preachers conference at Camp Carson in the mountains less less than a 100 miles southwest of here in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee, he called it. And he started to climb one of those mountains one morning and he thought to himself partway, "You'd better settle for halfway. Who do you think you are? are a teenager. But he said, "I made it." And when I reached the summit, I looked out over that breathtaking panorama and I said, "Well, the difference is worth the distance. The view is worth the climb." [00:22:08]
So, we lift up our eyes and keep climbing. The world is going to try its hardest to pull you down. Don't let it happen. When the critics criticize, just repeat the words of that old hymn. I want to scale the utmost height and catch a gleam of glory bright. Lord, set my feet on higher ground. Keep climbing. Just like the Apostle Paul who pinned the words of our text. Havner says, "When Paul came to the end of the road, he didn't write his memoirs in a villa on the Riviera. He sat in an old Roman jail waiting to have his head chopped off. [00:22:55]
The only stocks and bonds he had were stocks for his feet and bonds around his wrists. And in that damp dungeon, he said, "I've been faithful to the faith. I've been faithful to the fight. And I've been faithful to the finish. And there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day." It's been a hard pull, Lord, but the difference is worth the distance. Friends, living the resurrected life can indeed be a hard pull because the world is moving against us. But I promise you, the difference is worth the distance. [00:23:39]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 29, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?