Sunday Sermon
FULFILLMENT WITHOUT FRUSTRATION
(WHAT ARE YOUR THINGS?)
Date: April 20, 2008
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: Colossians 3:1-2
Listen to Audio Sermon

COL 3:1-2 (AMP AND KJV)
1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT KJV
COL 3:1-2 1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

EVERYONE HAS A THING OR THINGS THAT THEY HAVE, DESIRE OR WANT PASSIONATELY. YET, PAUL SAYS IN OUR OPENING SCRIPTURE THAT WE ARE ONLY TO SET OUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE AND NOT ON THINGS OF THE EARTH. WHAT CAN THIS MEAN FOR US AS BELIEVERS? WHY WOULD PAUL MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT OR REQUEST?

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY THINGS ON EARTH THAT WE CAN SET OUR MINDS ON, THINGS LIKE MONEY, HOUSES, CARS, FRIENDS, BOATS, ETC. BUT WE ARE TOLD BY THIS GREAT APOSTLE PAUL TO SET OUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE OR HIGHER THINGS...

LOOKING AT LIFE WE SEE THAT PEOPLE ARE MOTIVATED, DRIVEN AND PREOCCUPIED WITH PURSUING THINGS. FOR SURE, MATERIAL MOTIVATION RULES SUPREME ON THE EARTH. WHAT WE DO IN LIFE IS DONE TO GET THINGS. WHY DO WE WORK ONE, TWO AND EVEN THREE JOBS? THE ANSWER WOULD BE TO GET MONEY TO GET THINGS. SOME PEOPLE EVEN MARRY TO PUT THEMSELVES IN A POSITION TO GET THINGS. THE QUEST FOR THINGS IS WHAT DRIVES HUMAN CULTURE

RELIGION HAS NOT REALLY BENEFITTED MANKIND. WHY? BECAUSE RELIGIOUS PRAYER FOCUSES ON GETTING THINGS. PRAYER HAS SADLY BECOME A SHOPPING LIST FOR GOD. WE NEED THIS OR THAT, OR LORD PLEASE GIVE US WHATEVER THINGS WE THINK WE NEED. WARS START BECAUSE PEOPLE IN COUNTRIES FEEL THAT THEY MUST HAVE THINGS SUCH AS MORE LAND, OIL, ETC. WE SHOULD NOT BECOME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS BECAUSE OF THE THINGS HE CAN GIVE US. THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT MOTIVE TO FOLLOW HIM.

IN THE WORLD THE PURSUIT OF THINGS HAS BECOME AN END IN ITSELF. EVEN CHRISTIANS WILL ASK FOR THINGS SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR END RESULT WHICH IS REALLY THINGS. WHY DOES ANYONE STEAL? WHY DO POLITICIANS ACCEPT BRIBES OR PROSTITUTES SELL THEIR BODY? IT’S ALL SO THAT THE MAY GET THINGS. SO WHAT DOES THE WORLD HAVE IT’S MIND SET ON? THINGS!

THIS MATERIALISTIC WORLD HAS TAKEN WHAT JESUS SAID IN MATTHEW 6:33 33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
AND TURNED IT AROUND ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DEGREES SO THAT THEY DO THE DIRECT OPPOSITE OF WHAT HE SAID.

PAUL SAID TO SET OUR MINDS ON THE THINGS ABOVE OR HIGHER THINGS, YET IN REFERRING TO WHEN HE WAS TAKEN UP INTO THE THIRD HEAVEN (PARADISE), HE SAYS HE SAW AND HEARD THINGS THAT STAGGERED HIS MIND AND HE HAD NO LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE IT. YOU GET THE IDEA FROM PAUL’S DESCRIPTION THAT, EVEN IF HE COULD EXPLAIN WHAT HE SAW, OUR HUMAN MINDS COULDN’T COMPREHEND IT.

LOOK AT PROVERBS 10:22: 22The blessing of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].
THIS TELLS US THAT IT’S PROPERITY WITHOUT PRESSURE, WEALTH WITHOUT WORRY, TREASURE WITHOUT TROUBLE AND FULFILLMENT WITHOUT FRUSTRATION. WHEN YOU BECOME A CITIZEN OF THE KINGDOM AND ABIDE BY THE RULES OF THE KINGDOM YOU HAVE CONTINUAL ACCESS TO WHATEVER BELONGS TO THE KING. WHEN WE PURSUE GOD THEN THINGS COME THAT WE NEED AND WANT WITHOUT EFFORT OR CONCERN.

LETS FIRST UNDERSTAND THAT APOSTLE PAUL WAS THINKING AND SPEAKING FROM A MIND THAT HAD BEEN RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE NOW LOOKED AT EVERTHING WITH KINGDOM EYES AND THAT BY DOING THIS, EARTHLY THINGS LOST THEIR VALUE AS WE WILL SEE IN A MINUTE. MOST THINGS ON EARTH HAVE NO HEAVENLY VALUE. THEY LOOSE ALL VALUE IN GOD’S KINGDOM. THAT BRINGS US TO A STATEMENT THAT TELLS US HOW PAUL FELT ABOUT EVERYTHING AND WE NEED THIS SAME MINDSET.

GO TO PHILLIPIANS 3:7-21 AND BREAK THAT DOWM AS WE HEAD TO OUR CLOSING:
FIRST VERSES 7-8 7But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ's sake.8Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),

WHAT HE SAYS IN THESE TWO VERSES IS THAT NOTHING IN MY LIFE COMPARES TO HAVING A DEVINE REVELATION OF WHO CHRIST REALLY IS AND WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE IN MY LIFE. EVERYTHING OTHER THAN THIS IS DUNG. ALL OTHER THINGS STINK AND ARE NOT WORTH GOING BACK TO.

VERSE 9 9And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

HIS EYES WERE NOW OPENED AND HE COULD SEE THAT IT WAS GOD THAT SURPLIED HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH JESUS AND NO ONE ELSE.

VERSE 10-11 10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]11That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

ALL THAT HE WANTED TO DO AND WHAT CONSUMED HIM WAS WANTING TO KNOW GOD INTIMATELY AND TO KNOW THE POWER THAT CAME FROM HIS RESURRECTION THAT HAD THE ABILITY TO CHANGE HIM INTO CHRIST’S LIKENESS WHILE STILL HERE ON EARTH. THAT MY FELLOW BELIEVERS IS THE THING WE MUST BE HUNGRY FOR AND SETTING OUR MINDS ON EVERY DAY OF OUR LIFE.

VERSE 12-15 12Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.
13I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.15So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.

PAUL SAYS THAT HE WANTED TO KNOW TO THE FULLEST EXTENT WHY GOD GOT A HOLD OF HIM AND WHAT THE OBJECTIVE WAS THAT GOD HAD FOR HIS LIFE. HE SAYS HE WAS NOT THERE YET BUT THAT HE ALSO WASN’T LOOKING BACK. HE WAS ONLY LOOKING FOR WHAT GOD HAD FOR HIM NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. HE WAS AIMING FOR THE REWARD THAT THE LORD HAD FOR HIM. ALL OTHER THOUGHTS WERE TO BE DISCARDED.

VERSE 16 16Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.
DON’T LOOSE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE AND START CHANGING YOUR LIVES ACCORDINGLY.
VERSE 17-19 17Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you.18For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). 19They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.

FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE THAT I AND SOME OTHER BELIEVERS HAVE SHOWN YOU IN OUR LIVES. REMEMBER, THERE ARE MANY WHO WALK IN OPPOSITION OF WHAT WE STAND FOR AND HOW WE LIVE OUR LIVES. THEY ARE NOT ON OUR SIDE AND NIETHER DO THEY HOLD TO OUR BELIEFS. THE GOD THAT THEY SERVE WILL LEAD THEM TO THEIR DESTRUCTION FOR THEY SEEK AFTER ONLY THINGS THAT BRING THEM PLEASURE.

VERSE 20-21 20But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior,21Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself.

WE ARE CITIZENS OF OUR GOD’S KINGDOM AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE END REWARD OF OUR FAITH. THAT IS WHEN WE RECEIVE NEW BODIES JUST LIKE JESUS DID,
NOW PAUL SUMS UP BY TELLING US WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP OUR MIND’S ON IN PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9

VERSE 4-5 4Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! 5Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon]

WE ARE TO SHOW OURSELVES AS PEOPLE THAT ARE ALWAYS JOYFUL, CAREFREE, AND UNSELFISH AND KNOWING THAT HE WILL FULFILL HIS PROMISE OF COMING BACK FOR US TO TAKE US TO OUR REAL HOME. AMEN!
VERSE 6-7 6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

BE CAREFUL FOR NO-THING, AND ALL THINGS ARE BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, THANKING HIM FOR WHAT HE WILL SUPPLY. THIS WILL BRING PEACE INTO YOUR LIFE AND HE WILL, THROUGH HIS SPIRIT, WATCH OVER ALL YOU DO.
VERSE 8
8For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

NOW PAUL WRAPS IT ALL UP WITH ALL THE THINGS WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT. THESE ARE THE HEAVENLY THINGS THAT WE SET OUR MINDS ON, WHAT IS TRUE, WORTHY OF REVERENCE, HONORABLE AND SEEMLY, WHAT IS JUST, PURE, LOVELY AND LOVABLE, WHATEVER IS KIND WINSOME AND GRACIOUS. IF THERE IS ANY VIRTUE, WE ARE TO SET OUR MINDS ON THESE THINGS.

VERSE 9 9Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

PUT INTO YOUR DAILY ACTION WHAT I HAVE PERSONALLY DEMONSTRATED TO YOU AND THEN YOU WILL RECEIVE THAT PEACE FROM GOD THAT THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE. THEN YOU WILL ATTAIN PROSPERITY WITHOUT PRESSURE, WEALTH WITHOUT WORRY, TREASURES WITHOUT TROUBLE AND FULFILLMENT WITHOUT FRUSTRATION.

EVERY HUMAN BEING DESIRES THINGS, THIS IS A GOD-GIVEN AND THEREFORE IT SHOULD BE GODLY DESIRES. WHAT IS UNGODLY IS PURSUING THINGS AS GODS. GOD WANTS US TO HAVE THINGS BUT, HE ALSO WANTS TO SHOW US HOW TO ACQUIRE THEM IN THE RIGHT WAY AND WITH THE PROPER SPIRIT. HE WANTS US TO HAVE PLENTY OF THINGS AND THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY PROMISES IN HIS WORD. HOWEVER HE DOES NOT WANT US TO PURSUE THINGS AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO IS THAT HE KNOWS WE WANT AND NEEDS THINGS BUT DOES NOT WANT THESE DESIRES TO CONTROL OUR LIVES, HENCE WE ARE TO SEEK HIM FIRST WHO IS THE SOURCE OF ALL THINGS.AND WHEN WE DO WE WILL GET THE THINGS THAT HE HAS PROMISED US.