Christ Over Everything

*This blog post was adapted from Pastor Bobby’s sermon on Easter Sunday. You can find the sermon video below.

For many of us, it’s been a hard few years. We may feel lethargic or that we’re paralyzed. We might feel like we need strength, direction, forgiveness, or a myriad of other things. But, what we really need is Jesus.

It’s Personal

We know that Christ died on a cross for our sins and was raised three days later. But what does this resurrection mean for us and how does it affect our lives now?

Christ’s resurrection is personal. In John 20, we can read about the first witness of our resurrected savior. Mary Magdalene went to visit the tomb and found that Jesus’ body was not there. She did not immediately recognize Jesus’ voice when He spoke to her, but he called her by name and suddenly realized that it was Him.

Mary Magdalene then announced to the disciples that she had seen the Lord! He is ALIVE! People have been announcing this news for 2000 years. This miracle created a ripple effect that changed the world. And it’s personal to each of us.

Where are you in the story?

At the beginning of the year, we went through the Story of God. Where do you find yourself in this story so far?

God Creates

• Do you believe that there’s a Creator God?

God Rejected

• Do you believe that by nature you are a sinner?

God Promises

• Have you read about God’s promises? Do you trust that His promises are true?

God Appears

• Do you believe that Jesus was God in the flesh and believe that He died for your sins?

God Sends

• Are fulfilling the Great Commission by sharing the good news with others?

God Restores

• Have you been restored into oneness with God?

It’s Positional

Ephesians 2:4-6 says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”

When we accept Christ, our position changes. Our position is now that we are raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places. Just as a couple’s mindsets shift toward one another after they are engaged, our mindsets should also be changed. We are Christ’s bride, eagerly awaiting the marriage supper of the Lamb!

It’s Purposeful

Our resurrection with Christ is also purposeful. Colossians 3:1 says “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” We are now citizens of heaven, so God commands us to set our minds on things above.

Current Events

Every day we can read headlines about problems in this world. The younger generation feels hopeless and the world is searching for a leader. Many are on a nameless path with no clue where it leads.

When we set our minds on things above, we can look at the state of the world and ask ourselves what God might be doing through these situations. In order to “seek the things above,” we should be reading the scriptures and being a part of a local church. Community with other believers helps us to keep our eyes on the Lord and not on the world.

The Book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into our future. We know that Jesus will return and create a new heaven and new earth, free from sin and death. But while we are here, we are told to live with expectancy. We don’t have to stress about the news headlines, because we know the end of the story.

Identity

When we seek the things above, it affects how we view our identities. 2 Corinthians 2:16b says, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Our identities are found in Him. We should be communicating with God throughout our days and keeping ourselves aligned with Him.

Then, when hard times hit, we might be frustrated or upset, but we won’t be completely devastated. Our identities will not be shaken because we know we are complete in Christ.

Purpose

Our lives can sometimes feel futile, or without purpose. Romans 8:20-21 says, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

We will experience the feeling of futility in our lives, but it’s not always without purpose. This feeling can show us that God is powerfully at work around us. Sometimes, He needs to get our attention with our circumstances and a feeling a futility.

It’s Possible

Our passage today concludes with Colossians 3:2-4, which says, “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.”

As part of God’s kingdom, we should set our minds on things above. We don’t have to get caught up in the things of the earth. We will go through hard times, life will sometimes feel futile, and the headlines will often be discouraging. But we have been forgiven and raised to the newness of life with Christ and we know that He will one day restore this broken world. That is a reason celebrate on Easter and every day!