Harrow - Dec 2006 Set Your Affections on Things Above

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Harrow & Wealdstone Set Your Affection on Things Above 31st Dec, 2006

1. Intro:

- As one year ends another begins just the turning of the calendar

but an opportunity to think ahead to the coming year.

- May be like beginning another lap of the track (athletics) and another

year may seem a long way ahead. Need to recharge spiritual batteries

- Paul speaks much about priorities here speaks of ordering our minds

and feelings will look at few verses in Col 3 and a number of others

2. Verse 1.

- If you are His then seek those things above Christ is in Heaven,

victorious, on the right hand of God the Father. Calvary is past He

is victorious. Much of our thinking will be to look towards Heaven

our Home, our destination this is a great motivation for the believer.

Should be one of the chief things that inspires and drives us through

course of this life. Come what may, we have a home above will

look at a number of scriptures that touch on this these things very

common and recurrent theme in Scripture trip over scriptures on this

subject.

- But first will look at some of the exhortations here. Seek those things

which are above: Seek a command, instruction, something for us

to do will not happen automatically. Though we should beoverwhelmed by our blessings in Christ, because of the weakness and

dull ness of the flesh we have to stir ourselves up. Look for apply

the mind, and the heart will follow. Locate those truths relating to

spiritual riches, to our Heavenly hope, and dwell on them, reflect on

them, value them.

3. Verse 2.

- Set Your Affection another command something for us to do. Having

identified spiritual truths, precious truths relating to Christ, in particular reigningin Heaven, and our home then fix these in your heart and mind. SET:

steadfastly hold onto these things.. With you heart, affection, feeling our

hopes, desires, plans, aspirations, inspiration, motivation will be energised by this

mindset.

- Not on things on the earth will be one or the other either or here. Love

of earthly things is folly short lived, will disappoint and entangle us. Raise

hopes and expectations and then let us down, lead us away from Christ, cause hurt

to our souls and to the work of the Lord


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4. Heavenly Verses

- Hebs 11.9 Abraham sojourned (live as a foreigner temporary dwelling place)

.. as in a strange country V10 for he looked for a city which hath foundations,

whose Builder and Maker is God we are to live as those passing through we

are on a journey homewards. There may be hard times, and rest on the way,but we do not settle down here.

READ V13 16 we do not have our citizenship here other scriptures speak of

this:

Ephesians 2.19: And therefore your are no more strangers and foreigners, but

fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God - We do not have

rights here we may claim civil rights as Paul did, but we cannot insist on the

moral standards we would like (though should be like salt and light) we are

governed by Heavens standards and rules. Jesus said to Pilate My Kingdom is

not of this world (John 18.36) We belong in Heaven that is our home we are

Ambassadors for Christ here (2 Cor 5.20)

1 Cor 2.9 (Isaiah 64.4) But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for

them that love Him Stop and think on this verse the best moments ever

experienced, most pleasurable in pure way cannot ouch those things laid up for

us what discouragement we face now, or hardships, or labour must pale into

insignificance in light of this promise.

2 Peter 3.13: Nevertheless we, according to His promise look for new

heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness

John 14. 1 - 3 READ Esp: If it were not so I would have told you

personal assurance dont worry be not troubled, not only am I preparing a

home for you, but I will come again to receive you that you may dwell with

Me with Christ, to drink in His glory and beauty

John 14. 1 - 3 READ Esp: If it were not so I would have told you

personal assurance dont worry be not troubled, not only am I preparing a

home for you, but I will come again to receive you that you may dwell with

Me with Christ, to drink in His glory and beauty


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Labour On Verses:

Psalm 126: 5,6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth

and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

bringing his sheaves with him

Further assurance that the Word will prosper as we witness, preach and share the

gospel, or work to support the gospel:

Isaiah 55.11 So shall My word be that goeth fourth out of My mouth: it

shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it

shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it there is a divine hand and guiding

Spirit behind all gospel proclamation wherever, and however we share the

Word, God has a specific purpose, as well as a general purpose.

1Cor15.58 Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labouris not in vain in the Lord Therefore in light of teaching in 1Cor 15 on the

resurrection ye know we can be sure that we are not wasting out time or

energies if they are in the Lord. Finally:-

Roms 8.16 18 READ

5. Conclusion:

- Apologies for so many verses makes the point that the Scriptureabounds with assurances and promises relating to our Heavenly home

and our labours now

- There may be reasons to be discouraged, the task may seem great, but

this path has been trodden by countless saints before we will see the

Spirit of God bless the work. As Paul, and Christ Himself, and many

others have laboured and been spent for Him but the blessings and

glory to come and tokens now, should be a great encouragement

- READ Col 3.3,4 We have died to the world we are absolutely

secure in Him and we shall appear with Him in Glory at the last.


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Harrow - Dec 2006 Set Your Affections on Things Above