Grace Baptist Church, Nokomis, IL.

Text:

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Get your head out of the clouds?” Some people are natural dreamers. Most of us stop to dream once in awhile, thinking about all the “what ifs” that could happen. I want us to think about what it means to set our minds on heavenly things, and how to do it.

“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.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

In order to talk about the command to set our mind on things above, Paul first needed to address about how that’s even possible. We’re by nature children of wrath, deserving God’s condemnation. We were enemies of God, and we could do nothing to save ourselves, nor did we desire to. We stayed that way until God saved us. We would not seek Him, so He sought us out. We should consider our lives before Christ to be over, for they truly are.

Having a heavenly mindset is dependent upon having a genuine relationship with Christ.

It’s impossible that for your head be so far onto heaven that you’re no earthly good. The more we’re focused on heaven, the more we will stop living for ourselves and live for Christ instead. But it has to be an accurate picture of heaven.

Heaven is a place where we will continue to glorify God forever. It’s not freedom from work. Heaven isn’t merely lounging around all the time while others feed you grapes. Before Adam sinned, he was supposed to work in the garden. But work wasn’t difficult for him. It was a joy. Heaven is a place where we will be able to serve God perfectly forever, and never get tired of doing it, but always being energized in worshiping God. But if that’s what Heaven is like, then how should we live today?

By setting our minds on things above, we experience a little bit of heaven on earth. Most people are so consumed with their daily trials that they forget about what’s in store for us. Get your head into the clouds.

We must not merely dream big dreams, we must put them into action. Setting our minds on things above isn’t just a mental activity. It’s a determination to live not according to the world’s expectations, but God’s. In doing so, you are building up for yourself treasures in heaven.

It makes no sense to pursue worldly things, and complete sense to pursue heavenly things. The world, and everything in it, is passing away. Our lives are short, and we can’t take anything work for here with us to the other side. But we will live on forever. Having a relationship with Christ, and thus a heavenly mind, has the reward of shedding these feeble bodies, and living with Christ for all eternity.