God bless his word. And now,
once again, let us turn to the epistle of Paul to the Colossians,
and this evening we'll just read the first verse in the third
chapter. The third chapter of Paul's epistle
to the Colossians, and the first verse. If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God. This was gracious instruction
to the Church of Colossae and as we know the Apostle Paul was
always concerned that the true Church of God should be well
and healthy in their souls. And so he speaks in this way,
ye then be risen with Christ? That, of course, is a great question. A great question for us all.
And it raises the question if we are risen with Christ. And this is who it's addressed
to. And if we are not risen with
Christ, then it's not addressed to us. And of course, if we are,
risen with Christ. What it really means is Christ
rose from the dead. And we rise from the dead in
a spiritual sense. We are dead spiritually. What
a blessing it is when God gives us that life so that we rise
from the dead. And so this question is addressed
really to true believers. and also to raise a question
in those perhaps who as yet are not true believers if he then
be risen with Christ now of course the only person that knows that
is ourselves no one else can look into someone else's heart
No one else can really see what exists there. But it's a great
and wonderful blessing if the Lord has given you and me spiritual
life so that we are born again of his spirit and therefore we
are indeed risen. What a wonderful, wonderful favour
that is and how necessary it is and how important it is Because
if we are not risen with Christ, then we are, of all men, most
miserable. We might think we're happy, we
might think we have a lovely life before us, but in reality,
unless we are risen with Christ, we are, of all men, most miserable. So the apostle then goes on to
speak encouragingly to those who are risen, are born again. And this gracious instruction
then, he says, seek those things which are above. Naturally we seek, don't we,
for natural things, earthly things. We live in the earth. We have
to live a natural life. And obviously we have to seek
for natural things in many ways. what we're to do in life, and
how we're to do it, and how we are to act. But really, it's
incomparable. It fades into insignificance
with the great and important issue to seek those things which
are above, and to realize the wonderful, wonderful blessing
it is to be directed to heavenly things, heavenly realities to
seek spiritual blessings so easily we spend our life seeking natural
blessings and are concerned about them but the Lord here directs
us so clearly to seek those things which are above it really means
those things which are heavenly it doesn't mean those things
which are earthly and yet of course by nature we are earthly
And we do often seek earthy things. Now, in one sense, there's nothing
wrong in that. But it's a question of priority. And what a blessing it is if
our priority is to hear what the apostle says and to truly
seek those things which are above. And as we think of that great
truth, to realize, of course, that the things of time They
just vanish away. They're perishing, aren't they? And our life is but like a vapour. It doesn't last. But eternity,
heaven, is eternal. So as we think of these beautiful
words tonight, that we may have that real desire, and it's a
God-given desire, because naturally we don't seek those things which
are above. But tonight we can truly bless
God if he has put in our hearts a desire after spiritual things. To realize that's not of our
flesh, it's of his spirit. And we can praise his name for
his great and glorious grace which has come to us. Well, what
a mercy then if we are found Seeking those things which are
above. The psalmist speaks some beautiful
words. And in the 16th Psalm, the 11th
verse, this is what he tells us. Thou shalt show me the path
of life. So the Word of God speaks very
personally. What a blessing it is that the Lord shows us, you
and me, the path of life. He goes on to say, in thy presence
is fullness of joy at thy right hand, there are pleasures for
evermore. Now as you and I journey on through
life, the Lord comes and touches our heart. And for just a little
while, we enjoy the presence of God. And to realise that he
has come to us. He has made us spiritually alive. And that brings into our heart,
as the word says here, the fullness of joy. This joy exceeds all
the joy things of this life can bring to us, as gratifying as
they may be. There's nothing to compare with
spiritual blessings. If you then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above. And the Apostle then goes on
to join this really with these words, where Christ sitteth on
the right hand of God. I'm sure we all know that the
Lord Jesus Christ ascended from Bethany. Disciples saw him go
up to glory. He went up to take his seat on
the Father's right hand. And the wonderful truth is that
today, it's a great mystery for our little minds to absorb that
today, and especially as we gather here for prayer, to think that
this same Jesus takes our prayers, presents them to his Father,
and we are accepted through him. Not because of our righteousness,
but because of that righteousness which Christ has given to us.
So what a great blessing it is to believe therefore that Christ
is now in glory. And of course we We have difficulty
in imagining what it must be like and when the Apostle Paul
wrote to the Corinthians he said, What it means is, the Lord has
prepared a glory for the whole Church of God. something far greater than you
and I can envisage. And yet it's a wonderful prospect
to the Church of God. When the apostle wrote to the
Romans, well-known chapter, in the 8th chapter in the Romans,
in the 34th verse, this is what he says. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather,
that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who
also maketh intercession for us. It's a wonderful truth. I was going to say thought, it
is a wonderful thought, but it's a wonderful truth to realise
that the Lord Jesus Christ is sat on the Father's throne in
glory, there to intercede for us. It's amazing, isn't it? It's
very wonderful. And that comes to the very worst
of sinners. We spoke on Lord's Day evening
about Manasseh. But also, in the Hebrews, the
Apostle spells it out in a little more detail. And he says, wherefore
he is able also to save them to the uttermost, but come unto
God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. So there's no one too bad, too
sinful, too vile, who is not accepted by our blessed Saviour
and whose prayers are presented to his Father. So let us take
courage tonight that there are these great and wonderful blessings
reserved for the Church of God. Seek those things which are above. These are the things which you
and I are to seek. What a mercy where Christ sitteth
on the right hand of God. And then just a couple of quotations
from the Revelation which does instruct us and does help us
to understand the great truths of God. And in the 21st of Revelation,
and verses 3 and 4, this is what we read. And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people. And God himself shall be with
them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes. And there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more death,
for the former things are passed away. And then just go into the
seventh chapter of the Revelation, and from verse nine, this is
what we read. After this, I beheld, and lo,
a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations,
and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne,
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in
their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our
God! How true that will be! Which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels
stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and the
four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and
worshipped God, saying, Amen, blessing, and glory, and wisdom,
and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto
our God forever and ever. Amen. Praise, isn't it? Cease this praise to our God.
And one of the elders answered and said unto me, what are these? which are arrayed in white robes. And whence came they? And I said
unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are
they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore
are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night
in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne
shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither
thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any
heat. For the lamb which is in the
midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto
living fountains and waters. And God shall wipe away all tears. from their eyes. Well surely
that is a great and a glorious prospect for the Church of God
and surely it is because we have a risen Saviour. If ye then be
risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where
Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Amen.