How Can The Hope of Heaven Change My Life? Colossians 3:1-4

1 “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God

4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory

Introduction Good to talk about heaven Place of rest Place of continual worship

Introduction Need to see the value of our hope Idea of eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Our anchor (Hebrews 6:19)

Hope Makes Us Set Goals Seeking the things above Our home is there (Colossians 3:1-4) Set our hearts on heaven (Philippians 3:20, 21) Do not allow anyone or anything to keep us out

Hope Makes Us Set Goals Only one to hinder us is ourselves Hell is for Satan (Matthew 25:41) Decision is up to each of us Enoch set a goal (Hebrews 11:5) Abraham set a goal (Hebrews 11:8-10) Fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Hope Helps Us Forget The Past We must “lighten up” Forget the past (Philippians 3:12-14) Lay aside every “weight” (Hebrews 12:1) One’s past is not an excuse for not serving in the present

Hope Helps Us Forget The Past Once cleansed, sins are wiped away Essential difference between the Old and the New (Hebrews 8:12) If God forgives us, why can’t we forgive ourselves? Forget your past sins; God has

Hope Makes Us Steadfast Sustains us in times of trial Does not remove the difficulties (Hebrews 6:18-20) As the song says, “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden”

Hope Makes Us Steadfast Adversity increases our hope This is why we are to rejoice in the face of trials (James 1:2) Hope grows stronger (Romans 5:2-5) Enables us (Revelation 2:7, 11, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21)

Hope Makes Us Dedicated The promise of rest Our labors will cease (Hebrews 4:1-12) Notice the admonitions One can begin and fail

Hope Makes Us Dedicated Should make us more dedicated Paul’s emphasis (Philippians 3:14) Song: “Higher Ground” Put the kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)

Hope Makes Us More Spiritual Do you really want to go to heaven? Eagerly awaiting the opportunity (Philippians 3:20) Worship regularly? Seek to encourage? (Hebrews 10:24, 25)

Hope Makes Us More Spiritual Makes us obedient to the Gospel The foundation of our lives Contacted the blood (Hebrews 9:11-28; Revelation 1:5) Contact made in baptism (Romans 6:3, 4) Return for forgiveness (1 John 1:7, 9)

Conclusion The hope of heaven will change lives The foundation is in the blood