Raised with Christ — Part 1
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 mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the [earth].
Your life is always flowing in the direction of your [strongest thoughts]
We are looking to a person, the person of [Jesus Christ]
- What specific rhythms or practices in your daily life help you keep your focus on Christ? Which ones need to become a greater priority?
- What distractions have been pulling your gaze away from Jesus lately? What practical step can you take this week to minimize that distraction?
Let us run with endurance the [race] that is set before us.
Looking to Jesus, the founder and [perfecter] of our faith.
If you want to run the race of faith well, you've got to do one thing: you've got to keep your eyes on the [prize].
If you will keep your focus on the one thing that matters most, Jesus and his kingdom, Christian, you will live your salvation to the [max].
- In what areas of your life have you taken your eyes off Jesus and started looking at the distractions around you? How has this affected your spiritual momentum?
- What does it practically look like for you to 'run with endurance' in your current season of life?
Put to death, therefore, what is [earthly] in you.
In the original language, here's literally what it says: [Murder] what is earthly in you.
He's talking about your [old way of life]
He's talking about those sins that used to [enslave] you before you knew Christ.
- What 'old way of life' sins do you find yourself still tolerating or minimizing? Why have you struggled to put them to death?
- How does understanding that you've been 'raised with Christ' change your perspective on dealing with sin?
Could it be that instead of actually putting to death your sin, you believe this lie: man, my sin's not that [big of a deal]
Each one of us in this room, we all have our personal little [pet sins]
All of a sudden your guard goes down, the circumstances are just right, and that little pet sin turns on you and it [destroys] something in your life.
You try to domesticate and control something that God has called you to put to [death].
- What 'pet sin' have you been treating as manageable rather than dangerous? What destruction has it already caused—or could it cause—in your life?
- What would it look like for you to take radical action against this sin this week?
That sin no longer corresponds with who you are in [Christ].
- What 'old clothes'—habits, attitudes, or sins—are you still wearing that no longer correspond with your identity in Christ?
- What does it mean for your life to be 'hidden with Christ in God'? How should this truth change the way you live today?