Happy New Year! We’re thankful to God for this New Year of 2021 to live for Him. Today, we’re continuing in our message series “Jesus the Messiah.” Last Sunday we talked about how God desires for us to focus on Jesus in this New Year. There are many things that we could focus on. And a lot of those things could discourage us. But if we focus on Jesus, it will encourage and motivate us.
Colossians 3:1 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
As believers, we have been raised with Christ into a new life, an eternal life. As believers, we are to seek the things which are above, which is where Jesus is. Another translation of this verse says “set your hearts on things above.” The things above are the things that are eternal, that will last forever. To seek the things that are above is the opposite of seeking the things that are below in our world. So, in this new year, we are to set our goals in life in keeping with the things above. The things below, the things in this world are to be used by us to reach our eternal goals, that things above. To seek the things above, to set our hearts on things above, we must discipline our thought life.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
The things that we are to think about according to this verse are things above. In fact, when we think about what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable, who alone fits all these character traits? The answer is Jesus, the living Word of God. The Holy Spirit can help us discipline our thought life as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word on a daily basis. What happens to us as we seek things above and think about those things? As we focus on Jesus, it motivates us to worship and to pray. Keeping our thoughts on things above helps us to resist temptation. Seeking the things above by studying God’s Word builds our faith. Setting our hearts on eternal things help us to prioritize our lives.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
This command of Jesus instructs us to prioritize two things in our lives. First of all, we are to seek first God’s kingdom. That means that everything we do in life should be to advance God’s kingdom. Secondly, we are to seek first His righteousness in our lives. We are to seek to become more and more like Jesus. When we do, according to Matthew 6, we don’t need to worry or be anxious about any else that we need in this world. Why? Because God promises to give to us all that we need as we seek His kingdom and righteousness first.
Today’s message is entitled “Suffering Servant.” In the remaining messages in this series, we’re going to continue focusing on Jesus and the most important aspects of His life. We’re going to learn that the principles of the kingdom of God are the opposite of the principles of this world. Worldly success consists of the accumulation of wealth, power and fame in this life. The Bible describes this as laying up treasure on earth. Kingdom success consists of laying up treasure in heaven, living for eternity, not for this life. As we seek God’s kingdom first, we will experience joy and fulfillment in this life as we walk with Jesus, along with suffering. And in eternity, we will experience glory with Jesus forever. Those who live only for this life may enjoy momentary pleasure, but live life without Jesus and will spend eternity apart from God in hell. So, as we continue our series, let’s choose to focus on and learn from Jesus’ life how we are to live for Him.