Living For the Kingdom

As we close our July series, “The Kingdom Is Everything,” we turn to Paul’s powerful words in Colossians 3. He reminds believers who have already been raised with Christ to live with hearts and minds anchored in heaven. Kingdom life is resurrection life. It requires a new direction, a new mindset, a death to self, and a glory-driven purpose.

1. The Call to Seek What Is Above (Colossians 3:1)

   1. If you’ve been raised with Christ, live like it (cf. Colossians 2:12–13).

   2. Seek = to pursue continually; to orient your life toward Christ’s throne.

   3. The focus is not a place, but a Person—“where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
       1. Seated implies victory and authority.
       2. The Kingdom is about living under the reign of Jesus.

   4. When we lose focus, passion fades, urgency dies, and the Kingdom becomes just another thing—not everything.

2. The Call to Set Your Mind (Colossians 3:2)

   1. Set your minds is intentional, disciplined, daily focus (cf. Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8).

   2. A Kingdom mindset interprets conflict, hardship, and opportunity through heaven’s perspective.

      1. Earthly thinking leads to criticism, comfort-seeking, and spiritual drift.

      2. Kingdom thinking leads to surrender, peace, and a mission-driven life.

      3. What you think on shapes what you love—and what you love shapes how you live.

3. The Call to Die to Self (Colossians 3:3)

   1. “You died” — a completed action at conversion, pictured in baptism (cf. Romans 6:4–6).

   2. The old self is crucified; v. 3: your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

      1. i.e., secure, surrendered, and spiritually anchored in Christ.

   3. Churches lose momentum when Christians try to live half-dead—wanting resurrection without the cross.

4. The Call to Live for Glory (Colossians 3:4)

   1. Christ, who is your life — He is not a part of your life; He is the whole foundation.

   2. When He appears… Our hope is in His return and the glory that awaits.

   3. You will appear with Him in glory — future promise shapes present purpose.

      1. Live now for what matters then.

      2. Don’t build your life around the temporary (cf. Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12).

5. As We Close…

   1. Colossians 3:1 is not a suggestion — it’s a spiritual fact.

   2. If you’ve been raised with Christ:

      1. Seek what is above.

      2. Set your mind there.

      3. Die to self.

      4. Live for glory.

   3. Let Christ be your life — your everything.

   4. The next level of growth, leadership, and spiritual fire will come when we stop spectating… and start surrendering.