Maintaining a Heavenly Focus

(Col. 2:20a; 3:1-10, 12-14, 17)

Being focused is a keep to achieving success in anything.

Gods calls on us, His own, to touch/effect the world around us.

We cannot impact this world if maintain a worldly focus

George Gallup was speaking at a national seminar of Southern Baptist leaders. He

stated that the Gallup Research organization uncovered some disturbing findings.
In their research, they determined that believers in Jesus Christ are not much
different from non-Christians when it comes to ethical behavior. Christians are
about as likely to lie, cheat, steal and commit adultery as non-Christians. God has
called believers in Jesus to be different. The world must see a marked difference
between a Christian and the lost.

C.S. Lewis said, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did
most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The
Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the
great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished
the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds
were occupied with Heaven” (The Joyful Christian, p.138).

What difference are you making in this world on behalf of “ Kingdom” interests?

If you have “died with Christ” (apothnesko {ap-oth-nace'-ko} Gk. = dead, dying or
perishing) (Rom. 6:2-6; 7:4-6) why do you live as though you still belonged to the
world? (Col. 2:20)

The Apostle Paul was never know for being subtle. He plainly states that if we are
to be who and what we claim to be as Christians, then we need to (nekroo {nek-
ro'-o}Gk., = mortify, “put to death”) are worldly/evil thoughts (Col. 3:5-10)
relating to porneia {por-ni'-ah}Gk. = illicit sex, akatharsia {ak-ath-ar-see'-ah}Gk.
= unclean, impure or lustful thoughts or motives, pathos {path'-os}Gk. =
inordinate affection, depraved passions, kakos {kak-os'}Gk. = base, wicked or
hurtful thinking, epithumia {ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah} Gk. = forbidden desire, and
pleonexia {pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah}Gk. = covetousness, avarice, greedy desire to have
more.

Is you mind set on what is above or upon what is of this world?

“For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and
peace.” (Rom. 8:6)
“Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is
of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth
the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:16-17)

We should have a Christ-like mindset (1 Pe. 4:1-2)

Maintaining a heavenly focus requires that we constantly renew our minds

through the Word of God (Rom. 12:2)

What we value be are focus (Matt. 6:19-21)

What is the focus of your life? (Career? Financial Status? Family? Church?) Any
of these can constitute a form of idolatry.

Have you shifted your values and ambitions heavenward?

Where are you “investing” your time, talents, resources, and life?

Think>Act>Habit>Character

We must pray for God’s Spirit to help us resist “evil thoughts”/temptation

(Matt. 14:38; Phil 4:6-7))

Character: The notable/conspicuous/ distinguishing moral/ethical traits or

characteristics of a person that give evidence of their essential nature and
which ultimately shape their reputation.

"Within the character of the citizen lies the welfare of the nation" -
Cicero, Roman Philosopher

Our character...is an omen of our destiny, and the more integrity

we have and keep, the simpler and nobler that destiny is
likely to be. - George Santayana (1863 - 1952), "The German
Mind: A Philosophical Diagnosis"

President Harry Truman used to say: "Fame is a vapor, popularity

an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may
curse tomorrow, only one thing endures -- character.”

"What you are stands over you... and thunders so that I cannot hear
what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
 The Eightfold character of God (Lam. 3:22-31)

1. Merciful
2. Compassionate
3. Faithful
4. Good
5. Deliverer
6. Just and righteous
7. Longsuffering
8. Kind

Do you have any sinful habits or patterns?

If you were to chose 5 words that most accurately portray your true character,
what would they be? (How you see yourself)

If others who know you were to pick 5 words that most accurately portray your
reputation, what would they be? (How other’s see you)

What does your name represent? (i.e. What is your reputation?)

How can we (phroneo, Gk. -set our minds on/seek) what is above? (Col. 3:1-2;
Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:33)

Zoe aionios, Gk. Resurrection unto everlasting life. It is the present possession and future
reward of those who believe in and accept the sacrifice/grace of Jesus the Christ. (Daniel
12:2; John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47,54.)

Sobering thought: If you dare to call yourself a Christian, then all that you say or do, you
essentially do in His name (Micah 4:5)

All that we think, say and do should reflect our awareness of this (Col. 3:17; Prov.
3:6; Rom.14:6-8; 1 Cor. 10:31)

Do you “walk” in the name of the Christ or of some other god?