IT'S SETTLED!

COLOSSIANS 3:1-9

Rick Jackson

When something is truly settled there is no reason to whine about it or try to change it. The best thing to do is rejoice in it and learn to accept it and move forward. Several years ago when it became apparent our automobile was going to give up the ghost the Lord opened the door for us to get the truck we now drive. We wanted to surprise the girls so for several weeks we didn't tell them. Then we made a scheduled trip to Pensacola and surprised them. What good would it have done them to say, "No, I like the old car." Or, "I wanted you to get a lime green vehicle." None. It was settled. We had the truck, we traded in the car, we got the color we wanted... they only thing to be done is what they actually did, rejoiced for us, accepted it, and moved on!

Well, we got something much better than a new vehicle and brother, it's settled! And it's settled in three different tenses.

I. IT'S PAST AND IT'S SETTLED! [V. 1-3]

1. Set your sights [v. 1] Seek "actually means having an urgency and a desire and an ambition" -JVM (like an Olympic athlete)

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

2. Set your affections [v. 2] phroneo to set one's mind to a thing

Mt. 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

3. Set your reality [v. 3] it's real, it's done, it's settled, reckon it, count on it, act like it!

Think about it! Hid in Christ! If a person was hidden in a bomb shelter built to withstand a nuclear attack they would survive a hit though the "duck and cover" people wouldn't. We are hid in Christ, to hurt us something would have to hurt Him and of course, now, nothing can!

II. IT'S FUTURE AND IT'S SETTLED! [V. 4]

1. Christ is our life now and forever

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2. Christ will appear

Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

3. Christians will appear with Him in glory

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

III. IT'S PRESENT AND IT'S SETTLED! [V. 5-9]

1. We need to mortify [v. 5-6] "put to death", like a bad appendix must be removed

fornication- porneian, general term for sexual sins

uncleanness- impurity, includes thoughts, words, looks, gestures, jokes

inordinate affection- uncontrolled passion or lust, violent emotions, unlawful impulses, a state of mind that excites passion

evil concupiscence- evil desires, a passionate desire for things God has set as off-limits (Rm. 1:26)

covetousness- which is idolatry

2. We need to 'member- we've moved! [v. 7]

3. We need to modify [v. 8-9]

anger- 0ver the wrong things, may be a covert attitude, habitual attitude

wrath- unforgiving spirit of anger erupting

malice- congealed anger, nursed along even after anger & wrath "I don't get mad, I get even"

blasphemy- misrepresenting God or others with our speech

filthy communication- abusive and/or filthy speech, coarse language

Lying- misrepresentation of the truth, implies an intent to deceive