"Seek the Things Which Are Above"

1. We seek what we value!

1) We've just finished the Christmas shopping season.

2) So we all know what it means to seek something that someone values.

3) We don't seek that which we don't value.

4) In order to seek that which is above we must first value those things!

2. What is the value of the things that are above?

1) The love of God. John 3:16

2) The cost was the blood of the Son of God. 1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

3) The payoff is eternal life. Romans 6:23b "…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

3. Why ought we to value the things above?

1) Because love is worth valuing. 1 John 4:16 "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

2) Because life is worth valuing. John 10:10b "…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

3) 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "Because eternal things are worth valuing. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

1. Set your mind on the things that are above!

1) How do we do that?

2) We've got to set our mind on the things of the Spirit! Consider Romans 8:6 "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (ESV)

2. Hear the words of the Spirit.

1) The only way we can know what the Spirit desires of us is through His word. Consider 1 Corinthians 2:11-13 "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

2) We must be a people of the word to be a people of the Spirit. Consider Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

3. Know the fruit of the Spirit. Consider Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

4. Think about the things of the Spirit. Consider Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

1. It's not enough to practice Christianity on a mental level. It's got to be practiced.

1) Not just hearers of the word, but doers. Consider James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

2) Be a wise man, not a foolish one. Consider Matthew 7:24-27

3) Walk in the Spirit. Consider Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

2. How?

1) Abstain from the love of the world. That will distract us from spiritual things. Consider 1 John 2:15-17 "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."

2) Lay up our treasures in heaven. (We don't expect reward in this life for our good deeds.) Consider Matthew 6:20-21 "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) Love our neighbors. Galatians 5:14 "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

4) Love our enemies. Consider Romans 12:20-21 "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

5) Visit the sick; care for the elderly; give to the orphans; aid the impoverished. Consider James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."