Raised up with Christ
Colossians 3:1-2 · Bob Eckel · Jul 7, 2019
Colossians (2019), No. 20
Holly Hills Bible Church
https://www.hollyhillsbiblechurch.org/teaching/messages/49261915274662

Transcribed from the recording by SermonAudio, so expect the occasional misheard word.

Let's start with chapter 2, verse 20. And we'll read down through the first two verses of 3. I kind of wondered why you didn't give me 3 too, but anyways. I actually thought the first four verses were so special that I wanted to repeat them. Okay, I hope you're not disappointed today.

Okay, wherefore If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why is the living in the world are ye subject to ordinances, touch not, taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men? These things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship and humility and neglecting of the body. not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. Ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Alright, so the transition from Colossians 2.20, if then you're raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand.

How you doing at that? Is everybody doing okay? So remember chapter 2, which we kind of concluded by reading those last few verses, wherein Paul warns the church at Colossae about the dangers of Gnostic teaching and false philosophy. Now in chapter 3, he directs the church, or us today, above. The contrast. heavenly places versus earth.

And again, Colossians 2.12 is somewhat of a reiteration here in Colossians 3.1, buried with him in baptism in which he also were raised with him through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead. Romans 6 truth all over again, right? Buried with him with baptism unto death, risen with him from the dead. to new life, right?

And I think that's one thing that yesterday is kind of missing, the uncertainty for the Catholic message in terms of the security of people who are listening to the message. There are a lot of partial truths there which were, I think, uplifting maybe to an unsaved individual. I don't know, but they kind of stopped short of this kind of identification truth and the value of a changed life based on what Paul has reiterated time and time again in his epistles.

If appears to be subjunctive, and what's subjunctive tense? Maybe yes, maybe no. Yeah, but if here is better translated since, since this is a first class condition. And why is that a better translation than if being subjunctive? Do you want to teach up here? You may think I planted the answer here. Margaret is a step ahead of all of us.

This if thing, if you think about the word of God, the prepositions often mean a lot. I mean, think of the preposition in Christ or in Him versus for Christ or for Him. I looked at this like 25 years ago after I started getting into a better and deeper theological understanding as to who I am for the Lord. For Him is used like three or four times throughout Scripture, but in Him like 156 times or in Christ. So we're in Christ. We don't work for Him or do things for Him. were actually in him, positional truth.

So since you were raised with Christ. Now what's the average believer think of this? Since you were raised with Christ. If you did a survey and you sent it out by email and you were asking what does you were raised with Christ mean? What do you think their survey is going to I would say most of my friends that are believers have no idea what that means. They really don't. Any other thoughts? What do people think of this?

Pat? Pat had his hand up, Roger. A rear view mirror? No, you're good. Pat, go ahead. It seems like in goes very well with Yeah, and we're going to get to this with Christ in a second, so keep that in mind. Raised with Him. Well, I guess you have to think to the milk-drinking believer that our sins are forgiven. So being raised with Him, I guess, in some way relates to that price that was paid. But the identification truth is really a whole different ballgame, isn't it? And what's so important about being raised with Him? Well, Colossians 2, 12, we're buried with Him. So who's buried? Are our sins buried? No, the blood was shed on behalf of our sins, correct? Who's being buried? Adam, right? The second Adam is what we're raised with, right? And the first Adam is who was buried with him.

Incredibly important truth. And unless you accept this, I think growth is very difficult because we continue to fail our Lord. We always fall short. But since you've been risen with Christ, where's your motive? Where's your thought? Where's your position? It's all upstairs.

But isn't that why they're still so legal? Because if they don't understand this truth, that the first Adam was buried, then that gives them a total license to keep doing the legal things because they have to please God. They have to keep doing it. Because they're not married, their sin nature is still, they don't understand.

And there are two results of that. What are the two results? Exhaustion. Well, yeah, never totally pleasing God, right? You're always going to be falling short. And what's the second consequence? They lack the joy of the Christian experience. Mike and I were talking about that at Bible study last night, about the fact that these truths are so critically important for taking the pressure off and living by faith. It's a whole different life. And my joy of my Christian experience just began when these things started to grow in me as biblical truth as to what it means to live the Christian life. I can't please God no matter what the old man would do, right? But he's totally pleased with who I am in him.

So censure isn't with Christ. Get on with it, right? Because to be risen with Christ is, the verb tense here is incredibly important, erst, done once, passive, meaning it was done to us, and indicative, fact. There's no subjunctive nature to this. Since you're risen with Christ, get on with it. It's true, and it's not because of you. How is this for identification? Alright, Pat, back to you. With Christ.

Romans 6-8, we died with Christ. Romans 8-17, we're joint heirs with Christ. Galatians 2-20, crucified with Christ. Ephesians 2-5, made alive together with Christ. Philippians 1.23 rather goes on to be with Christ.

Life hidden with Christ, Colossians 3.3, that's next week. You're teaching next week? Being with Him is nice, but I think being in Him makes with even more important.

So seek those things which are above. Seek present active imperative. We're responsible for this. This isn't a passive experience. How do we seek those things above. How do we do it? The class is silent. How do we seek those things that are above? Margaret. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that one. Tell him the finger wins over the hand. What do we call that? A fellowship. What's the term we're looking for? Very simple. Not guess what I'm thinking. Abiding. Abiding.

How about faith, right? That's how we seek those things above, by faith. What has God said? He said seek those things above. Faith. What's faith? Believing. Believing what God has revealed. That's faith. Do we believe it or do we not believe it? Faith.

There's another cool part, that word raise, actually. is another cool word, it's actually co-raised. So there's even another, it's like Paul said, I'm going to make sure you understand that you're with Christ. And you can read it, since you then have been co-raised with Christ. So we got the with and the co-raised, they're all kind of just jam-packed in that one verse.

It's a superlative, huh? It is, oh my goodness, so you're not just raised, you're co-raised. And you think, wow. And your mind just starts going, you know, It's an incredible picture of our relationship with our Savior. He's kind of grabbing us and saying, come with me. Well, that makes it very passive, doesn't it?

What things are above? We're seeking those things that are above. What are those things? Wait, what are those things? What's that? Christ for one? Is there more than this? Is Christ all there is above? Well whatever, that's where Christ is and we're positioned in all that he is, right? So what things are above, Carol? You know what those things are. You know what those things are.

This is not like Halloween, okay? No, for me it's a different perspective. It's a different way of looking at things because you're in a, like you say, this is our business address and it kind of gives me a different perspective, a different view of kind of day-to-day stuff. Perfect. You led right in.

Philippians 3, for our citizenships that haven't, for which we're also eagerly eagerly waiting for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. So, anyway, that's kind of what it's all about. That's where our permanent address is, Heavenly Places. Well, Bob, I always like to think of the things involved with it, with all those wonderful truths about our relationship with our Savior, like we teach a class in the riches of God's grace, the 33 things that we, it's like, I kind of envision those are the things that were with Him and we're marveling at All that he's done for us, all that are wrapped up in our being children of God, that he died for us. All the things that are delineated in Paul's writings about Christ and us.

All those wonderful things. Those are the things that occurred to me. Other thoughts about things above? Nobody has any other wisdom here to share? So the identification really places us in our Savior, who's really up above, and that's where our citizenship is. This earthly experience is our business address. Good way to look at it, I think, in terms of all the graces that exist at the right hand. John 12, 32, and if I'm lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to myself.

What do you make of that? All peoples? Is Christ drawing all peoples to himself? He certainly provided for all people. His death provided the potential for all to be saved, but they have to exercise faith. But obviously lifting up only the ones that have exercised faith can do it. Other thoughts on all peoples? You can put your arm.

Well, at some point, I mean everybody is going to realize who he is at some point. And some will be happy about it and some will realize they missed the boat. I'm going to get out of rabbit trail for a second, but what about people who know nothing of Christ?

Romans chapter 1 refers to that. It's building man to know that there is a God. The three C's, right? Creation. conscience and Christ. And many people just have been exposed to the first two. But can they be saved by the first two? No, it's Christ that saves. And so we have to trust God there.

There have been instances where, you know, in the middle of nowhere, someone shows up to share the gospel when someone is ready. The Holy Spirit knows they're ready and, and someone shows up. I mean, I just I think the Lord has this all worked out. It's kind of complicated for us to try to figure out, but I think it can happen. I mean, we look at the stars, we look at the universe, we take it all into perspective. There's got to be a God, but the skeptical world, the scientist, does not necessarily buy into that.

The conscience can be helpful. That's God's omnipresence, right? But the conscience can fail us, can it not? Depending on who you hang out with, what your culture is, etc., right? But Christ is who saves and he does call all to himself. We just have trouble understanding exactly how that happens in the circumstances where someone is not heard. Roy, speak.

Just one missionary example, a bit of Wailodani. They used to be called the Akas, the savages. Now they are called Wailodani, the people. And when missionaries were martyred there, God revealed himself through that to them. they began to realize that they were killing each other off. That's number one, and it wouldn't be very many of them left if they kept on living this way. And number two, when those men were killed, their consciences were pricked by God. They knew they had done something wrong. And then when the wives of the men went in, the wife and sister, and presented the gospel, They were right, they were ready to listen. And there are many examples I'm sure of that kind of circumstance.

When it says those things, things seem like it's objects, non-personal, just objects, inanimate objects. So further your thoughts for me then, what would these things be, these inanimate objects? When I think of things, I think it's all wrapped up in a person.

I mean, the Lord Jesus Christ, how would we describe him? These are the things that describe the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, again, I didn't do an intense Greek study on this. Does anybody have any further insight, Carol? I think just as listening to Pat, I thought, well, I think of like his grace and his love. Those are kind of attributes. They're not something that you can pick up and move, but it's kind of things. Laurie, other thoughts about things?

Well, the verse that you have there, John 12, is in a context of, it says, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me. The context is the serpent in the wilderness that Moses looked at, a serpent, a sign of sin, and the staff was brass, it was judgment, and here's Christ taking our sins upon him on the cross. And that's the work of the Holy Spirit. The entire Old Testament is void of anything about that stack of wilderness, as to why in the world did God choose to do that, until Jesus reveals why it was done. It was a picture of Him on the cross. Isn't that neat, that the Holy Spirit would do that? That's one of the things of God, that in His infiniteness He has given in many small things that we read.

Anybody drill down on the word for things? Anybody have affairs with them? I didn't even pursue that just because I felt it was all wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ and everything. But I think attributes would be perhaps a better term here. I've done a little study on things.

It shows up in a lot of different places and it kind of means In many cases it means that the things of God are actually His works and His actions many times toward the believer. That's why I kind of connected the things back with the riches of God's grace, those relationships that we have because of our salvation, and probably being blessed with all spiritual blessings. So those spiritual blessings in my mind could be part of the things.

I realize it sounds kind of inanimate, but I think in scripture it's used differently. If you trace certain things, it's interesting what shows up. I think the Ephesians 1-3 connection is a good one. You're blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Those are things we're blessed with.

Anyway, Pat, I'm not sure we answered your question adequately. Alright, is being seated at the right hand of God important, and if so, why? We have a quiet class this morning. I think it was one of the commentators I read said there are many verses, 21. that indicate that Christ has ascended and sits at the right hand of God. And I have many listed here for you, but not all 21.

And the interpretation by Thayer is that he has become a partner in God's universal government. Isn't it stronger than this? What are your thoughts about what Thayer has said about his being at the right hand? That Christ now has become a partner in universal government.

If you sat at the right hand then you were the person of authority and honor and all of that with either your father or the leader whoever and this was part of their culture also so for them to say he sits at the right hand everyone understood what that meant. I mean, the ultimate interpretation was that if you were left-handed, you were in sin, right? The sinister nature of the left hand? Anyway, we'll leave that one behind. Roy, your comment.

When Christ was raised and ascended to heaven, all of God's glory was being manifested in a man. For the first time, this is the second Adam, this is the perfect man. He was prepared for this before the foundation of the world. This was God's purpose. To reveal His glory in a man. There is another aspect to that if I could finish with that, Claude. His preparation was for us as well. To include us in His glory, His righteousness.

Do we have any evidence that Christ was seated at the right hand of God before the ascension? I don't know of any example where he was at the right hand before the ascension. on the Lord's right hand and she was talking to Christ and saying hey I want him to be at the right hand and she was sticking her nose in there saying hey get my boys up there at the right hand. Absolutely. I mean, this is in Philippians as Christ's position after he ascended that the Word for God is like highly exalted in the name of Jesus. Every knee should bow things in heaven, things in earth and things under the earth, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, the Father. being exalted, I mean, that's the right hand is the place of exaltation. Was that exaltation that related to his earthly experience and then his position subsequent to that?

I think that's scripturally sound, but let's see what Vaughn says. He says, the description of Christ as seated at the right hand of God is another implied rejoinder. That's a term I've not seen before. to those who are seeking to diminish Christ's role as a mediator, inasmuch as the right hand of God is a metaphor for the place of supreme privilege and divine authority." And Roger reminded us last week, and I put that early on in today's lesson about the Gnostic influence of the Church at Colossae and all the false teachings and doctrines that were being presented.

So, and then heaven itself is the place where a glorified man himself, God the Son, is seated and his work of salvation finished. So it really, not only is it a place of honor, but it indicates the finished work. So positioned and seated, it's a done deal. This has come up, you know, where these unidentified flying objects as we saw that on the news here again recently.

Think for a second. Do you think there are other, potentially there are other planets, systems or solar systems where in fact Earth-like circumstances or atmospheres could exist? You know, his work's finished. If there are people elsewhere, is he going to get on the cross again?

I mean, it makes me very skeptical about it. Despite the magnitude of the universe, which is incredible, and the telescopic capabilities nowadays, the resolution is unbelievable. You can look at distant planets and other solar systems and, you know, perseverate all you want and speculate that there are other people alive somewhere else. And from a scientific perspective, it's hard to dismiss that possibility. But did our Savior die once and for all? I think that's something you have to ponder, if in fact that exists. Why?

The verse that sort of pinpoints these all things might be Ephesians 1.10. Okay. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ. Good. Nice. That's nice. Pat, you okay with that one? I can't hear anything. Yeah.

Ephesians 1.10. Read it again, Roy, and speak up if you could, please. Well, I don't know.

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in him. Right, which again, I think, could easily be related to his attributes and everything that's wrapped up in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. We had a discussion last night at Bible study. We were studying the gospel of John and we had a vibrant discussion about issues that related to ultimately the things that related to the marriage at Cana and everything that related to that and then we went on to kind of try to figure out you know why Christ would call Mary his mother woman rather than mom.

Go ahead. I thought it had something to do with the culture but Not everyone agreed with that. The thing that some of us felt was that this is his heavenly existence as the truly God-man and even though Mary was his earthly mother she was in fact not of him.

His nature took on more than simply her being his mother. I think of the cross, he also called her woman. So, anyway, all things wrapped up in Christ is something different than any other human existence. And his attributes really reflected that in his personage on earth. Alright, so the challenge to us now, we're risen with him and we are to seek those things. that are above, and so setting your mind on attributes above. Not on attributes, on things on the earth. Are you okay with things on the earth, like a new car, maybe, or something like that? Why are you looking at me like that? Okay, all right.

Set is also striving for it. Set your mind on things above. Strive for things above. It's kind of like being co-raised, Roger. I mean, striving. This is not just kind of thinking about things up there. We're to strive for things. And this is present active imperative. Do it. Imperative tense. Do it. Seek those things that are above and set your mind on things above. You must not only, this is Lightfoot, seek heaven, you must also think heaven. How do you think heaven?

You know, it's assuming, when it says that in Colossians 3.2, it's assuming that you understand your position. Because if you don't understand who you are, it's meaningless and also then it's like it's a work you have to start making your list of what's above and are you thinking about those things and I have Christian friends who I'm telling you when they see that verse they're like oh gosh I gotta make a list and I gotta really concentrate on keeping my mind thinking about these things as opposed to understanding who they are.

That gets to is our Christian experience a choice or is it a life and it's a life. It's not a choice. The self-righteous man woman can make the right choice because of the consequences of making the wrong choice. That's Adam from the start go. But I think when we talk about Christianity as a life, that's striving for things above and allowing the Spirit to work those out in our lives. Gary?

In thinking of things above, I think the rapture is for me a key thing. To think of the rapture and to get the perspective of Christ coming again and get my eyes off of things here and there. So when you think about the rapture, what enters your mind in terms of your deep thinking?

Eternity with Him. Things above. Christ is seated on the right hand of my Advocate. And coming again is an imminent thing that's going to occur down in the future. I agree with that. I think today's Hungry Heart, I think it was today that I read this morning, said we already have. In other words, we're looking for His coming and our eternal security.

But right now we have all the attributes we may need. I'm not saying that the rapture isn't something we should be looking forward to and praying for. But many people look at the rapture as getting them out of this earthly body, right? In terms of the pain and ultimately the sin nature that still exists in each and every one of us. But we have all the things we need positionally right now. The rapture will clear us from any old nature that continues to exist within us. But remember Verne, he prayed frequently for the rapture.

Other thoughts? Gary, good comment. Thanks. Alright, what does this mean and how does this apply? It's setting your mind on things above. So I think Lightford kind of said it, well, think heaven. When you think heaven, you don't think of this nebulous kind of uncertainty that lies ahead. How much detail do we have about heavenly places? I don't know about you, but I've got a lot more detail about hell, scripturally, than I do about heaven.

Based on the previous verse, realizing that, you know, you're going to think about things about what you are positionally already there. So that takes care of all this. Because you think, well wait a minute, I'm not just waiting to get there, I'm already there. What does that mean in my daily walk? What does that mean that I'm already seated with Christ? And what things are there and who is above.

In Ephesians 1-3 we turn to that previously. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Do we believe that? I mean, we fall short because of this earthly existence that we go through.

But that's by faith. When we seek things above and set our minds on things above, we need to really experience, Pat, I like the attributes of the Lord Jesus Christ and all we are in Him. It's a life. It's not a choice. By faith, we have everything we need and we fall short because we live in an earthly body. But we're to reckon this old man indeed dead unto sin, right? it's still there but if we seek things above the things of earth become pale. What that makes you think of is all the turmoil that's going on on this earth and you can get so wrapped up in this I mean you can become psychotic I mean you know being upset and you know I don't want to leave the house to go to the grocery store because you know look at what could happen and look at how nasty people are and I mean really you know you get this can be taken so far but if you think this is all there is then that's what happens to you you get so wrapped up in all of this not that we don't care and we want to be involved we want to you know make a difference all that stuff we do but you cannot let it take over your life to the extent that you're afraid or terrified because are so, what am I trying to say, so upset about political things. All the terrorism, the blah, blah, blah.

We have to remind ourselves sometimes that we're basically people in a fairly comfortable setting and there are people in the world that can't relate to this at all because of their circumstances. We need to have compassion about those who have not been saved or don't seek the truth or don't understand these concepts. So, Roy and then Wayne. Roy?

I believe this is because it's in the imperative, it appeals to our will. Setting your mind on things above and not on the things of the earth would mean that there's an object of our will that we are trusting the things in heaven, not the things on earth.

So maybe this is like a synonym of other verses that say, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you now will be saved. Believe on me, over and over again. It could be a synonym to set your mind on the great object of things above. It reminds me of Christ's response to the Pharisees when they inquired of him, what do we do to do the things of God? And he said, believe on him whom he hath sent.

I always think of the new creation. We are part of a new creation with a new federal head. So nothing on this earth has anything to do with us other than we are here and our physical body is part of this earth. and setting our mind on the fact that we are identified with Christ with a brand new creation, not like Adam anymore. It kind of gets your mind in a different perspective. That's why identification truths are so important. They are paramount. So many people out there have no clue.

Well, again, it makes the Christian life joyful, doesn't it? It gives us a peace, and that peace relates to the Spirit of God working through us to make these things true. There's no rest here. The rest is in Christ. I hate to keep talking, but there's a favorite verse of mine in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 30. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God, talking about God's action relating to Christ, is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. God is the one who makes Those are the things that are above, made under him. But it is the action of the father to make us focus on the big object, that's who he wants us to look at. Alright, let's go ahead here, time is getting short.

What things are on earth, and what are these things on earth, we've kind of related to that a little bit, and are they intrinsically sinful? I'm going to be cast even further down. A lot of the earthly things are immoral, are they not? The things that can be listed, wealth, honor, pleasure, the vanity, the three great sins that John identified, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, how about some of those listed there? Cosmos, world system stuff, right? Which relates to government, politics, border, immigration issues, and beyond. So are those intrinsically sinful?

I mean, I think we think of the world system as immoral. There's stuff that, we're going to Rocky's game as immoral. Amoral. Amoral, not immoral. No, I meant to say amoral. She corrects me all the time, so this is good. Amoral, right. Amoral, right. Lots of amoral stuff, right? But there's lots, so being of the earth is not necessarily sinful, right? But the things on earth is not where our focus should be. But does that mean you can't go to Rocky's game and join baseball? No, I don't think so. Other examples? Thoughts? I was just thinking if they're trying to fix up the old man with those kind of things, yeah, probably are.

If you realize what they are and they're earthly and they don't account for anything. Well if you think of all the social engineers, what do they feel is lacking in terms of this earthly existence? Well, pleasure is for one thing. Compassion. Well, no. I think the social engineer basically thinks education is the answer to all things. Peace on earth.

If we're better educated as people, the sin nature suddenly, I mean they don't say this, but the sin nature then becomes dwarfed, right? But then they go into some of the education into things that are so godless that really isn't an education at all. No truth.

Do you agree with Constable? This is the legitimate mysticism of Paul. The two commands differ in that the first emphasizes the more practical pursuits of life, whereas the second stresses the whole bent of the life. The first is outward and the second inward. Do you agree with that? So Constable is saying about this, the fact that when we are addressing the question, are all the things on earth intrinsically sinful? And so he says this is the legitimate mysticism of Paul. meaning you seek those things which are above versus those things that are on those. These two commands differ, that the first, seeking those things above, emphasizes the more practical pursuits of life, whereas the second stresses the whole bent of the life.

The first is outward and the second is inward. The last phrase bothers me. The last phrase of that bothers me. The first one, outside, it misguides me. Well the first is outward presumably. Which two commands? Well the one, seek those things from above. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. So the first is outward meaning we have to actively seek that and the second one is inward. Anyway, we don't need to spend time here.

Colossians 2.20, therefore if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, meaning things of the earth, why as though living in the world do you subject yourselves to regulations? I mean, it kind of plays out to the Colossian experience, right, with agnostic traditions and false teachings. Well, this was the note, don't eat, don't drink, don't touch. I mean, going back to that.

And if we think of the earth, Philippians 3.19, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who set their mind on earthly things? I mean, you know, that's, it's kind of part of a downward spiral, is it not, things of the earth? And what's going to happen to the earth? I mean, just praying for world peace, how likely is that, scripturally?

The Middle East and beyond, right? All right, so I'm going to conclude with this. When we heed this verse, our position increasingly becomes our condition. Otherwise, we're overly influenced by Satan, the world system, and the sin nature. I mean, there are three elements of this earthly things focus that we all can have, and we all fall back into these at times, I'm sure. But when we really focus on these two verses, and this second verse particularly, our position increasingly becomes our condition.

That's what it's all about, right? Our position is secure, but our condition really is influenced by our position and by faith. That is a transition that gradually takes place in all of us. The two important words for the believer is to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus and to be transformed into his image. We could look at verses that support both of these.

All right, to conclude, Romans 12, 2, and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. And what's that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God? that he'd be glorified, right? Hal spent two years on God's glory and how it's manifested in our lives. To God be the glory, right? Great things he has done.

So that includes each and every one of us. Further thoughts about today's lesson before Roger takes on verses 3 and 4 next week. Actually, in some ways, verse 3 is so pivotal in this. By leaving verse 3 out, you know, So let's look at 3 and 4 now as we close. For your dead and your life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our life shall appear.

Gary, back to the rapture. Then shall ye also appear with him in glory. What triumph that will be, right? When's Christ coming? Does anybody have any clues on that? All right. Let's close in prayer. David, would you close us in prayer, please? We thank you, Lord, for the word that was brought this morning, and for using the Bible to speak to us, and Lord, we ask this to set our mind on things above, and to bring glory now to you, Christ's name. Amen.