Rise Up and Seek
Rise Up Week 4
Gary Moritz
Part of Rise Up—Standing Strong in Times of Uncertainty
May 3, 2020

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Pastor Gary Moritz
pastor@cityunited.church

INTRODUCTION

Jesus rose from the dead, so we can Rise Up and live. The book of Colossians shows us Jesus Christ’s divine characteristics and how we can Rise Up in Him. The Creator, the One from whom all things exist, the all-powerful One, the master of time and space is the head of the church. This infinite eternal and all-powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal. He is shown to be the One who becomes our life!

“..when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” —Colossians 2:12

Our new life in Christ should change our focus, thinking, and actions. Crisis and uncertainty may shake everything on the outside, but Christ can stabilize everything on the inside. We can Rise Up and draw near to God – and if you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

In this series, we will learn how to stand strong in times of uncertainty andRise Up in the newness of Christ.

APRIL 12    RISE UP AND LIVE (EASTER)
APRIL 19    RISE UP AND HOPE (COLOSSIANS 1)
APRIL 26    RISE UP AND MATURE (COLOSSIANS 2)
MAY 3       RISE UP AND SEEK (COLOSSIANS 3)
MAY 10      RISE UP AND PURSUE (COLOSSIANS 4)


Additional Resources for the book of Colossians

Text: Colossians 3 (CSB, New Testament)

TODAY’S TAKEAWAY:

BREAKTHROUGHS BEGIN WHEN BAD BEHAVIORS BREAK UP

RISE UP WEEK #4:

RISE UP AND SEEK


I. SEEK CHRIST IN YOUR (vs 1–17)

A. A Christian’s

(vs 1–4)

  1. The

    we seek (vs 1–3)

    We must transfer our focus from earth to heaven.

    “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” —Matthew 6:33

  2. The

    we seek (v 4)

    We must direct our affection toward Jesus.

“There is no one holy like the LORD. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God.” —1 Samuel 2:2
“ … Seek Me and Live!” —Amos 5:4
“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” —Matthew 7:7

B. A Christian’s

(vs 5–17)

  1. Bad behavior (vs 5–9)

    Do I want to displease God?

    a. Don’t practice Immorality and idolatry (v 5)
    b. Don’t use anger, malice, slander, and filthy language (v 8)
    c. Don’t lie (v 9)

    “…don’t give the devil an opportunity.” —Ephesians 4:27

  2. Breakthroughs (vs 10–17)

    Do I want to please God?

    a. A new life in Christ (vs 10–11)
    b. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v 12)
    c. Forgive and love continually (vs 13–14)
    d. Show God’s peace and thankfulness (v 15)
    e. Speak the words of Christ (vs 16–17)

    “31What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He did not even spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” —Romans 8:31-39 (NASB)

II. SEEK CHRIST IN YOUR AND (vs 18–25; 4:1)

A. Wives (v 18): Submit to your husbands with respect.
B. Husbands (v 19): Love your wives, and don’t treat them harshly.
C. Children (v 20): Obey your parents, listen and learn well.
D. Fathers (v 21): Don’t aggravate your children.
E. Workers (v 22–25): Serve your boss as you would serve the Lord.
F. Bosses (v 1): Treat your workers fairly. God is over you too.

“21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” —1 Peter 2:22-25 (NASB)

Conclusion:

Will you deal with any bad behavior in your life and seek God’s help for a breakthrough?

Remember -

Breakthroughs begin when bad behaviors break up.

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