Resurrected with Christ

Colossians 3:1-4

In this sermon we are going to answer the question of what it means to be risen with Christ. This phrase is found in the first verse of our passage and has great significance for the saved person today. We will begin by looking at teaching of being risen with Christ and then make a practical application for us from the Biblical teaching.

What does it mean to be risen with Christ?

1) When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden they lost the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28 ; 5:3)

• The image of God is Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4 ; Colossians 1:15)

2) Adam sin killed us all (Romans 5:12-14 ; Hebrews 2:9-14)

3) Before a person is saved, they are dead in sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1)

4) When you are saved in the Church Age you are spiritually resurrected and seated with Jesus   Christ in heaven (Ephesians 2:1-6)

5) This process is accomplished by the Holy Spirit baptizing us into the Body of Christ

(1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ; Galatians 3:27 ; Colossians 2:9-13)

• Note this has nothing to do with water baptism, this is a spiritual process done by the Holy Spirit of God.

6) Since we are in Jesus Christ in Heaven as a result of this resurrection and baptism of the Holy Spirit then spiritually the image has been restored to us (Colossians 3:9-10)

What does this mean for us?

1) We are still dead (verse 3)

• The old man (the flesh) is referred to as being dead after salvation. It is not really dead as you are aware but thinking of it this way can help us to get victory over sin (Romans 6:1-13). (Note also verse 5-9 in our passage)

2) We should set our affections on things above (verse 2)

• If we are in heaven, then we ought to be affected by heavenly things and not so much by earthly things. (Note verse 12-22)

3) We must think about the investment of the eternal and not the physical (verse 4)

• We appear with him, but we are also going to be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:7-10).
• Only what is done for Jesus will really matter.