Living the Risen Life pt.2

After Life: Living the Risen Life pt.2

  1. The _______________ of our resurrection.

1 Therefore, because you were raised [συνηγέρθητε (soo-nā-ger-thā-te)] with Christ [τῷ Χριστῷ (tō chris-tō)], seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died [ἀπεθάνετε (a-pe-tha-ve-te)], and your life is hidden [κρύπτω (krēp-tō)] with Christ [σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ (soo tō chris-tō)] in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col 3:1–4)
Luther: This negative statement [v14] implies the positive one that a male who has been circumcised on the eighth day will be saved and will be counted among the people of God. Therefore circumcision was efficacious among the descendants of Abraham; that is, it brought righteousness, not because of the work alone, which was merely passive, but because of God’s promise, which was joined to this passive work.
Jewish theology recognizes that an 8-day-old infant cannot have conscious faith. The ceremony represents the parents' commitment to raise the child in the Jewish faith and the community's acceptance of the child into the covenant. True faith develops as the person grows and chooses to embrace their heritage.

Jews of Jesus’s time viewed circumcision as a non-negotiable, _________________ mandated ritual that was central to Jewish _________________ and ___________________ life.

11 You were also circumcised in him, with a circumcision not done by human hands, in the putting off of the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 when you were buried with Christ in baptism. And in baptism you were also raised [συνηγέρθητε (soo-nā-ger-thā-te)] with him through the faith worked by the God who raised Christ from the dead. 13 Even when you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ [σὺν αὐτῷ (soon ow-tō)] by forgiving us all our trespasses. (Col 2:11–13)

  1. The _________ to seek higher things.

Our sinful nature can _________ the _________ gifts of God into something _________.

Whereas “right hand” tends to accent Christ’s presence in power, “above” tends to stress his presence in grace (Jn 8:23; Gal 4:26; Phil 3:14).
Therefore, after preparing your minds for action by exercising self-control, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Pe 1:13)

  1. The _________________ in our hidden life.

For you died, and your life is hidden [κρύπτω (krēp-tō)] with Christ in God. (Col 3:3)

Christians possess eternal life as a _______________ reality because of their ___________________ participation with Christ in his _________________________.

when you were buried with Christ in baptism. And in baptism you were also raised with him through the faith worked by the God who raised Christ from the dead. (Col 2:12)
3 Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him by this baptism into his death, so that just as he was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too would also walk in a new life. (Ro 6:3–4)

  1. The ________________ of our glorious future.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory [δόξα (dō-‘ksa)]. (Col 3:4)
34 Then the cloud [νεφέλη (ne-phe-lā)] covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Glory [δόξα (dō-‘ksa)] of the Lord filled the tent. 35 Moses was not able to enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud [νεφέλη (ne-phe-lā)] stayed over it, and the Glory [δόξα (dō-‘ksa)] of the Lord filled the tent. (Ex 40:34–35)
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain where they were alone by themselves. There he was transfigured in front of them. 3 His clothes became radiant, dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them together with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say because they were terrified. 7 A cloud [νεφέλη (ne-phe-lā)] appeared and overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone. (Mk 9:2–8)
16 To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  17 For he received honor and glory [δόξα (dō-‘ksa)] from God the Father, when the voice came to him from within the Majestic Glory [δόξα (dō-‘ksa)], saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We heard this voice, which came out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pe 1:16–18)
51 Look, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Co 15:51–52)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. Paul says, "you have been raised with Christ" (fact). What do you think this means practically?
  3. Paul describes our life as "hidden with Christ in God." What does this hidden quality suggest about the Christian life? Why might this be both comforting and challenging?
  4. What are some "earthly things" that tend to capture your mind and attention? How might viewing them from the perspective of your "risen life" change your relationship to them?
  5. Paul promises that " When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." How does this future hope affect how we live today?
  6. If someone observed your daily life, what evidence would they see that you're living as someone who has been "raised with Christ"?
  7. What's one area of your life where you need to live more from your "risen" identity rather than your old patterns?
  8. How can we help each other remember and live from our true identity in Christ throughout the week?

 

Homework: 2 Corinthains 5