The Things Above

THE THINGS ABOVE

Col 3:1-17

Col 3:1-17 (NKJV)

¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

HOW TO SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE: PUT TO, PUT OFF, PUT ON

1. PUT TO DEATH THE FLESH (Through Obedience)

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

The reason why we find it hard to focus on heaven is because we are still living for the fleshly desires of our body. The cure for this is to crucify the flesh by simply obeying the commands of the Lord. We don’t have strength to combat our earthly desires, but God gave us a will to choose to follow His commandments. Disobedience is the root of all our carnal tendencies. If you are struggling today in your walk with Christ, it is because you are obeying the lust of the flesh and not His will which results in being earthly-minded. Start obeying His word and slowly but surely your mind will be heavenly-minded.

2. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUTTING ON THE NEW MAN OF EQUALITY

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Heaven is a place filled with people from every tribe, tongue and nation. There is equality in His kingdom. On this earth there is injustice, prejudice and discrimination. Deeming yourself more superior to your fellowman results in filthy language and lying, along with anger, wrath, malice, etc. If we deem each other as equal members in the body of Christ, we should not be speaking bad things against our neighbor. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. You wouldn’t lie to yourself, would you now? You wouldn’t curse anyone because you consider the other person as yourself. Such is the character of heaven.

3. PUT ON TENDER MERCIES & LOVE BY FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

One Facebook Account is named: What Would You Do In Heaven? It says in its webpage:

Heaven is forgiveness. Being forgiven. And being able to forgive. Forgiveness brings peace. Forgiveness unites us and builds bridges where we once built walls. Forgiveness allows us to lay down our burdens, our guilt, our anger. When we finally find healing and wholeness, we find forgiveness as well. Forgiveness is heaven.

Heaven is a place whose inhabitant is people who has been forgiven and are forgiving. The Bible says:

Matt 6:14, 15 (NKJV)

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Unforgiveness will keep us out of heaven. Harboring ill-will and bitterness against our fellowman will keep our minds on the things on this earth, and we will only focus on our hurt pride, ego, and emotions. Forgiving our neighbors will give us a touch of heaven for this is the atmosphere of His kingdom.

Paul also says: Eph 4:32 (NKJV)

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Conclusion: 5 Things You Should Do To Have Heaven On Earth

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

5 Things mentioned here that reflect the character of heaven:

1) PEACE

Peace in heaven - Luke 19:38

2) WORD OF CHRIST

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalms 119:89

3) SINGING

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, Rev 5:8-9

4) HIS WILL BEING DONE IN HEAVEN

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt 6:10

5) THANKSGIVING

Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! Psalms 136:26 (NKJV)

And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. Rev 11:16-17 (NKJV)

C.S. Lewis, in his book, “Mere Christianity,” he wrote:

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

Let us therefore be heavenly minded so we could do more earthly good.

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Pastor Edward Vincent J. Barcial

Relevance by Pastor Rene Nepomoceno

WE BECOME IRRELEVANT!

· When we fail to know God better

· When we do not live the way we want people to live!

· When we ignore changes and reality

· When we refuse to listen

· When our values have been eroded

Ps Rene Nepomuceno on his talk about “RELEVANCE” last Nov 18, 2010 while visiting WIN- Al Ain. Ps Rene is our WIN - International Deputy Director and International Christian Education Coordinator and our WIN - Europe Overseer. He and his family is now based in London, UK.

Men at Work by Bro. Ruel Cabusas

Philippians 2 : 19 – 30

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. ²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

Introduction: (Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, "The Discipline of Service.")

Self-righteous service comes through human effort.

True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside.

Self-righteous service is impressed with the "big deal."

True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards.

True service rests contented in “hiddenness”.

Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results.

True service is free of the need to calculate results.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve.

True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims.

True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.

Self-righteous service is temporary.

True service is a life-style.

Self-righteous service is without sensitivity. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive.

True service can withhold the service as freely as perform it.

Self-righteous service fractures community.

True service, on the other hand, builds community.

Historical Background:

• Author – Paul

• Purpose – To thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent Paul and to strengthen these believers by showing them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone.

• Date written – 61 AD from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment

The following are the narratives of Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus in the work of the Gospel and to their fellow workers.

1. Paul

- He has joy even he is prison (v 19)

- He loves his fellow worker (v 22)

- He is concern with the church even in sorrow (v 27)

2. Timothy

- He shows genuine concern to the church (v 20)

- He is supportive in the work of the Gospel (v 22)

3. Epaphroditus

- He is supportive to fellow worker (v 25)

- He risks his life for the ministry (v 30)

What kind of church is the Philippians?

- Looks out for their own interests (v 21)

- Could not give much help (v 30)

Let me conclude this message by these questions:

Are we like Paul who is joyful in spite of his condition?

Or are we like Paul who is supportive in the work of the Gospel?

Or are like Epaphroditus who is supportive to his fellow worker?

Or are like the Philippians who just look out on their own interests?

WIN-Al Ain Seeds of Hope

Bro. James (real name is Arun Giri) was born a Nepali Hindu but got born again in Christ. While in Malaysia, the Lord miraculously healed him there on his deathbed. Since then he became a strong witness & believer in Jesus. He has a wife named Laxmi Giri (also a believer) and both of them have six children, 3 of their own and 3 they adopted later. His own children are: Asmi (age 10), Joseph (8) & Ezekiel (6). The adopted children are Daniel (12), Suman (10) & Aris (8).

These are not legally/officially adopted by the courts or registered as such by the government, but it is recognized that they live in the home and he has assumed responsibility for them as their guardians.

James used to worked in Sheikh Palace with a security company in Schwaib and then later transferred to Dhaid and later in Al Ain. He came to the office of Chaplain Isaac of Oasis Hospital looking for a church to attend in Al Ain. Chaplain Isaac then referred him to Pastor Stan Rubesh, the chairman of T. E. A. M. (The Evangelical Alliance Missions) AP in Al Ain. Bro. James later joined the Nepali Outreach that Ps Stan started.

James showed spiritually maturity and became Ps Stan’s translator at the Labor Camp where they visit many Nepali workers. James went on to disciple his own workmates.

He recently went back home to Nepal to join his family as advised by Ps Stan that it would be better for him to be with them. Ps. Stan knew about the Seeds Of Hope (SOH) that we are trying to start in WIN – Al Ain and came to my office if whether we are interested in supporting at least James’ adopted children. The Church Council agreed to support James as our initial WIN – Al Ain local SOH project beneficiary. We are also in the process of supporting the WIN – UAE SOH National Programme through Sis. Coi Alea of WIN – Al Nahda that would benefit Filipino orphans through our Philippine Office.

Please pray for our local Seeds of Hope WIN – Al Ain overseer, Sis. Marlene and our dear Bro. James that the Lord will use this ministry to bless orphaned children around the world. Thank you so much for your prayerful support.

James 1:27 (NKJV)

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

May the Lord reward you richly as you give generously to the Lord’s work.

God bless!

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Pastor Edward Vincent J. Barcial

ON THE WINNER’S SIDE by: Bro. Teody Galit

Almost all of us have favorite games that we love to play or watch. Filipinos love sports passionately. In every game that we play our aim is to win, and every time our team is winning we feel so inspired to play even better to maintain our position on the winning side. Even those who are just rooting for his or her favorite team will become so emotional on the outcome of the performance of his or her team, whether they are on the winning side or on the losing side.

In our Christian lives each of us should aim to be always on the winning side in every battle in this world. The Lord wants every one of us to be a winner and not a loser. Today we will see what the Bible tells us that once we are in Christ we can be sure that we are on the winning side.

There are three Points that prove Christians are on the winner’s side (Romans 8:31-39)



Point # 1: NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST US



Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?



“Satan and all those under his power are always against every believer of Jesus; but Paul said that “if God is for us who can be against us?” This is how God value every believer. He did not spare His own Son and gave him up for us to be saved, how much more can he not protect us from every work of Satan? This is why Paul said, “who can be against us.” We often quote this verse, but do we really appreciate how God valued us? One good example that we failed to see what God has done to us is by our prayers. If God did not answer our prayers according to our own plans and schedules, most of the time we become upset and think that God is intentionally withholding the things that we are asking Him. Some people even say that they were neglected by God, which is completely wrong. God has given us the greatest gift, His only Son to die, for us to be saved. That is a wonderful thing to know how God works for our own good. If He can give His only son for us how much more can He not freely gave us everything? Do you think God will allow His ultimate sacrifice to be invalid by refusing to protect and guide every believer? Let us think about it.



Point # 2: NO ONE CAN CHARGE US



Romans 8:33-34 (NKJV)

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.



Since God did not spare His Son and gave Him to save us, do you think He can charge or accuse us? Or even let somebody to do the same to us. God is the one who justifies us; he gave us the right to stand with Him. And because He justifies us who can successfully charge or accuse someone whom God declared righteous? Nobody! He is the judge that declared us not guilty! Who will then dare to accuse us? Even Jesus will not condemn us because He was the one who died for our sins, He will not allow His death to be invalid if He condemns us. Instead He is risen and now sits on the right hand of God interceding for all of us. If God, who created everything, cannot put a charge on us, who can charge us now?

Four things that Jesus did and still doing for the believers not to be charge:

1. His death

2. His resurrection

3. His exalted position

4. His continuing intercession for us



Point # 3: NO ONE CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST



Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



On this last point Paul wanted us to realize the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. The list of things that Paul mentioned that can separate us from the love of Christ is not just theoretical. It is based on his own personal testimony and experiences. He survived and emerged triumphant when he faced all the things that he mentioned.

Paul quoted Psalms 44:22 to remind us that every believer who trusts God and faithful followers of Jesus must expect to face persecutions, even death, difficulties and sufferings. But in the end we will emerge victorious because we are more than conquerors because Jesus loves us.

For every believer, it is a rule and not an exemption to suffer because we are followers of Jesus. So instead of being separated from Christ by all the circumstances that Paul had mentioned it should always purify us and make our faith in Jesus stronger. Our goal is victory, with Jesus with us we are always on the winner’s side. Paul said that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ, even all the created things. Paul said that we are more than conquerors through Him who love us. God the creator of heaven and earth is on our side; what more can we ask for? Nothing!

So it is our choice which side we want to be on: on the winner’s side or on the loser’s side. I hope that we already made our decision and made the right choice.



CONCLUSION



Isaiah 50:9 (NKJV)

Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.



In every circumstance that we may face, our source of help should always come from the Lord. He should be our first choice and not the last option. God will cause everything to work together for good to accomplish His ultimate purpose for His children.

Suffering will still bring pain, loss, and sorrow. But under God’s control the outcome will always be for our own good. God always work in His own ways; and it is His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Let us continue to obey and put our trust on Him, and we can be sure that we are always on the winner’s side because He is always with us.