Series Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NJKV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

This one thing changes everything: “old things pass away, behold, all things become new.”

Behold = horäo: To look at properly, to become acquainted with experientially, set your sights

Sermon Text: Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT): “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”

Set Your Sights and Fix Your Focus  

Colossians 3:1 (NLT): “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

Stop Seeing Yourself As You Are But As You Ought To Be. Set Your Sights on the Realities of Heaven.

Think Up and Not Down

Colossians 3:2 (NLT): “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” We are not transformed by what we see but what we believe. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV): “As a man thinks within himself so is he.”

Romans 12:2 (NLT): “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing  the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Start thinking like God wants you to think: in eternity, the lost, the kingdom. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “Seek first the kingdom and all its righteousness.”

Be Real and Live Free

Colossians 3:3 (NLT): “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

John 12:24 (NKJV): “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” In order to find your new life, You have to give up your old life. John 8:36 (NKJV): “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Christ Changes Your Eternal Destiny

Heaven is a Real Place, John 14:2-3 (NKJV): “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself…”

Heaven is a Prepared Place: “I go to prepare a place for you”

Heaven Is a Promised Place: “I will come again and receive you to myself.”