United in Christ's Resurrection
The resurrection is a spiritual reality that unites us with Christ, demonstrating our acceptance with Him and providing a pattern for our lives.
W.H. Griffith Thomas emphasizes the believers' spiritual resurrection with Christ, urging them to focus on heavenly things where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This resurrection is not a mere possibility but a definite reality, establishing their spiritual identity and position in Christ. The resurrection serves as proof of their acceptance in Christ, a pattern for holy living, a source of power for Christian character and service, a promise of future physical resurrection, and a pledge of eternal life. Through their union with Christ, believers are seen by God as having shared in His resurrection and are called to live in light of this profound truth.
Text
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God"
(Col. 3:1).
The apostle first calls attention to his readers having been "raised together with Christ" (ASV). The English word "if" is employed here in its sense of "since"--"in view of," and the verb is in the indicative mood, so that Paul is clearly assuming this resurrection as a fact, admissive of no doubt. That is to say, these Christians were raised spiritually when Christ was raised physically; and this identification was the foundation of their spiritual position. The resurrection is variously presented in the New Testament as at once a proof, a pattern, a power, a promise, and a pledge. It is the proof of our acceptance of Christ's death and of our acceptance with Him (Rom. 4:24-25): it is to be the pattern of our holy life (Rom. 6:4); it is also the power for Christian character and service (Eph. 1:18-20); it contains the promise of our own physical resurrection (1 Thess. 4:14); and it is the pledge of our life hereafter (John 14:19). In the present passage our resurrection is associated with Christ's because we are united with Him in such a way that, whatever He did, we are regarded by God the Father as having done also (2:12; Rom. 6:8).
Sermon Outline
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United in Christ's Resurrection
- The Resurrection as a Fact
- Assumed as a Spiritual Reality
- Foundation of Spiritual Position
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The Resurrection as a Proof
- Proof of Acceptance with Christ
- Proof of Acceptance of Christ's Death
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The Resurrection as a Pattern
- Pattern of Holy Life
- Pattern of Christian Character and Service
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The Resurrection as a Power
- Power for Christian Character and Service
- Power for Spiritual Growth
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The Resurrection as a Promise
- Promise of Physical Resurrection
- Promise of Life Hereafter
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The Resurrection as a Pledge
- Pledge of Life Hereafter
- Pledge of Eternal Relationship with God
Key Quotes
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” — W.H. Griffith Thomas
Application Points
- We should seek to live according to the principles of the resurrection, seeking those things that are above and living a life of spiritual union with Christ.
- The resurrection provides a powerful pattern for our lives, demonstrating the possibility of spiritual growth and transformation.
- We can trust in the promise of our own physical resurrection, knowing that God has the power to raise us from the dead.