Seek The Things That Are Above

Alright. I am on. Nice. Well, howdy, y'all. See? I'm becoming a Texan. I remember the first time I was walking in our neighborhood, I walked my dog, and somebody walked past me and said, howdy? I went, where did that come from? Just can't help it. You live here and you start saying stuff like that.

Alright. Well, turn over to Colossians three. Passage because it's all about Jesus Christ. Last time I was here, I said I've walked with the Lord for about forty years. And then I went home and did the math. It's almost been fifty years. That's why God didn't allow me to become an accountant.

He said, you know, why don't you just be an artist? You know, you get four or five paintbrushes and you can probably handle that, keep you away from numbers. But it's been almost fifty years. And let me tell you, what I've learned in almost fifty years is that it's all about Jesus.

It is all about him. So every morning I wake up and just say, Lord, give me you. Help my heart to thirst after you like the deer thirst after the water brook. Lord, reduce me down to you. And I have also discovered that when everything's about him, then my life works.

When it's not, it doesn't. Anyway, that's why I wanted to pick this passage because it's all about him. So let's pray and then we'll read it and get into it. Father, we do thank you so much that we can be here, so much that we have a book to open, a love letter from you that tells us what you've done for us, what you're doing for us, and what you're going to do.

We thank you that when we come to church, Lord, it's not just wasted effort. It's just not a club. But we're being armed for the war. We're being taught how to walk with you. We thank you that, Lord, your spirit gets involved in this. And, father, if you don't grace us with your spirit right now, Lord, I am not sufficient to do anything here.

And who am I? Who is any person to open up this book that is so rich, that is so beyond us? But Lord, if you'll get involved, it can change hearts. And so Lord, I ask you to do that tonight. Get involved. In Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Colossians three one through four.

Let's read it. It says, if then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also then also you will appear with him in glory. Now this passage marks a turning point in Paul's letter to the Colossians. In chapters one and two, he has told us who Christ is and what he has done for the believer.

And let me read you the list here. This is quite a list and I'm always amazed at how much the bible can say in so short of a time. He says, we are told the believer has been delivered from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Christ.

We're redeemed through his blood. We're forgiven of all sins and reconciled to God. We are indwelt by Christ. We're made alive with Christ, made complete in Christ, and are buried and raised with Christ. We are freed from spiritual death, made recipients of God's full forgiveness, having the record of charges against us canceled.

Therefore, we no longer stand condemned, but live as reconciled people who rest in Christ's sufficiency, rejoice in his grace, and walk in the victory he has secured. That's quite a list, isn't it? And I'm always amazed when I hear people say that you can be saved and you don't change.

Not if that's happened to you. Oh, you're gonna change. And that's what Paul says. Paul says now in chapter three, in light of all of that, since that is true of you, then and here's our outline. Verse one, we are to seek the things above. Verse two, we are to set our minds on things above, not on things of the earth.

Why? Verse three, because you have died to the old way of living and have risen with Christ. And then we'll finish up with a reminder of where this is all taking us in the future glory. That's verse four. So he says in verse one, seek the things that are above.

Let's read it again. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. I want you to notice something here, that the Christian life begins with a miracle, doesn't it? Paul doesn't tell these believers, now try hard so that you can become something that you're not.

He reminds them of who they are because of what God has done, a past work, a past fact, past tense. Verse one, you have been raised with Christ. Then in verse three, we'll see, you have died. That's all past tense. That has all happened to every believer. See, when we were saved, we died to the old sinful life and we were raised with Christ to a new life.

That's Romans six four. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too might walk in newness of life. Dead to the old life, to walk in newness of life.

Now Paul says because that has happened, then our priorities, they've gotta change. Right? Someone who has been resurrected to do life does not live as if they're still in the graveyard. Right? You've died to the world. So that is not what you seek as most important. You've risen with Christ.

You've come alive to him. Your life should reflect that. In other words, you should be seeking the things that you're now alive to and you shouldn't be seeking those things that you've died to. Just a logical statement. Well, let's contrast this thought of dying to the world and being alive with Christ or in Christ because I think so many of us don't look like we're dead to the world.

We're still seeking the things of the world. We're thinking we're gonna find all of our satisfaction there, our security there, that the world's got enough for our joy. And let me say, it doesn't. I'm now at the age getting some some gray hair gray hairs here, where I have learned that this world doesn't have enough to satisfy me.

See, let me give you a couple reasons why this world can't satisfy you. Well, first, because the world is not secure enough to depend upon. Have you noticed that? I mean, for example, finances. I know so many that work so hard to get their financial, all of their finances in such good order that they won't have to trust God at all.

And it seems like they're just trying to work to be so secure. They're not gonna have to trust God. And there's nothing wrong with solid financial planning, is there? That's just wisdom. But let me tell you this, you who've planned well financially, that's not secure. That's not your security at least.

Proverbs twenty three five says, cast but a glance at riches and they are gone for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. I mean, there's so many things that can empty a bank account. Right? You think you've got it all sorted out.

I'm good. And you get something like cancer. And all of a sudden, the medical bills start pouring in and just drains all of your security. Possessions. We think, well, you know, I've got a lot of possessions. I'm good to go. I was just watching the news the other day and there was this outbreak, I think it was in Indiana, of tornadoes.

And my heart was broken as I watched this lady. And she was weeping and she said, you know what? In seconds, our dream house was gone. Everything we had was put into that house and now we're homeless. What do we do now? It just broke my heart. How quickly everything that they had lived for and poured into that house was wiped away in seconds.

See, things of the world I mean, it's good to plan whilst possessions are great. But all I can say is make sure your primary security is Christ. He is stable. J. C. Ryle said this, money, houses, land, and worldly possessions are all liable to pass away. The man who builds his happiness on them is building on sand.

And again, the problem is not the wealth, the house, or the land. Many saints in the Bible were wealthy believers. The problem comes when the things of the world become our refuge, become our security rather than Christ. Psalm 20 verse seven says, some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

We trust in him. See, money can disappear, health can fail, careers can end, governments can can fall, relationships can change. Christ alone is a treasure that can't be lost. Find your security in him. Don't find all your security in something you've died to. Right? You've died to the things of this world.

Don't find all your security in something you've died to. Find your security in that which you're alive to, Jesus Christ. Now I wanna go a bit deeper to show you why those who have risen with Christ, those who are alive in him, can't find lasting satisfaction in this world.

I think it's important we understand why this is true so that we don't waste our time with things like that. Why the things of the world cannot provide lasting satisfaction. And let me say this, it doesn't matter how much of the world you acquire, it will never bring true contentment.

Do you know why it always leaves us feeling empty after a while? Now listen up. This is really important. It always leaves us feeling empty after a while because God has wrecked you when it comes to the world. God has wrecked you when it comes to the world.

He radically changed you at salvation, didn't he? He put you to death as far as those old things go. They can't satisfy like they once did. Jeremiah Burroughs said this, the reason why men are not satisfied with the world is because they have souls too large for the world.

God did that to you. Right? You are risen with Christ. You have been made alive to him. You have a new nature that's designed to be satisfied by him. That new nature has an incredible capacity for joy, peace, and satisfaction, but it's designed by God to find all that in your relationship with Christ, in the majesty of who he is.

See, the soul was made for a higher end than the world and the things of the world. It was made to enjoy God. The world simply isn't big enough. The world simply isn't exciting enough to satisfy somebody with a new nature. God did that to you. And let me say this, it's all exhausting, isn't it?

It's such hard work to try to wring satisfaction and fulfillment out of the scraps of this world. We try to have enough money but it never seems to be quite enough. I remember they asked the millionaire once. This was back when I was a brand new Christian, 1,000,000 was really a lot.

But they asked him, how much money does it take to be satisfied? You know what he said? One more dollar than I have. It's always one more. It's always something else. It's never enough. Do we try to have enough stuff to quench our thirst? You know what they do?

They're so good at this. They keep making more stuff that's newer. Right? I mean, did you see that new iPhone? It has a different button on it, a new button. What's that button do? I don't know. I just know I need it. I can no longer be content with this ratty old, you know, 2025 iPhone that doesn't have that new button.

It's like with software. You know, I said I was an artist. And so I had all this graphic art software. And they would come out year after year with the new version. And you would buy it and be hundreds and hundreds of dollars. And you go, this is really a lot like the old version.

I can't find too much new in this. But they were masters at telling you why you needed that to be happy, why you needed that to be successful. You know, we we try to get respect from our peers. I gotta look successful. I gotta be funny. I gotta be clever.

I've gotta dress just right. And then you're always worried, what'd they think of me? What'd they think of me today at church? Was I cool enough? Probably the answer is no. But it's also demanding. It's also draining. We're wearing ourselves out. We are made for more than this.

And the Bible tells us the way to rest, the way to be satisfied is found in seeking the right things, those things that are above. Jesus said the same thing really in Matthew six thirty three. This is one of my life verses. Matthew six thirty three, but seek, same word, seek, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Isn't that good? To me, I like simple. I said this last time I taught here. I love simplicity. Just boil your life down life down to the simplest form. To me, that's simple. If I will just daily seek God first, he'll take care of the rest. I can do that.

I can wake up in the morning and say, Lord, you first today. You're my life. You're my treasure. Everything. You first today and I'll let you worry about the rest. To me, that's simple. I like it. Well, if seeking then is so important, we need to define what seeking is.

Seeking in the Greek is a continuous activity, a disciplined effort. In other words, Paul is calling these Colossians to a determined, intentional, daily decision. It's the same word that was used for Jesus in Luke nineteen ten. Luke nineteen ten, for the son of man came to seek and to save the lost.

There was nothing haphazard about that, was there? That was his priority. Therefore, he dedicated himself fully to it We're that. We're do what is that? Let's let's define what that is. And read our passage again. It's clear. Colossians three one through four, if then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory. Four verses, and Christ is mentioned four times.

So what am I to seek? To seek Christ. Right? I am to seek him. All the blessings of heaven, Ephesians one says, flows through him into my life. It is his promises that give you comfort. It's his rest that becomes your rest. His word becomes your sure counsel.

His wisdom, your perfect guide. His blessings, what he has already done, becomes a great source of joy and his promises guaranteeing our future becomes a great source of security. It's all about him. In other words, what is Paul saying here? Paul is saying live a Christ saturated life.

I love that word. Christ saturated are two words. That is the life of blessed of blessed satisfaction. Octavius Winslow said this, Jesus is the sun that brightens every scene, the friend who sweetens every sorrow, and the treasure who enriches every condition of life. So seek Christ, fill your mind with truth about him, contemplate those truths until those truths conquer your heart and ignite your affections for him.

Well, that sounds good. I like that. Got any tips on how to do that? Well, Paul says in verse two, here's the next one, set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. Set is in the Greek and it's much more than just to think about.

To it means to direct one's mind towards something, to set one's thoughts upon, to be devoted to, to cherish our value. So Paul is not simply saying, think about heaven occasionally. He is saying, adopt a heavenly mindset, Let your thinking, your desires, your values, your ambitions, and your outlook be governed by heavenly realities.

Christ saturated. So here's the thing. To seek the things above, we must set our mind on those things. To seek the things above, verse one. Set your mind on those things above, Christ, verse two. See, we become devoted to those things. We cherish those things that we set our mind upon.

This is so important. Listen to this. Because the affections of your heart you know what? They're never idle. Have you noticed that? The affections of your heart are always either rising toward God or descending toward the world. Always. What determines that direction is what I myself to set my mind upon.

What I set my mind upon will determine what I seek and how I live. This is so important. Therefore, I must choose to do what it takes to set my mind on the right things. You know, it's not gonna just happen naturally. We don't coast in the spiritual mindedness.

Have you noticed that? We don't coast in the spiritual spirituality. You can only coast downhill. You can only coast away from God. We move towards God with disciplined effort, and you can't get away from that. Therefore, I must choose to do what it takes to set my mind on the right things.

What is that? Well, it's things like reading your Bible, isn't it? It's things like determining to have a prayer life. It's things like fellowship in church. Those are the things that are necessary to seek the things that are above. And let me add this, those things are necessary whether you feel like doing it or not.

Let me let me say this as lovingly as I can. Your feelings don't matter one bit when it comes to this. Why? Because this isn't a luxury. These disciplines, scripture, prayer, fellowship, that's not a luxury. That's an a necessity if you wanna be spiritually healthy. And so you wake up and you did I love Samuel Rutherford, one of those great men of the past.

You know what he said? He said that quiet hour in the morning is the rudder of the day. Is the rudder of the day. So if I wanna seek Christ throughout the day, if I wanna experience God throughout the day, well, I've gotta set my heart towards him in the early morning.

I want my life to be pointed towards him. I want my prayer life to be that rudder that points me to Jesus Christ. I mean, how am I gonna seek him and be filled with him and experience him if I don't point my heart towards him? These things are necessary to seek those things that are above.

So I must refuse to make primary what God says is secondary. I don't live for the things of the earth because I died to them. Therefore, they no longer have the power to satisfy my soul. Instead, I set my mind on Christ and the things of Christ, which will cause me to seek Christ and the things of Christ.

And as I pursue the one to whom I have been made alive, I'll find that rest, satisfaction, joy, and peace that I crave. I'll experience that abundant life that Jesus said he came to give. See, close this to him is where true joy, peace, and satisfaction are found.

Close to him. Next, Paul reiterates the reason why I should think this way. Why earthly things should no longer dominate our minds. Look at verse three. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. So we have died. We've already seen that. That's past tense.

We've died to the things of the world. God has so radically changed us that we can't find satisfaction there, that least lasting satisfaction there any longer. We know God. We've experienced him. And you know what happens? If you know God and if you've experienced him, well, the costume jewelry of the world loses its luster, doesn't it?

Martin Luther said this, the soul that has found Christ has found a treasure before which all the riches of earth are but dust. How many of you discover that? The longer I walk with God, the more I read things like that and I go, right on, Martin. Right on.

Good job. That is absolutely right. See, now Christ is our life. And as Christians, we have a growing awareness that he is enough. Have you noticed that? You know, you kinda start off and you know, I'm great being a Christian. I'm forgiven. I'm going to heaven. But as you walk with Christ, there's this growing sense that he is enough.

That if I didn't have anything else but him, he is enough. He's enough. The world is constantly constantly telling us that we need other things to be happy. Right? I mean, here we are in Texas, so you need that new pickup truck. You you need more money, more possessions, more success, more recognition, but none of those things can truly satisfy the soul.

Why? Because now listen to this. Because the things of this world were never meant to take the place of the one who created the world. Let me say that again. I think that one's important. Because the things of this world were never meant to take the place of the one who created the world.

When we come to know Christ and walk with him, we begin to realize everything our hearts are searching for has been found. I remember that when I was a young Christian and I was just so caught up with Christ. I remember thinking one day, the search is over.

Everything I wanted, it's in him. It's in him. I I was dead, but now I'm alive. I was blind, but now I see in Christ there is life, real life, the abundant life. There is forgiveness, peace, joy, purpose, security, hope, and satisfaction. What more do I need? I remember coming out of bible school.

And while I was there, I don't know if this is on purpose or not, but while I was there, my parents moved and I was living in their house. And so I came out of school and I had nothing. I had a box of my possessions that I could carry around.

That was all I had. I didn't have a car. I didn't have a job. So I ended up living with a friend in their garage. And so I carved out this space in between all these boxes. If you've ever seen a garage in California, it's just filled with boxes and junk.

And so I carved out a little space in between these boxes, not just enough to put a mattress in there, a little tiny mattress. And that was my home while I was trying to get my life back together, get a job, and get back on my feet. So I didn't have anything but my little box.

But you know what? I remember one day as clear as can be, I was on that bed sitting there and I was reading my bible. I remember taking my bible and just clutching it to my chest and saying, God, I am so blessed. I am so rich. I have a love letter from you telling me what you've done for me and what you're going to do.

I know you. God, you have drawn me to you. I know you and I know your son. I'm gonna be with you for all of eternity. God, I'm so rich. Didn't look like it, but I was. But I am. Isn't the Bible the most wonderful book? What a gift from God.

So we have this gracious exhortation, the lifting of our eyes to Christ to free us from the things of this world. But does this mean we never think of the things of this world? I mean, some Christians take everything to such extremes, you gotta bring it back in balance all the time.

Colossians three two and three, set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth for you have died. And there will be some who'll go, okay, it's not hard to think about things on earth at all. Well, that doesn't mean we become indifferent to earthly responsibilities.

We still work. We still raise families. We still pay bills. We still serve others. It simply means that the controlling passions of our life is no longer earthly success, comfort, possessions, or applause. Our hearts are drawn upward toward Christ himself. We seek him in all things. He's above all the things of the earth that we have to take care of.

And let me add, it's only as we seek him in all things that everything falls into place. Right? You know, one of the best illustrations I've heard about that is using the solar system as an example. What keeps the planets in their proper orbit, their proper place? What's the mass of the sun and the gravity that that produces?

As long as the sun is there, those planets will maintain their proper order. Right? Their proper orbit. But what happens if you remove the sun? Chaos. Those planets will spin out of control. Who knows where they're gonna end up? And it's the same with us. As long as God is at the center of our life, there's a weight there.

The Bible talks about the weight of glory. We could say there is a gravity to God that holds every other desire in our life in place. If he is removed, we encounter chaos, don't we? Everything that was keeping our lust, our idolatry, our bitterness, and anger in place is gone.

Rises up and reigns again. So we can't neglect the things on earth. We just think of them through the grid of Christ. We take his lordship into consideration. Lord, what you want is what's most important to me. We care about his glory. Lord, what action will bring you the most glory?

And if I do this, will it bring disgrace to you? And if it does, I don't wanna do it. Lord, it's not my will that matters. Ir We're lives. To do your heart on him, you seek him, that. Christ saturated living, you're gonna be blessed. But you know what it what it's also going to do?

It's gonna create some problems. The more we seek the things above, the more we begin, the more we will begin to resemble the one who is above. Right? You seek him, you start to resemble him. That's the plan of God for your life. Do you know that? Romans says, it's God's plan to conform you into the image of Christ.

He's always working in you to make you more like a son, to make you less like you and more like him. But as that happens, the more we will be distinct from the world. And do you think the world is going to applaud that, gonna approve of that?

No. First Peter four four, they are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless wild living and they heap abuse on you. You ever had that happen? We have. When we lived in England, you know, we lived in this nice neighborhood and everybody was so friendly.

We're going, oh, the English are wonderful, aren't they? They're drive by and they'd wave to us. We're going, oh, yeah. I got friends everywhere. I'm just so popular. Then they invited us to a block party. And we thought, yeah. Wanna go meet all our neighbors. That'll be great.

And so the neighborhood was there. They thought it would be just a wonderful idea to go from person to person and ask them what they did for a living. And so, yeah, I'm a nurse's assistant. I'm this. I'm at work at the hardware store. I'm, you a mechanic.

And they're all, that's great, that's great. Came to me. They said, what do you do, Bill? I'm a pastor. You could have heard a pin drop. It was so uncomfortable. I thought I saw a tumbleweed go through the room. And you know what? From that point on, nobody waved anymore.

They drove past us and they looked the other way. We were completely shunned in that neighborhood. See, they didn't get it. The world doesn't get the beauty of what has happened to us in Christ. World Why? Well, it says, verse three, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

A life is hidden with Christ. It's hidden to their eyes. You try to tell them how incredible it is to be a child of God, doesn't but because they don't want God in their life. They don't wanna hear about you having God in your life. First John three one says, see what kind of love the father has given to us that we should be called children of God and we are.

Now the world must look at that and go, how wonderful. Right? No. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. It's such a strange dynamic. I walk with God. I live a life that I feel was so blessed. I'm God's child, loved by him and will be with him for all of eternity.

Yet that same truth means the world's not going to love me, at least not all the world. Excuse me. I will be criticized and I will be judged at times. I will be mocked. You know what? And I have to accept that. Why? Because I understand that they don't understand.

How could they? I mean, one day I was hanging with sinners. The next I wanted to be in church. And not only on Sunday. You know, they're thinking, what? One day I was heading off to the bar. The next I was heading off again to church. Hanging with sinners, then saints, the bar, church.

And I'm sure I mean, I wouldn't understand that, you know, when I was an unbeliever. I was thinking, what's wrong with you? You're hanging out with those Christians now? I hated Christians. I hated church until God decided it's time to become my child. Like Paul on the road to Damascus, he opened my eyes and drew me to himself.

And I thought, oh, God. Love Christians now. I love your church. It's because we're changed. It's because we're changed. I love the story of J. Vernon McGee. He says this. He says, years ago, I heard a story about two sisters who enjoyed attending dances and wild parties. Then they were converted and found new life in Christ.

They received an invitation to a party and sent their RSVP in these words, we regret that we cannot attend because we recently died. Isn't that good? Amen. Right? Died to that old life of sin. I mean, used to love to party. I was saved at 24, but I tried to jam as much partying in as I could.

I had all my drinking buddies. They didn't understand when all of a sudden I didn't wanna go to the bar with them. I remember one time I was talking to one of my old friends on the phone and, you know, I heard them in the background, all of my old buddies.

And they were planning a party. They said, hey, why don't you invite Bill? He can bring the milk. Total mocking me. But you know what? That's okay. That's okay. Right? Jesus said we should expect that. Jesus said that's a cost to walking with him. So don't let that cause you to shrink back.

Continue to walk. It's worth it. Jesus told us in Matthew ten twenty four through 25, a disciple is not above his teacher nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household?

Yeah. Amen. So when it happens, don't be surprised. Don't be shocked. Don't let her knock the wind out of you. Just go, yeah, Jesus said this would happen. But we need to see the next verse then to encourage us when times do get hard. Remember the end of all this.

It's glory. Look at Colossians three verse four. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Well, that completes the picture, doesn't it? Living for Christ is wonderful now. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but it can bring rejection, persecution, mocking, and ridicule.

It can be hard. But Paul reminds us where it all ends up. It all ends up in glory. And here's what we've got to keep in mind when we are being ridiculed, when we are being mocked for our faith. See, even though we may be rejected by man, we are accepted by the only one who counts, the only one who really counts.

I'm going to be with him. Therefore, all of this, no matter how rough the road gets, it's all worth it. Well worth it. B. B. Warfield said this, the Christian's hope is fixed on a future so glorious that that let me read that again. The Christian's hope is fixed on a future so glorious that present afflictions fade in comparison.

Amen. You know, there was that song, I forget how long ago it was, but my future's so bright I have to wear shades. Amen. So let's apply this and then we'll close it up. What we need to do is not just pass over this quickly. We need to take a moment and evaluate what occupies our thoughts throughout the day.

Right? What captures our imaginations, our desires, and our attention? Is it just the world or is it Christ? Well, the world is kind of a side thing, but Christ being the primary thing. Paul is reminding us that real life, the abundant life, begins when we deliberately direct our minds toward Christ.

Fill your heart with scripture. Meditate on his promises. Think often about his character, his kingdom, and his return. The more Christ fills your vision, the less power the world will have over your affections and the more you'll begin to soar spiritually. So, yes, you've gotta think about the things of the world, but make sure it's run through the grid of a Christ like mind, a heavenly mindset.

And then let me just ask this. Perhaps you've you're here and you've listened to this sermon. You realize your mind has never truly been set on Christ because your heart has never been changed by Christ. The bible teaches that we're all sinners. We've all fallen short of God's glory, that we cannot save ourselves through religion, through good works, through church attendance, or moral effort.

But God in his great love sent his son, Jesus Christ, to live the perfect life that we can never live, but we're required to live, and to die a sufficient death to pay for those sins that we committed because we couldn't live that life. Three days later, he rose again from the dead conquering sin, death, and the grave.

The point I wanna make here is he has done everything necessary for you to be saved. He has done everything to rescue you from an eternity in hell so that you can live an eternity with him in heaven. He's done everything you need. Now he calls you to repent of your sins and place your trust in him alone for salvation.

And if you will do that, he promises that he will never cast you away, that he will receive you, he will save you, and that the judge of all the universe will become your father. Have you had isn't that amazing? Right? The one who is my judge becomes my father, adopts me into his family, and I enjoy him for the rest of eternity.

Alright. Let's pray. Father, we do thank you that we can simplify life really down to you, down to your son. If we will just seek you and put you first, Lord, then you will take care of everything else. Lord, help us to quit chasing the things of the world.

Help us to find our satisfaction and our joy and our peace and our relationship with you. Help us quit living, saturating our mind with the things this world, social media. God, there's just so many distractions. And Lord, social media is not bad, but Lord, it can be if we give it too much time.

Help us seek you first above everything else. Help us to find our satisfaction in you. In Jesus' name, amen.