Hidden With Christ
Col. 3:1-3

Introduction:
      There is a children's song which says, "I'm all wrapped up, I'm all tied up, I'm all tangled up in Jesus".
        What a wonderful thought to so completely "wrapped up" in Jesus that your life is inseparable from
        His presence. Paul  says that we are "hidden with Christ" because we are now part of Him and He
        is part of us because of our death, burial, and resurrection with Him.

I.   If You Have Been Raised Up with Christ
     A. How were we “raised up with Christ”?
     B. Col. 2:12-13
          1. buried with Him in baptism (vs. 12)
          2. raised up with Him through faith (vs. 12)
          3. before we were dead in sin (by the flesh) (vs. 13)
          4. made alive with Him (vs. 13)
     C. Why are we "raised up with Christ”?
     D. Eph. 2: 1-6
          1. We once were dead in sin
          2. But now we are made alive in Christ

II. Keep Seeking the Things Above
     A. This is a continual search, a constant striving
     B. Jesus said “Strive to enter by the narrow door” (Luke 13:24)
     C. Phil. 1:27
          1. Strength in unity
          2. Striving together we can overcome the world
     D. Do not allow Satan to hinder you
          1. “You were running well, who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
               (Gal .5:7)
          2. It is easy to become sidetracked or discouraged
          3. We must keep our eyes on the goal (the things above)
     E. Fix your eyes upon Jesus Heb. 12:1-3
     F. Fight the good fight, finish your course, keep the faith, and you will receive
         your crown of righteousness

III. For Your Have Died
     A. 2 Tim. 2:11-13 We died with Him
     B. Gal. 2:20 Crucified with Christ
     C. 1 Peter 2:24,25
          1. We died with Him
          2. We died to sin
          3. So we can live in righteousness
     D. Rom. 6:1-4
          1. Through baptism we died to sin with Christ, we were raised up with
              Christ, and now walk in new life with Him
          2. This is by God’s grace, and our obedient faith in Him.

IV. Hidden With Christ
     A. Not as in hiding from something, but as in completely covered by Him
          1. A shell hidden in the sand
          2. A hidden talent
     B. Through our crucifixion with Christ we become separate from the world, and
          hidden in Him
     C. Rom. 12:1,2  A living sacrifice, transformed to God’s will
     D. Phil. 3:7-11  “That I may be found in Him”
     E. I Thess. 5:23 Sanctified in Christ

Conclusion:
     By dying with Christ to the world we become one with Him, hidden in Him. This is
    a complete covering. Are you covered in Him, in His love, mercy, and grace?

Michael E. Grooms