Series: THE LETTERS OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS & COLOSSIANS with Pastor Mark Finley
📘 Lesson 12 : Living with Christ
✨ Setting Our Minds on Heavenly Things
Introduction:
Lesson 11 invites us to see life from a new perspective—through our connection with Christ. Paul reminds us that believers have died with Christ and have been raised to a new life with Him. Therefore, their thoughts, decisions, and priorities should no longer be shaped by this world, but by what is “above.” The new life becomes visible when old habits are laid aside and Christian virtues such as love, patience, and forgiveness are embraced. Through the word of Christ, fellowship, and praise, this new life continues to grow each day. In this way, the life of a Christian becomes a visible expression of Christ’s presence in the world.
Content:
🌄 11.1 Heavenly-Mindedness
Setting our eyes upward
Paul reminds us that a heavenly mindset is only possible when a person has died with Christ and been raised with Him. This means that the old life of sin is behind us and our new life in Christ begins. Those who live with Christ direct their thoughts and priorities toward what is “above,” toward God’s kingdom and His values. This spiritual attitude does not arise from human effort, but from God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart. At the same time, it is a daily decision: we must repeatedly choose to focus our thoughts on Christ. In this way it becomes clear that our life is truly “hidden with Christ in God.”
🔥 11.2 End Earthliness
A new life in Christ
Paul calls us to consciously break with worldliness and leave the old sinful life behind. Those who have been raised with Christ also have the power to remove sinful habits and desires from their lives. To “put to death the earthly nature” therefore means decisively laying aside the sinful tendencies of our hearts and placing God’s will above our own desires. This struggle is not merely human discipline but happens through the power of the new life in Christ. As we focus our attention on “things above,” worldly desires gradually lose their power over us. Step by step, a life grows that honors God and is directed toward eternity.
✨ 11.3 Renewed in Knowledge
Putting on the new self
Paul describes the Christian life as a radical change from the old self to the new self. Those who live with Christ put aside old behaviors such as anger, malice, lies, and hurtful speech—just as one removes dirty clothing. Instead, the believer is renewed by coming to know Christ more deeply and becoming more like Him. This transformation happens through God’s Spirit and through the Word of God, which shapes our thoughts and hearts. Thus a new life emerges that is no longer governed by old habits. In Christ, human barriers and differences ultimately disappear because all belong to a new community in Him.
❤️ 11.4 Character of the New Life
Reflecting Christ in everyday life
Paul shows that the new life in Christ not only means putting off the old but also putting on new, divine qualities. Believers are described as chosen, loved, and holy—called to reflect the character of Jesus in their lives. Qualities such as compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness reflect the way Christ Himself treats people. Above all stands love, because it binds all other virtues together and completes the Christian life. When these qualities shape our behavior, our relationships are blessed and others can recognize God’s love through us. In this way the life of a Christian becomes a living testimony of God’s grace.
🎶 11.5 Living the New Life
Letting Christ rule in the heart
Paul emphasizes that the new life in Christ should be characterized by peace, gratitude, and the presence of His word. When the word of Christ dwells richly in us, it shapes our thinking, our decisions, and our behavior. Music also plays an important role, because spiritual songs, psalms, and hymns help anchor God’s truth in our hearts. Through them believers encourage and teach one another while directing their focus toward God. The goal is that everything we do or say is done in the name of Jesus. In this way our entire life becomes an expression of gratitude and of Christ’s reign within us.
🕊️ 11.6 Summary
A new heart, a new life
Lesson 11 shows that living with Christ means a deep inner transformation. Those who are raised with Christ set their minds on heavenly things and leave behind the old sinful way of life. Instead of worldliness, qualities such as compassion, patience, humility, forgiveness, and above all love shape the life of a believer. This new life grows through the renewal of the heart and through closeness to Christ and His word. Fellowship, praise, and gratitude also help Christ truly reign in the heart. Thus the entire life of a Christian becomes a testimony of God’s grace and an expression of His peace.
