“RAISE” or “RAISED” is a common theme in the Bible and in our culture.

But there’s nothing more important, nothing more pivotal in your life and your eternity than the fact that you are RAISED with JESUS CHRIST!

The important truth of Colossians 3 that everything hinges upon is this: CHRIST WAS RAISED!

1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19-20

14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead

What does RAISED with CHRIST mean for us?

1. We are RAISED to live ABOVE DESTRUCTION.

When Death and destruction are everywhere, the Church shouldn’t be just “another way to live.” No, it should be the example of HOW TO LIVE because of the RESURRECTION.

2. We are RAISED to live BEYOND the NORM.

The ways listed are NORMAL! These things come naturally to us. They don’t require any discipline or work. BUT, being RAISED from the DEAD is SUPER-NATURAL!

But RAISED with CHRIST is NOT NORMAL! It’s LIVING BEYOND THE NORM.

NORMAL is OVERRATED!

3. We are RAISED to LIVE LIKE JESUS CHRIST

Simple Definition: “When you are RAISED IN CHRIST, You get a new outfit! New clothes!”

Not outer clothing, but INNER CHARACTER.

When we are RAISED with CHRIST we receive more than just a new label, we receive the inner power and working of the Holy Spirit in us. Christ is IN us and we are IN Him.

We put on the CHARACTER of Jesus! His traits AND His motives.

God is just as concerned with the WHY of what you do as He is with the WHAT that you do?

4. We are RAISED to LIVE in PEACE.

When there’s PEACE with God, we can have PEACE with self.

When there’s PEACE with GOD and PEACE with SELF, then we can live at PEACE with others.