Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seekthose things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

We are now risen with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places. Our life is now hidden with Christ in God. Psalm 16:11 says that pleasure is found at God’s right hand, pleasures forever more.

We are invited by God, commanded by Him, to seek thosethings which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. God has pleasure for us at His right hand.

We are to consider those things which are above not dwelling on earthly things (Col 3:2). What an invitation to seek true pleasure which is only found in Christ alone.

Colossians 3:4 goes on to say, “When Christ who is our lifeappears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Peter, James and John experienced Jesus in His glorifiedbody. When we appear with Christ in glory it will be like that day on the mountain top (Mat 17:1), but we can have these mountain top experiences with Him today.

God invites us to consider the pleasure that is at His right hand. Let us come and see what pleasures are at His right hand, where we are seated with Christ.

We need these mountain top experiences where we encounter God’s pleasure, His goodness, hidden in the person of Jesus. These are precious encounters with Him, but we're not to make shelters there and remain. We're togo out from there in the knowledge of our identity, our power, and our authority.

Colossians 3 goes on to describe the things we are to putoff, and the things we are to put on: put off the things on earth - anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language - and put on the pleasures of heaven, the pleasures where Christ is.

Verses 12-14 go on to talk about putting on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiving as Christ forgave us. These are the pleasures that are available at His right hand.

Holy Spirit shared with us how we need to firstly clothe ourselves with these pleasures from Him towards ourselves, to put on His tender mercy and kindness towards us first, so we can give what we are receiving from Him to the world around us.

We ended by looking at putting on the bond of perfection that binds our families in perfect unity. This unity is not just keeping a family together under one roof, but perfectly together, nothing broken and with everything working in harmony. Put on His love.

Oh what pleasures are at His right hand forever more.

Can you imagine finding another gift under the tree well after Christmas is over? It's not likely we miss any presents under the tree is it, especially with young children around.

We don't leave presents under the tree, we unwrap them, read instruction manuals, put in batteries, and enjoy them. We need to do the same with Jesus.

We need to find out what Jesus is all about, not leaving Him on the shelf, not relying on a Sunday faith, but going on to a daily life of knowing Him through His Word and through prayer.

Jesus is for life, not just for Christmas. Jesus is for everyday life. He comes each day to give us an everyday faith for everyday life. But in order to receive that faith, we need to be in His Word and fellowshipping with His Holy Spirit.

That’s where the Holy Spirit and the Word come in to work together.

John 16:13-14 NKJV

[13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; And He will tell you things to come. [14] He will glorify Me, For He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

Holy Spirit will teach the Word.

To unwrap Jesus we need to understand prayer. Prayer is simply a conversation with our Creator. We need to learn how to hear His voice and know how He speaks to us. God will always speak to us from His Word, for He and the Word are one (see John 1 ).

When we read the Word, it is His Spirit that bears witness with our Spirit and speaks to us, for our Spirit is one with His Spirit.

To unwrap Jesus we need an everyday faith that comes from an everyday life in the Word and the Spirit.

When you get a present you want to unwrap it to see what's inside. Jesus is a gift that has been given to us so we can know God. For the unbeliever it is like there is wrapping paper around God. We need to turn to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to unveil God to us.

Matthew 4:16 NKJV

[16] The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.

The light of the glorious gospel has shone in our heart.

II Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

[6] For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We find out who God is through Jesus, and we know Jesus through His Word and by His Spirit.

John 1:1-2, 14 NKJV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God.

[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 16:7 NKJV

[7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

John 16:13 NKJV

[13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak;

Knowing God is to be a power-packed love affair with the King of kings. Our identity is only found in this relationship. May we truly find ourselves in Him through living a life in the Word and a life in the Spirit.