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I. WHAT THINGS ABOVE? Things above nature and above earth.

II. WHAT THINGS ON EARTH? (1 John 2:16; Genesis 3:6).

1. Lust of the flesh — pleasures.

2. Lust of the eye — riches (Ecclesiastes 5:11).

3. Pride of life — honours.

III. WHAT BY AFFECTIONS?

1. The understanding and meditation.

2. The will and affections.

(1)  Love.

(2)  Desire.

(3)  Joy.

IV. THESE AFFECTIONS ARE NOT TO BE SET ON THINGS UPON EARTH (Psalm 62:10).

1. They are below us (Philippians 3:8).

2. Unsuitable to us.

3. Unsatisfying (1 Corinthians 7:31; Job 30:15; Psalm 78:39; Hosea 13:13; Proverbs 23:1. 5; Luke 8:18).

4. Troublesome and vexatious (Matthew 13:22).

5. Unnecessary.

(1)  To the making of us happy (Job 28:15).

(2)  To the bringing us to happiness.

6. Fleeting and unconstant (Proverbs 23. 5; 2 Samuel 19:43, 21.; Belshazzar; Luke 12:19, 20). Uses:

1. Information.

(1)  How sin hath debased and infatuated mankind.

(2)  See the folly of covetous worldlings.

(3)  See the easiness of charity. What a little thing God demands, and what vast returns there will be (Matthew 10:41, 42).

(4)  What little cause men have to be troubled for the want of such things.

(5)  Or others to be proud of having them.

2. Exhortation. Consider if ye do set your affections on things below —

(1)  Ye cross God's end in giving them.

(2)  Ye provoke Him to take them away (Psalm 78:5-7).

(3)  Or to give you them for your portion (Psalm 17:14).

(4)  The more you affect them, the less comfort you will have in them (Psalm 106:15).

(5)  They will divert your thoughts from heaven (Psalm 10:3, 4).

(6)  And so disturb you in duty (Ezekiel 33:31).

(7)  It is gross idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

(8)  You have better things to mind (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1).

V. WE ARE TO SET OUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE.

1. Why? Because —

(1) They are suitable for our affections (Psalm 17:15).

(2) Our chief relations are three.

(a)  Our Father (Luke 12:32; John 20:17; Malachi 1:6).

(b)  Our Husband (Hosea 2:16; Isaiah 54:5).

(c)  Brethren (Hebrews 2:11; Romans 8:29).

(3) Our treasure is there.

(a)  Riches (Matthew 6:19-21).

(b)  Honours (1 Samuel 2:30).

(c)  Pleasures (Psalm 16:11).

(d)  Your affections were made on purpose for these things (Proverbs 16:4).

(e)  Setting your affections on them now is the way to come to their enjoyment hereafter.

2. What?

(1) Our thoughts (Philippians 4:8).

(a)  Upon God (Psalm 10:4; Psalm 139:18).

(b)  Upon Christ (Luke 22:11-19).

(c)  Upon the Scripture that leads to them (Psalm 1:2).

(2) Our love (Deuteronomy 6:5).

(3)  Desire (Psalm 73:25; Philippians 1:23).

(4)  Hope (Romans 5:2).

(5)  Joy (Psalm 4:6-7; 1 Peter 1:8).

3. How?

(1)  In the most intense degree (Luke 14:26).

(2)  Constantly. Uses:

1. Examination.

(1)  What do you most think of?

(2)  What are you most loath to part with?

(3)  What do you spend most time about? (Mark 4:19).

2. Exhortation. "Set your affections," etc.

(1)  There is nothing else worthy of them (1 John 2:15).

(2)  This will keep you from doating on the world (Philippians 3:8).

(3)  It will keep you from grieving too much about the affairs of this life (Philippians 4:11, 12).

(4)  It will make you more active in all duties (Acts 20:24).

(5)  By so doing you will partly enjoy them (2 Corinthians 12:2, 3).

(6)  This will make you willing to die (Philippians 1:23).

(7)  And fit you for the enjoyment of God after death.

(Bishop Beveridge.)

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KJV: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

WEB: Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.