Choosing Eternal Perspective: Trusting God Over Earthly Matters

 

Summary

This weekend's reading invites us to gain an eternal perspective on our lives, reminding us of the choices we face between two distinct paths. The Psalms often highlight these two ways: the way of the righteous, who recognize that this world is not all there is, and the way of the wicked, who invest solely in earthly matters. The Gospel today reiterates this by pronouncing blessings on those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted. These are conditions we typically strive to avoid, yet Jesus calls them blessed. This paradox is explained through the words of the prophet Jeremiah, who warns against placing our ultimate trust in human beings and earthly things. Such trust leads to a barren existence, like a bush in the desert. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted by water, resilient and flourishing regardless of circumstances.

Jeremiah's imagery challenges us to examine where our roots are planted. Are they deep in the rich soil of God's life, His word, and prayer? This is crucial because the woes pronounced by Jesus in the Gospel are directed at those who place their confidence in wealth, strength, and earthly happiness. St. Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to the Corinthians, stating that if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are to be pitied. Christ's resurrection is a transformative event that should reorient our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly ones. It is not for earthly comfort that Christ came, but to offer us new life and the assurance of God's love.

As we approach the altar, we are called to surrender once more, acknowledging that while we know we are not made for this world, we often forget. Today, we renew our trust in Christ, recognizing Him as the source of all we need. We surrender our lives to God, asking Him to fill us with His life, keep us from sin, and guide us to His heavenly kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

- The choice between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked is a recurring theme in the Psalms and today's Gospel. The righteous recognize that this world is not the ultimate reality and follow after justice, peace, and truth. In contrast, the wicked invest solely in earthly matters, leading to a barren existence. [02:04]

- Jesus' blessings on the poor, hungry, and persecuted challenge our natural inclinations to avoid such conditions. These blessings highlight the paradox of finding true fulfillment not in earthly comfort but in trusting God. [04:39]

- Jeremiah warns against placing ultimate trust in human beings and earthly things, likening it to a barren bush in the desert. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted by water, resilient and flourishing. This imagery invites us to examine where our roots are planted. [04:39]

- St. Paul emphasizes that if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are to be pitied. Christ's resurrection should transform us, shifting our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly ones. It is not for earthly comfort that Christ came, but to offer us new life and the assurance of God's love. [07:07]

- As we approach the altar, we are called to surrender once more, acknowledging that while we know we are not made for this world, we often forget. Today, we renew our trust in Christ, recognizing Him as the source of all we need. We surrender our lives to God, asking Him to fill us with His life, keep us from sin, and guide us to His heavenly kingdom. [07:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Eternal Perspective
- [01:00] - Two Paths in Psalms
- [02:04] - Blessed in Adversity
- [03:30] - Trust in the Lord
- [04:39] - Jeremiah's Imagery
- [05:45] - Woes of Earthly Trust
- [06:30] - St. Paul's Warning
- [07:07] - Renewing Trust in Christ
- [08:00] - Surrender at the Altar
- [08:45] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 17:5-8
2. Luke 6:20-23
3. 1 Corinthians 15:19-20

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Observation Questions:

1. In Jeremiah 17:5-8, what are the contrasting images used to describe those who trust in human beings versus those who trust in the Lord? How do these images help us understand the consequences of where we place our trust? [04:39]

2. According to Luke 6:20-23, why does Jesus call the poor, hungry, and persecuted "blessed"? What does this suggest about the values of God's kingdom compared to worldly values? [02:04]

3. In 1 Corinthians 15:19-20, what does Paul mean when he says that if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are to be pitied? How does this statement relate to the resurrection of Christ? [06:30]

4. How does the sermon describe the two paths mentioned in the Psalms, and what are the characteristics of the righteous and the wicked? [02:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What might it look like in practical terms to have one's "roots" planted deeply in the rich soil of God's life, as described in Jeremiah 17:7-8? How does this imagery challenge us to evaluate our spiritual practices? [04:39]

2. How does the sermon explain the paradox of Jesus' blessings on those who are poor, hungry, and persecuted? What does this reveal about the nature of true fulfillment and happiness? [02:04]

3. In what ways does the resurrection of Christ, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:20, serve as a transformative event that shifts our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly ones? How should this transformation manifest in a believer's life? [06:30]

4. How does the sermon suggest we can renew our trust in Christ and surrender our lives to God? What are the practical steps involved in this process? [07:07]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current life circumstances. Are there areas where you are placing your ultimate trust in human beings or earthly things? How can you begin to shift your trust towards God this week? [04:39]

2. Jesus calls those who are poor, hungry, and persecuted "blessed." How can you find contentment and joy in your current struggles, knowing that God's kingdom values differ from worldly values? [02:04]

3. Consider the imagery of being a tree planted by water. What specific spiritual practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure your roots are deeply planted in God's life? [04:39]

4. How does the resurrection of Christ influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to ensure your focus is more on heavenly concerns rather than earthly ones? [06:30]

5. As you approach the altar or a time of prayer, what specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to God? How can you practically renew your trust in Christ this week? [07:07]

6. Identify one area in your life where you feel barren or unfulfilled. How can you invite God into that area to bring new life and growth? [04:39]

7. Think of a situation where you have relied on your own strength or resources. How can you intentionally choose to rely on God's strength and provision in that situation moving forward? [06:30]

Devotional

Day 1: The Righteous Path Leads Beyond Earthly Concerns
The Psalms and the Gospel present a choice between two paths: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. The righteous understand that this world is not the ultimate reality and pursue justice, peace, and truth. In contrast, the wicked focus solely on earthly matters, leading to a barren existence. This choice is a recurring theme, urging believers to invest in eternal values rather than temporary gains. The righteous are those who recognize the transient nature of earthly life and align themselves with God's eternal purposes. [02:04]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are investing too much in earthly concerns. How can you begin to shift your focus to align with eternal values today?


Day 2: Finding Blessings in Adversity
Jesus' blessings on the poor, hungry, and persecuted challenge our natural inclinations to avoid such conditions. These blessings highlight the paradox of finding true fulfillment not in earthly comfort but in trusting God. The Gospel calls believers to see beyond immediate hardships and recognize the deeper spiritual blessings that come from reliance on God. This perspective invites a reevaluation of what it means to be truly blessed, encouraging a trust in God's provision and presence even in adversity. [04:39]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Think of a current struggle you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to deepen your trust in God and find His blessings in the midst of adversity?


Day 3: Trusting in the Lord Over Earthly Things
Jeremiah warns against placing ultimate trust in human beings and earthly things, likening it to a barren bush in the desert. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted by water, resilient and flourishing. This imagery invites believers to examine where their roots are planted and to ensure they are deeply rooted in God's life, His word, and prayer. Trusting in the Lord provides a foundation that withstands life's challenges and leads to spiritual growth and vitality. [04:39]

Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."

Reflection: Reflect on where you are placing your trust. Are there areas where you rely more on earthly things than on God? How can you begin to root yourself more deeply in God's word and presence?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Christ's Resurrection
St. Paul emphasizes that if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are to be pitied. Christ's resurrection should transform us, shifting our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly ones. It is not for earthly comfort that Christ came, but to offer us new life and the assurance of God's love. This transformative power invites believers to live with a heavenly perspective, allowing the reality of the resurrection to shape their daily lives and priorities. [07:07]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: How does the reality of Christ's resurrection influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live more fully in the light of this transformative truth?


Day 5: Surrendering to God's Eternal Kingdom
As believers approach the altar, they are called to surrender once more, acknowledging that while they know they are not made for this world, they often forget. This act of surrender is a renewal of trust in Christ, recognizing Him as the source of all they need. It involves asking God to fill them with His life, keep them from sin, and guide them to His heavenly kingdom. This surrender is a daily practice of aligning one's life with God's eternal purposes and seeking His guidance and provision. [07:07]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes

"This weekend's reading is once again, I think, give us, help give us an eternal perspective, perspective of our eternal destiny. And in one sense, of course, every weekend we gather and we hear God's word proclaimed. It's that is the case, of course. But I think especially today, we have, again, these choices before us. I know I've spoken of before these kind of two routes or two ways we can go about it." [00:00:23]

"And in the book of Psalms, that's really that dominates the entire book of Psalms, every psalm. There are these two ways. There's the way of the righteous, the ways of those who are blessed, and recognize that this world is not all there is to offer. And so they follow after the Lord, they follow after justice, after peace, after light." [00:00:52]

"and truth but then there's the wicked those who dwell with sinners sit with scorners as the very first psalm says those are the wicked and those are they who will not be welcomed into eternal life not because god doesn't like them but because they've chosen on earth how to live their life and how they will really put their stock in this world" [00:01:15]

"Blessed are you who are poor. Blessed are you who are hungry. Blessed are you who are now weeping. Blessed are you when people hate you, exclude you, insult you, denounce you. All these things that we typically want to eradicate from the world. from our families, from our relationships. We don't want to be hated or excluded or denounced or poor or hungry." [00:01:48]

"Ultimately, because, and we have to read trust, not as just like, well, you can't trust certain people. Or, you know, you can't trust certain people. Stay away from that person because they're not trustworthy. That's not, Jeremiah means something much deeper. Cursed is the one who puts all of his confidence in human beings." [00:02:49]

"blessed is the one who puts all of his confidence in god everything every fabric of his being not just the part of him that goes to mass on sunday but his whole life every facet of his being place all confidence in god he is like a tree planted beside waters that stretches out its roots to the stream and it fears not the heat when it comes" [00:03:47]

"its leaves stay green so no matter what comes its way it is strong it stands erect ready to endure whatever not because it's so great but because its roots are down deep so for us are our roots down deep into the rich soil of god's life are they deep into the word of god" [00:04:11]

"Woe to you who are rich. Woe to you who are filled now. Woe to you who laugh now. Woe to you when all speak well of you. Not necessarily bad things. But again, what Luke is trying to say is that you're putting all of your stock in wealth. All of your stock in your own strength, in your own fleshly desires, in your own happiness. Woe to you. That's not the end." [00:04:48]

"If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. If we put all of our stock in this life, if we expect that when we come to church, or we do our prayers, or we do the religious thing, whatever we want to call it, And we think that we're going to get some gain on earth. We are the most pitiable people of all." [00:05:28]

"Christ came that we might have new life. That sin might be banished from us. That we might come to know that we are loved by God. who created us and we can have life with him forever but if we have this this sense that well christ came to fill me here on this earth in my family and my work and whatever it is we are the most pitiable people of all" [00:06:07]

"the fact that jesus overcame the grave rose from the dead has to keep our eyes fixed on heaven it has to change us it has to reorient us not to things of earth the things that pass away not to the curses of earth but rather keep us focused on heaven keep us focused on the ultimate goal not the flesh" [00:06:42]

"So as we approach the altar of the Lord, I think a wonderful grace we pray for is to surrender again, because we know everything I've said, we all kind of know. I know I'm not made for this world. I know these things aren't satisfying, but we forget. I forget. You forget. But today we renew that Christ is God, that Christ does give me all that I need, and blessed will I be if I'm able to trust in him alone." [00:07:07]

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Transcript
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