Embracing God's Eternal Gifts Over Temporary Blessings

Devotional

Day 1: Anchoring Joy in Eternal Gifts

Understanding the eternal gifts God has given us is crucial for a steadfast spiritual life. Often, we find ourselves caught up in the temporary blessings of life, such as financial success or physical health, and we celebrate these more than the eternal gifts. This misplaced focus can lead to a spiritual life that fluctuates with our circumstances. However, when we prioritize the eternal gifts, like being born again and the promise of an imperishable inheritance, our joy becomes anchored and unwavering, regardless of life's ups and downs. By shifting our focus to these eternal truths, we can experience a deeper, more consistent joy in our relationship with God. [12:05]

1 Peter 1:4-5 (ESV): "to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: What temporary blessing are you currently prioritizing over your eternal inheritance? How can you begin to shift your focus today?

Day 2: Embracing a Living Hope

The resurrection of Jesus Christ offers us a living hope that transforms our perspective on life and death. This hope assures us that death does not have the final word, and it should be the foundation of our faith. By embracing this living hope, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure. This hope is not passive but active, calling us to live with purpose and joy, celebrating the eternal promises of God with fervor. [20:03]

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'"

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection change your perspective on a current challenge you are facing? What steps can you take to live out this living hope today?

Day 3: The Essential Gift of Being Born Again

Being born again is not about temporary relief but about securing our eternal destiny. This profound transformation is essential for eternal life and should lead us to celebrate our salvation with genuine joy and gratitude. Understanding the significance of being born again helps us to prioritize our spiritual growth and align our lives with God's eternal purposes. It is a call to live a life that reflects the new creation we have become in Christ, embracing the fullness of our salvation with thanksgiving. [21:30]

Titus 3:5-6 (ESV): "he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Reflection: In what ways can you celebrate and live out your new life in Christ today? How can you express gratitude for the gift of being born again?

Day 4: Our Secure Inheritance in Christ

Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. Unlike earthly inheritances, which can be lost or diminished, our heavenly inheritance is secure and limitless. This assurance provides us with true security and hope, allowing us to live with confidence and peace. By understanding the nature of our inheritance, we can focus on what truly matters and invest our lives in eternal pursuits rather than temporary gains. [35:28]

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Reflection: How does knowing your inheritance in Christ is secure change your approach to life's uncertainties? What is one way you can invest in your eternal inheritance today?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Power for Salvation

God's power guards us through faith, ensuring our salvation. This assurance should shift our focus from seeking circumstantial peace to trusting in God's eternal promises. Knowing that God will see us through to the end allows us to live with a sense of security and purpose, even amidst life's challenges. By relying on God's power, we can experience a deeper sense of peace and confidence, trusting that He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. [43:55]

2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV): "which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me."

Reflection: What area of your life are you struggling to trust God with? How can you actively place your trust in His power and promises today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound truth of God's eternal gifts, contrasting them with the temporary blessings we often prioritize. We began by acknowledging the unwavering truth of God's word and the incredible privilege of being in His presence through Jesus' sacrifice. Our prayer is to lift our eyes beyond our immediate circumstances and to be recognized as true worshipers of God, whose love for Him surpasses all worldly attachments.

We delved into 1 Peter, exploring the eternal gifts God has bestowed upon us. Like children who misunderstand the value of a $100,000 check compared to a dollar bill, we often fail to grasp the significance of God's eternal gifts. We tend to celebrate temporary blessings, such as healing or financial provision, more than the eternal gift of being born again and promised an imperishable inheritance. This misplaced focus can lead to a spiritual life that mirrors the ups and downs of our circumstances rather than being anchored in the steadfast joy of the Lord.

The message emphasized the importance of understanding and celebrating the eternal gifts of God. We are called to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which assures us that death does not have the final word. This living hope should transform our perspective, leading us to celebrate God's eternal promises with fervor and joy. We are reminded that our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us, and that God's power guards us through faith for salvation.

As we respond in worship, we are encouraged to prioritize the eternal over the temporary, allowing the joy of our salvation to overflow in our lives. This shift in focus will lead to a deeper celebration of God and a more vibrant expression of our faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Eternal Gifts: Our spiritual lives often mirror our circumstances because we prioritize temporary blessings over eternal gifts. By focusing on the eternal, such as being born again and promised an inheritance, our joy becomes steadfast and not dependent on life's ups and downs. [12:05]
2. Living Hope Through Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus Christ offers us a living hope, ensuring that death does not have the final word. This hope should be the foundation of our faith, transforming our perspective on life and death. [20:03]
3. The Significance of Being Born Again: Being born again is essential for eternal life. It is not about temporary relief but about securing our eternal destiny. This understanding should lead us to celebrate our salvation with genuine joy and gratitude. [21:30]
4. Inheritance Kept in Heaven: Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. Unlike earthly inheritances, it is secure and limitless, providing us with true security and hope. [35:28]
5. God's Power Guards Us: God's power guards us through faith, ensuring our salvation. This assurance should shift our focus from seeking circumstantial peace to trusting in God's eternal promises, knowing He will see us through to the end. [43:55]
** [43:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:24] - Opening Prayer
[07:12] - Introduction to 1 Peter
[08:13] - Discipleship and Salvation
[10:28] - Understanding the Gift
[11:05] - Temporary vs. Eternal Gifts
[12:05] - Joy in Eternal Gifts
[13:15] - Celebrating Eternal Gifts
[14:21] - 1 Peter 1:3-5
[15:40] - Reality of Death
[17:36] - Born Again to a Living Hope
[19:01] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
[20:03] - Hope in the Resurrection
[21:30] - Eternal vs. Temporary Needs
[23:03] - Assurance of Salvation
[24:28] - The Power of Resurrection
[25:59] - Jesus as Savior, Not Servant
[27:39] - Misunderstanding the Gift
[29:03] - Recognizing Our Sin
[30:32] - Celebrating Baptism
[31:15] - Inheritance in Christ
[32:50] - God's Will and Our Inheritance
[35:28] - Limits of Physical Provision
[35:57] - Eternal Inheritance
[37:52] - God's Power and Our Security
[39:35] - Personal Struggles and God's Power
[43:55] - Assurance of God's Power
[45:24] - God's Eternal Perspective
[46:07] - Invitation to Be Born Again
[48:21] - Eternal vs. Temporary Focus
[49:38] - Responding in Worship
[50:55] - Communion and Prayer
[51:57] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Sermon Clips

I'm concerned that you and I have made the temporary gifts of God, which are great and wonderful things. Things like being healed from sickness. Things like providing for our financial lives. Things like meeting physical needs in our lives. We have made those the equivalent of a kid freaking out about getting a dollar. [00:11:15]

And we have made the eternal gifts of God, namely being born again as his children and promised in. And inheritance like a kid getting a check for $100,000. And so our spiritual lives and our joy in the Lord is more like a roller coaster that parallels our circumstances. [00:11:41]

I wonder what would happen for you and I if you and I said, hey, you want to know what's most important in my life? It's the eternal gifts of God. I don't want to take lightly the temporary gifts of God. Those are great and wonderful things, but if that is the primary gift that I celebrate from the Lord, I think my joy will just parallel my circumstances. [00:12:24]

I just wonder what would happen if you and I began to rightly celebrate the eternal gifts of God. 1 Peter 1, verses 3-5, Peter declares, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Worship God the Father. Celebrate God the Father. Worthy of praise and honor be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:14:36]

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. How many of you have been to a funeral in the last month? Okay. Those first service people, right? They had. How many of y'all been to a funeral in the last six months? [00:15:22]

There is no way out of death, except to be born again. Three months ago, our family welcomed Rosalie K. Millar into our house. And if you've met her, you've experienced, I mean, she's just like, she just dishes out joy. I'm convinced she's got joy on tap up in that carrier. [00:18:13]

And unless you are born again, then death will have the final word. But as I stood in a hospital room this week and watched a woman that we love take her last breath, in that room we grieved with hope because death did not win in that room. It wins only in part. [00:19:41]

What you and I need is not a servant. We need a savior. I don't need a God who fixes my right now problem. I need a God who can fix the eternal problem that only God can fix. Why do Christians celebrate God? Because according to his great mercy, he's caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [00:26:15]

And Peter, as a disciple of Jesus, says to these people, hey, guess what? You want to know what God's given you? He's given you an inheritance. An imperishable inheritance. An undefiled, wild inheritance. An unfading inheritance that is kept in heaven for you. [00:34:21]

With the inheritance promised to us from the Father, you want to know something? It has no limits. And I don't have to worry if it's going to be mine or not. It's been promised to me. An imperishable inheritance has been promised to you and I, imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you. [00:35:45]

By God's power are being guarded through faith for salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. I don't know about you, but sometimes weeks can be pretty hard. Amen, somebody? This was one of those weeks in the Millar house. A roller coaster of a week. A week where I go, Lord, are we going to make it through this one? [00:37:24]

And how little do I think about the power of God in my life? And how much do I think about my need for circumstantial peace? God's not overly concerned. He's not overly concerned about circumstantial peace. I believe he cares. I'm not saying he doesn't. He says, if my father feeds the birds, how much more will he feed and clothe you? [00:43:00]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?