Embracing the Gift of Eternal Life
Summary
In the passage from 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul exhorts Timothy to "lay hold on eternal life," a charge that carries profound implications for all believers. This call to action is not merely about securing a future in heaven but about embracing a transformative life that begins now. Eternal life is a divine gift, a new principle of life that God imparts to us through His Spirit. It is not something we can earn or achieve through our efforts or ceremonies; it is freely given by God through Jesus Christ. This life is characterized by its divine origin, its present possession, and its eternal nature. It is a life that begins with regeneration and continues to grow and mature, ultimately reaching its fullness in glory.
Paul's exhortation to Timothy is a reminder that our primary focus should be on this eternal life. In a world filled with distractions, whether they be social issues, intellectual debates, or the pursuit of wealth, the believer's calling is to prioritize the life that God offers. This life is not just a future promise but a present reality that should shape our actions, decisions, and priorities. It is a life that empowers us to fight the good fight of faith, to withstand the spiritual battles we face, and to live in a way that reflects the character and love of Christ.
To lay hold on eternal life is to believe in its reality, to appropriate it as our own, and to hold fast to it amidst life's challenges. It is to let go of lesser things and to cling to the life that God has given us, allowing it to transform us from the inside out. This life is a source of strength, hope, and joy, enabling us to endure trials and to live with the assurance of God's presence and promises. As we lay hold on eternal life, we are called to live in the light of eternity, to let this divine life shape our present and our future, and to share this life with others through our witness and ministry.
Key Takeaways:
- Eternal Life as a Divine Gift: Eternal life is a gift from God, not something we can earn or achieve. It is imparted to us by the Spirit of God, transforming us from death to life. This life is a present possession, not just a future promise, and it begins with regeneration, growing and maturing until it reaches its fullness in glory. [10:27]
- Prioritizing Eternal Life: In a world filled with distractions, believers are called to prioritize eternal life above all else. This life is not just a future promise but a present reality that should shape our actions, decisions, and priorities. It empowers us to fight the good fight of faith and to live in a way that reflects the character and love of Christ. [04:18]
- Believing and Appropriating Eternal Life: To lay hold on eternal life, we must first believe in its reality and then appropriate it as our own. This involves letting go of lesser things and clinging to the life that God has given us, allowing it to transform us from the inside out. [26:05]
- Living in the Light of Eternity: As we lay hold on eternal life, we are called to live in the light of eternity, letting this divine life shape our present and our future. This life is a source of strength, hope, and joy, enabling us to endure trials and to live with the assurance of God's presence and promises. [38:32]
- Sharing Eternal Life with Others: The call to lay hold on eternal life is also a call to share this life with others through our witness and ministry. As we experience the transformative power of this life, we are to set it forth before others with vehemence and strong emphasis, persuading them to lay hold on it and be saved. [09:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Timothy's Charge
- [01:29] - The Fight for Eternal Life
- [02:26] - Spiritual Warfare and Eternal Life
- [03:06] - Social Issues vs. Eternal Life
- [05:01] - False Teachings and Eternal Life
- [06:13] - Wealth and Eternal Life
- [07:40] - The Central Aim: Eternal Life
- [09:09] - Preaching and Eternal Life
- [10:10] - Understanding Eternal Life
- [13:16] - The Gift of Eternal Life
- [15:09] - The Nature of Eternal Life
- [17:18] - The Blessing of Eternal Life
- [19:53] - Examining Our Possession of Eternal Life
- [21:15] - How to Lay Hold on Eternal Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Timothy 6:12
- Ephesians 6:12
- John 10:27-28
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs Timothy to "lay hold on eternal life"? How does this relate to the concept of fighting the good fight of faith? [01:41]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the distractions that can prevent believers from prioritizing eternal life? [04:18]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of eternal life as a gift from God? What are the characteristics of this life? [10:27]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in imparting eternal life to believers, according to the sermon? [15:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "laying hold on eternal life" challenge the common perception of eternal life as merely a future promise? What implications does this have for a believer's daily life? [13:32]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that eternal life empowers believers to withstand spiritual battles? How does this relate to the idea of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:12? [02:26]
3. How does the sermon interpret the relationship between eternal life and the believer's witness and ministry? What does it mean to share this life with others? [09:25]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of letting go of lesser things to fully embrace eternal life? How might this look in practical terms? [32:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there any distractions in your life that are preventing you from fully embracing the eternal life God offers? How can you address these distractions this week? [04:18]
2. Consider a recent challenge or trial you faced. How did your understanding of eternal life influence your response? What might you do differently next time to rely more on the strength and hope that eternal life provides? [38:32]
3. Identify one area of your life where you can let go of lesser things to prioritize eternal life. What specific steps can you take to make this change? [32:14]
4. Think of someone in your life who may not yet know about the gift of eternal life. How can you share this life with them through your words and actions this week? [09:25]
5. Reflect on your spiritual growth journey. How can you continue to mature in your faith and let the divine life shape your present and future? What resources or practices might support this growth? [19:09]
6. How can you incorporate the reality of eternal life into your daily decisions and actions? What specific changes can you make to ensure that your life reflects the character and love of Christ? [04:18]
7. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to the Spirit's work in transforming you from the inside out? What practices can help you stay attuned to the Spirit's guidance? [15:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Eternal Life as a Present Gift
Eternal life is not merely a future promise but a present reality that believers are called to embrace. It is a divine gift from God, imparted through His Spirit, transforming us from death to life. This life begins with regeneration and continues to grow and mature, ultimately reaching its fullness in glory. As believers, we are encouraged to recognize this life as a present possession, allowing it to shape our actions, decisions, and priorities. By understanding eternal life as a gift, we can live with the assurance of God's presence and promises, experiencing strength, hope, and joy in our daily lives. [10:27]
1 John 5:11-12 (ESV): "And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Reflection: How can you actively acknowledge and embrace eternal life as a present reality in your daily routine today?
Day 2: Prioritizing the Eternal in a Distracted World
In a world filled with distractions, believers are called to prioritize eternal life above all else. This life is not just a future promise but a present reality that should shape our actions, decisions, and priorities. It empowers us to fight the good fight of faith and to live in a way that reflects the character and love of Christ. By focusing on eternal life, we can navigate through social issues, intellectual debates, and the pursuit of wealth with a clear sense of purpose and direction. This prioritization helps us to remain steadfast in our faith, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's will. [04:18]
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: What is one distraction in your life that you can set aside today to focus more on the eternal life God has given you?
Day 3: Believing and Appropriating Eternal Life
To lay hold on eternal life, we must first believe in its reality and then appropriate it as our own. This involves letting go of lesser things and clinging to the life that God has given us, allowing it to transform us from the inside out. By believing in and appropriating eternal life, we can experience its transformative power, enabling us to live in a way that reflects the character and love of Christ. This process requires intentionality and commitment, as we seek to align our lives with the divine life that God has imparted to us. [26:05]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one "lesser thing" you need to let go of today to fully embrace the eternal life God has given you?
Day 4: Living in the Light of Eternity
As we lay hold on eternal life, we are called to live in the light of eternity, letting this divine life shape our present and our future. This life is a source of strength, hope, and joy, enabling us to endure trials and to live with the assurance of God's presence and promises. By living in the light of eternity, we can navigate through life's challenges with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that our lives are aligned with God's eternal plan. This perspective helps us to remain steadfast in our faith, ensuring that our actions and decisions are guided by the eternal life that God has given us. [38:32]
2 Peter 3:11-13 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Reflection: How can you let the reality of eternity shape one specific decision you need to make today?
Day 5: Sharing Eternal Life with Others
The call to lay hold on eternal life is also a call to share this life with others through our witness and ministry. As we experience the transformative power of this life, we are to set it forth before others with vehemence and strong emphasis, persuading them to lay hold on it and be saved. By sharing eternal life with others, we can extend the love and grace of God, inviting them to experience the same transformative power that we have received. This call to witness and ministry is an essential aspect of our faith, as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission and bring others into the light of God's eternal life. [09:25]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Who is one person you can share the message of eternal life with today, and how will you approach them?
Quotes
Paul's exhortation to Timothy is a reminder that our primary focus should be on this eternal life. In a world filled with distractions, whether they be social issues, intellectual debates, or the pursuit of wealth, the believer's calling is to prioritize the life that God offers. This life is not just a future promise but a present reality that should shape our actions, decisions, and priorities. It is a life that empowers us to fight the good fight of faith, to withstand the spiritual battles we face, and to live in a way that reflects the character and love of Christ. [00:03:06]
Eternal life is a gift of God, the fruit of a divine operation upon the hearts. One of the first works of the grace of God is to put within us eternal life. No man can create it either in himself or in his fellow men. Just as our physical life was bestowed upon us apart from any effort of our own, the divine life cannot be evolved by any device of man; it must be imparted by the Spirit of God. [00:10:27]
This eternal life given thus freely is a present possession. Eternal life may sometimes be employed to set out the glories of heaven, but not often. It is a thing possessed here. In the day in which we are regenerated, we receive the first germs of this life everlasting. When we are born again, it is not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever. [00:13:16]
The life then which God gives to every soul in its regeneration can never die out. Hear these words of Christ: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." We do not teach that if the life of God in a believer were to die out he could nevertheless be saved; no scripture teaches that. [00:17:18]
The moment a sinner believes in Christ, one of the first tokens of eternal life being given is the cry of prayer, and then come repentance of sin and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. This is eternal life, the gift of God and a present possession. Have you received it? I do not ask you whether you know exactly the day or the hour when you received it, but are you alive unto God with a life you had not by nature, but which has been planted in you by God the Holy Spirit? [00:15:09]
The exhortation means more than that, however. Having appropriated it, keep it, hold to it and never let it go. Hide it in your heart as a choice treasure, and if any would rob you of it or frown you out of it or laugh at you because you prize so highly what they so lightly esteem, lay hold on it still more. This is the work of the grace of God, which enables you first to take and then to keep it. [00:28:05]
Lay hold on eternal life. If between here and heaven you could be burned as a martyr every day, it would be worth your while to bear it, laying hold on eternal life. The King above in beauty without a veil is seen. It were a well-spent journey, though ten deaths lay between. If between here and heaven you had nothing to bear but the cruelty of men and the unkindness of the enemies of Christ, you should bear it right manfully and even joyfully. [00:31:52]
The eternal life is the only life worth living for. God help you to live for it always, and if you do, it will be of his own grace, and to him shall be all the glory forever and ever. Amen. [00:46:32]
The life of believers in heaven, the life that never sins, the life that is absolute obedience, the life that is undiluted bliss, is exactly the same life that is in the believer now, the same life that God gave him when he first believed, is that wherewith he beholds the face of God without a veil between, as he treads the golden streets of the new Jerusalem. [00:19:53]
The Spirit of God lays hold of us in order that we may lay hold on eternal life. How we are enabled to do this is our present subject for consideration. First, if you would grasp this gift, believe in it as true. The very beginning of our hope is when the Lord leads us to believe that there is such a thing as eternal life, and that it is a tangible thing, not a dream or a vision, but a reality to be laid hold of. [00:21:15]
The great complaint which we have to make against many is that they seem to be looking after the odds and ends, the paraphernalia, the minor affairs of life, but they do not seem to aim at this point, eternal life. Is it not so in praying? Is there not much that passes by the name which is not real prayer? We might often say, come to the point, man, and ask of God what you want. [00:07:40]
The call to lay hold on eternal life is also a call to share this life with others through our witness and ministry. As we experience the transformative power of this life, we are to set it forth before others with vehemence and strong emphasis, persuading them to lay hold on it and be saved. [00:09:25]
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