Finding True Security in God's Eternal Blessings

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that our ultimate security and significance are found not in the material wealth or privileges of this world, but in the eternal blessings and grace of God. We began by acknowledging the challenges that wealth and privilege can pose to our spiritual lives, as they often lead us to a false sense of security and entitlement. This is a timely reminder, especially during Thanksgiving, to recognize that all we have is a gift from God, and we should not take credit for these blessings.

Reflecting on Hebrews 11 and the example of Moses, we are reminded that true faith involves choosing the eternal over the temporal, even if it means embracing suffering for the sake of Christ. Moses chose to identify with the people of God rather than the fleeting pleasures of Egypt, demonstrating a vision for the eternal reward that awaits those who trust in God.

Psalm 49 served as a poignant reminder of the futility of trusting in wealth. The psalmist challenges us to consider the true value of a person, which cannot be measured by material possessions. Instead, our worth is found in being created in the image of God and loved by Him. This eternal perspective frees us from the need to hoard or find our identity in earthly treasures.

We also discussed the importance of cultivating a vision of heaven and eternity. This vision liberates us from the pressures of this world, allowing us to live faithfully and generously without the need for recognition or legacy. The ultimate goal is to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," from our Lord.

Finally, we are encouraged to trust in the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross. Our salvation and worth are secured not by our efforts or possessions but by His grace. This Thanksgiving, let us rest in the assurance that in Christ, we have everything we need, both now and forever.

Key Takeaways:

1. Eternal Perspective Over Temporal Security: True security and significance come from God's eternal blessings, not from material wealth or privilege. We must recognize that everything we have is a gift from God and live with open hands, ready to use our blessings for His glory. [27:01]

2. Choosing Faith Over Fleeting Pleasures: Like Moses, we are called to choose suffering for the sake of Christ over the fleeting pleasures of this world. This choice requires a vision for the eternal reward that awaits those who trust in God. [30:20]

3. The Futility of Trusting in Wealth: Psalm 49 reminds us that wealth cannot redeem us or provide true security. Our worth is found in being created in the image of God and loved by Him, which frees us from the need to hoard or find identity in earthly treasures. [33:19]

4. Cultivating a Vision of Heaven: A vision of heaven liberates us from the pressures of this world, allowing us to live faithfully and generously without the need for recognition or legacy. Our ultimate goal is to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant," from our Lord. [51:58]

5. Trusting in the Sufficiency of Christ: Our salvation and worth are secured by Christ's work on the cross, not by our efforts or possessions. This Thanksgiving, let us rest in the assurance that in Christ, we have everything we need, both now and forever. [58:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [27:01] - The Challenge of Wealth and Privilege
- [28:44] - Four Threats to Discipleship
- [30:20] - Moses' Choice: Faith Over Pleasure
- [31:53] - The Brokenness of the World
- [33:19] - Psalm 49: The Futility of Wealth
- [34:51] - Defensiveness and Wealth
- [36:22] - Why Do Bad People Prosper?
- [37:52] - The Amoral Nature of Wealth
- [39:24] - The True Value of a Person
- [41:21] - The Desire for Legacy
- [42:05] - Living Without the Need for Recognition
- [44:04] - The Freedom of Eternal Perspective
- [45:45] - Entitlement and Comfort
- [47:27] - Material Comforts and Spiritual Needs
- [50:27] - Moses' Vision of Heaven
- [51:58] - Cultivating a Vision of Eternity
- [53:26] - The Treasure of Heaven
- [55:00] - The Paradox of Human Value
- [56:37] - Trusting in God's Provision

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:24-26
2. Psalm 49:1-9
3. Matthew 5:3

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Observation Questions:

1. What choice did Moses make according to Hebrews 11:24-26, and what motivated him to make that choice? [30:20]
2. In Psalm 49, what does the psalmist say about the limitations of wealth in providing security or redemption? [33:19]
3. How does the sermon describe the cultural impact of wealth and privilege on our sense of security and significance? [28:44]
4. What does Matthew 5:3 suggest about the relationship between spiritual poverty and the kingdom of heaven? [44:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Moses' decision to choose suffering over the pleasures of Egypt challenge our modern understanding of success and security? [30:20]
2. What does the psalmist mean when he says that wealth cannot redeem a person, and how does this relate to our understanding of true value? [33:19]
3. How might the cultural emphasis on wealth and privilege lead to a false sense of entitlement, and what are the spiritual dangers of this mindset? [28:44]
4. In what ways does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:3 redefine what it means to be "blessed"? [44:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt secure because of your material possessions. How did that experience compare to the security found in God's eternal blessings? [28:44]
2. Moses chose to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. What are some "fleeting pleasures" in your life that might be hindering your spiritual growth? [30:20]
3. Psalm 49 challenges us to consider the true value of a person. How do you currently measure your worth, and how can you shift your perspective to align with being created in the image of God? [33:19]
4. The sermon encourages cultivating a vision of heaven. What practical steps can you take to focus more on eternal rewards rather than temporary achievements? [51:58]
5. How does trusting in the sufficiency of Christ change the way you view your possessions and achievements? What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on His grace? [58:14]
6. Consider the concept of living without the need for recognition or legacy. How can you practice this in your daily life, and what might be the challenges and benefits? [42:05]
7. In what ways can you demonstrate generosity and open-handedness with your blessings, recognizing them as gifts from God? [28:44]

Devotional

Day 1: True Security in Eternal Blessings
In a world that often equates security with material wealth and privilege, it is crucial to remember that our true security and significance come from God's eternal blessings. Material possessions can create a false sense of security and entitlement, leading us away from a deeper spiritual life. During times of abundance, such as Thanksgiving, it is important to recognize that all we have is a gift from God. By acknowledging this, we can live with open hands, ready to use our blessings for His glory. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary gains to eternal values, allowing us to find peace and purpose in God's grace. [27:01]

"For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." (1 Timothy 6:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one material possession you find yourself clinging to for security? How can you begin to release it to God and trust in His eternal provision today?

Day 2: Choosing Faith Over Fleeting Pleasures
The story of Moses serves as a powerful example of choosing faith over the fleeting pleasures of this world. Moses, despite having access to the luxuries of Egypt, chose to identify with the people of God and embrace suffering for the sake of Christ. This decision was driven by a vision for the eternal reward that awaits those who trust in God. In our own lives, we are often faced with similar choices between temporary pleasures and eternal values. By choosing faith, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience the joy of living for something greater than ourselves. [30:20]

"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin." (Hebrews 11:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are tempted to choose temporary pleasure over eternal value? How can you take a step of faith today to align with God's eternal purposes?

Day 3: The Futility of Trusting in Wealth
Psalm 49 offers a poignant reminder of the futility of trusting in wealth. The psalmist challenges us to consider the true value of a person, which cannot be measured by material possessions. Our worth is found in being created in the image of God and loved by Him. This eternal perspective frees us from the need to hoard or find our identity in earthly treasures. By understanding our true worth, we can live generously and faithfully, knowing that our security and identity are rooted in God's love. [33:19]

"Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice." (Psalm 49:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself measuring your worth by material possessions? How can you begin to embrace your true identity as a beloved creation of God?

Day 4: Cultivating a Vision of Heaven
Cultivating a vision of heaven liberates us from the pressures of this world, allowing us to live faithfully and generously without the need for recognition or legacy. When our ultimate goal is to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant," from our Lord, we are freed from the constraints of earthly expectations. This heavenly perspective encourages us to focus on eternal values and live in a way that reflects God's love and grace. By keeping our eyes on the eternal, we can navigate the challenges of this world with hope and purpose. [51:58]

"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.'" (1 Corinthians 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a vision of heaven in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to focus on eternal values rather than earthly recognition?

Day 5: Trusting in the Sufficiency of Christ
Our salvation and worth are secured by Christ's work on the cross, not by our efforts or possessions. This truth offers profound assurance, especially during Thanksgiving, as we rest in the knowledge that in Christ, we have everything we need, both now and forever. Trusting in the sufficiency of Christ allows us to live with confidence and peace, knowing that our worth is not dependent on our achievements or material wealth. By embracing this truth, we can experience the freedom and joy that come from a life rooted in God's grace. [58:14]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in the sufficiency of Christ? How can you begin to rest in His grace and find peace in His provision today?

Quotes

1. "There comes a time in every follower of Jesus's life where we have to ask ourselves am I willing to embrace reproach for the sake of Christ greater than all the treasure maybe not of Egypt but of Canada am I willing to say everything I have is an open hand for the sake of following Christ because we know that that our wealth our privilege all of those things can get inside of our hearts and give us that sense that false sense of security and one of the reasons we get so worked up about suffering when we face some sort of trauma or affliction in our life that we have been talking about is because we think god should continue blessing us what have I done lord that that this trouble would come my way and we've been banging on that point the world's broken and we're broken in it and bad things happen because bad things happen in a broken and and beat up world" [31:53] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The comfort he has in trouble is seeing the futility of those who are trying to derive comfort from their wealth that he's saying that they are focused on earthly things and the comfort that comes from that is it's causing him to think about eternal things that he looks and he sees the despair even though people have that they're consumed with with gathering with hoarding with keeping with controlling and he's been liberated from that he's claiming comfort from what god has done and that has juxtaposed the priorities and lifestyles of the world around him the contrast is between the wise and the fool we see that in in in scripture often and we don't equate somebody's wealth with their morality or their foolishness right we don't say rich people are wise and poor people are fools we also don't say poor people are wise and rich people are fools we don't say any of that because money wealth has no morality it is amoral it doesn't matter how your morality doesn't come from what you have it's what you do with what you have but it can deceive us into believing that it can give us salvation and that's the concern here is he's saying it can't save you your wealth the things of this world can't say save you" [37:52] (85 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The value of a human soul is real, is profound, and is beautiful. It puts us in a really difficult paradox that we are eternally valuable, but we're inherently destitute. That we are incredibly valuable, more valued than we could ever imagine, and more lost than we could ever believe. And yet, what is the answer? The answer is that God sees the paradox and answers it. That the love of God that loves everyone, all of creation, sees us in the paradox and answers it. That the love of God is in our need and meets us there. God would be evil if he loved us, saw our brokenness, and said, I'm not going to do anything about it, but he does it. How? By taking on human flesh, by dying in our place, by giving us the hope of an atonement, of an assurance of salvation that cannot be bought, that cannot be accomplished. He has given us that. He has given us the freedom that if we believe that, we are fully and ultimately secure for all of eternity." [55:00] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Cultivate a vision of heaven. Cultivate a vision of Jesus. I cannot wait to see him. I think about it. Whatever they say at my funeral, if we have one, if they have one, the only words that matter are when I get there that he would say, well done, good and faithful servant. That's it. That's all. The goodness he's already given me. He's already declared me righteous. When I place my faith in him, I'm given this righteousness. Therefore, I don't have to live up to his expectation of goodness. I just have to receive his on me. And then just be faithful to him. I don't have to live up to his expectation of goodness. I just have to receive his on me. Not awesome. Don't have to get it all right. Don't have to be successful. Just faithful. How liberating is that? That that could be the vision. That we could pass from this life into the next and just hear Jesus say, well done. Free. Why would I risk any of that to find joy from worldly things?" [53:26] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If I have value, value and worth that transcends eternity, then I don't have to live for now anymore. I can be freed of that. If I have a hope that I'm going to live forever, I don't have to get it all now. If I believe that God sees me, knows me, and saves me, that he paid the ransom for my life, then I can be liberated to follow him and his call and spread his goodness and his kindness without being defensive. We're so defensive. That's why when we read Psalm 49, we need to recognize what might be going on in our hearts. We're saying, this is not about me. Sure? Are you sure? We live in maybe one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the world, for sure. And that makes us dangerous." [44:04] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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