Investing in Eternity: A Life Well-Lived
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a new series titled "A Life Well-Lived," which coincides with our church's 50th anniversary celebration. This series invites us to reflect on the impact of our lives, not just in the present but for eternity. We explored the idea that while earthly achievements and possessions are significant, they are not the ultimate measure of a life well-lived. Instead, we are called to invest our lives in ways that have eternal significance.
We began by considering the legacy of Beethoven, whose music, though celebrated, is temporal. This led us to question what we can invest in that will last forever. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that life is finite, and we must use our time wisely. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:2, emphasizes the need for faithfulness with the trust God has given us. Our lives are a trust from God, and we will be held accountable for how we use them.
The sermon highlighted the importance of developing an eternal perspective. Jesus' response to a question in Luke 12 serves as a caution against greed and the belief that life consists of the abundance of possessions. Greed can distract us from our true purpose and lead us away from God. Instead, we are encouraged to be rich toward God, focusing on what truly matters.
We examined the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, who planned for a future without considering God's will. His mistake was trusting in his possessions rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty. This parable teaches us to rely on God's providence and to plan with an eternal perspective.
In conclusion, we are reminded that our lives should be invested with eternity in mind. We are to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that He will provide for our needs. By doing so, we lay up treasures in heaven and take hold of life that is truly life. As we celebrate our church's 50th anniversary, let us commit to investing our lives in ways that honor God and impact eternity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Eternal Perspective: Our lives are a trust from God, and we must use them wisely with an eternal perspective. This means acknowledging that our time is limited and focusing on what truly matters for eternity. We are called to be faithful stewards of the life and resources God has given us. [35:04]
2. The Danger of Greed: Greed is a potent weapon that can distract us from our true purpose. It leads us to believe that life consists of the abundance of possessions, which is contrary to God's teaching. Instead, we should be rich toward God, focusing on eternal values rather than material wealth. [41:35]
3. God's Sovereignty: We must plan for the future with an understanding of God's sovereignty. While it is wise to make plans, we must acknowledge that God is ultimately in control. Our plans should align with His will, and we should be open to His guidance and direction. [49:17]
4. Investing in Eternity: Our investments should be made with eternity in mind. This means prioritizing the kingdom of God and using our time, talents, and resources to impact eternity. By doing so, we lay up treasures in heaven and take hold of life that is truly life. [01:05:39]
5. Trusting God's Provision: We are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that He will provide for our needs. This requires a shift in focus from earthly possessions to eternal values. By putting God first, we align our lives with His purposes and experience true fulfillment. [01:08:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [0:45] - Introduction to the New Series
- [3:15] - Reflecting on Beethoven's Legacy
- [5:30] - The Finite Nature of Life
- [8:00] - Developing an Eternal Perspective
- [12:20] - Jesus' Teaching on Greed
- [16:45] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
- [20:30] - Mistake 1: Ignoring God's Blessings
- [25:00] - Mistake 2: Planning Without God
- [30:15] - Mistake 3: Trusting in Possessions
- [35:04] - The Call to Be Rich Toward God
- [41:35] - Acknowledging God's Sovereignty
- [49:17] - Investing with Eternity in Mind
- [01:05:39] - Trusting God's Provision
- [01:12:12] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: A Life Well-Lived
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 9:27 - "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."
2. 1 Corinthians 4:2 - "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
3. Luke 12:13-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 9:27 remind us about the nature of life and its ultimate conclusion? How does this relate to the concept of living with an eternal perspective? [35:04]
2. In 1 Corinthians 4:2, Paul speaks about being faithful with what God has entrusted to us. What are some examples of these trusts mentioned in the sermon? [49:17]
3. In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21), what was the rich man's mistake, and how did Jesus use this story to teach about the dangers of greed? [41:35]
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of greed on our spiritual lives and our relationship with God? [41:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of an eternal perspective challenge the way people typically measure success and fulfillment in life? [49:17]
2. What does it mean to be "rich toward God," and how does this differ from being rich in material possessions? [41:35]
3. How can acknowledging God's sovereignty influence the way we make plans for our future? What role does faith play in this process? [49:17]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our earthly investments can have eternal significance? How can this understanding change our daily priorities? [01:05:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you are more focused on accumulating possessions rather than investing in eternal values? How can you shift your focus? [41:35]
2. Consider a recent decision you made. Did you acknowledge God's sovereignty in that decision? How might you incorporate prayer and seeking God's will in your future planning? [49:17]
3. Identify one area where you can be a more faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you. What practical steps can you take this week to improve in this area? [49:17]
4. Think about a time when greed may have influenced your actions or decisions. How can you guard against this in the future and ensure your life is rich toward God? [41:35]
5. How can you actively seek first the kingdom of God in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to prioritize God's kingdom over earthly concerns? [01:08:12]
6. Reflect on a recent challenge or worry. How can trusting in God's provision help you navigate this situation with peace and confidence? [01:08:12]
7. Identify one person in your life who may benefit from understanding the importance of an eternal perspective. How can you share this message with them in a meaningful way? [01:05:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Our lives are a trust from God, and we are called to use them wisely with an eternal perspective. This means recognizing that our time on earth is limited and focusing on what truly matters for eternity. Earthly achievements and possessions, while significant, are not the ultimate measure of a life well-lived. Instead, we are encouraged to invest our lives in ways that have eternal significance. By developing an eternal perspective, we align our priorities with God's purposes and become faithful stewards of the life and resources He has given us. [35:04]
"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 area of your life where you can shift your focus from temporary gains to eternal values today?
Day 2: Guarding Against the Danger of Greed
Greed is a powerful force that can distract us from our true purpose and lead us away from God. It tempts us to believe that life consists of the abundance of possessions, which is contrary to God's teaching. Instead, we are called to be rich toward God, focusing on eternal values rather than material wealth. By recognizing the danger of greed, we can guard our hearts and prioritize what truly matters in God's kingdom. This requires a conscious effort to resist the allure of materialism and to cultivate a heart that seeks after God's righteousness. [41:35]
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one possession or desire that may be distracting you from your true purpose. How can you begin to let go of it today?
Day 3: Acknowledging God's Sovereignty in Our Plans
While it is wise to make plans for the future, we must do so with an understanding of God's sovereignty. Our plans should align with His will, and we should be open to His guidance and direction. The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 serves as a cautionary tale of planning without considering God's will. His mistake was trusting in his possessions rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty. By recognizing God's ultimate control, we can plan with humility and trust in His providence. [49:17]
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one plan or decision you are currently making? How can you invite God into this process and seek His guidance?
Day 4: Investing in Eternity
Our investments should be made with eternity in mind, prioritizing the kingdom of God and using our time, talents, and resources to impact eternity. By doing so, we lay up treasures in heaven and take hold of life that is truly life. This requires a shift in focus from earthly possessions to eternal values, trusting that God will provide for our needs. As we invest in eternity, we align our lives with God's purposes and experience true fulfillment. [01:05:39]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can use your time, talents, or resources to invest in God's kingdom today?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Provision
We are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that He will provide for our needs. This requires a shift in focus from earthly possessions to eternal values. By putting God first, we align our lives with His purposes and experience true fulfillment. Trusting in God's provision means relying on His faithfulness and believing that He knows what is best for us. As we seek His kingdom, we can rest assured that He will take care of our needs and guide us in His perfect plan. [01:08:12]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one need or worry you have today? How can you trust God to provide for it and seek His kingdom first?
Quotes
1. "We are starting a new series today. Can you believe it? We were in Exodus. We were in Exodus from April till last Sunday. We did a long series straight through the book of Exodus. If you missed any of those, you can go back and catch them. They're archived on our YouTube channel, so you can go back and listen to them there. But we are picking up today with a series leading into November in our celebration of our 50th anniversary as a church." [00:02:00] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What is it that we can invest our lives in that will last forever? What is it that we can do that really not that what we do in those other areas are it's not important it is all the things we do are important but what can we do that really matters the most with the lives that god has given us because god only gives us one life." [00:06:00] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You only have so much time that's why with our graphic for this series we've got the hourglass with the sand running through right you only have so much time and we don't know how much it is we don't know in advance we're not told exactly how many days we're going to have so how do we best use the days that we have." [00:08:00] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Greed is one of satan's most potent weapons against christians and against the cause of christ and the work of the church you you you you he doesn't have to get us to deny christ at all as a church to fail as a church to fail as individual christ followers he doesn't have to get us to deny christ all he has to get us to do is put more trust and stuff than we do in god and the things of god and the eternal things of the kingdom of god." [00:20:00] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He received god's blessings but he did not give god thanks for the blessings notice this terminology my grains my barns right myself it's only me i worked hard i invested well i did the right things i made the right financial choices so i put myself in this great position of having all this stuff now it's true we do need to make good financial decisions to be good stewards of what god blesses us with but he leaves out the fact that he needs to be thanking the one who blessed him with this stuff." [00:45:00] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We need to acknowledge that God is the source, that we, we own nothing and he owns everything. Psalm 24, 1 says, He owns all the stuff and all the people who are there to manage the stuff. He owns it all. So if we have any of it, whose stuff do we have? God's. So it's not ours anyway. So if he allows us to have some of his stuff, we should be thankful for that." [00:45:11] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Invest your life, your talent, your talents, your resources with eternity in mind, not just with tomorrow we die in mind. So that we're making choices all along the way in this life, thinking of eternity, not thinking of just the life here on the earth. It's hard because so much of life here on the earth is in front of us all the time. It's hard to keep the eternal perspective." [01:05:39] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I don't know of a more worthy cause to which you can invest your time and your talents and your resources than the support of an ongoing ministry of a church like Lakeshore. I don't know of a better investment you can make anywhere in the world than to invest in the work and the ministry of this church." [01:11:06] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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