Living in Light of Eternity: A Call to Action

Devotional

Day 1: Every Knee Will Bow Before Jesus Christ

The truth is that every person, regardless of belief or background, will one day bow before Jesus Christ—either in loving reverence as Lord and Savior or in terror as the one they denied. This is not a matter of opinion or cultural perspective, but a certainty revealed in Scripture. The humility and obedience of Jesus, who emptied himself and endured the cross, led to his exaltation above every name, and it is before him that all creation will ultimately acknowledge his lordship. The choice is not whether you will bow, but when and how—now in faith, or later in regret. [06:50]

Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to bow your knee to Jesus today—choosing humility and obedience now rather than waiting until it’s too late?

Day 2: Eternal Life or Eternal Separation—Two Real Destinies

Scripture makes it clear that every person will spend eternity in one of two places: with God in heaven or separated from Him in hell. Culture may try to soften or deny this reality, but Jesus himself describes the final judgment, where the faithful are welcomed into eternal life and the faithless are sent into eternal punishment. The difference is not in what we claim, but in how we live out our faith—serving, loving, and obeying Christ in daily life, not just in words. [16:45]

Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Reflection: Who is someone in need around you today, and how can you serve them as if you were serving Jesus himself?

Day 3: The Reality of Judgment—Heaven and Hell Are Real

The Bible does not leave room for ambiguity about the reality of judgment after death. There will be a final reckoning, where each person is judged according to what is written in the books, and only those whose names are found in the book of life will enter the new heaven and new earth. Hell is not a scare tactic but a sobering truth, and heaven is the glorious promise for those who belong to Christ. The choice of your eternal destination is made now, not after this life is over. [24:09]

Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-5 (ESV)
"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"

Reflection: If you truly believed in the reality of heaven and hell, how would it change the way you live and the conversations you have with others this week?

Day 4: Confess Jesus as Lord—Now, Not Later

Salvation is not about being a good person or simply attending church; it is about confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead. This confession must be made now, in this life, not postponed until it is too late. Every person will one day acknowledge Jesus’ lordship, but only those who do so in faith and surrender now will be saved. The invitation is open—confess, believe, and be transformed. [37:36]

Romans 10:8-10 (ESV)
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Reflection: Have you truly confessed Jesus as Lord and believed in your heart, or have you been relying on your own goodness or religious activity? What step do you need to take today?

Day 5: Live Ready for Eternity—Let Your Faith Be Active

Eternity is not just a distant concept; it is a reality that should shape every day of your life. Living ready for eternity means making Christ-like decisions daily, serving others, forgiving, giving, and obeying promptly—not out of obligation, but out of love for Jesus. Don’t wait for a crisis or for tomorrow; let your faith be visible and active now, so that when you stand before God, your life will reflect the transformation He has worked in you. [28:18]

Philippians 2:12-16 (ESV)
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."

Reflection: What is one specific Christ-like action you can take today to live as someone who is ready for eternity?

Sermon Summary

Grace is not just a comforting word—it is the very power that awakens us to the reality of our need and relieves our deepest fears. In a world where confusion about life, death, and eternity abounds, it is crucial to return to the truth revealed by God in His Word. Our culture often tells us that death is the end, or that being “good” is enough, but Scripture paints a far different picture. Every person will one day stand before Jesus Christ, the exalted Son of God, and every knee will bow—either in loving worship or in terror. This is not a scare tactic, but a loving warning: eternity is real, and every soul will spend it either with God or separated from Him.

Jesus, though fully God, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. Because of His obedience, God has exalted Him above every name, and it is before Him that all will answer. The reality of eternity means that our lives are not just a brief journey from birth to death, but the prelude to an unending existence—either in the presence of God or apart from Him. The words of Jesus in Matthew 25 and 7 make it clear: it is not enough to claim His name; true faith is lived out in daily obedience, compassion, and transformation. Many will be surprised to find that a nominal faith—one that never moves beyond Sunday attendance or empty words—will not stand in the final judgment.

Heaven and hell are not abstract ideas or mere metaphors. Revelation 20 and 21 reveal two real, eternal destinies, and the dividing line is whether our names are written in the Book of Life—whether we have truly confessed Jesus as Lord and lived accordingly. The call is urgent: live ready for eternity, not someday, but now. Make Christlike choices daily, and help others see the weight of eternity. Our mission is not just personal salvation, but to lovingly warn and invite others to consider their eternal destiny. The time to bow the knee is now, in faith and love, not later in regret. Let us be a people who live as lights in a dark world, holding firmly to the truth, and sharing it boldly with those around us.

Key Takeaways

1. Grace both awakens and relieves our hearts, teaching us to fear rightly and then removing that fear through Christ. The reality of eternity should shake us from complacency, but grace invites us to bow in love, not terror. The humility of Jesus, who emptied Himself for us, is the model and the means by which we are saved. [06:50]
2. Cultural narratives about death and goodness are dangerously misleading. The idea that “being good” is enough, or that death is simply the end, denies the truth of Scripture and the reality of judgment. Every person will face Jesus, and only those who have truly trusted and followed Him will enter eternal life. [09:29]
3. True faith is not a label but a life—one that is lived out in daily, often unnoticed acts of love and obedience. Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats shows that the faithful are those whose compassion flows naturally from a transformed heart, not those seeking recognition or relying on empty claims. Christianity is a verb, not just a belief. [15:01]
4. There is a sobering warning for those who claim Christ but do not know Him. Many will be shocked to find that religious activity without heart transformation is not enough. The American church especially must beware of comfortable, inactive faith that never moves beyond words to real obedience and love. [20:00]
5. Eternity is not just a future reality but a present call to action. We are to live each day as if Jesus could return tonight, making Christlike decisions and helping others consider their eternal destiny. The urgency is real—none of us knows when our time will come, and the opportunity to bow in faith is now, not later. [26:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - The Confusion of Culture and Death
[03:15] - The Authority of God’s Word
[05:20] - Jesus: The Only Way and the Exalted King
[07:30] - The Reality of Eternity
[09:29] - Eternal Life and the Love of God
[11:41] - The Collision of Love and Justice at the Cross
[13:04] - The Sheep and the Goats: Living Faith
[15:54] - The Faithless and the Danger of Ignorance
[18:44] - The Warning to Nominal Christians
[21:17] - The Reality of Hell and the Book of Life
[24:09] - The Promise of Heaven
[26:35] - Living Ready for Eternity
[29:20] - Our Mission: Gospel Conversations
[33:21] - Living as Lights in a Crooked Generation
[36:47] - Confessing Jesus as Lord
[38:49] - Prayer and Invitation
[40:57] - Responding to the Call and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV) — > Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV) — > (Parable of the Sheep and the Goats – see sermon for summary)

Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-4 (ESV) — > (The Great White Throne Judgment and the New Heaven and New Earth – see sermon for summary)

Observation Questions

According to Philippians 2, what did Jesus do to humble Himself, and what was the result of His obedience?
In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25), what specific actions did Jesus say separated the “sheep” from the “goats”?
What are the two eternal destinies described in Revelation 20 and 21, and what determines where each person goes?
The sermon described two ways every knee will bow before Jesus—what are they? ([07:30])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul say that “every knee will bow” before Jesus? What does this reveal about Jesus’ authority and our accountability to Him? ([07:30])
The sermon warns that “being good” or just claiming the name of Christ is not enough. Why is a transformed heart and daily obedience so important, according to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25 and 7? ([15:01])
How does the reality of eternity—either with God or separated from Him—change the way we should view our lives right now? ([10:49])
The sermon says, “Grace both awakens and relieves our hearts, teaching us to fear rightly and then removing that fear through Christ.” What does it mean to have a “right fear” and how does grace change that? ([06:50])

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to “live ready for eternity every single day.” What is one Christlike decision you can make this week to live with eternity in mind? ([26:35])
Think about your daily routine. Are there ways you have been living as if this life is all there is, rather than as the prelude to eternity? What needs to change? ([10:49])
Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25 highlights unnoticed acts of love and obedience. Can you share a recent example where you served someone without expecting recognition? How can you make this a regular part of your life? ([15:01])
The sermon gave a sobering warning to those who claim Christ but do not know Him. Are there areas in your life where your faith has become more about words or Sunday attendance than real obedience and love? What step can you take to move from “nominal” to “living” faith? ([20:00])
The pastor encouraged us to have “gospel conversations” and lovingly warn others about eternity. Who is one person you can talk to this week about faith, eternity, or invite to church? What’s holding you back? ([29:20])
The reality of heaven and hell is not just a future concern but a present call to action. How does knowing that eternity is real affect the way you pray for or interact with people who don’t know Jesus? ([35:46])
The sermon ended with a call to confess Jesus as Lord now, not later. If you have never truly done this, what is stopping you? If you have, how can you help others take this step? ([36:47])

Sermon Clips

Our lost condition necessitates a savior and underscores the stakes of our eternal judgment. Then we talked about how Jesus is the only way to heaven, that there are no other ways and this leads us to today that every knee will bow before Jesus Christ. If there is one mediator, one way, then there will be one throne before which all of us must answer. [00:04:26] (32 seconds) #OneWayOneThrone

``The truth is, every knee will bow. Either your knee will bow in love, and will bow in reverence to the Lord you love and serve, or your knee will bow in terror before the Lord you denied. But make no mistake, every knee will bow. [00:07:46] (24 seconds) #EveryKneeWillBow

The judgment is for those that claim to be Christian, but have never practiced their faith. If there is a singular problem in the church today, it is this. The American church has gotten way too comfortable coming in on a Sunday morning, hearing a sermon, and then going the rest of the week, never talking about Jesus, never helping people, never being like Christ, never having a heart transformation. And they think they’re a Christian. [00:19:17] (41 seconds) #FaithInPractice

Here’s the truth. Revelation 20 reveals the reality of hell, while Revelation 21 reveals the reality of heaven. Two real destinations under one Lord. Culture gives you fairy tales. Scripture gives you the truth. Jesus gives you eternity. [00:25:06] (35 seconds) #HeavenAndHellRealities

Heaven is being with the Lord you love. Hell is being without the Lord you rejected. The choice is yours. [00:25:50] (17 seconds) #ChoiceOfEternity

Live ready for eternity every single day. Make one Christ-like decision every day. Reconcile something, serve in the church unseen, forgive, give sacrificially, obey promptly, live as if Jesus was coming tonight. Live as he’s coming tonight. [00:26:30] (29 seconds) #LiveReadyDaily

Work out your faith with fear and trembling. In other words, you don’t know when it’s going to end. And when you get to that point, it’s too late. You cannot stand before God and go, Oh, wait, wait a second. Now that I see you, I believe in you. It’s too late. You have to own your faith now. [00:28:58] (25 seconds) #FaithWithUrgency

Confess Jesus as Lord now, not by obligation later. Have you ever thought about that? Because at the end of it, the reason every knee will bow, everyone, whether you believe in Jesus Christ or not, you will stand before him. You will kneel before the creator of the universe and you will either confess his name as Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Or you will confess his name in terror. But either way, you’re going to confess his name. Every knee will bow. [00:37:36] (56 seconds) #ConfessNowOrLater

May you be shook by it, may you tremble in fear, and by grace, you fear no more. Church, you were sent. Go and share this message this week. Grab those cards at the well, grab them, and share them with people. They need to hear this message too. God bless you all. [00:44:28] (27 seconds) #FearGraceAndMission

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