Living in the Light of Eternal Truths
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the eternal name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We reflected on the importance of keeping our eyes on the eternal rather than the temporal. Jesus Christ, who walked in sinless perfection, loves us more than we can imagine and went to the cross to die for our sins, rising victoriously to give us victory in Him. When we focus on these eternal truths, we live the life we were intended to live, a life that honors God and brings true fulfillment.
We also discussed the importance of community engagement and prayer, particularly in our local schools. Our church has been blessed with opportunities to partner with Brooklyn Casey High School and other local schools, providing support through prayer walks and various ministries. These efforts are not just about service but about showing the love of Christ to students, teachers, and staff, both believers and non-believers.
Our journey through Psalm 139 revealed profound truths about God's nature. God is omniscient, knowing our hearts, actions, and motives. He is omnipresent, being with us at all times and in all places. He is omnipotent, having the power to create life and know us even before we were formed in our mother's womb. These attributes of God remind us of His intimate involvement in our lives and His desire for us to live abundantly.
We also touched on the sanctity of life, emphasizing that life begins at conception and that every human being is fearfully and wonderfully made by God. This understanding calls us to protect and value life at all stages, and to support those who have experienced the pain of abortion with compassion and love.
In conclusion, we are reminded that our purpose is to glorify God in all that we do. Whether through our unique gifts, our professions, or our daily interactions, we are called to reflect His love and truth to the world around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Focus on the Eternal: Keeping our eyes on Jesus Christ, who embodies the eternal, helps us live a life that honors God. When we focus on His sinless perfection, sacrificial love, and victorious resurrection, we find true fulfillment and victory in life. Everything else fades away in comparison to the eternal significance of our relationship with Him. [07:20]
2. God's Omniscience: God knows our hearts, actions, and motives. There is nothing we can hide from Him. This knowledge should lead us to live transparently before Him, seeking to honor Him in all we do. Understanding that God knows us intimately can bring comfort and conviction, guiding us to live authentically. [30:35]
3. God's Omnipresence: God is with us at all times and in all places. Whether we are at our highest highs or lowest lows, His presence is constant. This truth reassures us that we are never alone and that we can rely on His guidance and support in every situation. [38:02]
4. God's Omnipotence: God's power is evident in His creation, especially in the intricate details of our formation in the womb. Recognizing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by an all-powerful God should inspire us to live purposefully and to value life at all stages. [41:18]
5. Sanctity of Life: Life begins at conception, and every human being is uniquely created by God. This understanding calls us to protect and value life, and to support those who have experienced the pain of abortion with compassion and love. Our role as believers is to uphold the sanctity of life and to minister to those in need. [55:23]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:20] - Focus on the Eternal
[08:06] - Call to Action: Community Engagement
[10:27] - Prayer Walks and School Partnerships
[11:19] - School Time Bible Ministry
[12:39] - Importance of Prayer in Schools
[21:27] - School Time Bible: A Unique Ministry
[22:15] - Expanding School Time Bible
[22:57] - Snow Cone and Popcorn Ministry
[24:18] - Summer in the Psalms Series
[25:00] - Importance of God's Word
[26:11] - Understanding God and Ourselves
[27:05] - Psalm 139: God's Omniscience
[30:35] - God Knows Our Hearts and Motives
[38:02] - God's Omnipresence
[41:18] - God's Omnipotence
[55:23] - Sanctity of Life
[01:00:18] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[01:07:31] - Announcements and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:1-16 - "Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 139:1-6 reveal about God's knowledge of us? How does this knowledge impact our daily lives? [30:35]
2. According to Psalm 139:7-12, where can we go to escape God's presence? What does this tell us about God's omnipresence? [38:02]
3. How does Psalm 139:13-16 describe God's involvement in our creation? What does it mean to be "fearfully and wonderfully made"? [41:18]
4. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the importance of community engagement and prayer in local schools? [10:27]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's omniscience (His all-knowing nature) affect the way we live our lives and make decisions? [30:35]
2. What comfort can we draw from the fact that God is omnipresent (always with us), especially during difficult times? [38:02]
3. How does recognizing God's omnipotence (all-powerful nature) influence our view of life's sanctity and our purpose? [41:18]
4. How does the sermon’s emphasis on community engagement and prayer reflect the church's mission to show Christ's love to both believers and non-believers? [12:39]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you focused more on the temporal rather than the eternal. How did it affect your relationship with God? What steps can you take to keep your eyes on Jesus? [07:20]
2. In what ways can you live more transparently before God, knowing that He knows your heart, actions, and motives? [30:35]
3. How can you remind yourself of God's constant presence in your life, especially during moments of loneliness or despair? [38:02]
4. Considering that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, how can you better appreciate and care for your own life and the lives of others? [41:18]
5. How can you get involved in community engagement and prayer initiatives, particularly in local schools, to show the love of Christ? [12:39]
6. Think of someone who has experienced the pain of abortion. How can you show them compassion and support, reflecting Christ's love? [55:23]
7. Identify one specific way you can use your unique gifts and profession to glorify God this week. How will you put this into action? [54:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Focus on the Eternal
When we focus on the eternal truths of Jesus Christ, we align our lives with God's purpose. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, demonstrated His immense love by dying on the cross for our sins and rising again to give us victory. This eternal perspective helps us to live a life that honors God and brings true fulfillment. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we are reminded of the eternal significance of our relationship with Him, which surpasses all temporal concerns. Everything else fades in comparison to the eternal joy and peace found in Him. [07:20]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What is one temporal concern that has been consuming your thoughts lately? How can you shift your focus to the eternal truths of Jesus Christ today?
Day 2: God's Omniscience
God's omniscience means He knows our hearts, actions, and motives. There is nothing we can hide from Him. This knowledge should lead us to live transparently before Him, seeking to honor Him in all we do. Understanding that God knows us intimately can bring both comfort and conviction. It guides us to live authentically, knowing that our true selves are fully known and loved by God. This awareness encourages us to align our actions and motives with His will, living a life that reflects His truth and love. [30:35]
Psalm 139:1-2 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with transparency before God? How can you invite Him into those areas today?
Day 3: God's Omnipresence
God's omnipresence assures us that He is with us at all times and in all places. Whether we are experiencing our highest highs or our lowest lows, His presence is constant. This truth reassures us that we are never alone and that we can rely on His guidance and support in every situation. Knowing that God is always with us can bring immense comfort and strength, especially during challenging times. It reminds us to seek His presence and trust in His unwavering support. [38:02]
Jeremiah 23:23-24 (ESV): "Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord."
Reflection: When have you felt alone or abandoned? How can the truth of God's omnipresence change your perspective in those moments?
Day 4: God's Omnipotence
God's omnipotence is evident in His creation, especially in the intricate details of our formation in the womb. Recognizing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by an all-powerful God should inspire us to live purposefully and to value life at all stages. This understanding calls us to appreciate the sanctity of life and to support those who have experienced the pain of abortion with compassion and love. It also encourages us to trust in God's power and sovereignty in every aspect of our lives. [41:18]
Isaiah 44:24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: 'I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself.'"
Reflection: How does recognizing God's omnipotence in your creation affect your view of yourself and others? What steps can you take to live more purposefully today?
Day 5: Sanctity of Life
Life begins at conception, and every human being is uniquely created by God. This understanding calls us to protect and value life at all stages. As believers, we are called to uphold the sanctity of life and to minister to those in need with compassion and love. This includes supporting those who have experienced the pain of abortion, offering them grace and understanding. Our role is to reflect God's love and truth, advocating for the value of every human life and providing support to those who are hurting. [55:23]
Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Reflection: How can you actively support the sanctity of life in your community? What practical steps can you take to show compassion and love to those who are hurting?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "As long as we keep our eyes on the eternal, and the eternal is what? The eternal is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who walked in sinless perfection, who loves us more than we could ever hope, dream, or imagine, who went to the cross to die for our sins, who victoriously rose again to give us that victory in Jesus. If we keep our minds and our hearts and our thoughts and our actions and our motives focused on those things, then we're going to be victorious." [07:20] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Listen, we are a church that believes in prayer. Amen. And we want to do our part to make sure these schools understand we love them, we're here for them, and we're eager to minister to them and to do anything and everything we can to glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, especially for the believing students and the believing teachers and staff there, but also for those who don't because we want to know we love them and we're there for them." [12:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our purpose is what? The meaning and purpose of life is very simple. To glorify the one who created us. That's it. To glorify God. That's why we're here. To glorify God. And all the different gifts and abilities that we have are given to do just that in every single possible context you can think of." [54:57] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Rejoice in that. Live lives that really give God the honor and the glory that He deserves. Now, a reason again why all this is happening is because sin is prevalent in this world. It's everywhere. Unless you think that things are getting worse, make no mistake. We just see things more vividly now because we have more access to more information." [01:00:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The fact that Jesus left the perfection of heaven, saw us in our sinless state, born in a manger, walked in sinless perfection on this earth. Every temptation that we've had, He's had without sin. He goes to the cross because He's the perfect man. He's the Lamb of God. He loves us. And He goes, listen, I will take the wrath that was due to you. I will take that on me, He says. And He loves us so much that even when He was dead, three days later, He rose again to fulfill the promise that, listen, I will never leave you nor forsake you." [01:01:59] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you call yourself a Christian, if you call yourself a Bible, believing a lover of Jesus Christ and you neglect this book, I'm going to have to say, I don't know if that's the truth or not quite honestly, because this is absolutely essential to our understanding of who our savior is. And it's also very essential to understanding who we are." [25:40] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The more I know who God is, the more I know who I'm not. Right. As we unpack, we're not going to go through all of Psalm 139. We're just going to do the first 16 verses here. As we unpack this, you're going to see that David was boldly declaring that God knows everything. God is everywhere and God can do anything. And as far as humanity, his concern, we can't do any of these things." [27:32] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Without God, we truly have nothing. We truly are nothing. Right. But there are people who you think, wow, I can't believe they're struggling with this. I can't believe they're struggling. I can't believe they're stricken with this cancer. And then you see other folks and you like, oh, goodness grace, this person lives absolutely like contrary to anything that God wants. And they've got wealth unimaginable. They never get sick. And so if you look at these externals as the way God blesses, I'm going to tell you right now, you're going to be disappointed. He just doesn't operate that way." [33:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's power is displayed even in the womb to show His omnipotent nature. God is involved in the intricate details of our creation and development in the womb. Even before we're in the womb. I'll get back to that a little bit later. The psalmist uses this word knit. I remember we've had so many kids. I forgot which kid this was for. So forgive me. We had four children. But I remember we were at one of our churches and we were pregnant. We had some folks knit some things for us. Right? And that was something really special." [42:28] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You're created by God for a purpose. You're not just here to wander and be aimless about. And even God knew us, even before we were conceived in the womb. Look what it says in Jeremiah here. I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb, God says. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as one of my prophets to the nation. God not only knew us before we were born, he also knows my entire... And here's the thing with Jeremiah. If you ask Jeremiah if he was very thankful for that, you know what Jeremiah was known as? He was the weeping prophet." [53:14] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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