Living Purposefully: Embracing Life with Eternity in Mind

Devotional

Day 1: Living with Death in Mind

Living with death in mind is not about being morbid but about living purposefully. When we acknowledge the reality of our mortality, it helps us prioritize what truly matters. Peter, aware of his impending death, wrote to encourage believers to live with intention and focus on eternal things. This perspective helps us avoid getting caught up in trivial matters and instead invest our time and energy in what has lasting significance. By keeping the end in mind, we can make our lives count for eternity. [36:41]

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 area of your life where you find yourself getting caught up in trivial matters? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters today?

Day 2: Our Bodies are Temporary Tents

Peter describes our bodies as tents—temporary and fragile. This metaphor serves as a reminder that our current lives are transient and that we should focus on eternal things. Just as a tent is not a permanent home, our bodies are not our final dwelling place. We are journeying towards a permanent, glorious home in heaven. This perspective encourages us to live wisely and intentionally, knowing that our time here is short and that we should invest in what has eternal value. [43:06]

2 Corinthians 5:1 (ESV): "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Reflection: How does viewing your body as a temporary tent change the way you live your daily life? What eternal things can you focus on today?

Day 3: Live for the Benefit of Others

Peter's focus, even in his old age, was on others. He reminded and stirred up believers to live faithfully. This teaches us the importance of investing our time and energy in others, rather than being consumed with ourselves. By doing so, we can leave a lasting impact on those around us. Living for the benefit of others means being intentional about how we can positively influence and support those in our community, family, and beyond. [51:15]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can invest in today? How can you intentionally support and encourage them?

Day 4: Leave a Legacy that Outlives You

Peter's letters have been instructing and nourishing believers for 2,000 years. While we may not write letters that last millennia, we can still leave a meaningful legacy through our actions and relationships. We should be intentional about what we leave behind, ensuring it points others to God. This involves living in a way that reflects our faith and values, and making a positive impact on those around us. Our legacy is not just about what we do, but how we live and the influence we have on others. [56:14]

Psalm 78:4 (ESV): "We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done."

Reflection: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? What steps can you take today to ensure your legacy points others to God?

Day 5: Prepare for Eternity

The most important thing on our "finish well focus list" should be ensuring our relationship with God is right. This involves making amends, seeking forgiveness, and passing on our faith to the next generation. By doing so, we can be confident that we are ready for what comes next and leave a legacy that honors God. Preparing for eternity means living in a way that reflects our faith and values, and being intentional about our spiritual growth and the impact we have on others. [58:00]

2 Peter 3:11-12 (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."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from or make amends with today? How can you pass on your faith to the next generation in a meaningful way?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone! Today, we delved into 2 Peter 1:11-15, focusing on how to finish our lives well by living as if we were dying. This might sound somber, but it's actually an encouraging and uplifting message. We began by discussing our bucket lists, sharing both fun and serious aspirations. I shared my own experiences, including skydiving after being diagnosed with leukemia, which led me to reflect deeply on life and death.

Peter, aware that his end was near, wrote these words to encourage us to live purposefully. He emphasized that we should live with death in mind, not in a morbid way, but to ensure we make the most of our time here. This perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters. Peter also used the metaphor of our bodies as tents—temporary shelters that we will eventually leave behind for a permanent home in heaven. This imagery reminds us that our current lives are transient and that we should focus on eternal things.

We also discussed the importance of living for the benefit of others. Peter, even in his old age, focused on reminding and stirring up others to live faithfully. He wasn't consumed with himself but invested his remaining time in others. This is a powerful lesson for us to consider how we can positively impact those around us.

Lastly, we talked about leaving a legacy that outlives us. Peter's letters have been instructing and nourishing believers for 2,000 years. While we may not write letters that last millennia, we can still leave a meaningful legacy through our actions and relationships. We should be intentional about what we leave behind, ensuring it points others to God.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Live with Death in Mind: Peter's awareness of his impending death led him to live purposefully. By keeping the end in mind, we can prioritize what truly matters and make our lives count for eternity. This perspective helps us focus on what is most important and avoid getting caught up in trivial matters. [36:41]
2. Our Bodies are Temporary Tents: Peter describes our bodies as tents—temporary and fragile. This metaphor reminds us that our current lives are transient and that we should focus on eternal things. Just as a tent is not a permanent home, our bodies are not our final dwelling place. We are journeying towards a permanent, glorious home in heaven. [43:06]
3. Live for the Benefit of Others: Peter's focus, even in his old age, was on others. He reminded and stirred up believers to live faithfully. This teaches us the importance of investing our time and energy in others, rather than being consumed with ourselves. By doing so, we can leave a lasting impact on those around us. [51:15]
4. Leave a Legacy that Outlives You: Peter's letters have been instructing and nourishing believers for 2,000 years. While we may not write letters that last millennia, we can still leave a meaningful legacy through our actions and relationships. We should be intentional about what we leave behind, ensuring it points others to God. [56:14]
5. Prepare for Eternity: The most important thing on our "finish well focus list" should be ensuring our relationship with God is right. This involves making amends, seeking forgiveness, and passing on our faith to the next generation. By doing so, we can be confident that we are ready for what comes next and leave a legacy that honors God. [58:00]
### [58:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:44] - Introduction to 2 Peter
[01:29] - Bucket List Discussion
[02:16] - Personal Skydiving Story
[03:27] - Opening Prayer
[31:52] - Reflecting on Life and Death
[32:49] - Tim McGraw Song Reference
[33:44] - Children's Perspectives on Death
[34:20] - Importance of Living with the End in Mind
[35:32] - Living with Death in Mind
[36:41] - Peter's Awareness of His Impending Death
[37:48] - Temporary Nature of Our Bodies
[39:37] - Wisdom in Thinking About Death
[41:15] - Living Wisely and Intentionally
[42:25] - Living Like We're Camping Out
[45:19] - Different Ways of Camping
[46:37] - Temporary Nature of Tents
[48:13] - Jesus' Promise of Eternal Homes
[49:45] - Paul's Perspective on Life and Death
[51:15] - Living for the Benefit of Others
[56:14] - Leaving a Legacy
[58:00] - Preparing for Eternity
[60:45] - Key Things to Finish Strong
[62:15] - Memory Verse: Philippians 1:21
[63:29] - Discussion Questions
[66:25] - Closing Announcements and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What metaphor does Peter use to describe our bodies in 2 Peter 1:14, and what does it signify? [36:41]
According to 2 Peter 1:15, what was Peter's intention for the believers after his departure? [37:11]
How does Paul describe our earthly bodies in 2 Corinthians 5:1, and what is promised to us after they are "destroyed"?
What does Philippians 1:21 mean when it says, "to die is gain"?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter emphasize living with death in mind, and how does this perspective help us prioritize our lives? [36:41]
How does the metaphor of our bodies as tents in 2 Peter 1:14 and 2 Corinthians 5:1 help us understand the temporary nature of our earthly lives? [43:06]
In what ways did Peter live for the benefit of others, and how can this be a model for us? [51:15]
What does it mean to leave a legacy that outlives us, according to Peter's example in 2 Peter 1:15? [56:14]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there any trivial matters that you need to let go of to focus on what truly matters? How can you start prioritizing eternal things today? [36:41]
Peter describes our bodies as temporary tents. How does this perspective change the way you view your physical health and material possessions? [43:06]
Peter lived for the benefit of others even in his old age. Identify one person in your life whom you can invest in and encourage this week. What specific action will you take? [51:15]
Think about the legacy you want to leave behind. What steps can you take now to ensure that your actions and relationships point others to God? [56:14]
Peter was intentional about reminding and stirring up others. How can you be more intentional in your relationships to encourage others in their faith? [53:17]
Consider your "finish well focus list." Are there any relationships you need to mend or people you need to seek forgiveness from? What will be your first step in addressing these issues? [58:00]
How can you pass on your faith to the next generation? Identify one practical way to share your faith journey with your children, grandchildren, or younger people in your community. [58:56]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "When we face big challenges in our life, things that cause us to think about like the end of our lives and what's next, it'll cause us to think about what's most important to do or get done in the time that we have left." [03:27] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We need to live like we were dying. We need to think about the end. Last week, we started our walk through 2 Peter by looking at how to build on the rock-solid foundation that Jesus laid for us with his death on the cross. Well, this week, Peter talks about how to finish our time here on earth strong, how to finish strong, how to have a rock-solid kind of finish." [32:49] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. I like that. It kind of makes me giggle. But why focus on the end now? Well, the first reason we should focus on the end now is because we don't know when the end's coming, right?" [39:37] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So we're to live with death in mind, and live like we're camping out. We're just in temporary tents. And then the third key to finishing well is that we need to live for the benefit of others." [50:31] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Make sure that when you live your life. Make sure that when you live your life. Make sure that you live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." [59:57] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Peter gives us some keys to what it means to live like we're dying, to finish this life here well. And first of all, and this may sound a little weird, but to finish strong, I think we need to live with death in mind. Now you might go, who lives with death in mind? Well, Peter did. That's what he does." [35:32] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Peter believed his own death was coming soon. Skip down to verse 14. He says, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon. And that word body there in the Greek should actually be translated tent. And I'll explain that in a little bit. It's a cool thought though." [36:41] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Peter is living for the benefit of others. Now, he does it in two ways. First, he does it by reminding them of the things that they already know. Look at verse 12 here. He says, because the end is coming, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, these ideas, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have." [51:15] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So if we want to finish well, we should live with death in mind. We should live like we're camping out. We should live for the benefit of others. And then lastly, we should live for a legacy that outlives you. Well, we should live for our legacy. That outlives us." [55:22] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The most important thing that should be on our finish well focus list is making sure that our relationship with God is right. Amen. So is there anything I need to do to make my relationship with God right? Or is there anything I can do now to make my relationship with God better?" [58:56] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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