Living Purposefully: Lessons from Life and Loss

 

Summary

In reflecting on the recent losses of loved ones, I draw inspiration from Paul's words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Paul speaks of his life as a drink offering, poured out in service to God, and he anticipates his departure from this world with a sense of fulfillment. This passage reminds us that the ultimate goal of our lives is to reach our heavenly home, much like a baseball player aims to reach home plate. Sister Evans recently reached her heavenly home, and her journey offers us profound lessons on living a life worth living by having a death worth dying.

Paul's farewell to Timothy is a testament to a life well-lived, marked by fighting the good fight, finishing the course, and keeping the faith. These principles were vividly demonstrated in Sister Evans' life, especially as she faced her final days with grace and spiritual clarity. Her experience echoes the biblical accounts of those who, nearing their departure, received glimpses of heaven, affirming that their time had come and it was okay.

Life is unpredictable, and we do not know the time of our departure. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on what truly matters. Many of us engage in battles that are not worth fighting, wasting time on conflicts that hold no eternal significance. Instead, we should choose our battles wisely, ensuring they are beneficial and aligned with God's purposes.

Sister Evans' life was a testament to finishing the course God set for her. From her early commitment to Christ to her unwavering support in ministry, her life was marked by service and dedication. Her legacy is a reminder to us all to live with purpose, ensuring that when our time comes, we can say we have completed what God intended for us.

Finally, keeping the faith is paramount. Sister Evans never wavered in her faith, even in her final days. Her life was a continuous testimony of trust in Jesus, and she remained steadfast in her belief, inspiring those around her. As we face our own challenges, we must hold onto our faith, knowing that our ultimate reward awaits us in heaven.

Key Takeaways:

- The Goal of Life: Just as a baseball player aims to reach home plate, our ultimate goal is to reach our heavenly home. This perspective helps us live with purpose and intention, focusing on what truly matters in light of eternity. [02:04]

- Choosing Worthy Battles: Life is full of conflicts, but not all are worth engaging in. We must discern which battles are beneficial and aligned with God's purposes, ensuring our efforts contribute to eternal significance. [15:11]

- Finishing the Course: Our lives should be marked by completing the tasks God has set for us. Sister Evans' life exemplifies dedication to God's calling, reminding us to live with purpose and leave a lasting legacy. [20:04]

- Keeping the Faith: In the face of trials, maintaining our faith is crucial. Sister Evans' unwavering trust in Jesus, even in her final days, serves as a powerful example of steadfast faith that inspires others. [27:52]

- The Assurance of Heaven: Death is not the end but a transition to eternal life. Paul's anticipation of a heavenly reward and Sister Evans' glimpses of heaven remind us of the hope and assurance we have in Christ. [29:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Reflections on Loss
- [00:45] - Paul's Words to Timothy
- [01:28] - Lessons from Sister Evans
- [02:04] - The Goal of Life
- [03:08] - A Life Worth Living
- [04:34] - The Uncertainty of Time
- [06:06] - Glimpses of Heaven
- [08:02] - Nearing Departure
- [09:34] - Spiritual Clarity
- [11:12] - Life's Unpredictability
- [14:46] - Fighting the Good Fight
- [20:04] - Finishing the Course
- [25:25] - Keeping the Faith
- [29:20] - The Assurance of Heaven

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Timothy 4:6-8
- Acts 7:55-56

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he describes his life as a "drink offering" in 2 Timothy 4:6? How does this imagery relate to his sense of fulfillment? [00:45]

2. In the sermon, Sister Evans is described as having "glimpses of heaven" as her time of departure neared. How does this compare to Stephen's experience in Acts 7:55-56? [09:34]

3. According to the sermon, what are some examples of "bad fights" that people often engage in, and why are they considered unworthy? [16:15]

4. How did Sister Evans demonstrate her faith in her final days, according to the sermon? [25:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to "fight the good fight" in the context of one's faith journey, and how can this be applied to everyday life? [14:46]

2. How does the concept of "finishing the course" challenge individuals to reflect on their life's purpose and legacy? [20:04]

3. In what ways does the assurance of a heavenly reward, as mentioned by Paul, influence a believer's perspective on life and death? [29:20]

4. How can the experiences of Sister Evans and Paul inspire believers to maintain their faith during trials and uncertainties? [27:52]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current life goals. How do they align with the ultimate goal of reaching your "heavenly home"? What changes might you need to make to ensure your life is lived with purpose and intention? [02:04]

2. Identify a conflict or "battle" in your life. Is it worth fighting, or is it a distraction from what truly matters? How can you discern which battles are aligned with God's purposes? [15:11]

3. Consider the legacy you are building. What steps can you take to ensure that you are "finishing the course" God has set for you? [20:04]

4. In moments of trial, how do you keep your faith strong? What practices or habits can you adopt to ensure your faith remains steadfast, like Sister Evans'? [27:52]

5. How does the assurance of heaven impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? In what ways can this assurance bring peace and hope in times of uncertainty? [29:20]

6. Think of a time when you felt spiritually distant. What actions can you take to draw closer to God and be more attuned to His presence, especially in challenging times? [09:34]

7. How can you support others in their faith journey, especially those who may be nearing their "departure"? What practical steps can you take to offer encouragement and hope? [08:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Our Heavenly Home is Our True Destination
In life, we often set goals and strive to achieve them, much like a baseball player aims to reach home plate. However, the ultimate goal for believers is to reach our heavenly home. This perspective encourages us to live with purpose and intention, focusing on what truly matters in light of eternity. By keeping our eyes on this eternal destination, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of peace and direction, knowing that our true home awaits us. [02:04]

Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to align your daily actions with the goal of reaching your heavenly home?


Day 2: Discernment in Choosing Life's Battles
Life is filled with conflicts and challenges, but not all battles are worth engaging in. It is crucial to discern which battles are beneficial and aligned with God's purposes. By choosing our battles wisely, we ensure that our efforts contribute to eternal significance rather than being wasted on temporary or trivial matters. This discernment requires prayer, wisdom, and a deep understanding of God's will for our lives. [15:11]

Proverbs 21:30-31 (ESV): "No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."

Reflection: Identify a current conflict in your life. How can you seek God's guidance to determine if this is a battle worth fighting?


Day 3: Completing God's Assigned Course
Our lives should be marked by completing the tasks God has set for us. Sister Evans' life exemplifies dedication to God's calling, reminding us to live with purpose and leave a lasting legacy. By focusing on finishing the course God has laid out, we can ensure that our lives are meaningful and impactful, fulfilling the divine purpose for which we were created. [20:04]

Acts 20:24 (ESV): "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

Reflection: What specific task or calling has God placed on your heart, and what steps can you take today to move closer to completing it?


Day 4: Unwavering Faith Amidst Trials
In the face of trials, maintaining our faith is crucial. Sister Evans' unwavering trust in Jesus, even in her final days, serves as a powerful example of steadfast faith that inspires others. By holding onto our faith, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that our ultimate reward awaits us in heaven. This steadfastness in faith is a testament to the strength and hope found in a relationship with Christ. [27:52]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did your faith sustain you, and how can you strengthen your faith for future challenges?


Day 5: The Assurance of Eternal Life
Death is not the end but a transition to eternal life. Paul's anticipation of a heavenly reward and Sister Evans' glimpses of heaven remind us of the hope and assurance we have in Christ. This assurance provides comfort and peace, knowing that our earthly journey is temporary and that a glorious eternity with God awaits us. Embracing this truth allows us to live with hope and joy, even in the face of life's uncertainties. [29:20]

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 the assurance of eternal life influence your perspective on current struggles or fears?

Quotes


Paul is saying goodbye to Timothy his son in the faith and in his goodbyes to him he has some very valuable lessons some of them most of them I saw them lived out in the own in the goodbyes that I just experienced he begins at verse 6 by saying the time of my departure is at hand he knew his life was coming to an end he knew that his time on earth was closing and he wanted Timothy to know that it was ok all of us have a time the Bible says it's appointed unto man wants to die and after that the judgment all of us have a time to go home [00:03:30]

One of the things I observed in life and in Scripture is that when people walk with God and he doesn't take them suddenly he will give them a doing glimpse of heaven while they're still transitioning from Earth he will let them know not only that it's time but it's okay two years ago when we found out that this rare cancer had come upon sister Evans we hoped we had all these plans prior to that of when we turn 70 which we did this year that things would change [00:05:59]

When pro football players enter the league they enter the league planning for a long career no draft he plans to only make it a year or two in the league they want to play 1015 years they want to make all the money they can make being successful as they can be make it to the Hall of Fame if possible they have long term vision and long term goals but those of you who watch sports long enough know that some of those goals are out of their hands the coach may cut them they may get injured they may not reach the goals that they have because no matter how hard you plan some things are out of your head [00:10:19]

I fought a good fight I hope you know our fights aren't worth fighting far too many of us spend far too much time with bad fights the word good means that which is beneficial or helpful he said I fought a good fight the fights I had in life was to make things better Paul had a lot of fights he had a run for his life he had people chasing him he had here there are boats that were in storms where he was fighting for his very existence but he said I fought a good fight [00:14:49]

Too many couples here or fighting bad fights cuz you're fighting over stuff that is non beneficial it doesn't matter when you hit times like this and you look back at the stuff you argued about and thought about and bust about and cussed each other about you you you look back and say that was a bad fight cuz that had absolutely no benefit to it it was not beneficial Church members fight overseas like that's a good fight folk fight over skin colour like that's a good fight cultures fight genders fight they fight over stuff that doesn't matter if you at your time of departure want to be able to connect with heaven you better choose your fights wisely [00:16:15]

The second thing he says is I finished my course I finished my course it's good to know when your time is up that you're finished since the Evanses words we're not I'm finished he said I'm done same thing I'm done I'm finished Paul was saying I completed what I was put here to do don't waste your life so that when you are finished you weren't finished that you never got around to what God created and redeemed you to do that there was nothing eternal about your life where the course that God had for you and he has a cause for every believer to serve his kingdom to serve their Lord don't in your life wondering why you lived [00:19:45]

I learned a little bit more even than I knew previously about my wife she got saved at 9:00 that 9:00 her mother led her to Christ Herod her oldest sister she got on her knees with the two of them and led them in the process of trusting Christ as their Savior at 15 she went to a camp and was challenged there to surrender her life to Jesus Christ fully and in service to Him as the story was told to me she got on her knees at the camp at 15 and told the Lord you can have all of my life for any of your purposes I surrendered to you even if that means I will never marry or have children so this was a serious moment where she gave up everything over to Jesus Christ [00:21:18]

Paul thirdly says I kept the faith I didn't walk away from my faith when times got hard I didn't give up on Jesus our bedroom looks like a hospital room but the wheelchair and a walker and all of the things that come with hospice but at any time she could be conscious you would hear her calling on Jesus or asking me or the kids to read scripture or playing scripture on a CD or listening to music on Christmas she had very little consciousness on Christmas we were got her in the wheelchair she wasn't able to walk she wasn't able to talk and any clear meaningful way we gather the children and the grandchildren the great-grandchildren around we just say saying Carol's about Jesus she just would move her lips trying to mouth the words about Jesus [00:25:03]

Paul said I kept the faith I didn't walk away from my belief system just because being a Christian became hard or because trials come because difficulties are there then he comes to his final verse verse 8 Paul says now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness but not for me only but for all those who love his appearing now there is laid up for me a crown of glory before he left he knew that there was going to be an award waiting last week or so since the heavens rung out in the room award award they're calling me for an award she kept saying award award they're just waiting for the song there was anticipation about an award before she was gone but Paul had an anticipation about an award before he was gone he said now there is laid up for me when I came by the office yesterday there was a plaque with a resolution on it [00:29:39]

The resolution had a quote on it from sister Evans that I've never remember ever reading taken from a magazine article that she had written or bed interviewed her and they included it on their resolution let me read what she wrote in 2012 as a woman that heard the voice of God and stayed on track as much as she could and with the plan that he ordained and preordained for her life I want to hear well done I might not please all the people here but I want to hear well done because what he foreknew about me and predestined for me I took time in my life to really accomplish that I want to leave a legacy and heritage for my children and grandchildren and for any woman that the Lord brought my way I want to leave some inspiration and some encouragement for them foremost in my mind is I want to hear well done [00:30:34]

He says no there is laid up for me which means that death wasn't the end it wasn't a period it was a conjunction since the ask Evans asked me she says how long is it going to take my soul and spirit to leave my body and go to heaven how long is it going to take I was able to explain it's like a blue with air when you prick it it goes pop and the air escapes and the rubber falls down to the ground the rubber once you pop the balloon is useless but the air that left it is still there when that pop occurs and you close your eyes for the last time the life of scarce the body is dormant because it has no air but the air is still there you're very much alive to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord [00:33:04]

When you have that assurance that you don't get to stay dead when you die when you have that confidence in the Lord so if you are here today and you are a Christian if you are here today and you love the Lord then you follow him because this life is your dress rehearsal for eternity you say but it's hard but it's tough but if I told you that if I got you to eat squash for a year and you didn't like squash but if you ate it for a year I would pay all of your bills for the rest of your life it would change your view of squash your life may have squash in it but God says if you'll fight a good fight finish the course and keep the faith I got you covered for your eternal destiny so you keep on fighting [00:34:05]

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Transcript
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