Living with an Eternal Perspective: Focus on the Future
Summary
In today's sermon, I wanted to bring a powerful illustration to help us understand the importance of our time on earth in the context of eternity. I began by reminiscing about an illustration I used 20 years ago when I was a youth pastor. Back then, I used a roll of computer paper that stretched around the room to represent a timeline of our existence. Today, I used a rope instead, asking everyone to imagine that this rope goes on forever, symbolizing our eternal existence.
I pointed out a small red section on the rope, which represents our time on earth. This tiny segment is all we have in this life, and yet, many of us are entirely consumed by it. We focus on our short-term goals, like saving money, traveling, and enjoying life, without considering the vast expanse of eternity that follows. This perspective is shortsighted because the Bible teaches that what we do during this brief period on earth determines our existence for millions and millions of years in eternity.
I emphasized that the Apostle Paul had a different approach. He chose to live his life for a mission, investing his time and energy for the moment he would cross the finish line and face God. Paul wasn't concerned with earthly pleasures or comforts; he was focused on the eternal reward. He understood that we only get one chance at this life, and it can end at any moment. Therefore, he lived with an eternal perspective, knowing that his decisions on earth would impact his eternity.
I shared my frustration with how people often view my decisions as foolish because they don't align with the pursuit of earthly comfort. However, I believe that living for eternity is the wisest choice. It's tempting to get caught up in the here and now, especially when everyone around us is doing the same. But Paul reminds us to keep our eyes on the finish line, to forget what's behind us, and to strain forward toward the goal. He exerted every bit of his energy to ensure he would receive the eternal reward from God.
In conclusion, I urged everyone to reconsider their priorities and focus on the eternal perspective. Our time on earth is fleeting, and we must use it wisely to prepare for the eternity that awaits us. Let's live with the same determination and focus as Paul, straining forward to cross the finish line and receive our eternal reward.
### Key Takeaways
1. Eternal Perspective: Our time on earth is just a tiny fraction of our existence. We must shift our focus from short-term pleasures and comforts to the eternal impact of our actions. Living with an eternal perspective helps us make wiser decisions that align with God's will. [00:51]
2. The Importance of Mission: Like the Apostle Paul, we should live our lives with a clear mission and purpose. Investing our time and energy in God's work will yield eternal rewards. This mission-focused life requires us to prioritize spiritual goals over earthly ones. [02:13]
3. One Chance at Life: We only have one chance at this life, and it can end at any moment. Therefore, we must live intentionally, making choices that honor God and prepare us for eternity. This urgency should drive us to live faithfully and purposefully. [03:00]
4. Resisting Temptation: It's tempting to live for the here and now, especially when everyone around us is doing the same. However, we must resist this deception and keep our eyes on the eternal prize. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of worldly distractions. [03:38]
5. Straining Forward: Paul teaches us to forget what's behind and strain forward toward the goal. This requires exerting every bit of our energy and focus to live out our faith and receive the eternal reward from God. Let's live with the same determination and commitment. [04:10]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - The Rope Illustration
[01:36] - The Red Part: Our Time on Earth
[02:13] - Paul's Mission-Focused Life
[03:00] - One Chance at Life
[03:38] - Resisting Worldly Temptations
[04:10] - Straining Forward to the Goal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
2. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the red part of the rope represent in the sermon illustration? ([01:36])
2. How does the Apostle Paul describe his approach to life in the sermon? ([02:13])
3. What is the significance of the "finish line" in Paul's life according to the sermon? ([03:00])
4. What does the speaker say about the common perspective people have towards life on earth? ([03:38])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead in Philippians 3:13-14? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about living with an eternal perspective?
2. In 2 Corinthians 4:18, Paul talks about focusing on the unseen and eternal. How does this align with the sermon’s illustration of the rope and the red part? ([01:36])
3. The speaker mentions that people often view his decisions as foolish. Why might living with an eternal perspective seem foolish to others? ([03:00])
4. How does the concept of having "one chance at life" influence the urgency of our decisions and actions according to the sermon? ([03:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you are overly focused on the "red part" of the rope? How can you shift your focus to have an eternal perspective? ([01:36])
2. The speaker talks about living for a mission like Paul. What specific mission or purpose do you feel called to invest your time and energy in? How can you start prioritizing this mission in your daily life? ([02:13])
3. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you consider its eternal impact? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future to align with an eternal perspective? ([03:00])
4. The sermon mentions the temptation to live for the here and now. Identify one specific temptation or distraction in your life. What steps can you take to resist it and keep your eyes on the eternal prize? ([03:38])
5. Paul talks about straining forward toward the goal. What is one practical way you can exert more effort and focus in your spiritual journey this week? ([04:10])
6. How can you encourage others around you to adopt an eternal perspective without coming across as judgmental or dismissive of their current priorities? ([03:38])
7. The speaker urges us to reconsider our priorities. What is one priority you need to change to better prepare for eternity? How will you make this change starting today? ([04:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Our time on earth is just a tiny fraction of our existence. We must shift our focus from short-term pleasures and comforts to the eternal impact of our actions. Living with an eternal perspective helps us make wiser decisions that align with God's will. [00:51]
Imagine a rope that stretches infinitely, representing our eternal existence. Now, picture a small red section on that rope, symbolizing our time on earth. This tiny segment is all we have in this life, yet many of us are entirely consumed by it. We focus on short-term goals like saving money, traveling, and enjoying life without considering the vast expanse of eternity that follows. This perspective is shortsighted because the Bible teaches that what we do during this brief period on earth determines our existence for millions and millions of years in eternity.
To live with an eternal perspective means to prioritize actions and decisions that have lasting significance. It means aligning our lives with God's will and focusing on the eternal impact of our choices. By doing so, we can make wiser decisions that not only benefit us in this life but also prepare us for the eternity that awaits.
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 are overly focused on short-term gains? How can you shift your perspective to consider the eternal impact of your actions today?
Day 2: The Importance of Mission
Like the Apostle Paul, we should live our lives with a clear mission and purpose. Investing our time and energy in God's work will yield eternal rewards. This mission-focused life requires us to prioritize spiritual goals over earthly ones. [02:13]
The Apostle Paul lived his life with a clear mission and purpose. He invested his time and energy in God's work, knowing that his efforts would yield eternal rewards. Paul wasn't concerned with earthly pleasures or comforts; he was focused on the eternal reward. He understood that we only get one chance at this life, and it can end at any moment. Therefore, he lived with an eternal perspective, knowing that his decisions on earth would impact his eternity.
Living a mission-focused life means prioritizing spiritual goals over earthly ones. It means dedicating our time and energy to God's work, knowing that our efforts will have lasting significance. By following Paul's example, we can live with purpose and intention, making choices that honor God and prepare us for eternity.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV): "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can invest your time and energy in God's work this week? How can you prioritize spiritual goals over earthly ones?
Day 3: One Chance at Life
We only have one chance at this life, and it can end at any moment. Therefore, we must live intentionally, making choices that honor God and prepare us for eternity. This urgency should drive us to live faithfully and purposefully. [03:00]
Our time on earth is fleeting, and we only have one chance to live this life. It can end at any moment, which is why it's crucial to live intentionally. Making choices that honor God and prepare us for eternity should be our primary focus. This sense of urgency should drive us to live faithfully and purposefully, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences.
Living intentionally means being mindful of our decisions and their impact on our eternal existence. It means prioritizing actions that align with God's will and purpose for our lives. By doing so, we can make the most of our time on earth and prepare ourselves for the eternity that awaits.
James 4:14 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one intentional choice you can make today that honors God and prepares you for eternity? How can you live with a greater sense of urgency and purpose?
Day 4: Resisting Temptation
It's tempting to live for the here and now, especially when everyone around us is doing the same. However, we must resist this deception and keep our eyes on the eternal prize. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of worldly distractions. [03:38]
In a world that constantly tempts us to live for the here and now, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of earthly pleasures and comforts. Everyone around us seems to be doing the same, making it even more challenging to resist. However, we must remember that our time on earth is just a tiny fraction of our existence. We must resist this deception and keep our eyes on the eternal prize.
By focusing on the eternal reward, we can avoid the pitfalls of worldly distractions. This requires discipline and a conscious effort to prioritize actions that have lasting significance. By doing so, we can live a life that honors God and prepares us for eternity.
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: What is one worldly temptation you struggle with? How can you resist this temptation and keep your focus on the eternal prize?
Day 5: Straining Forward
Paul teaches us to forget what's behind and strain forward toward the goal. This requires exerting every bit of our energy and focus to live out our faith and receive the eternal reward from God. Let's live with the same determination and commitment. [04:10]
The Apostle Paul teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain forward toward the goal. This requires exerting every bit of our energy and focus to live out our faith and receive the eternal reward from God. Paul reminds us to keep our eyes on the finish line, to forget what's behind us, and to strain forward toward the goal. He exerted every bit of his energy to ensure he would receive the eternal reward from God.
Living with this determination and commitment means prioritizing our faith and spiritual goals above all else. It means dedicating ourselves to the pursuit of God's will and purpose for our lives. By doing so, we can live a life that honors God and prepares us for the eternity that awaits.
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one past mistake or regret that you need to let go of? How can you strain forward toward the goal and live with greater determination and commitment to your faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Imagine this rope, okay? Pretend this rope just goes on forever, okay? Just imagination. Pretend it goes around the world a few times. It doesn't. It ends at the rock. But let's just imagine this thing goes on forever. Now. Now, imagine that this rope is a timeline of your existence. You just exist forever. You see this red part? This would represent your time on earth. You've got a few short years here on earth, and then you've got all of eternity somewhere else. This is your existence. And what blows me away is some of you, all you think about is this red part. It's all you think about. You're consumed with this." [00:51]
2. "You go, oh, man, I can't wait till here. You know, I'm going to work hard. I'm going to save, save, save so I can really enjoy this part right here. And you're consumed with that. And you're thinking, oh, man, am I going to get to travel? Am I going to eat well? Am I going to do this during this part? And I'm like, are you kidding me? about this? What about this? What about all this stuff? It's crazy to me because the Bible teaches that what I do during this little red part determines how I'm going to exist for millions and millions. Millions of years forever." [01:36]
3. "And so why would I spend this little red part trying to make myself as comfortable as possible, enjoying myself as much as I can? Paul says, look, I'm going to live my life for this mission. I'm going to spend my life, invest my life for this moment when I cross that finish line. See, I'm going to forget about all this stuff I could enjoy. And I'm not going to look around. I'm going to be like a runner just looking at that moment when I face God. Because when I face him, then I don't get this chance over again. We get one chance at this life on earth. And it can end at any second for any of us. We've got one chance at this. And then comes eternity." [02:13]
4. "Man, I'm serious. I look. I look at the way people live. And I go, no, you're stupid because it's going to affect all of this. And I go, wow, that is so crazy. You are so crazy. You're going to do that right now just to enjoy right now. Not even knowing if you have tomorrow and you think that's smart and that I'm dumb. It doesn't make any sense. Paul goes, I'm not going to look around at all this stuff." [03:00]
5. "And it's tempting. It's tempting to all of us. That's what I'm saying. Down here, it's crazy because everyone lives that way. Everyone lives for the red part. No one's thinking about the millions of years afterwards. Afterwards, it's just this crazy deception that we can't get out of our minds. And Paul goes, I'm not doing that. He goes, I keep my eyes on that. I keep my eyes on that finish line. And I'm going to forget what's behind me. I'm not looking around. I'm just going to, I'm straining because I'm straining forward. I'm like stretching forward for that mark. I'm going to pass this thing. I'm going to live this out." [03:38]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul says, look, I'm going to live my life for this mission. I'm going to spend my life, invest my life for this moment when I cross that finish line. See, I'm going to forget about all this stuff I could enjoy. And I'm not going to look around. I'm going to be like a runner just looking at that moment when I face God. Because when I face him, then I don't get this chance over again. We get one chance at this life on earth. And it can end at any second for any of us. We've got one chance at this. And then comes eternity." [02:13]
2. "And so why would I spend this little red part trying to make myself as comfortable as possible, enjoying myself as much as I can? Paul says, look, I'm going to live my life for this mission. I'm going to spend my life, invest my life for this moment when I cross that finish line. See, I'm going to forget about all this stuff I could enjoy. And I'm not going to look around. I'm going to be like a runner just looking at that moment when I face God." [02:13]
3. "Man, I'm serious. I look. I look at the way people live. And I go, no, you're stupid because it's going to affect all of this. And I go, wow, that is so crazy. You are so crazy. You're going to do that right now just to enjoy right now. Not even knowing if you have tomorrow and you think that's smart and that I'm dumb. It doesn't make any sense. Paul goes, I'm not going to look around at all this stuff." [03:00]
4. "And it's tempting. It's tempting to all of us. That's what I'm saying. Down here, it's crazy because everyone lives that way. Everyone lives for the red part. No one's thinking about the millions of years afterwards. Afterwards, it's just this crazy deception that we can't get out of our minds. And Paul goes, I'm not doing that. He goes, I keep my eyes on that. I keep my eyes on that finish line. And I'm going to forget what's behind me. I'm not looking around. I'm just going to, I'm straining because I'm straining forward. I'm like stretching forward for that mark. I'm going to pass this thing. I'm going to live this out." [03:38]
5. "I'm straining forward. I'm like stretching forward for that mark. I'm going to pass this thing. I'm going to live this out. And I'm going to face him. I'm going to come before the judges and he's going to hand me that trophy. He goes, I'm going to get it. And I haven't gotten there yet. He goes, but you better believe. I'm using every muscle exerting every bit about me because I'm going to pass that line." [04:10]
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