Living with Eternal Perspective in Christ

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are called to live with an awareness of the invisible realities that define our existence in Christ. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and this truth shapes the landscape in which we live. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, contrasts the perishing outward man with the inward renewal that occurs daily. This renewal is rooted in the treasure we hold within—the knowledge of God through the face of Jesus Christ. Our bodies, like vessels, may age and face challenges, but the treasure within remains eternal and unchanging.

Paul's teachings remind us that our focus should not be on the vessel, which is temporary, but on the treasure, which is eternal. This perspective is crucial, especially when facing the pressures and sorrows of life. We often become preoccupied with the visible aspects of our lives, such as the physical state of our bodies or the survival of our churches. However, true life is found in the invisible, where Christ reigns at the right hand of God. It is in this realm that the true church exists, seen and governed by God alone.

As believers, we are granted the ability to perceive the invisible, a gift that comes with being born again. This ability allows us to hear God's voice and recognize His presence in our lives. It is essential to cultivate this awareness, for the visible world is temporary, but the invisible is eternal. Our challenge is to shift our focus from the temporal to the eternal, from the visible to the invisible, and to live in the reality of God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Treasure Within: Our lives are like vessels containing the treasure of God's knowledge through Jesus Christ. While our physical bodies may age and face challenges, the treasure within remains eternal and unchanging. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters. [01:23]

2. Eternal Perspective: We are called to look beyond the visible, temporary world and focus on the invisible, eternal realities. This shift in perspective allows us to live with hope and purpose, knowing that our true life is hidden with Christ in God. [03:37]

3. God's Sovereignty: The true church is seen and governed by God alone. Our role is to faithfully steward our responsibilities, trusting that God is in control of the larger picture. This understanding brings peace amidst uncertainty. [03:22]

4. Hearing God's Voice: Being born again grants us the ability to perceive the invisible and hear God's voice. Cultivating this awareness is essential for living a life aligned with God's will and purpose. [03:57]

5. Temporal vs. Eternal: The visible world is temporary, but the invisible is eternal. Our challenge is to prioritize the eternal over the temporal, living in the reality of God's kingdom and His eternal promises. [04:15]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Life Hidden with Christ
[01:00] - Treasure in Earthen Vessels
[01:23] - The Perishing Outward Man
[01:45] - The Pressure of Events
[02:06] - Sorrow and Rejoicing
[02:29] - Obsession with the Vessel
[02:47] - The Invisible Church
[03:05] - God's Sovereignty
[03:22] - The Inward Renewal
[03:37] - Seeing the Invisible
[03:57] - Hearing God's Voice
[04:15] - Temporal vs. Eternal
[04:40] - Conclusion

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
- Colossians 3:3-4

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he talks about the "outward man" perishing and the "inward man" being renewed day by day? ([01:00])
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the treasure and the vessel? ([01:23])
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of focusing on the visible aspects of life rather than the invisible? ([02:29])
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being able to perceive the invisible? ([03:57])

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of our lives being "hidden with Christ in God" influence a believer's daily life and decisions? ([00:36])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that focusing on the eternal rather than the temporal can bring hope and purpose? ([03:37])
3. How does the sermon explain the role of God's sovereignty in the life of a believer and the church? ([03:22])
4. What does it mean to hear God's voice, and why is it important for living a life aligned with God's will? ([03:57])

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you focused more on the "vessel" than the "treasure" within. How might you approach it differently now? ([02:29])
2. How can you cultivate an awareness of the invisible realities in your daily life? What practices might help you focus on the eternal? ([03:37])
3. Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's pressures. How can the understanding of God's sovereignty bring peace in such situations? ([03:22])
4. What steps can you take to better recognize and respond to God's voice in your life? ([03:57])
5. Identify one area in your life where you are overly focused on the visible and temporary. What changes can you make to prioritize the eternal? ([04:15])
6. How can you support your church community in shifting focus from survival to thriving in God's eternal kingdom? ([02:47])
7. Consider a personal challenge you are facing. How does the knowledge of the treasure within you change your perspective on this challenge? ([01:23])

Devotional

Day 1: The Eternal Treasure Within
Our lives are like vessels, fragile and temporary, yet they contain the eternal treasure of God's knowledge through Jesus Christ. This treasure is unchanging and remains with us despite the aging and challenges our physical bodies may face. The Apostle Paul reminds us that while the outward man perishes, the inward renewal occurs daily, rooted in the treasure we hold within. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters, shifting our attention from the temporary vessel to the eternal treasure. By embracing this truth, we can navigate life's pressures and sorrows with a sense of hope and purpose, knowing that our true life is hidden with Christ in God. [01:23]

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."

Reflection: What is one way you can focus on the eternal treasure within you today, rather than the temporary challenges you face?


Day 2: Shifting to an Eternal Perspective
We are called to look beyond the visible, temporary world and focus on the invisible, eternal realities. This shift in perspective allows us to live with hope and purpose, knowing that our true life is hidden with Christ in God. The visible aspects of our lives, such as our physical state or the survival of our churches, often preoccupy us. However, true life is found in the invisible realm where Christ reigns. By cultivating an awareness of these eternal realities, we can align our lives with God's kingdom and His eternal promises. This perspective brings peace amidst uncertainty, as we trust in God's sovereignty over the larger picture. [03:37]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one visible concern in your life that you can surrender to God today, trusting in His eternal perspective?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
The true church is seen and governed by God alone. Our role is to faithfully steward our responsibilities, trusting that God is in control of the larger picture. This understanding brings peace amidst uncertainty, as we recognize that God's sovereignty extends beyond our limited perspective. By focusing on our responsibilities and trusting in God's governance, we can find peace and assurance in the midst of life's challenges. This trust in God's sovereignty allows us to live with confidence, knowing that He is working all things for His purposes. [03:22]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's sovereignty more fully today?


Day 4: Cultivating the Ability to Hear God's Voice
Being born again grants us the ability to perceive the invisible and hear God's voice. Cultivating this awareness is essential for living a life aligned with God's will and purpose. As believers, we are given the gift of perceiving the invisible realities of God's kingdom, allowing us to hear His voice and recognize His presence in our lives. By nurturing this ability, we can align our lives with God's will and purpose, living in the reality of His kingdom. This awareness helps us navigate the visible world with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that we are guided by God's voice. [03:57]

1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV): "And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."

Reflection: How can you create space in your day today to listen for God's voice and recognize His presence?


Day 5: Prioritizing the Eternal Over the Temporal
The visible world is temporary, but the invisible is eternal. Our challenge is to prioritize the eternal over the temporal, living in the reality of God's kingdom and His eternal promises. By shifting our focus from the temporal to the eternal, we can live with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that our true life is hidden with Christ in God. This perspective helps us navigate the pressures and sorrows of life, as we trust in God's eternal promises and His sovereignty over all things. By prioritizing the eternal, we can align our lives with God's kingdom and His purposes, living in the reality of His eternal promises. [04:15]

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 practical step you can take today to prioritize the eternal over the temporal in your daily life?

Quotes

"Your life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our life shall appear then you also will appear glorious glorious now that's a particular landscape in which you live as a person who has entered the kingdom of God and who is living from what is there and not what is in the visible world." [00:00:12]

"Paul works through that very carefully as you may recall in 2nd Corinthians 4 16 through 18 where he talks about the outward man perish and this is a part of that great passage where he introduces the contrast between the treasure and the vessel and the knowledge of God through the face of Jesus Christ." [00:00:58]

"The body is like a house no matter how well its built just give it time and it'll start to sag that's the outward not now Paul is also talking about the pressure of events and he gives a list of the things that he was going through and you see the two sides the treasure and the vessel." [00:01:09]

"Our life is a matter of a treasure in a vessel and the problem is that we tend to be obsessed with the vessel and not with the treasure a church that is struggling to survive you might as well let it go but that's one of the most traumatic things to Christians generally to live through the death of a church." [00:02:40]

"Nobody sees the church but God he's the one that sees it and he's the one that runs it and we have to keep that in mind when we are taking care of our little station whatever that may be or our big station and God is the one in charge he's the landscape he's the landscape." [00:03:14]

"Paul goes on to say the author of 9 is perishing but the inward man is being renewed day by day while we look not at things that are visible but at things that are invisible see one of the things you get when you get born again is the ability to see the invisible." [00:03:35]

"You have to be told that if you don't know it already you have to be told that so you can begin to recognize it when it happens it's like hearing God God talks to everybody all the time but if you don't know what it is and listen for it you will never know it." [00:03:57]

"Then you live life on your own you won't look at the invisible you look at the visible for the things that are visible are temporal but the things that are invisible are eternal now you decide you decide." [00:04:18]

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Transcript
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