Living with Eternal Perspective: Letting Go and Pressing On

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to understand that we were not redeemed for this world, but for the eternal life that awaits us. While we live here, God calls us to bring Heaven's perspective into our earthly decisions and priorities. Many of us are held back by our past, whether it's the good, the bad, or the downright ugly. However, to move forward, we must let go of yesterday and press on towards the future God has for us. Paul, despite his past as a persecutor of Christians, became a great apostle by focusing on his pursuit of Jesus Christ and the purpose God had for him.

We are citizens of Heaven, not slaves to Earth. Our view of eternity should shape how we live our lives today. Time is fleeting, but eternity is vast. By prioritizing eternity over time, we can maximize our earthly existence and fulfill our divine purpose. Israel's failure to reach the Promised Land serves as a cautionary tale; they were held back by their past and failed to press forward. Similarly, we must not be held hostage by our past but instead strive for spiritual maturity and divine purpose.

To achieve this, we must surround ourselves with those who share our spiritual values and are also pursuing God. Earthly connections that lack a heart for God can lead us astray. We must be wary of being Earthbound Christians, who prioritize temporal matters over eternal ones. Our citizenship is in Heaven, and we should live in anticipation of Christ's return. This anticipation purifies us and keeps us focused on our heavenly citizenship.

Living with the imminent return of Christ in mind changes how we approach each day. Whether He comes to us or calls us to Him, we must be ready. This readiness involves living each day as if it could be our last, ensuring that we are fulfilling the purpose for which we were redeemed.

Key Takeaways:

- Letting go of the past is essential for spiritual growth. Our past, whether good or bad, should not define our future. Instead, we should focus on our pursuit of Jesus Christ and the purpose He has for us. [01:55]

- Our citizenship is in Heaven, not on Earth. This perspective should shape our priorities and decisions, helping us to maximize our time on Earth while preparing for eternity. [04:29]

- Surrounding ourselves with spiritually-minded individuals is crucial. Earthly connections that lack a heart for God can lead us astray and hinder our spiritual growth. [07:35]

- Living in anticipation of Christ's return purifies us and keeps us focused on our heavenly citizenship. This mindset helps us to live each day with purpose and readiness. [12:34]

- The imminent return of Christ should motivate us to live each day as if it could be our last. This readiness involves fulfilling the purpose for which we were redeemed and being prepared for our meeting with Christ. [13:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Redeemed for Eternity
- [00:25] - Letting Go of Yesterday
- [00:50] - The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the Past
- [01:37] - Pressing On Towards Tomorrow
- [02:10] - Citizens of Heaven
- [03:24] - Overcoming Yesterday
- [04:13] - Purpose and Eternity
- [05:19] - Prioritizing Eternity Over Time
- [06:06] - Securing Your Purpose
- [07:04] - Maximizing Time for Eternity
- [08:03] - Earthly vs. Heavenly Perspective
- [09:19] - Spiritual Perspective and Readiness
- [10:31] - Living as Heavenly Citizens
- [12:34] - Anticipating Christ's Return

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) - "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
2. 1 John 3:2-3 (NIV) - "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are the three aspects of our past that can hold us back, and how does Paul suggest we deal with them? [00:50]
2. What does the sermon say about the relationship between our view of eternity and how we prioritize our time on Earth? [05:01]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of our earthly connections in our spiritual journey? [07:35]
4. What is the significance of living in anticipation of Christ's return, as mentioned in the sermon? [12:34]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's past as a persecutor of Christians illustrate the concept of letting go of the past to pursue a divine purpose? [02:54]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our citizenship in Heaven should influence our daily decisions and priorities? [10:31]
3. How might surrounding oneself with spiritually-minded individuals impact one's spiritual growth, according to the sermon? [07:51]
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of being an "Earthbound Christian"? [08:29]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a past event that you feel is holding you back. What steps can you take this week to let go of it and focus on your pursuit of Jesus Christ? [01:55]
2. How can you adjust your daily priorities to reflect your citizenship in Heaven rather than being bound by earthly concerns? [04:29]
3. Identify a person or group in your life that shares your spiritual values. How can you strengthen your connection with them to support your spiritual growth? [07:35]
4. What practical steps can you take to live each day in anticipation of Christ's return? How might this change your actions or mindset? [12:34]
5. Consider a decision you need to make soon. How can you ensure that this decision aligns with a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly one? [05:19]
6. Think about a relationship or connection that might be leading you astray from your spiritual goals. What changes can you make to address this? [08:03]
7. How can you remind yourself daily of your purpose and readiness for Christ's return, especially when faced with distractions or challenges? [13:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Letting Go of the Past for Spiritual Growth
In our spiritual journey, letting go of the past is essential for growth. Whether our past is filled with triumphs or failures, it should not define our future. Instead, we are called to focus on our pursuit of Jesus Christ and the purpose He has for us. The Apostle Paul serves as a powerful example of this principle. Despite his past as a persecutor of Christians, he became a great apostle by focusing on his pursuit of Jesus Christ and the purpose God had for him. By releasing the hold of yesterday, we can press on towards the future God has for us, embracing the new life and opportunities He provides. [01:55]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What is one specific aspect of your past that you need to let go of today to fully embrace the future God has for you?


Day 2: Living as Citizens of Heaven
Our true citizenship is in Heaven, not on Earth. This heavenly perspective should shape our priorities and decisions, helping us to maximize our time on Earth while preparing for eternity. By understanding that we are citizens of Heaven, we can live with a sense of purpose and direction that transcends earthly concerns. This mindset allows us to prioritize eternal values over temporal ones, ensuring that our lives reflect the hope and promise of our heavenly home. [04:29]

Colossians 3:1-2 (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."

Reflection: How can you adjust your daily priorities to reflect your heavenly citizenship more clearly today?


Day 3: Surrounding Yourself with Spiritually-Minded Individuals
Surrounding ourselves with spiritually-minded individuals is crucial for our spiritual growth. Earthly connections that lack a heart for God can lead us astray and hinder our spiritual development. By choosing to associate with those who share our spiritual values and are also pursuing God, we create an environment that fosters growth and encourages us to stay focused on our divine purpose. This community of believers can provide support, accountability, and encouragement as we journey together towards spiritual maturity. [07:35]

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV): "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

Reflection: Who in your life encourages your spiritual growth, and how can you spend more intentional time with them this week?


Day 4: Anticipating Christ's Return
Living in anticipation of Christ's return purifies us and keeps us focused on our heavenly citizenship. This mindset helps us to live each day with purpose and readiness, ensuring that we are fulfilling the purpose for which we were redeemed. By keeping our eyes fixed on the promise of Christ's return, we are motivated to live lives that honor Him and reflect His love to the world around us. This anticipation serves as a constant reminder of the hope we have in Christ and the eternal life that awaits us. [12:34]

1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live in anticipation of Christ's return?


Day 5: Living Each Day as if It Could Be Your Last
The imminent return of Christ should motivate us to live each day as if it could be our last. This readiness involves fulfilling the purpose for which we were redeemed and being prepared for our meeting with Christ. By living with this sense of urgency, we are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's will and purpose. This perspective helps us to focus on what truly matters and to live lives that are pleasing to God. [13:08]

James 4:13-15 (ESV): "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—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. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"

Reflection: What is one thing you would do differently today if you knew it was your last day on Earth?

Quotes


you were not redeemed for here you were redeemed while here but you weren't redeemed for here you were redeemed for there while being here and God expects you to bring Heaven's point of view in Earth's decisions in Earth's priorities and you can't change why you didn't do it yesterday last week last month so forgetting those things which are behind it's time to get going now because the clock is moving [00:00:00]

Paul said if I'm ever going to achieve the purpose for which God created and saved me and if I'm ever going to achieve the purpose for my life for why he left me here I have got to let yesterday go you've got to press on to tomorrow he says I forget those things which are behind and the way I do that is my pursuit of what is in front of me your yesterday doesn't have to Define your tomorrow [00:01:28]

he says forgetting those things which are behind I press I keep moving forward I keep pursuing I keep pushing forward because I want to become mature in Christ and I want to complete what God laid hold on me for what does he mean he means the purpose you have a purpose uh if you're still here God's not finished God not finished now now now if you're still here that means he has a purpose purpose for your life [00:04:00]

Paul wants you to know you're not citizens of time you're citizens of Eternity he wants to give you he wants to change your mindset and if I can help you see how tiny time is compared to how long eternity is it will change what you prioritize cuz the only reason we prioritize time is we make it longer than it really is God wants us to have the proper view of Eternity so that we maximize time [00:04:36]

you know why Israel never got to the promised land they kept looking back right you they lost sight of where God wanted to take them they kept looking back and never went anywhere many of us today are being held hostage by yesterday because we won't press on through the Wilderness until God breaks us through to the Promise Land of spiritual maturity and Divine Purpose yes learn from yesterday but you can't live in yesterday [00:05:34]

if you want to pursue you better watch out who you hanging out with Paul says follow my example and the rest of us who are walking this way if you don't have a spiritual group of people in your life who share your spiritual values who are pursuing God they just connect with you because of the career they connect with you because of the money they connect with you because of the prestige but have no heart for God [00:07:33]

they mind Earthly things in other words they don't see the spiritual side of things they don't see God's point of view Heaven is not their focus so all they're going to give you is more Earth they're going to give you more time and more temporal they're not going to give you more eternal why because they are Earthbound and he's talking about Earthbound Christians who he calls enemies of the Cross [00:08:05]

if you make time more important than eternity you lose out on both but if you make eternity more important than this little teeny minute that you you and I are here called Time Eternity explodes and time is improved because now you're living for the purpose for which you've been redeemed and and it's amazing to me how many Christians are offended when spiritual people give them spiritual perspective [00:08:47]

he says follow our example and not those who are Earthbound who are working against the plan of God attach yourself to a person pursuing maturity and purpose and then he comes and he tells you again in verse 20 for our citizenship is in heaven ah your citizenship that is the country to which you belong it's not here it's not here you you you were not redeemed for here you were redeemed while here but you weren't redeemed for here [00:10:05]

God expects you to bring Heaven's point of view in Earth's decisions in Earth's priorities and you can't change why you didn't do it yesterday last week last month last year so forgetting those things which are behind it's time to get going now because ticktock ticktock ticktock ticktock the clock is moving he says you are citizens of Heaven folks your 80 90 75 years here is temporary you are citizens of Heaven [00:10:54]

This is called the imminent return of Christ 2,000 years ago 2,000 years ago Paul was looking for the return of of Jesus see this is 2,000 years old now over 2,000 years he it says he he says we are looking for eagerly I'm I'm excited I'm anticipating I can't wait for the return of Jesus Christ it's called the imminent return of Christ meaning he can come at any moment now that's good news and bad news [00:11:42]

we are to live in anticipation that he could come at any moment 1 John 3:2 says that we are purified by anticipating his coming but he might decide to bring you to him first to transition you from Earth to Heaven from time to Eternity but either way a meeting is going to occur whether he comes to you or brings you to him to the big house he says I want you to be ready for the time we connect [00:12:38]

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Transcript
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