Living with Eternal Perspective: Longing for Christ
Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves longing for the things of this world, building homes and lives that make us comfortable here on Earth. Yet, as followers of Christ, our true home is not here; it is in heaven. This longing for earthly things can distract us from our ultimate goal: to see Jesus face to face. Just as we eagerly anticipate seeing a loved one after a long absence, we should be consumed with a desire to be with Jesus. Our lives should reflect a passionate love for Him, where we are not merely practicing religion but living in a deep, personal relationship with our Savior.
Paul's words in Philippians remind us that our lives should be focused on the resurrection and the eternal life that awaits us. He speaks of living with a singular focus, pressing on toward the goal of knowing Christ and experiencing the power of His resurrection. This means living a life that is not distracted by the temporary pleasures and comforts of this world but is instead driven by the eternal reward that awaits us.
We are called to live sacrificially, to love deeply, and to share the gospel boldly, even if it means suffering. True love, as demonstrated by Jesus, knows no boundaries and is willing to endure hardship for the sake of others. Our mission is to live for eternity, to invest our lives in things that will last beyond this earthly existence.
As we reflect on our lives, we must ask ourselves if we are truly living for eternity. Are we making decisions that will have eternal significance, or are we caught up in the temporary pleasures of this world? Let us strive to live like Paul, with our eyes fixed on the finish line, eagerly awaiting the moment we will see Jesus and receive our eternal reward.
Key Takeaways:
- Our love for Jesus should be so profound that we eagerly anticipate seeing Him face to face, just as we would a loved one after a long absence. This longing should drive us to live passionately for Him, not merely practicing religion but engaging in a deep, personal relationship with our Savior. [01:12]
- The Christian life is not about avoiding suffering but embracing it as we pursue our mission. True love, as demonstrated by Jesus, knows no boundaries and is willing to endure hardship for the sake of others. Our mission is to live for eternity, investing our lives in things that will last beyond this earthly existence. [07:48]
- We must be vigilant against the temptation to make this world our home. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we should live with a singular focus on the resurrection and the eternal life that awaits us. This means living a life that is not distracted by temporary pleasures but is driven by the eternal reward that awaits us. [10:50]
- Paul's example teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. Our actions should be motivated by our future in Christ, not our past. We must keep our eyes on the finish line, living each day with the awareness that our choices have eternal consequences. [18:50]
- There are two types of professing believers: those who are worthy of following and those who are not. Our lives should reflect our faith, demonstrating that we are not enemies of the cross but true followers of Christ. We must examine our walk, ensuring that our actions align with our profession of faith. [32:16]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Longing for Home
- [01:12] - Passionate Love for Jesus
- [02:18] - Falling in Love with the World
- [03:28] - Praying for Persecuted Christians
- [06:28] - Embracing Suffering
- [08:38] - Pursuing the Mission
- [10:50] - Our True Citizenship
- [12:53] - Living for Eternity
- [14:29] - Striving for the Resurrection
- [18:50] - Forgetting the Past
- [23:30] - Looking Forward
- [29:43] - Running the Race
- [32:16] - Two Types of Believers
- [38:31] - Awaiting Our Savior
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:12-21
- Luke 9:57-62
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says he is "pressing on toward the goal" in Philippians 3:14? How does this relate to the idea of living for eternity? [14:55]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentions two types of professing believers. What distinguishes these two types according to the sermon? [32:16]
3. How does the pastor describe the temptation of making this world our home, and what does he say is the danger of this mindset? [10:50]
4. What example does the pastor give of someone who is living with a focus on eternity, and how does this person's life reflect that focus? [08:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's analogy of running a race in Philippians 3:12-14 help us understand the Christian journey toward eternity? What does it mean to "forget what lies behind"? [18:50]
2. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus speaks about the cost of following Him. How does this passage challenge our understanding of commitment and priorities in our lives?
3. The pastor talks about the danger of setting up boundaries in our love and mission. What might be some reasons people set these boundaries, and how can they impact our spiritual growth? [07:48]
4. How does the pastor's story about the pastor from India illustrate the concept of living with a focus on the resurrection and eternal life? [05:06]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have become too comfortable with earthly things? What steps can you take to shift your focus toward eternity? [12:53]
2. The pastor challenges us to live sacrificially and love deeply. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate sacrificial love in your community this week. [07:48]
3. Consider the distractions in your life that might be pulling you away from a singular focus on Christ. What practical changes can you make to minimize these distractions? [10:50]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of eagerly anticipating seeing Jesus. How can you cultivate a deeper longing for Christ in your daily life? [01:12]
5. Think about the people you interact with regularly. How can you be a living example of someone who is focused on eternity, and what impact might this have on those around you? [32:16]
6. The pastor mentions the importance of not looking back at past mistakes or successes. How can you apply this principle in your life to move forward in your spiritual journey? [18:50]
7. Reflect on the pastor's question: What have you done this past week that matters in light of eternity? How can you increase the eternal significance of your actions in the coming week? [43:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Longing for Our True Home
Our love for Jesus should be so profound that we eagerly anticipate seeing Him face to face, just as we would a loved one after a long absence. This longing should drive us to live passionately for Him, not merely practicing religion but engaging in a deep, personal relationship with our Savior. The world offers many distractions that can pull us away from this focus, but our hearts should be set on our eternal home. This means cultivating a relationship with Jesus that is intimate and personal, where our actions and decisions reflect our desire to be with Him. [01:12]
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 is one practical step you can take today to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus, moving beyond routine religious practices?
Day 2: Embracing Suffering for the Sake of Love
The Christian life is not about avoiding suffering but embracing it as we pursue our mission. True love, as demonstrated by Jesus, knows no boundaries and is willing to endure hardship for the sake of others. Our mission is to live for eternity, investing our lives in things that will last beyond this earthly existence. This means being willing to face challenges and difficulties with the understanding that they are part of our journey toward eternal life. By embracing suffering, we align ourselves with the sacrificial love of Christ, who endured the cross for our sake. [07:48]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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: Consider a current hardship you are facing. How can you view this challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate Christ-like love and endurance?
Day 3: Living with a Heavenly Focus
We must be vigilant against the temptation to make this world our home. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we should live with a singular focus on the resurrection and the eternal life that awaits us. This means living a life that is not distracted by temporary pleasures but is driven by the eternal reward that awaits us. By keeping our eyes on the eternal, we can navigate the challenges of this world with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that our true home is with Christ. [10:50]
Colossians 3:1-4 (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. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are overly focused on earthly concerns. How can you shift your perspective to prioritize your heavenly citizenship?
Day 4: Pressing On Toward the Goal
Paul's example teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. Our actions should be motivated by our future in Christ, not our past. We must keep our eyes on the finish line, living each day with the awareness that our choices have eternal consequences. This forward-looking mindset encourages us to let go of past failures and regrets, focusing instead on the hope and promise of our future with Christ. By doing so, we can live with purpose and determination, knowing that our ultimate reward is yet to come. [18:50]
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 past event or failure do you need to release in order to fully pursue your future in Christ? How can you take a step toward letting go today?
Day 5: Reflecting Our Faith in Our Actions
There are two types of professing believers: those who are worthy of following and those who are not. Our lives should reflect our faith, demonstrating that we are not enemies of the cross but true followers of Christ. We must examine our walk, ensuring that our actions align with our profession of faith. This means living in a way that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus, where our words and deeds are a testament to our commitment to Him. By doing so, we become examples to others, showing what it means to live as a true disciple of Christ. [32:16]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions and decisions. Do they consistently reflect your faith in Christ? What is one specific change you can make to better align your actions with your beliefs?
Quotes
Our love for Jesus should be so profound that we eagerly anticipate seeing Him face to face, just as we would a loved one after a long absence. This longing should drive us to live passionately for Him, not merely practicing religion but engaging in a deep, personal relationship with our Savior. [00:49:33]
The Christian life is not about avoiding suffering but embracing it as we pursue our mission. True love, as demonstrated by Jesus, knows no boundaries and is willing to endure hardship for the sake of others. Our mission is to live for eternity, investing our lives in things that will last beyond this earthly existence. [07:48]
We must be vigilant against the temptation to make this world our home. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we should live with a singular focus on the resurrection and the eternal life that awaits us. This means living a life that is not distracted by temporary pleasures but is driven by the eternal reward that awaits us. [10:50]
Paul's example teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. Our actions should be motivated by our future in Christ, not our past. We must keep our eyes on the finish line, living each day with the awareness that our choices have eternal consequences. [18:50]
There are two types of professing believers: those who are worthy of following and those who are not. Our lives should reflect our faith, demonstrating that we are not enemies of the cross but true followers of Christ. We must examine our walk, ensuring that our actions align with our profession of faith. [32:16]
Paul says imitate me, he says imitate me, see how I'm living, see I'm striving for this, see I'm not distracted by all these things. He goes imitate me. You know, my favorite part of Tim's message last weekend was when he said follow me and Courtney in our example as we follow Jesus Christ. [31:02]
Paul says, "Look, not that I've already obtained this, I'm not there yet, or am I already made perfect, I'm not perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus had made me his own. Brothers, I don't consider that I've made it my own, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind, straining forward to what lies ahead." [14:29]
Paul's life was so different, and he looked like an absolute fool, an absolute like what Todd was saying in the beginning. Paul lived that out. Tim Shantier looks like an idiot taking his family out of here and moving him to the jungle. That's stupid, but the moment he sees Jesus, who's going to look stupid? [42:56]
Paul says, "Imitate me, he says imitate me, see how I'm living, see I'm striving for this, see I'm not distracted by all these things. He goes imitate me." You know, my favorite part of Tim's message last weekend was when he said follow me and Courtney in our example as we follow Jesus Christ. [31:02]
Paul says, "Look, not that I've already obtained this, I'm not there yet, or am I already made perfect, I'm not perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus had made me his own. Brothers, I don't consider that I've made it my own, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind, straining forward to what lies ahead." [14:29]
Paul's life was so different, and he looked like an absolute fool, an absolute like what Todd was saying in the beginning. Paul lived that out. Tim Shantier looks like an idiot taking his family out of here and moving him to the jungle. That's stupid, but the moment he sees Jesus, who's going to look stupid? [42:56]
Paul says, "Imitate me, he says imitate me, see how I'm living, see I'm striving for this, see I'm not distracted by all these things. He goes imitate me." You know, my favorite part of Tim's message last weekend was when he said follow me and Courtney in our example as we follow Jesus Christ. [31:02]
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