Living with Eternal Purpose and True Fulfillment
Summary
In today's message, I felt compelled to speak directly and candidly about the urgency of living a life that aligns with the eternal truths of Scripture. Reflecting on the brevity of life and the imminence of standing before God, I emphasized the importance of living with a sense of reverence and purpose. We often underestimate the gravity of facing God, and it's crucial to live in a way that reflects our understanding of His holiness and our eternal destiny.
I shared my personal journey of grappling with the concept of wealth and how it aligns with our faith. It perplexes me how many people, especially those who are older and wealthier, continue to accumulate possessions rather than preparing for eternity. I prayed for a new generation of believers who, even if they become wealthy, would live as if they are rich in God, not in material possessions. This mindset shift is essential for experiencing the life that is truly life, as described in 1 Timothy 6.
I recounted my experiences in Ethiopia, where my wife and I chose to spend our anniversary serving women trapped in prostitution. This decision was not about self-sacrifice but about seeking a life filled with true meaning and joy. Witnessing the transformation in these women's lives and being part of their journey to freedom and dignity was profoundly fulfilling. It highlighted the stark contrast between the temporary satisfaction of material wealth and the lasting joy of investing in others' lives.
I encouraged everyone to live by faith, to take risks for the sake of the Gospel, and to experience the adventure of trusting God fully. This is not about feeling guilty for what we have but about recognizing the opportunity to live a life of significance. As we grow older, we should become more daring in our faith, not more cautious. The closer we get to meeting God, the more we should be willing to give and serve, trusting that our true treasure is in heaven.
Finally, I challenged those with gifts and talents to use them wholeheartedly for God's glory, not for personal gain. Whether in business, art, or any other field, our aim should be to make a significant impact for the Kingdom. The ultimate goal is to live a life that is rich in relationships and experiences with God, which is the essence of true life.
Key Takeaways:
1. Live with Eternal Perspective: Life is fleeting, and we must live with the awareness that we will soon stand before God. This perspective should drive us to live with reverence and purpose, prioritizing eternal values over temporary gains. [02:30]
2. Wealth and Faith: True wealth is found in God, not in material possessions. We should strive to live as if we are rich in God, using our resources to prepare for eternity and invest in others' lives. [05:12]
3. The Joy of Serving Others: True fulfillment comes from serving others and witnessing their transformation. Investing in others' lives brings lasting joy and meaning, far surpassing the temporary satisfaction of material wealth. [09:52]
4. Living by Faith: Taking risks for the sake of the Gospel leads to a life of adventure and fulfillment. Trusting God fully and living by faith allows us to experience the life that is truly life, both now and in eternity. [12:47]
5. Using Gifts for God's Glory: Our talents and resources should be used to make a significant impact for the Kingdom. By focusing on God's glory rather than personal gain, we can live a life rich in relationships and experiences with God. [14:59]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Direct Communication
[01:34] - The Urgency of Life
[02:30] - Facing God
[03:36] - The Truth of Scripture
[04:32] - Wealth and Eternity
[05:51] - A New Generation of Believers
[07:28] - Life That is Truly Life
[08:43] - Serving in Ethiopia
[09:52] - Transforming Lives
[11:08] - Living by Faith
[12:47] - The Adventure of Faith
[14:32] - Stewardship and Generosity
[15:15] - Using Gifts for God's Glory
[15:45] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
2. Matthew 6:19-21
3. James 2:14-17
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Timothy 6:17-19 say about the attitude we should have towards wealth and how we should use it?
2. In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus teach about storing treasures on earth versus in heaven?
3. How does James 2:14-17 describe the relationship between faith and actions?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon challenge the common perception of wealth and its purpose in a believer's life? [04:32]
2. What does it mean to live with an eternal perspective, and how might this change our daily decisions? [02:30]
3. How can serving others lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment and joy, as described in the sermon? [09:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you prioritize material possessions over eternal values? How can you shift your focus? [05:12]
2. Consider the concept of living by faith. What is one risk you feel God is calling you to take for the sake of the Gospel? [12:47]
3. Identify a talent or resource you have. How can you use it more effectively for God's glory rather than personal gain? [14:59]
4. Think about a time when you served others. How did it impact your sense of purpose and joy? How can you incorporate more acts of service into your life? [09:52]
5. As you grow older, how can you become more daring in your faith rather than more cautious? What steps can you take to live with greater boldness for God? [14:04]
6. How can you cultivate relationships and experiences that are rich in God, as opposed to focusing on material wealth? [15:30]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to invest in others' lives and experience the joy of seeing their transformation? [09:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with Eternal Awareness
Reflecting on the brevity of life and the imminence of standing before God, it is crucial to live with a sense of reverence and purpose. Life is fleeting, and we must live with the awareness that we will soon stand before God. This perspective should drive us to live with reverence and purpose, prioritizing eternal values over temporary gains. By understanding the gravity of facing God, we can align our lives with His holiness and our eternal destiny. This mindset encourages us to evaluate our daily choices and actions, ensuring they reflect our understanding of God's eternal truths. [02:30]
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to realign your priorities to reflect an eternal perspective? How can you start making changes today to live with more reverence and purpose?
Day 2: True Wealth in God
True wealth is found in God, not in material possessions. Many people, especially those who are older and wealthier, continue to accumulate possessions rather than preparing for eternity. The call is to live as if we are rich in God, using our resources to prepare for eternity and invest in others' lives. This mindset shift is essential for experiencing the life that is truly life, as described in 1 Timothy 6. By focusing on spiritual wealth, we can find fulfillment and purpose beyond the temporary satisfaction of material gains. [05:12]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current financial priorities. How can you begin to shift your focus from accumulating material wealth to investing in eternal treasures and the lives of others?
Day 3: The Fulfillment of Serving Others
True fulfillment comes from serving others and witnessing their transformation. Investing in others' lives brings lasting joy and meaning, far surpassing the temporary satisfaction of material wealth. By choosing to serve, we can experience a life filled with true meaning and joy. This is exemplified by the decision to spend time serving those in need, such as women trapped in prostitution, and witnessing their journey to freedom and dignity. The joy of serving others highlights the stark contrast between temporary material satisfaction and the lasting joy of investing in others' lives. [09:52]
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you invest in their life and experience the joy of witnessing their transformation?
Day 4: The Adventure of Faith
Taking risks for the sake of the Gospel leads to a life of adventure and fulfillment. Trusting God fully and living by faith allows us to experience the life that is truly life, both now and in eternity. This is not about feeling guilty for what we have but about recognizing the opportunity to live a life of significance. As we grow older, we should become more daring in our faith, not more cautious. The closer we get to meeting God, the more we should be willing to give and serve, trusting that our true treasure is in heaven. [12:47]
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take a step of faith. What is one practical step you can take today to trust God more fully in this area?
Day 5: Using Gifts for God's Glory
Our talents and resources should be used to make a significant impact for the Kingdom. By focusing on God's glory rather than personal gain, we can live a life rich in relationships and experiences with God. Whether in business, art, or any other field, our aim should be to make a significant impact for the Kingdom. The ultimate goal is to live a life that is rich in relationships and experiences with God, which is the essence of true life. This involves using our gifts wholeheartedly for God's glory, ensuring that our lives reflect His purpose and love. [14:59]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the gifts and talents God has given you. How can you use them more effectively to serve others and glorify God in your daily life?
Quotes
I think we all grossly underestimate what that moment's going to be like that we've heard the word God so many times and heard the name Jesus so many times then it just becomes Jesus this God this God that rather than this reverence they used to have where they wouldn't even say that word. [00:01:58]
I remember just getting before God God I don't understand people and their wealth and and how we've come up with this whole Theology of why we can spend 90% on ourselves like how does that even make sense like why would you want to do that if you really believe that there's an eternity. [00:04:28]
I prayed to God this is about seven or eight years ago I remember just getting before God God I don't understand people and their wealth and and how we've come up with this whole Theology of why we can spend 90% on ourselves like how does that even make sense like why would you want to do that if you really believe that there's an eternity. [00:04:28]
I said God just raise it up and and then at the end of my prayer I just God God or make Rich I'll give it away I don't care just want to show the world that this it's just stuff and and it was just like this crazy thing but then the next year I made a million dollars. [00:06:27]
He says I do this because I want them to take hold of the life that is truly life to take hold of the life that is truly life and I'm just saying gosh it's it's more like I'm not like making it trying to make any feel guilty I'm just going you're missing out. [00:07:28]
We wanted life that was truly life I mean we come back and like man we we walked around the red light district in this area where thousands literally thousands of women are in these sheds that are are no bigger than a bed Hardley and and and and they they just stand in the doorway. [00:08:41]
I saw that I go man I am so jealous can you imagine taking a girl out of that type of Hell getting her back on her feet and then having the honor men think about this think about this having the honor of her looking at you and saying will you act as my father on my wedding day. [00:10:17]
I cannot think of anything I would see that makes a Ferrari look so boring that makes a large house look so boring that's what that's what Paul's saying this is life man we're not saying oh you guys you know feel guilty for everything you have I'm going man you missing out. [00:10:43]
My concern is that man so many of you are like safety first let me make sure I'm taking care of my whole future is provided then I'll start giving this or that I'm going go ahead do that we've got freedom in Christ do it I'm just going my concern is you're going to miss out. [00:12:32]
When you live by faith and just go forget I'm just going to cash out I'm going to bet it all on heaven and so if there's no heaven I'm going to look like the biggest fool on Earth if there's no life after death if there's no Resurrection from the dead then I'm above all men most to be pied. [00:12:51]
God has given some of us Gift gifts extreme opportunity and we need to Steward that and so you know we came back from Africa I go honey we're we're going to write this book here's how we care for the people over there God's given us this gift to write let's write the best book. [00:14:35]
Use that gift but that doesn't mean that you spend it on yourself it's like wow God what a rush like I said maybe maybe one day God will give me that opportunity to walk up one of these girls up the aisle and to me I go okay you think I'm doing this because oh Francis he's so Godly. [00:15:09]
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