Living with Eternity in View: Embracing Hope Amid Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: Fixing Our Eyes on the Eternal, Not the Temporary

When we face hardship and suffering, it is easy to become consumed by the pain and troubles of the present moment. Yet, Scripture calls us to lift our gaze beyond what is temporary and fragile, to focus on the eternal hope that God has promised. Paul reminds us that our present troubles, though real and difficult, are small in comparison to the glory that awaits us. This perspective does not minimize our pain, but it gives us strength to endure, knowing that what is unseen and eternal far outweighs what is seen and passing. As we learn to fix our eyes on what is eternal, we find resilience and hope to stand strong in the midst of life's trials. [13:55]

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: What is one trouble or hardship you are facing today that feels overwhelming? How might your perspective shift if you intentionally focus on the eternal hope God promises rather than just the temporary pain?

Day 2: Grieving with Hope Because of Christ’s Resurrection

Grief is a real and painful part of life, especially when we lose loved ones. But for those who are in Christ, our grief is different—it is infused with hope. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, death is not the end, and we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Instead, we hold onto the promise that Jesus has conquered death and that we will be reunited with those who have gone before us in Christ. This hope anchors us in our sorrow and gives us courage to face the future, knowing that the story is not over and that Jesus changes everything. [08:40]

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV)
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."

Reflection: Who in your life have you lost that you still grieve? How can you invite God to fill your grief with the hope of resurrection today?

Day 3: Expecting an Upgrade—Our Temporary Bodies and Eternal Home

Our earthly bodies are like tents—fragile, temporary, and prone to wear and tear. As we age or face illness, we are reminded of our mortality and the limitations of this life. Yet, for those in Christ, there is the promise of an upgrade: a permanent, glorified body and an eternal home with God. This truth encourages us not to despair over what is breaking down, but to look forward with longing to what God is preparing for us. Our current groaning is not hopeless; it is a longing for the fullness of life that is to come, when all things will be made new. [35:12]

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (ESV)
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself focusing on what is breaking down in your life? How can you let that longing point you toward the hope of your eternal home with God?

Day 4: The Holy Spirit—Our Present Guarantee and Empowerment

God has not left us alone to struggle through the brokenness of this world. He has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee—a down payment—of the fullness that is to come. The Spirit empowers us to endure, comforts us in our pain, and reminds us that our eternal life has already begun within us. Even as we wait for the day when all things are made new, we can live with confidence and hope, knowing that God is serious about His promises and is actively at work in us now. The presence of the Holy Spirit is both a comfort and a call to live with expectation for what is still to come. [50:31]

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Reflection: Where do you need to be reminded today that God’s Spirit is with you and empowering you? How can you lean into the Spirit’s presence as your guarantee of what is to come?

Day 5: Living to Please Christ—Making Every Day Count

Every day, the seconds of our lives are ticking away, and none of us can stop the passage of time. But for those in Christ, each day is not just a countdown to an end, but a step closer to a new beginning with Jesus. Paul reminds us that our ultimate goal is not just to reach heaven, but to live in a way that pleases Christ now. One day, we will stand before Him—not for condemnation, but for evaluation—and give account for how we used our time, talents, and treasures. Let the hope of being with Jesus face to face fuel your faithfulness today, so that you live with purpose, loving God and others, and investing in what will last forever. [57:45]

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (ESV)
"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 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."

Reflection: If you knew you would stand before Jesus today, what would you want to have done with your time, talents, and relationships? What is one step you can take today to live more intentionally to please Him?

Sermon Summary

How much time do you have left? That’s a question we rarely want to face, but it’s one that brings clarity and urgency to how we live. Life is fragile, unpredictable, and fleeting—like a tent that wears out, sags, and eventually must be taken down. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, understood this deeply. He endured suffering, near-death experiences, and relentless hardship, yet he remained resilient. Why? Because he fixed his eyes not on what is temporary, but on what is eternal. He knew that the pain and pressure of this life are real, but they are not the end of the story. Instead, they are forging us, shaping us into the image of Christ, and preparing us for something far greater.

Paul’s perspective was anchored in the resurrection of Jesus. Because Jesus conquered death, everything changes. Our grief is real, but it is not hopeless. Our bodies are breaking down, but an upgrade is coming—a permanent, glorified body, handcrafted by God Himself. This world, with all its groaning and brokenness, is not our home. It’s a tent, not a house. The longing we feel, the ache for things to be made right, is not despair but hope—a groaning for what God has promised.

In the meantime, we are not left alone. The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee, His earnest deposit, that what He has promised will come to pass. We live in the “already, not yet”—forgiven, adopted, and empowered now, but still waiting for the fullness of what’s to come. Every day, every second ticking by, is not just time running out, but time drawing us closer to Jesus. Our heavenly focus fuels our earthly faithfulness. We are called to live with purpose, to use our time, talents, and treasures for things that last, knowing that one day we will stand before Christ—not for condemnation, but for evaluation. The most important question is: Are you ready? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Are you living to please Him, or just yourself? The seconds are ticking. Let’s live with eternity in view.

Key Takeaways

1. A Right View of Eternity Anchors Us in Present Suffering Fixing our eyes on what is eternal gives us resilience in the face of life’s hardships. When we understand what is to come, we can endure what is now, knowing that our present troubles are temporary and producing a glory that far outweighs them. This perspective doesn’t minimize our pain, but it puts it in the context of God’s greater story. [06:30]
2. Our Bodies Are Temporary Tents, but an Upgrade Awaits Paul uses the imagery of a tent—fragile, weathered, and temporary—to describe our earthly bodies. As these tents wear out, we are promised a permanent, glorified body made by God Himself. This hope is not escapism, but a deep longing for the restoration and perfection God intended from the beginning. [35:12]
3. Groaning Is Not Despair, but Hopeful Longing The groaning we experience—whether from physical pain, loss, or the brokenness of the world—is not a sign of defeat. Instead, it is a sign that we are longing for what God has promised. Like labor pains before new birth, our groaning points us toward the day when all things will be made new, and death will be swallowed up by life. [40:41]
4. The Holy Spirit Is Our Present Guarantee of Future Glory God has not left us to navigate this broken world alone. The Holy Spirit is His earnest deposit, empowering us now and assuring us that the fullness of His promise is coming. We live in the tension of the “already, not yet”—experiencing spiritual rebirth now, but awaiting the final redemption of our bodies and the world. [50:31]
5. Living with Eternity in View Fuels Faithful Living Now Our ultimate home is not just a place, but a Person—Jesus. Every day brings us closer to seeing Him face to face. This heavenly focus should not make us disengaged from the world, but should drive us to live purposefully, using our time, talents, and treasures for what truly lasts, knowing we will one day give an account to Christ. [57:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:47] - Facing Our Mortality
[04:56] - Why Talk About Death?
[06:30] - The Power of an Eternal Perspective
[08:40] - Grieving with Hope
[09:53] - Paul’s Suffering and Resilience
[11:51] - God’s Timing and Our Fragility
[20:41] - The Reality of Aging and Loss
[22:26] - The Weight of Tragedy in a Growing Church
[31:54] - The Tent: A Metaphor for Our Bodies
[35:12] - The Temporary vs. The Permanent
[36:46] - The Universal Experience of Decay
[40:41] - Groaning and Longing for What’s Ahead
[50:31] - The Holy Spirit: Our Guarantee
[54:43] - Home Is with Jesus
[57:45] - Living to Please Christ
[62:34] - Are You Ready?
[63:52] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10 — (Paul’s teaching about our temporary bodies, eternal hope, and living with eternity in mind)

- Romans 8:18–25
(Paul on present suffering, creation’s groaning, and the hope of future glory)

- 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14
(Paul on grieving with hope because of the resurrection)

Observation Questions

In 2 Corinthians 5:1, what does Paul compare our earthly bodies to, and what does he say is waiting for us?
According to the sermon, what are some ways Paul suffered during his ministry, and how did he respond to those hardships? [[09:53]]
In Romans 8, what does Paul say about creation and believers “groaning”? What is this groaning pointing toward?
What does Paul say is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, according to 2 Corinthians 5:5?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul use the image of a “tent” for our bodies? What does this teach us about how we should view our lives on earth? [[35:12]]
The sermon says, “Groaning is not despair, but hopeful longing.” How does this change the way we think about pain, loss, or disappointment? [[40:41]]
What does it mean to live in the “already, not yet” as described in the sermon? How does this tension affect our daily lives as Christians? [[50:31]]
According to Paul, why is it important to “fix our eyes on what is unseen” rather than what is seen? How does this perspective help us endure suffering? [[06:30]]

Application Questions

The sermon began with the question, “How much time do you have left?” How does thinking about your own mortality affect the way you live today? Is there anything you would do differently if you lived with eternity in mind? [[01:47]]
Paul says our bodies are like tents—fragile and temporary. Are there ways you’ve been focusing too much on the “tent” and not enough on the “house” God is preparing? What would it look like to shift your focus? [[35:12]]
The pastor shared that “groaning” is a sign of hope, not defeat. When you experience pain, loss, or disappointment, do you tend to lean into despair or into hope? What would it look like to let your groaning point you toward God’s promises? [[40:41]]
The Holy Spirit is described as God’s “guarantee” of what’s to come. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence or encouragement in hard times? Are there ways you can rely more on the Spirit’s help this week? [[50:31]]
The sermon challenged us to use our time, talents, and treasures for things that last. What is one practical way you can invest in something eternal this month—whether it’s a relationship, serving, or giving? [[57:45]]
Paul says we will all stand before Christ—not for condemnation, but for evaluation. Does this idea motivate you, intimidate you, or something else? How might it change your priorities or decisions this week? [[57:45]]
The most important question the pastor asked was, “Are you ready? Do you know Jesus as your Savior?” If you’re not sure, what’s holding you back? If you are sure, how can you help someone else get ready? [[01:02:34]]

Sermon Clips

Paul said, brothers, I don't want you to be uninformed. It's important that you understand that when you lose loved ones because they have lost some loved ones, and they did not know what was out ahead, so they were grieving. And this is what Paul would say, we do grieve, but he would say, as followers of Jesus Christ, as those who have been redeemed because of the resurrection of Christ, we grieve, but we don't grieve as the rest of men who have no hope. We grieve differently, brothers and sisters. We grieve differently, although we do grieve. [00:08:59] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

So heaven is not so much about a destination, although it is, but it's about a relationship that's fully realized. This one. Well, why, Paul, would this be such a big deal? I think Paul would say, because no one has ever loved me like Jesus loved me. No one has ever done, but you gotta know Paul's background. No one showed me grace the way Jesus showed me grace. No one has treated me with such care and kindness. He healed my soul. He didn't just make me better, he made me new. And this is what Paul would say. He adopted me as his son. I think Paul, why he's writing this is because he never got tired or took for granted the grace and mercy of Jesus. Because I think Paul realized, I don't deserve it, but this is what I get. When I put my faith in Christ, Paul, what's driving you closer and forward in hardship, he'd say, knowing every day is one day closer that I'll get to be with Jesus. [00:56:16] (64 seconds) Edit Clip

It's flipping your mindset from days ticking to an end to seconds that are tipping to a new beginning with Jesus. Those seconds that are ticking off, every second that's ticking is a second closer that I will be with Jesus face to face. This is what Paul is getting at. [00:57:32] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

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