Living with Hope: Embracing Eternity and Grace
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truths found in the final verses of the Bible, Revelation 22:20-21. These verses encapsulate the essence of our faith and the ultimate hope we have in Christ. We began by reflecting on the reality of life and its inevitable end. This reflection is not meant to be morbid but to reorient our living towards what truly matters. The reality of life ending should prompt us to evaluate whether what we are living for is worth dying for.
Next, we delved into the promise of the Lord's return. This promise is a beacon of hope, reminding us that while life ends, it is not the end. Jesus is coming back, and this should shape how we live now. We should be willing to let go of temporary treasures and idols, knowing that the eternal treasures awaiting us are far greater.
Finally, we discussed the reason it all matters: grace. The grace of the Lord Jesus allows us to stand confidently before God, not because of our own goodness but because of His. This grace should motivate us to live differently, with clarity and urgency, knowing that our eternity is secure in Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Reality of Life's End: Reflecting on the end of life is crucial as it helps us reorient our priorities. Are the things we are living for worth dying for? This reflection should lead us to focus on what truly matters, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's eternal purposes. [41:50]
2. The Promise of the Lord's Return: The return of Jesus is a cornerstone of our hope. Life ends, but it is not the end. This promise should anchor us, especially during times of grief and pain, reminding us that God is not slow in keeping His promises but is mercifully allowing more to come to repentance. [45:02]
3. Living in Light of Eternity: Knowing that Jesus is coming soon should shape our lives now. We should be willing to let go of temporary treasures and idols, understanding that the new heavens and new earth will far surpass anything we could experience here. [47:44]
4. The Assurance of Grace: Grace is the reason we can stand confidently before God. Our assurance in Christ's finished work should motivate us to live with freedom and holiness, knowing that our eternity is secure. This assurance transforms our lives, allowing us to give our all for the King. [55:17]
5. Urgency and Clarity in Living: The reality of life ending and the promise of the Lord's return should instill a sense of urgency and clarity in how we live. We should live as citizens of heaven, focused on eternal treasures and the mission of sharing the gospel, knowing that nothing in this life can compare to what awaits us in Christ. [56:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:36] - Reflections on Family and Heritage
[34:00] - Generational Legacy and Spiritual Significance
[35:19] - The Reality of Life's End
[37:09] - Clarity in Revelation
[38:23] - The Return of the Lord
[40:07] - Reflecting on Dying to Reorient Living
[41:50] - Living for What Matters
[43:29] - The Promise of Jesus' Return
[45:02] - Clinging to Hope in Christ
[46:23] - Living in Light of Jesus' Return
[47:44] - Letting Go of Temporary Treasures
[49:09] - The Christian's Unique Opportunities
[50:43] - The Reason It Matters: Grace
[52:16] - Assurance in Christ's Finished Work
[53:52] - Motivated by Grace, Not Fear
[55:17] - Living with Freedom and Holiness
[56:56] - Urgency and Clarity in Living
[58:04] - Confidence in Hope and Eagerness for His Return
[59:19] - Living in Light of the End
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Revelation 22:20-21
- 2 Corinthians 4:18
- Philippians 3:20-21
### Observation Questions
1. What does Revelation 22:20-21 say about the return of Jesus and the grace of the Lord? How does this passage conclude the Bible?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 4:18, what should we fix our eyes on, and why?
3. In Philippians 3:20-21, what does Paul say about our citizenship and the transformation of our bodies?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does reflecting on the end of life help us reorient our priorities according to the sermon? ([40:07])
2. What is the significance of the promise of Jesus' return in shaping our current lives? ([46:23])
3. How does the assurance of grace impact our confidence before God and our daily living? ([50:43])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the end of life, are there any priorities or pursuits in your life that you feel need to be realigned with God's eternal purposes? How can you start making those changes this week? ([41:50])
2. The sermon mentioned letting go of temporary treasures and idols. What are some "temporary treasures" in your life that you might need to let go of? How can you begin to do that? ([47:44])
3. How does the promise of Jesus' return provide hope during times of grief and pain in your life? Can you think of a specific instance where this hope has anchored you? ([45:02])
4. The sermon emphasized living with urgency and clarity. What are some practical steps you can take to live with a greater sense of urgency for the gospel? ([56:56])
5. Grace allows us to stand confidently before God. How does this assurance of grace change the way you approach your daily challenges and interactions with others? ([55:17])
6. Are you confident in the hope of Jesus' return? If not, what are some doubts or fears you need to address, and how can your small group support you in this? ([58:04])
7. How can you cultivate a greater eagerness for Jesus' return in your daily life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to keep this hope alive? ([58:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting on Life's End to Reorient Priorities
Reflecting on the end of life is crucial as it helps us reorient our priorities. Are the things we are living for worth dying for? This reflection should lead us to focus on what truly matters, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's eternal purposes. [41:50]
In our daily lives, we often get caught up in the hustle and bustle, losing sight of what truly matters. Reflecting on the reality that life has an end is not meant to be a morbid exercise but a clarifying one. It prompts us to evaluate our priorities and ask ourselves if the things we are living for are worth dying for. This kind of reflection helps us to strip away the non-essentials and focus on what has eternal significance.
When we consider the end of our lives, it should lead us to live with greater intentionality and purpose. We are reminded that our time is limited and that we should invest it in things that align with God's eternal purposes. This means prioritizing our relationship with God, loving others, and living out the gospel in our daily lives. By doing so, we ensure that our lives are not wasted on temporary pursuits but are invested in what truly matters.
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: What are the things in your life that you are currently prioritizing? Are they worth dying for? How can you reorient your priorities to align with God's eternal purposes today?
Day 2: Anchoring in the Promise of the Lord's Return
The return of Jesus is a cornerstone of our hope. Life ends, but it is not the end. This promise should anchor us, especially during times of grief and pain, reminding us that God is not slow in keeping His promises but is mercifully allowing more to come to repentance. [45:02]
The promise of Jesus' return is a central tenet of the Christian faith and a source of immense hope. While life on earth is finite and filled with challenges, the assurance that Jesus will come back provides a perspective that transcends our present circumstances. This promise is especially comforting during times of grief and pain, as it reminds us that our current suffering is temporary and that a glorious future awaits us.
God's timing in fulfilling His promises is perfect, even if it seems slow to us. His delay is an expression of His mercy, giving more people the opportunity to come to repentance and be saved. This understanding should anchor us in hope and motivate us to live faithfully, knowing that our ultimate redemption is secure in Christ. It also encourages us to share the gospel with others, so they too can partake in this hope.
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."
Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return shape your perspective on current challenges and suffering? How can you share this hope with someone who is struggling today?
Day 3: Letting Go of Temporary Treasures for Eternal Ones
Knowing that Jesus is coming soon should shape our lives now. We should be willing to let go of temporary treasures and idols, understanding that the new heavens and new earth will far surpass anything we could experience here. [47:44]
The imminent return of Jesus calls us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. It challenges us to evaluate what we hold dear and to let go of temporary treasures and idols that can distract us from our eternal inheritance. The new heavens and new earth that God promises will far surpass anything we could experience in this life, making it worthwhile to invest in what is eternal.
Letting go of temporary treasures requires a shift in our values and priorities. It means recognizing that material possessions, status, and earthly achievements are fleeting and cannot compare to the eternal glory that awaits us. This perspective frees us to live generously, serve others, and focus on building God's kingdom rather than our own. By doing so, we store up treasures in heaven that will never fade away.
Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What temporary treasures or idols are you holding onto? How can you begin to let go of them and invest in eternal treasures today?
Day 4: Standing Confidently in the Assurance of Grace
Grace is the reason we can stand confidently before God. Our assurance in Christ's finished work should motivate us to live with freedom and holiness, knowing that our eternity is secure. This assurance transforms our lives, allowing us to give our all for the King. [55:17]
The grace of the Lord Jesus is the foundation of our confidence before God. It is not our own goodness or efforts that make us acceptable to Him, but the finished work of Christ on the cross. This grace assures us that our eternity is secure, freeing us from the fear of judgment and enabling us to live with freedom and holiness.
Understanding and embracing this grace should transform the way we live. It motivates us to pursue holiness, not out of fear, but out of gratitude and love for the One who has saved us. This assurance allows us to give our all for the King, knowing that our efforts are not in vain and that we are part of God's eternal plan. It also empowers us to extend grace to others, reflecting the love and mercy we have received.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: How does the assurance of God's grace impact your daily life and decisions? In what ways can you extend this grace to others around you today?
Day 5: Living with Urgency and Clarity in Light of Eternity
The reality of life ending and the promise of the Lord's return should instill a sense of urgency and clarity in how we live. We should live as citizens of heaven, focused on eternal treasures and the mission of sharing the gospel, knowing that nothing in this life can compare to what awaits us in Christ. [56:56]
The awareness that life is finite and that Jesus is coming soon should instill in us a sense of urgency and clarity. This perspective helps us to live as citizens of heaven, prioritizing eternal treasures over temporary ones. It calls us to focus on the mission of sharing the gospel, knowing that our time on earth is limited and that nothing in this life can compare to the glory that awaits us in Christ.
Living with this sense of urgency means being intentional about our daily choices and actions. It involves seeking God's will in all that we do and being proactive in sharing the hope of the gospel with others. This clarity helps us to avoid distractions and to stay focused on what truly matters, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's eternal purposes. By doing so, we live in a way that honors God and impacts others for His kingdom.
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
Reflection: How can you live with a greater sense of urgency and clarity in light of eternity? What steps can you take today to share the gospel with someone in your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The good news here in verse 20, and the promise, is that life ends, but it isn't the end. That Jesus is coming back, and that he's coming soon. So the reality of life is that it ends, but it isn't the end. But the return of the Lord, it's coming. This life ends, but it is at the end." [43:29] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reason it matters is grace. We can stand confidently before God. We can walk to life's end and know that the reality is that it's going to end. We can know that the return of the Lord is coming and live confidently because of grace." [52:16] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are the things that you're running after, the type of things that when you get to the end of your life are going to lead you to say, this race I've run it well. The types of things that you spend your money on, the and your time on, are they the types of things that are going to get you to the end of your life saying, I've lived this life well, and I've given it all for the king?" [41:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The reality of life is that it ends. The return of the Lord is coming and the reason it matters is grace. The reason it matters is grace. That's why we can stand before the Lord with confidence one day. Because of grace. Not because of our goodness or our church attendance or anything else and it's that confidence in the Lord that I'm so certain in how perfect Jesus was that I can live with freedom now and now my life is different." [55:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Reflecting on our dying helps reorient our living, or at least it ought to. This past summer I was reading a book with some students, and this question was asked as we were reading this book, is what you're living for worth dying for? Because the reality of life is that it ends." [40:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You know, these parts of the Bible that are less clear, you read through what are more clear, and with Revelation, as much as any other book, that's what we ought to do. Revelation and Daniel, particularly the second half, are what we call apocalyptic. Apocalyptic literature, and there's so much symbolism that you really need to read it in light of the rest of Scripture. So if you want to read Revelation well, you need to read the rest of Scripture well." [37:09] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The challenge is, in light of the fact that Jesus is coming soon, to give up and to be willing to hand over these temporary treasures, and these idols that aren't going to last. Same book I was reading with students, it was called, What Are You Going to Do With Your Life? It was a guy named J.D. Greer, when he was a college student, he heard this really famous sermon by a guy named John Piper." [46:23] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our holiness isn't what gives us assurance. Our assurance, is what gives us holiness. It's living in light of what Jesus has done for us and knowing that my eternity is secure that then allows me to say, I can give it all for my king because these things that the world wants to offer me, they just aren't going to add up. They're just not going to matter." [55:17] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Are you confident in that hope today? Are you eager for his return? Maybe today you find yourself saying what I think probably all of us, to varying degrees, would say of ourselves, that we want the word to come back, but actually, not just yet. Because I got these things that I still want to enjoy here in this life." [58:04] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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