Preparing for Eternity: Living with Eternal Purpose
Summary
This life is not the end, but a preparation for what is to come. Each of us will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, not to be condemned, but to have our lives evaluated and rewarded. God, in His sovereignty, knows the number of our days, and while we may not like to dwell on our mortality, it is wise to plan for eternity just as we would for any significant event in our lives. The reality of standing before God should shape how we live now, prompting us to invest in what truly lasts.
Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth. Earthly investments—our pensions, possessions, and achievements—will all fade away, but what we do for God’s kingdom has eternal value. This means using our time, talents, and resources to serve others, to pray, to give, and to build up God’s work in both big and small ways. Even the smallest act, like giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name, is noticed and rewarded by God.
Paul’s words remind us that there are crowns and rewards awaiting those who persevere, remain faithful, and long for Christ’s appearing. Our works, built on the foundation of Jesus, will be tested and revealed for what they are. Only what is done for Christ will last. We are called to build wisely, to use what God has given us for His purposes, and to remember that our true citizenship is in heaven.
Life is fleeting, and the days ordained for us are known by God. The seriousness of giving an account before Him should not be taken lightly. Like preparing for retirement, preparing for eternity is not something to leave until the last moment. It requires intentionality, reflection, and a willingness to align our lives with God’s eternal priorities. This week, consider how prepared you are to stand before Christ, and what steps you might take to invest more deeply in what will last forever.
Key Takeaways
- The certainty of standing before Christ’s judgment seat should shape our daily choices. This is not a moment of condemnation for believers, but a time of evaluation and reward. Living with this reality in mind brings a holy seriousness and intentionality to how we spend our days. [07:39]
- Storing up treasure in heaven is a matter of investing our time, talents, and resources in ways that have eternal significance. Earthly achievements and possessions are temporary, but acts of service, generosity, and faithfulness to God’s calling endure forever. Begin now, not later, to make these investments, as the value compounds over a lifetime. [09:34]
- God’s rewards are not arbitrary; they are connected to our faithfulness, perseverance, and willingness to serve. Crowns are promised to those who overcome, remain steadfast, and delight in the Lord. The pursuit of these rewards is not selfish, but a response to God’s invitation to participate in His eternal purposes. [12:46]
- The foundation of our lives must be Jesus Christ, and what we build on that foundation will be tested. Only what is done in obedience to Him, with motives aligned to His heart, will survive the refining fire. This calls for regular self-examination and a commitment to build with gold, silver, and costly stones, not with what is fleeting or superficial. [14:36]
- Life is brief, and the days allotted to us are known by God. Preparing for eternity is not a one-time decision, but a lifelong process of aligning our priorities with God’s. Like a wise investor planning for retirement, we are called to think ahead, to act intentionally, and to ensure that our lives are oriented toward what will matter most when we stand before Christ. [17:30]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - Reading 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
[01:56] - The Reality of Death and Statistics
[02:56] - Darwin Awards: Lessons from Foolish Choices
[04:51] - The Certainty of Death and God’s Sovereignty
[05:53] - Preparing for What’s Inevitable
[06:42] - The Judgment Seat of Christ
[07:39] - Standing Alone Before God
[08:26] - The Beamer Judgment: Rewards, Not Condemnation
[09:34] - Storing Up Treasure in Heaven
[11:30] - Investing Time, Talents, and Money for Eternity
[12:46] - Working for Eternal Rewards
[14:36] - Building on the Foundation of Christ
[16:30] - The Fleeting Nature of Life
[17:30] - Reflecting on Our Readiness for Eternity
[18:06] - Closing and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Preparing for Eternity
---
### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due for us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
- Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, what is the purpose of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ? What will happen there?
2. In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about the difference between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven?
3. What kinds of materials does Paul mention in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 for building on the foundation of Christ, and what happens to each when tested by fire?
4. The sermon mentioned that even small acts, like giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name, are noticed by God. What other examples did the sermon give of ways to invest in eternity? [[09:34]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, even though believers are not condemned? What does this mean for how Christians should view their lives? [[07:39]]
2. How does the idea of “storing up treasures in heaven” challenge the way people usually think about success and security?
3. What does it mean to “build with gold, silver, and costly stones” versus “wood, hay, or straw” in the context of our daily lives and choices? [[14:36]]
4. The sermon compared preparing for eternity to planning for retirement. In what ways is this comparison helpful or challenging for you? [[17:30]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon said that “the certainty of standing before Christ’s judgment seat should shape our daily choices.” What is one area of your life where you feel this reality should make a difference? How could you act differently this week because of it? [[07:39]]
2. Think about your time, talents, and resources. What is one specific way you could use one of these to serve God or others this week, rather than just for yourself? [[09:34]]
3. The sermon mentioned that even small acts, like giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name, are noticed and rewarded by God. What is a “small” act of kindness or service you could do this week that you might have overlooked before? [[09:34]]
4. When you consider your “treasures,” where do you think your heart is most invested right now—earthly things or eternal things? What would it look like to shift your focus more toward eternity? [[09:34]]
5. The idea of “crowns and rewards” is not about earning salvation, but about faithfulness and perseverance. Is there an area where you feel God is calling you to persevere or remain faithful, even if it’s hard? How can the group support you in this? [[12:46]]
6. The sermon encouraged regular self-examination. Take a moment to reflect: Is there anything you are building in your life that might not last when tested by God? What is one step you could take to build more wisely? [[14:36]]
7. Preparing for eternity is a lifelong process. What is one intentional change you could make this month to align your priorities more with God’s eternal purposes? [[17:30]]
---
Closing Thought:
As you reflect on these questions, remember that God sees both the big and small things done for Him. Let’s encourage each other to invest in what truly lasts.
Devotional
Day 1: Living with Eternity in Mind
Every person will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, where our lives will be evaluated not for condemnation, but for reward and the account we give of how we lived. This reality should shape our daily choices, reminding us that our time on earth is fleeting and that what truly matters is how we have lived in light of eternity. The knowledge that we will stand before God alone, with no one else to speak for us, calls us to live intentionally, seeking to please Him in all things and to prepare for that day with sober reflection and hope. [07:39]
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (ESV)
"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: In what area of your life do you need to become more intentional about living to please Christ, knowing you will one day give an account to Him?
Day 2: Trusting God with the Number of Our Days
God alone knows the span of our lives, and every day is ordained by Him before even one comes to be. This truth frees us from fear and anxiety about death, reminding us that our lives are in His hands and that we are called to steward each day as a gift. Rather than ignoring the reality of our mortality, we can face it with confidence, knowing that God’s purposes for us are secure and that our time on earth is both limited and meaningful. [05:53]
Psalm 139:16 (ESV)
"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
Reflection: How does knowing that God has ordained all your days change the way you approach your time and priorities today?
Day 3: Investing in Treasure that Lasts
Jesus calls us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, investing our time, talents, and resources in things that have eternal value. Earthly wealth and achievements will fade, but what is done for God—acts of generosity, service, and faithfulness—will endure and be rewarded. Like wise investors, we are encouraged to start early and be strategic, using every opportunity to build up a heavenly inheritance that cannot be lost or destroyed. [09:34]
Matthew 6:19-21 (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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can use your time, talent, or money this week to invest in something of eternal value?
Day 4: Working for Eternal Rewards
The Bible teaches that God will reward those who have faithfully served Him, fought the good fight, and finished the race. Crowns and rewards await those who persevere, rejoice in the Lord, and long for His appearing. Our motivation is not to earn salvation, which is by grace, but to honor God with our lives and to look forward to the rewards He promises to those who are faithful. Each day is an opportunity to work for rewards that will last forever, knowing that God sees and values every act of faithfulness. [12:30]
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
Reflection: What is one area where you can persevere or serve more faithfully, knowing that God promises a reward for those who do not give up?
Day 5: Building on the Foundation of Christ
Our lives are to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, using materials that will withstand the test of eternity. The quality of our work—whether it is done for Christ and in obedience to His teaching—will be revealed and rewarded. We are called to build wisely, not just with what is easy or temporary, but with what will last when tested by fire. Each day offers choices to build with gold, silver, and costly stones by living out Christ’s commands and serving others in His name. [15:30]
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (ESV)
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can build your life more intentionally on the teachings and example of Jesus today?
Quotes
But as Christians, we know that we don't stand before a seat of judgment. It's actually a seat of reward and evaluation of our lives. And let's be very clear on this. We know that we are saved by grace, not by works and there is no condemnation for us. [00:08:06] (21 seconds)
Jesus makes it very clear to us that we need to build our lives on his teaching we need to build our lives doing what he says and the Bible makes it clear that when we do that we receive a reward. [00:15:48] (16 seconds)
There is nothing that we can work to earn our salvation. That comes entirely through Jesus Christ. But the Bible makes it quite clear that there are things that we can do on earth that can alter what happens when we get to heaven. [00:08:26] (18 seconds)
Colossians chapter 3 verse 22 24 says this whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward and it could be something really small that helps you earn treasure in heaven in the gospel of Matthew we read this where Jesus said giving a cup of water to somebody can give you a reward in heaven. [00:12:42] (32 seconds)
So stop and think about that for a moment. That's going to happen to me one day. It's going to happen to you. But I won't have anybody there, I don't think, to help me. I'll be there in my loneliness standing before almighty God. The Bible says that is going to happen. [00:07:36] (29 seconds)
How prepared are you to stand before that judgment throne and to give an account of yourself do you need to invest further in treasure in heaven do you need to work more for those rewards those crowns that God says he's got for us and you need to build further on that foundation of the life of Jesus. [00:18:41] (26 seconds)
So we're going to stand before that judgment seat which is a seat of reward and the Bible says that one way that we can prepare is by storing up treasure in heaven. One of the reasons why I've been thinking about this is I'm now at the age where pensions matter to me and I've been looking at how I've invested money over the years and how that's going to fund my retirement but all of that will pass away. [00:10:42] (32 seconds)
Romans chapter 14, verse 10, says this, For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. As it is written, As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me, every tongue will confess to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. [00:06:46] (28 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 11, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?