Seeing the Unseen: Embracing Eternal Perspectives in Life

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Brevity of Life

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul reminds us that "the time is short," urging believers to live with an eternal perspective. This perspective challenges us to hold loosely to worldly attachments and instead prioritize our spiritual journey and eternal destiny. By recognizing the transience of earthly life, we can focus on what truly matters in the light of eternity. This shift in focus encourages us to evaluate our priorities and align them with God's eternal purposes, allowing us to live with a deeper sense of purpose and mission. [02:21]

"For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding." (1 Chronicles 29:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one worldly attachment you can hold more loosely today to focus on your spiritual journey?

Day 2: Developing Spiritual Vision

The story of Elisha and his servant illustrates the necessity of spiritual vision. When surrounded by a formidable enemy, Elisha's calm assurance stemmed from his ability to see God's invisible protection, a reality hidden from his servant until God opened his eyes. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our physical senses often limit our perception, and we must seek God's help to see beyond the visible to the spiritual truths that govern our lives. By praying for spiritual vision, we can align ourselves with God's eternal purposes and live with a deeper sense of purpose. [08:35]

"And Elisha prayed, and said, 'LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.' And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." (2 Kings 6:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need God's help to see beyond the visible?

Day 3: Navigating Two Worlds

As believers, we live in both the seen and unseen worlds. The seen world is tangible and temporary, while the unseen world is spiritual and eternal. We are called to live by faith, allowing the unseen to shape our lives more than the visible. This requires a radical shift in perspective, where we view our marriages, sorrows, joys, and possessions through the lens of eternity, recognizing that all earthly things are passing away. By doing so, we can live with a deeper sense of purpose and mission in this world. [12:43]

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow the unseen world to shape your decisions and actions today?

Day 4: Viewing Earthly Life Through an Eternal Lens

We must view our marriages, sorrows, joys, and possessions through the lens of eternity, recognizing that all earthly things are passing away. This perspective helps us live with a deeper sense of purpose and mission. By focusing on the eternal, we can prioritize what truly matters and align our lives with God's eternal purposes. This shift in perspective encourages us to evaluate our priorities and make decisions that reflect our commitment to living for eternity. [17:23]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one earthly concern you can view through the lens of eternity today?

Day 5: Praying for Spiritual Vision

We are encouraged to pray for God to remove anything that blocks our spiritual vision and to open our eyes to the unseen realities. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes and live with a deeper sense of purpose. This prayer for spiritual vision is a powerful tool that helps us see beyond the visible and focus on the spiritual truths that govern our lives. By seeking God's help, we can live with a deeper sense of purpose and mission in this world. [31:42]

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing you can pray for God to remove from your life to enhance your spiritual vision?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of "seeing the unseen," a call to shift our focus from the temporal, visible world to the eternal, invisible realities that shape our faith and lives. We began by reflecting on Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 7, where he emphasizes that "the time is short," urging us to live with an awareness of the brevity and transience of earthly life. This perspective challenges us to hold loosely to worldly attachments and instead prioritize our spiritual journey and eternal destiny.

We delved into the story of Elisha and his servant, illustrating the necessity of spiritual vision. When surrounded by a formidable enemy, Elisha's calm assurance stemmed from his ability to see God's invisible protection, a reality hidden from his servant until God opened his eyes. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our physical senses often limit our perception, and we must seek God's help to see beyond the visible to the spiritual truths that govern our lives.

The sermon further highlighted the dual existence of believers, who live in both the seen and unseen worlds. While the seen world is tangible and temporary, the unseen world is spiritual and eternal. As Christians, we are called to live by faith, not by sight, allowing the unseen to shape our lives more than the visible. This requires a radical shift in perspective, where we view our marriages, sorrows, joys, and possessions through the lens of eternity, recognizing that all earthly things are passing away.

We concluded with a call to action: to pray for God to remove anything that blocks our spiritual vision and to open our eyes to the unseen realities. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes, enabling us to live with a deeper sense of purpose and mission in this world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Brevity of Time: Paul reminds us that "the time is short," urging us to live with an eternal perspective. This means holding loosely to worldly attachments and focusing on our spiritual journey and eternal destiny. By recognizing the transience of earthly life, we can prioritize what truly matters in the light of eternity. [02:21]
2. Seeing the Unseen: The story of Elisha and his servant illustrates the necessity of spiritual vision. While the servant saw only the enemy, Elisha saw God's invisible protection. This teaches us to seek God's help to see beyond the visible to the spiritual truths that govern our lives. [08:35]
3. Living in Two Worlds: As believers, we live in both the seen and unseen worlds. The seen world is tangible and temporary, while the unseen world is spiritual and eternal. We are called to live by faith, allowing the unseen to shape our lives more than the visible. [12:43]
4. Eternal Perspective on Earthly Life: We must view our marriages, sorrows, joys, and possessions through the lens of eternity, recognizing that all earthly things are passing away. This perspective helps us live with a deeper sense of purpose and mission. [17:23]
5. Prayer for Spiritual Vision: We are encouraged to pray for God to remove anything that blocks our spiritual vision and to open our eyes to the unseen realities. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes and live with a deeper sense of purpose. [31:42]
** [31:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Opening Prayer
[01:33] - Introduction to the Theme
[02:21] - The Brevity of Time
[04:42] - The Perspective of the Believer
[06:02] - Seeing the Unseen
[07:47] - Elisha's Story
[09:30] - The Call to See Beyond the Physical
[12:43] - Living in Two Worlds
[14:38] - Eternal vs. Temporal Realities
[17:23] - An Eternal Perspective on Earthly Life
[22:03] - The Danger of Earthly Mindedness
[24:22] - Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
[28:18] - Examples of Faith in Action
[31:42] - Prayer for Spiritual Vision
[33:27] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Seeing the Unseen

Bible Reading:

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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Observation Questions:

In 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, what does Paul mean when he says "the time is short"? How does this affect the way believers are encouraged to live? [02:21]
According to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, what is the difference between the "outward man" and the "inward man"? How are they each described? [04:59]
In the story of Elisha and his servant, what was the servant initially unable to see, and how did his perspective change after Elisha prayed for him? [08:35]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between the seen and unseen worlds for believers? [12:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

What might Paul be suggesting about the priorities of believers when he advises them to live as though they have no worldly attachments in 1 Corinthians 7:29-31? [03:11]
How does the concept of "seeing the unseen" challenge the way believers typically perceive their daily lives and struggles? [09:30]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that earthly mindedness can hinder spiritual vision and growth? [23:08]
How does the story of Elisha and his servant illustrate the importance of spiritual vision in the life of a believer? [08:35]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current priorities. Are there any worldly attachments you hold tightly that might be hindering your spiritual journey? How can you begin to loosen your grip on these attachments? [03:11]
Consider a recent situation where you were overwhelmed by what you could see. How might viewing this situation through the lens of faith and the unseen change your perspective? [09:30]
What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes the unseen, eternal realities over the temporary, visible ones? [10:55]
How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to ask God to open your eyes to the unseen realities around you? [31:42]
Identify a specific area in your life where earthly mindedness might be clouding your spiritual vision. What changes can you make to address this? [23:08]
Think of a time when you felt spiritually blind or unaware of God's presence. What actions or prayers helped you regain your spiritual sight? [08:35]
How can you encourage others in your community to live with an eternal perspective, especially in times of difficulty or uncertainty? [12:43]

Sermon Clips

But this I say brethren the time is short and let's just stop at that phrase and realize the significance that Paul is putting in here in this parentheses in the context of many topics in first Corinthians seven when he says the time is short he's saying that God has worked providentially supernaturally historically to compact time and history to bring about redemptive purposes that are working out. [00:02:14]

Therefore we do not lose heart even though our outward man is perishing yet the inward man is being renewed day by day for our light affliction which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporary but the things that are not seen are eternal. [00:04:49]

Seeing the unseen is what we need to see seeing the unseen is what we actually need to see you know the Old Testament prophets were always getting in trouble weren't they they were God's spirit makers they were always rebuking the nation preaching against idolatry calling the people to renew their covenant with God they were the spiritual troublemakers they were hated they were lied about they were opposed and often they were punished and killed. [00:06:12]

Elisha's calm he says don't fear those who are with us are more than those who are with them and then what did Elisha pray Lord open his eyes and suddenly the servant's eyes were open when he went back outside and he saw a different bunch out there what did he see you remember he saw other chariots of fire he saw supernatural protection greater than the human army surrounding them he saw the invisible reality he saw the unseen and it was because God had to open his eyes. [00:08:21]

We often only see primarily we're shaped by we're controlled by what our physical senses see what we read in social media in the newspaper the news reports what we see in the world and the dangers we often are controlled by what by the scene rather than the unseen so that's what scripture calls us to to see the unseen that is to see reality in what's really true beyond the veil of the physical. [00:09:11]

The Christian is called to live by faith not by by seeing reality that is not earthly temporal or physical to live by looking continually and increasingly at what is not seen now we know don't we that the Christian lives in two worlds simultaneously one that's seen one that's not seen the unbeliever only lives in one world he only believes in one world the one that's down here that physical eyes can see. [00:12:10]

The unseen is spiritual and invisible and it's a greater reality it's not experienced through our senses it's experienced through a regenerated heart that sees spiritual truth through a renewed mind that views all things through God's perspective and God's truth the the unseen is true and spiritual internal and unlike the scene it's not passing away it's here to stay it's eternal. [00:13:16]

The present life for the Christian should not be marked by the seed it must be marked by the unseen in other words marked by an eternal perspective and you know what it already is our lives are already marked by eternity we're already in eternal kingdom realities we now possess eternal life don't we as a Christian we've got it now our sins are already forgiven now we're the sons of God we have passed from death to life. [00:20:53]

The form of this world the present temporal system of this world is passing away and the danger is why Paul says we've got to look at things not seen rather than things that are seen is because of the danger and enemy of earthly mindedness about marriage singleness jobs relationship possessions earthly mindedness not those things but earthly mindedness about this world is damaging hindering and controlling. [00:22:29]

Faith conceives children faith moves kingdoms faith raises the spiritual dead faith accomplishes impossible things that God wants accomplished in the lives of those who live based on what they don't see Moses saw the invisible reproach of Christ greater than the visible treasures of Egypt and the Bible says he endured by what seeing him who is invisible how clearly and increasingly dear brothers and sisters do you see the invisible God. [00:28:00]

This is what Paul prayed for in Ephesians 1. remember he prayed for the Ephesians and for us because it's written in scripture that the father of glory may give you what the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened seeing the unseen the eyes of Elijah's servant were enlightened and he saw what was there before but he didn't have us to see it. [00:30:01]

Lord remove anything that would block our vision and when he prayed that my heart said yes this is what I'm supposed to preach on Lord remove anything that would block our vision can you pray that today can you pray as you go home can you prep make that a prayer this week if we just prayed that prayer all week from our hearts who knows what would happen we might see angels surrounding us on the freeway. [00:31:42]

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Seeing the Unseen: Embracing Eternal Perspectives in Life

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Brevity of Life

Day 2: Developing Spiritual Vision

Day 3: Navigating Two Worlds

Day 4: Viewing Earthly Life Through an Eternal Lens

Day 5: Praying for Spiritual Vision

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Seeing the Unseen: Embracing Eternal Perspectives in Life

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