Transformative Hope: Embracing Our Eternal Destiny in Christ

 

Summary

In this final message of the "Perfume and Cologne" series, we explore the profound truth that our Creator, who is love personified, desires for us to experience a euphoric and eternally joyful existence. This longing for happiness is deeply embedded in our hearts because we were made by Christ and for Christ. Until we are in a union of trust and love with Him, our deepest longings remain unmet. We are created for a specific someone, the Lord Jesus Christ, and a specific somewhere, His kingdom. Today, we delve into the third component necessary for this euphoric existence: a specific experience that will transform us instantaneously.

Ecclesiastes tells us that God has planted eternity in our hearts, and we instinctively know we were made for something greater. We have the capacity to recognize beauty, and we pursue it in various forms. However, our current existence is limited, and we often feel inadequate compared to the animal kingdom. Yet, the promise of immortality and transformation is our destiny. The Apostle Paul speaks of a time when our weak mortal bodies will be changed into glorious bodies like Christ's, using His power to bring everything under His control.

This transformation is not a process but an instantaneous event that will occur when Jesus returns. It is the resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous, separated by a thousand years. The righteous, those who have put their trust in Christ, will experience this first resurrection and be transformed into beings of divine beauty and strength. This transformation is necessary because our current bodies cannot inherit the eternal kingdom of God.

The hope of this transformation impacts us now, motivating us to purify ourselves and align with God's righteousness. We are destined to be conformed to the image of Christ, and this hope gives us strength and courage in the face of life's challenges. Our future is secure, and our best days are ahead of us. As we await this glorious transformation, we are reminded that our destiny is one of invincibility, invulnerability, and eternal euphoria in the presence of our loving Creator.

Key Takeaways:

1. Eternal Longing: Our hearts are designed with an innate longing for eternity, a reflection of our Creator's intention for us to experience a euphoric existence. This longing is fulfilled only through a union with Christ, who is the source of true happiness and fulfillment. [44:54]

2. Transformation Promise: The promise of transformation into Christ-like beings is not a gradual process but an instantaneous event that will occur when Jesus returns. This transformation will equip us to inherit the eternal kingdom of God, free from the limitations of our current mortal bodies. [52:44]

3. Resurrection Hope: The resurrection of the righteous is a pivotal event that will separate those who have trusted in Christ from those who have not. This first resurrection is a promise of eternal life and transformation, a hope that should inspire us to live righteously now. [59:06]

4. Living with Purpose: The knowledge of our future transformation should impact our present lives, motivating us to pursue Christ-like development and rid our lives of sin. This hope purifies us and aligns us with God's righteousness, preparing us for the eternal kingdom. [01:11:16]

5. Eternal Euphoria: Our destiny is one of eternal euphoria, where all feelings of inadequacy, fear, and loneliness will be eradicated. In the presence of God, we will experience perfect love, peace, and joy, fulfilling the deepest longings of our hearts. [01:19:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Series Overview
- [02:30] - Creator's Intention for Happiness
- [05:15] - Union with Christ
- [08:00] - Our True Home
- [10:45] - Eternity in Our Hearts
- [13:30] - Recognizing Beauty
- [16:00] - Promise of Immortality
- [18:30] - Transformation Process
- [21:00] - Resurrection of the Righteous
- [24:00] - Two Resurrections
- [27:00] - Timing of Transformation
- [30:00] - Living with Hope
- [33:00] - Eternal Euphoria
- [36:00] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
2. Philippians 3:20-21 - "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
3. 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 - "I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ecclesiastes 3:11 suggest about our innate understanding of eternity and beauty? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about our longing for something greater? [44:54]
2. According to Philippians 3:20-21, what transformation do believers eagerly await, and how is this transformation described in the sermon? [52:44]
3. In 1 Corinthians 15:50-52, what is said about the nature of our current bodies and their ability to inherit the kingdom of God? How does this align with the sermon’s discussion on transformation? [01:07:02]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of eternity being set in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) influence our understanding of our purpose and destiny according to the sermon? [44:54]
2. What does the promise of transformation in Philippians 3:20-21 imply about the nature of our future existence, and how does this promise affect our current lives as discussed in the sermon? [52:44]
3. How does the instantaneous nature of the transformation described in 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 challenge or affirm your understanding of spiritual growth and development? [01:07:02]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a deep longing for something more in life. How does the sermon’s message about our hearts being designed for eternity resonate with that experience? [44:54]
2. The sermon discusses the promise of transformation into Christ-like beings. How does this promise motivate you to live differently today? What specific changes can you make in your daily life to align more closely with this hope? [52:44]
3. Consider the idea of living with purpose as we await our future transformation. What are some practical ways you can pursue Christ-like development and rid your life of sin? [01:11:16]
4. The sermon mentions the eradication of feelings of inadequacy, fear, and loneliness in our eternal destiny. How can this assurance impact the way you handle these feelings in your current life? [01:19:34]
5. How does the hope of eternal euphoria and invincibility in the presence of God influence your perspective on current challenges and struggles? What steps can you take to keep this hope at the forefront of your mind? [01:19:34]
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being united with Christ and living in His kingdom. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ in your daily routine? [49:33]
7. Reflect on the idea of being part of the first resurrection. How does this knowledge affect your view of life and death, and how can it inspire you to share your faith with others? [59:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Longing for Eternal Fulfillment
Our hearts are designed with an innate longing for eternity, a reflection of our Creator's intention for us to experience a euphoric existence. This longing is fulfilled only through a union with Christ, who is the source of true happiness and fulfillment. We are created for a specific someone, the Lord Jesus Christ, and a specific somewhere, His kingdom. Until we are in a union of trust and love with Him, our deepest longings remain unmet. This eternal longing is a divine imprint, a reminder that we are made by Christ and for Christ. As we navigate our lives, this longing should guide us towards a deeper relationship with Him, where true joy and fulfillment are found. [44:54]

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

Reflection: What are the areas in your life where you feel a deep longing for something more? How can you invite Christ into those areas to fulfill that longing today?


Day 2: The Promise of Instantaneous Transformation
The promise of transformation into Christ-like beings is not a gradual process but an instantaneous event that will occur when Jesus returns. This transformation will equip us to inherit the eternal kingdom of God, free from the limitations of our current mortal bodies. The Apostle Paul speaks of a time when our weak mortal bodies will be changed into glorious bodies like Christ's, using His power to bring everything under His control. This transformation is necessary because our current bodies cannot inherit the eternal kingdom of God. It is a promise that assures us of our future glory and encourages us to live with hope and anticipation. [52:44]

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (ESV): "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."

Reflection: How does the promise of an instantaneous transformation at Christ's return impact your perspective on your current struggles and limitations?


Day 3: Hope in the Resurrection
The resurrection of the righteous is a pivotal event that will separate those who have trusted in Christ from those who have not. This first resurrection is a promise of eternal life and transformation, a hope that should inspire us to live righteously now. The knowledge of this future event should motivate us to purify ourselves and align with God's righteousness. Our future is secure, and our best days are ahead of us. As we await this glorious transformation, we are reminded that our destiny is one of invincibility, invulnerability, and eternal euphoria in the presence of our loving Creator. [59:06]

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

Reflection: In what ways can the hope of resurrection inspire you to live a life that reflects Christ's righteousness today?


Day 4: Living with Purpose and Purity
The knowledge of our future transformation should impact our present lives, motivating us to pursue Christ-like development and rid our lives of sin. This hope purifies us and aligns us with God's righteousness, preparing us for the eternal kingdom. We are destined to be conformed to the image of Christ, and this hope gives us strength and courage in the face of life's challenges. Our future is secure, and our best days are ahead of us. As we await this glorious transformation, we are reminded that our destiny is one of invincibility, invulnerability, and eternal euphoria in the presence of our loving Creator. [01:11:16]

1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your life more closely with the image of Christ, in anticipation of your future transformation?


Day 5: Embracing Eternal Euphoria
Our destiny is one of eternal euphoria, where all feelings of inadequacy, fear, and loneliness will be eradicated. In the presence of God, we will experience perfect love, peace, and joy, fulfilling the deepest longings of our hearts. This eternal euphoria is a promise that should fill us with hope and anticipation, knowing that our future is secure in the loving arms of our Creator. As we live our lives, we should be motivated by this promise, allowing it to shape our actions and attitudes. Our best days are ahead of us, and we can look forward to an eternity of joy and fulfillment in God's presence. [01:19:34]

Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Reflection: How can the promise of eternal euphoria in God's presence influence the way you handle feelings of inadequacy, fear, or loneliness today?

Quotes



Euphoric, happy existence is dependent upon you and I connecting to the creator of our souls and our hearts. We next found the week or last week that we're created to live in a certain somewhere. [00:43:50] (15 seconds)


Eternity in the human heart. We intuitively, instinctively know we were made for eternity. We sense that we were meant for a much better, higher existence. Shouldn't be this hard. [00:44:59] (13 seconds)


He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into a glorious bodies like who? Like his own. Remember when he died, he rose again from the grave. He could appear and disappear. [00:54:43] (12 seconds)


The euphoric eternal existence, that God has prepared for his own, both angels and humans that are his own, those that trust him, love him, love him for himself, love righteousness for its own intrinsic worth. [01:13:09] (13 seconds)


When this intervention of Jesus happens, when he intervenes the second time, and when we that are alive have this transformation into complete entire Christ-likeness, in an instant, and when the dead are raised, and when the family of God is brought together to rule and reign on planet Earth for 1,000 years until Jesus finally brings in the eternal kingdom with the new heaven and the new earth, we will instantaneously never feel those feelings again. [01:17:49] (29 seconds)


Your best days, all your best days, they're out in front of you. The best version of you, it's real, it's existent, it will come to pass. [01:22:00] (10 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?