Living Today- Focused on Eternity
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Our culture is fast and furious. Instant gratification is the norm. But the Bible places great emphasis on living today with eternity in mind. I think we could agree that most people who are successful at what they do work, hard, work smart, and don’t get distracted from their goals. As disciples of Jesus, everything we do should be filtered through the lens of eternity; both our own and those with whom we have influence. “Happy to be here” is wonderful, but is it enough?
We have frequently repeated the mantra, “One more for Jesus.” If that is our business, how’s business? I have been schooling myself under the tutelage of Ed Stetzer concerning “Barriers”. The sermons I am sharing this month are borne out of this.
I think focus is key. When we follow Jesus faithfully and fruitfully, there must be an acknowledgement that our best life comes later. And so this priniciple:
We must live today out of the abundance of our life to come.
We must live today out of the abundance of our life to come.
This morning we will look toward a number of shifts that we need to make as we continue to emphasize the “Go” aspect of the Christian life.
A Positive Shift of Perspective
A Positive Shift of Perspective
This whole chapter is really all about Paul’s changed heart. in verses 4-7 Paul details all the success he has had. And its a lot. It’s not like Paul was some down and out, homeless reject loser with no where to turn but God. Quite the opposite is true. He was successful by pedigree, power, and prestige. But when he met Jesus it completely transformed, and redirected his life. IF you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, the same should be true for you. Your opportunity for Kingdom focus as you live your life is huge. People need to hear this and see this in and from you.
although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.
This whole chapter is really all about Paul’s changed heart. in verses 4-7 Paul details all the success he has had. And its a lot. It’s not like Paul was some down and out, homeless reject loser with no where to turn but God. Quite the opposite is true. He was successful by pedigree, power, and prestige. But when he met Jesus it completely transformed, and redirected his life. IF you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, the same should be true for you. Your opportunity for Kingdom focus as you live your life is huge. People need to hear this and see this in and from you.
A Shift from “Arrived” to “Pressing on”
A Shift from “Arrived” to “Pressing on”
Our “church” thinking often hinders this. We speak of events in our lives like “getting saved” (some seem afraid so they will say “walked and aisle”… but you can do that shopping for groceries), or baptism. Those are great events, but the Christian life is not a cul-de-sac but a journey on a thoroughfare. These verses compare the journey to a race and we don’t reach the finish line in this life. We need to live with God’s end in mind and not our own.
Question: Are there things in your church life that you need to “forget”? How about in your private life? What do you need to let go of in order to reach what is ahead.
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Our “church” thinking often hinders this. We speak of events in our lives like “getting saved” (some seem afraid so they will say “walked and aisle”… but you can do that shopping for groceries), or baptism. Those are great events, but the Christian life is not a cul-de-sac but a journey on a thoroughfare. These verses compare the journey to a race and we don’t reach the finish line in this life. We need to live with God’s end in mind and not our own.
Question: Are there things in your church life that you need to “forget”? How about in your private life? What do you need to let go of in order to reach what is ahead.
A shift Toward Generous Living in a Stingy World
A shift Toward Generous Living in a Stingy World
I’m not speaking primarily of money here: But other’s focused living instead of “Me” focused living. This goes back to the “happy to be here” attitude. There is nothing wrong with that when it comes to Jesus, and church involvement, but even that can be “me” focused if there is not a driving focus on others coming to know Christ as well.
Our goal should be such a commitment to Christ and His purposes that we could say “It’s ok to follow after me.”
I think our first reaction is to push back “Man, I don’t want anyone looking at me, I’m not perfect.” But that’s the point. People need to see imperfect followers of Jesus striving to live like Him. Pursuing God’s plan for their lives instead of their own.
Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
I’m not speaking primarily of money here: But other’s focused living instead of “Me” focused living. This goes back to the “happy to be here” attitude. There is nothing wrong with that when it comes to Jesus, and church involvement, but even that can be “me” focused if there is not a driving focus on others coming to know Christ as well.
Our goal should be such a commitment to Christ and His purposes that we could say “It’s ok to follow after me.”
I think our first reaction is to push back “Man, I don’t want anyone looking at me, I’m not perfect.” But that’s the point. People need to see imperfect followers of Jesus striving to live like Him. Pursuing God’s plan for their lives instead of their own.
A shift that Greater Things are Yet to Come.
A shift that Greater Things are Yet to Come.
In the previous verse Paul is talking about people who put to much stock in this world, and he contrasts believers who are remember this is not then end goal.
It’s easy to get caught up in the peril of modern culture and think we will win or lose based on who is in the White House. But we are in it for the long haul, and our promise of success is not based on how elections go, or even how court cases at the Supreme Court go, OUR CITIZENSHIP is in heaven.
Let’s be about our King’s business. Let’s focus on living for Him today in light of eternity.
but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the previous verse Paul is talking about people who put to much stock in this world, and he contrasts believers who are remember this is not then end goal.
It’s easy to get caught up in the peril of modern culture and think we will win or lose based on who is in the White House. But we are in it for the long haul, and our promise of success is not based on how elections go, or even how court cases at the Supreme Court go, OUR CITIZENSHIP is in heaven.
Let’s be about our King’s business. Let’s focus on living for Him today in light of eternity.
Questions?
Do you know Christ?
How are you focused on living out the Gospel message this week?
Do you demonstrate a humble, pilgrim attitude, or that of someone who has arrived?
Are you committed to the process of discipleship, where you are being transformed into the image of Christ, or are you stagnant?
Are you living “others focused” lives in front of those who need Christ?
Do you need to find a church home, where people are seeking to live this way, so you can join in together with them?