The Challenge of Eternity
There is something within with soul of a human that acknowledges and responds to eternity and yet we struggle to understand it and know how it is to effect the coming and goings of our days.
We speak of eternity when someone dies – “Well, they have gone to a better place”
We recognize Eternity but struggle to practically deal with it or know how to live with it.
Col 3:1-4
3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is youra life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. NIV
3 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 2 Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ — that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. THE MESSAGE.)
3 Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power. 2 Let heaven fill your thoughts; don't spend your time worrying about things down here. 3 You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. 4 And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories. TLB
Jessie – accepted Jesus – even within the heart / mind of a child the call of eternity draws him.
Eccl 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. NIV
Video
We are made for Eternity and made to interact with eternity
What is Eternal?
God -
Rom 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
John 1:1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Heb 13:8
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Humanity-
Luke 18:29-30
29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
God’s Word -
Mark 13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
What is not Eternal?
The World and all you see –
Heaven
Earth
1 John 2:17
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
The Challenge –
To set our hearts and minds on the eternal and still keep our feet on the ground..
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
We must not get caught up in
Past - Today (NOW) - nor Tomorrow
How do we meet this challenge?
Thinking about God and what He is doing and what He wants for our lives can be a challenge to get our minds around. It challenges our perspectives of life, the world, us…
I have an exercise -- dots
Think outside the box this world would like to keep your mind in
To set your mind on the eternal and to use the non-eternal to reveal the eternal
May everything I do bring glory to God
= Set your heart on revealing the eternal –
LOOK FOR….
God showing up in your days =
What God is doing…
How God’s Word is coming to life… influencing the decisions I make
Where God is connecting with people…
Where do I see Him at work in my world
We can make eternal investments, in our lives and in the lives of others
Like investing in your financial portfolio –
Risk
High Risk - Low Risk
Temporal Eternal
Return
High Low
Eternal Temporal
Vehicles
Time with God
Time with People
Things I do – career, education, travel, experiences
Is God’s word influencing my decisions, or my emotions, experiences or reasoning?
Obedience
Faith
We must focus on our Returns
High Return – Eternal – Joy, Peace, Hope, life – acceptance by God
Temporal returns
Status, accpeptance by people, $$, power, physical / sensual satisfaction
We must look for the eternal
Where do you see God at work around you?
The more you look, the more you will see him (return)
The more you see him, the more secure you will feel (risk reduction)
The more secure you feel the more you will invest in the eternal
The more you invest in the eternal the richer your spiritual life will be and you will see more of God
Investing in the Eternal = Matt 6:19…
When I invest in the Eternal, the more I will know and experience God and the more I will know and love people and God’s Word.
Consider the diversity of your spiritual investments
Knowledge = am I getting to know God better / Making him known to others
Technology = Applying God’s Word to my life, making better choices / Helping others apply God’s Word
Service = Showing God’s presence in practical ways, serving others; Do I have a greater sense of purpose / is God using my life to bring purpose into others lives?
Faith = is my trust in God growing / Am I helping others trust in God?
Col 3:1-4
3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is youra life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. NIV
Have your thoughts this last week been consumed by earthly things or is God’s activity showing up in your day?
Do you want to see more of God showing up in your life?
Is your life His?
Your perspective his?
Are you building your life on His word or your ideas
Are you investing in the things that are on his heart – or your heart?
Your life strategy can change today.