Eternal Perspective Week 1
- May 6, 2024
- 8 min read
INTRODUCTION:
The focus of our world is the present, the right now. Does that sound about right?
The internet, social media, emails and text messages, instant coffee and keeping up with the Joneses mean we want to have it now, do it now, achieve it now.
With all the advantages of the information age and its immediate gratification comes the risk of losing perspective of God’s purpose and plan for us.
Jesus addressed the issue of perspective early in His ministry, challenging His followers to look beyond the present to an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE.
This week, we will focus on life and ministry from God’s perspective. As we move from the temporary to the eternal, we will see what is true and false, real and unreal, worthless and valuable. We have 5 pieces of scripture to look at this week, starting in 2 Peter.
2 Peter 1:2-4
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Beautifully written right? This passage has a lot of focus on what God has granted to us and what we get to participate in.
Main Topic/Points
There is a focus on the knowledge of God and of Jesus.
Peter speaks a blessing of grace and peace, multiplied, to us in this knowledge.
Through this knowing, we have been granted everything we need to live a life full of God’s promises and to share in all the godly attributes because we have escaped the corruption caused by sin. Notice two words… everything means EVERYTHING and that the word escaped is past tense.
Connection to Eternal Perspective
Play the long game.
He has blessed me with everything I need to GSD here on Earth.
The return on investment is precious and priceless when it comes to spending eternity with Him
One Application
God, Himself, has granted us power to overcome sinful desires. Where do we need to apply that personally to our lives currently?
Luke 6:20-26
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Main Topic/Points
Jesus sets forth the contrasts of blessings and woes on several groups of people. Since He specifically is addressing His disciples, we should see the primary intent as giving encouragement and instruction to believers.
God will bless them though the world may hate them. But they must be on guard against the world and its mixed-up values.
There is a secondary warning or woe for those caught up with the world. Jesus is warning them of a coming reversal when they will be left empty if they do not repent.
Connection to Eternal Perspective
When “bad” things happen to us (poor, hungry, sad, hated, reviled, rejected, etc…) we can regard it as good because Jesus reminds us that what we are experiencing now is temporary and that our reward in heaven will be great.
One Application
Do not choose present gratification over future blessing at the expense of others. See needs, be generous, and take care of others.
James 1:2-6
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Main Topic/Points
Choosing joy during times of trials because the fruit on the other side will be worth it.
Trials of various kinds: The text acknowledges that believers will face “trials of various kinds”. These trials are not punishments, but opportunities to mature into Christlikeness.
Trials and the testing or proving of your faith produces endurance, steadfastness and patience. Much like a hard workout increases muscle strength and endurance, so do the hard times of life. Just like an athlete looks forward to physical and mental challenges because of the benefits that follow, trials develop our spiritual muscles.
Ask God for wisdom: If anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. This suggests that during trials, believers should seek wisdom from God.
Believe and not doubt: When asking God for wisdom, one must believe and not doubt. Doubt is likened to a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Connection to Eternal Perspective
Not only do the trials that we go through help us to reach new levels of spiritual maturity, but we can find joy in the Lord and the fruit being produced through our times of testing.
One Application
Reflect on the last time there were trials of many kinds around you and identify the fruit produced. Zoom out. Play the long game.
Romans 8:28-30
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Main Topic/Points
God works for the good: The passage begins with the assurance that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him. This means that everything, including trials and tribulations, ultimately contributes to the good of those who love God.
Called according to His purpose: Those who love God are also described as those who are called according to His purpose. This suggests that believers are part of God’s divine plan.
The “good” that God is working towards, is my good- to make you and me more like Jesus. It is not worldly comfort and ease, it is the building of my character, changing of my heart and transforming of my mind.
Connection to Eternal Perspective
We have already been chosen, called, justified, and glorified by God for eternity.
There is not anything we go through in this life that is wasted because God has a plan that he has always known, to conform us to the image of Jesus. He will work all things for good – according to this plan.
One Application
You are part of a plan. His plan. You have a purpose! Your and my job is to follow, and He will do the sanctifying.
I Peter 2:18-24
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Main Topic/Points
Submission to Masters: The passage begins with the instruction for servants to submit themselves to their masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. This suggests that believers should maintain their faith and obedience even in difficult circumstances.
Enduring Unjust Suffering: The text acknowledges that believers may endure unjust suffering. It is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. This means that enduring suffering for doing good is seen as a virtue.
The Example of Jesus: The passage presents Jesus as an example for believers to follow. Jesus committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth. While being insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. This suggests that believers should respond to suffering with patience and faith, following the example set by Jesus.
He Bore Our Sins: The passage concludes with the affirmation that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. This highlights the redemptive work of Jesus and its implications for believers.
Connection to Eternal Perspective
Because of what Christ endured and suffered on his way to the cross, on the cross, and through death, he has far surpassed anything that we will ever have to go through or deal with. Because he did that, we can know that he understands our hurts and hardships. He suffered all of them FOR me, for you– an eternal perspective keeps this at the forefront of everything.
One Application
When I am offended or suffering, I can choose to respond as Jesus did, with humility and grace and forgiveness.
CONCLUSION:
The world is full of distractions that can take your eyes off the Kingdom and cloud your calling and purpose which impacts your eternal perspective but be reminded that in all that is going on in and around you God is not “checked out”. He is actively working and reminding us of the work He has completed on the cross and continues to do inside you. This radiates to those around us and is a witness of what we hold onto. It helps us to surrender to his will, to completely trust that he is a sovereign god and even when it doesn’t make sense to us, or it seems too hard/hurtful/unjust - His promises are forever, and our rewards will be eternal.
Bottom Line- keep your eyes on the prize!
Thoughts/Questions To Consider:
What are some examples of things that you wanted so much but had to wait a long time for, or work extra hard to receive/achieve? Was it worth it?
What are some things we want instant gratification in? What might happen if we waited?
What motivates you to make it through really tough times? What keeps you going?