Encourage believers to resist the temptations of this world and instead focus on God's promises, living with an awareness of heaven and preparing for our eternal life with Him.
Good morning, Church family! Today, we are going to delve into a topic that is as relevant today as it was when the Apostle John first penned his letters - living with a heavenly conscious, the world's allurements vs. god's promises, and preparing for our eternal place.
Elisabeth Elliot once wrote, "Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for."
Our focus scripture for today is found in 1 John 2:15-17:
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
Let's open our hearts and minds to the Word of God as we pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that guides us, corrects us and teaches us. As we delve into these powerful scriptures today, we ask for Your wisdom and discernment. Help us to understand the dangers of the allurements of this world and the beauty of Your promises. Teach us to live with a heavenly consciousness, always preparing for our eternal place with You. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Now, let's dive into this message together.
Living with a heavenly conscious is a concept that calls for us to shift our focus from the temporal to the eternal, from the earthly to the heavenly. It is a call to live in the present with an awareness of our future destination. It is about understanding that our time on earth is temporary and that our true home is in heaven with our Father. This understanding should influence our decisions, actions, and attitudes.
Colossians 3:2: Paul admonishes us to "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This scripture is a clear directive for us to live with a heavenly consciousness. It is a call to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly concerns. It is about recognizing that our earthly life is but a journey towards our eternal home.
Not overly attached to the things of this world: It means that our ultimate goal is not to amass wealth, attain worldly success, or seek earthly pleasures. Instead, our ultimate goal is to live in a manner that pleases God and prepares us for eternity. This does not mean that we should neglect our earthly responsibilities or shun worldly possessions. Rather, it means that these things should not be our primary focus or source of satisfaction.
Live with an awareness of God's presence in our lives: We recognize that God is with us in every situation, guiding us, comforting us, and providing for us. We live with a sense of gratitude, knowing that every good thing we have comes from God. We also live with a sense of responsibility, knowing that we are stewards of God's gifts and that we will one day give an account of how we used these gifts.
Live with a sense of hope: Despite the challenges and difficulties we face in this world, we have hope because we know that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). We have hope because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). We have hope because we know that we have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4).
Not a call to escapism or a denial of reality: It is a call to live in the reality of God's kingdom. It is a call to live with a perspective that transcends the temporal and embraces the eternal. It is a call to live with a consciousness of our identity as citizens of heaven.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how you go about your everyday life while thinking about heaven. How does it affect you and the people around you?
The world's allurements are often enticing and can easily distract us from God's promises ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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