SERMON BY JOHN GAINES
LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
DECEMBER 14, 2003
Life is a Temporary Assignment
1. Military and government types are familiar with the term "TDY" -- temporary duty. We conclude our three-part look at God's view of life by noting that Life is a Temporary Assignment.
2. That thought is expressed in the song "This World Is Not My Home" which says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing thro[ugh], My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, And I can't feel at home in this world any more."
3. It's also a biblical idea.
a. Psalms 39:12 (NKJV) "Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
b. Abraham and Sarah "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" while waiting "for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" [Hebrews 11:10, 13]. Such pilgrims are looking for a homeland in a better, heavenly country [Hebrews 11:14-16].
c. 1 Peter 2:11 (NKJV) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. Peter's point is clear. You're not FROM HERE. Don't get caught up in the "fleshly lusts" of this world "which war against the soul." There are things in this world which can trap you and keep you from ever going home. They wage war against the welfare of your soul.
4. Then look at 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. This is the primary text for our lesson today. Consider what this passage says to today's Christians.
I. FORGET THE PAST.
A. Don't allow the failures and hurts of the past to discourage you. Do not lose heart!
B. Philippians 3:12-13 (NKJV) 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
C. Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
1. We should learn from our mistakes and do better in the future.
2. We should repent of sins and obtain forgiveness for the wrongs we've done.
3. However, we should not allow the burdens of this life to weigh us down and discourage us from completing the Christian race [Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.]
4. Frank Lloyd Wright said, "The physician can bury his mistakes, but the architect can only advise his client to plant vines." Everyone makes mistakes, but we must not allow them to discourage us. Fix what can be fixed, and plant vines to cover up the rest.
II. KEEP THE PRESENT IN PERSPECTIVE.
A. Turn lemons into lemonade. Maintain a positive attitude about the problems which cannot be avoided [Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.] Realize that while the "outward man" may be perishing, the "inward man" is being renewed day by day.
B. Don't forget that afflictions are momentary.
1. Our troubles are "light." You can always find someone whose troubles are worse than yours.
2. Our troubles aren't "lasting." They may seem that way. Some people seem to have more than their fair share of pain and problems in life [Job 14:1 (NKJV) "Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble."] Some say that verse is an apt description of their lives. Don't forget the first part of the verse. Man is "of few days." Our time here on earth is very short in comparison with eternity [James 4:14 (NKJV) ". . . For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."]
C. Remember that good is coming.
Paul reminds faithful Christians that the "light afflictions" of life are "working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" [2 Corinthians 4:17]. It is "beyond all comparison" [ESV]. Staying faithful in this life (despite whatever troubles and tribulations we have to face) results in a "crown of life" in heaven [Revelation 2:10].
III. FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
A. Many make the mistake of looking only at the things of this life. ["The things which are seen are temporary" [2 Corinthians 4:18]
1. People have a way of thinking only about RIGHT NOW and ignoring the future.
a. USA Today had a story recently about young people heading to Las Vegas to live it up when they turn 21. They are seeking to experience the wild life as soon as they are legally "of age" to drink and gamble. The article quotes a newsletter editor saying, "When somebody turns 21, they feel like all the boundaries are broken. They're going to drink and party and start their adult life, and what better place to do that than in Vegas?"
b. Although the people and places change, there is nothing new in seeking out the pleasures of sin. The Bible commends Moses who as a young man identified himself with the people of God rather than "to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin" [Hebrews 11:25].
2. Too many put their trust in worldly things which will not last. When the day of the Lord comes, the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up [2 Peter 3:10].
B. Look at the invisible things of life because they are eternal.
1. Those eternal sights are visible only by faith [2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) For we walk by faith, not by sight.] We can't see heaven while we're still this side of death. It is by faith in the teachings of the Bible that we know a glorious reward waits for us on the other side.
2. If the atheistic world view is right, what have we lost?
a. Jesus offers the abundant life to us now as well as in eternity [John 10:10 (NKJV) "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
b. Christians deny themselves the pleasures of sin. Maybe we have less worldly possessions than those who drive themselves to make money at all costs.
c. But we live happy, fulfilled lives. If we die and that's it -- no eternity -- we haven't cheated ourselves out of anything that matters. In the here-and-now, Christians are usually happier and more fulfilled in life than those who live in the world outside of Christ.
3. If the Bible is right, what has the atheist and the unbeliever lost? Everything. [Luke 16:22-24 (NKJV) "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.']
CONCLUSION
1. Death is not leaving home; it's going home.
2. John 14:1-3 (NKJV) "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. "