1.7.18
"Everlasting Inheritance"
TEXT: 1 Cor. 15:50-58; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 Cor. 16:1; Acts 2:42-47
TRUTHS:
1. Our earthly possessions have little bearing on our eternal inheritance. This is evidenced by the story Jesus told concerning Lazarus and a rich man. Lazarus--a poor beggar--was given a joyful inheritance with Jesus while the rich man's turned out to be misery and separation from his Creator.
2. Financial giving isn't talked about in the New Testament frequently because, for the follower of Jesus, it should be a "no-brainer." Generosity will flow from the heart and life of a true believer. Although our giving does not ensure a specific eternal inheritance for us, it can and does prove that our hearts have been changed and Jesus is our Lord.
3. Paul writes to the Corinthian church, who are very affluent and face little to no persecution, to remind them of where to place their focus. Rather than focus on what material they have and what they possess, he directs them to the resurrection of Jesus--eternal truth. As believers, we should be cautious about getting hung up and focused on the material world. No matter how much or little you possess, one truth is always relevant and applicable. God has given it to you to steward over for Kingdom-purposes.
4. A life spent chasing the temporary world as the source of ultimate joy will turn out to be a waste of time. But when you work in and for the Kingdom of God, it has eternal significance. Kingdom work is never in vain and it will never perish. Unlike most of our interactions with the temporary world, we will carry our efforts to advance the Kingdom of God with us into eternity.
5. What is the work of the Kingdom that we should focus on and give ourselves to?
- Established and modeled in the Book of Acts, the work of the Kingdom is outlined in Acts 2:42-47. We give ourselves to Kingdom-work when we: (1) follow the apostles' teaching, (2) worship corporately, (3) break the bread of the Word of God with other believers, (4) fellowship with other believers, (5) pray, (6) give, and (7) evangelize non-believers.
- Additionally--similar to how Jesus addressed the various churches in the Book of Revelation--we believe the Lord calls each local church to specific works in specific places. Jesus speaks his living Word to churches in order to direct and sharpen their focus. What follows are the specific works Jesus has placed in Abundant Life's hands: (1) passing the faith on to our children, (2) discipleship of all, (3) caring for needs, (4) local missions, and (5) world missions.
TALK TO EACH OTHER:
1. How can a believer discern if they are focused on the temporary world or Kingdom-work?
2. In what ways and in which areas can you grow in your giving and generosity?
3. Which Kingdom-work (Acts 2:42-47) do you find most easy to be involved in and which activity do you have the most difficulty with?
TALK TO GOD:
Pray as you feel led concerning the following area(s):
The five areas of focus the Lord has placed in our church's hands (Truth 5).
The five areas of focus the Lord has placed in our church's hands (Truth 5).