GOING FOR THE ETERNAL

In this lesson you will learn that there are two aspects of life; one is temporal and the other is eternal.

I.                    Two aspects of life.

A.     The first one is temporal (temporary) which is fleeting.

B.     The second one is eternal (everlasting) which lasts forever.

II.                 Paul addresses the two aspects of life.

A.     Second Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. The outward man might be suffering, yet the inward man is being renewed.

B.     Second Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

C.     Second Corinthians 4:18 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.

III.               Three areas to think about as you are going for the eternal.

A.     Your treasure Where is your treasure? In Mark 10:17-22, the rich young ruler had split vision. He wanted Jesus but he wanted to trust in his riches. You have to deal with greed and fear in order to release your treasures. Learn to not work for a living but work for a giving.

B.     Your relationships You need relationships that will take you up and not down. You need relationships to strengthen you spiritually, not weaken you spiritually. If you measure things in light of eternity it will help you break off wrong relationships (1 Corinthians 15:33). Seek out relationships that will build you for eternity.

C.     Your time How much of your day is spent on wasted time? (Philippians 3:8-13). Make a decision to live for Jesus (Matthew 6:33).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• In a twenty-four hour period what is it that you focus on?
• Do you spend more time on the temporal or eternal?
• How are you going for the eternal in your treasure, relationships, and time?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week evaluate your life in the aspects of eternal and temporal and begin to make the changes necessary to begin to go for the eternal. Begin to make the necessary changes in your treasures, relationships, and time to live for the eternal and not the temporal.

scr i ptURE MEMORY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.