The Value of Focusing on Eternity

Selective Parables: Lessons from Jesus

Message Seven

Luke 16:1-13.

ETS: Jesus taught that we should steward all that we have now to invest in the life to come.

ESS: We should be intentional, wise stewards committed to investing in Heaven.

OSS: [Consecrative] {I want the hearers to commit to serving the Lord through being a faithful, intentional steward in investing in the life to come.}

PQ: What are the values of focusing on eternity?

UW: Values

Intro.: [AGS]: “Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., is attributed with the quote, ‘Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.’ The same sentiment found its way into a song by Johnny Cash: ‘You’re shinin’ your light, and shine it you should, / But you’re so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good.’ (“No Earthly Good,” from The Rambler, 1977).” [1] Maybe this statement is true. However, perhaps the greater issue today is that most people are so earthly minded that they are no heavenly good. [TS]: Jesus warned through the parable in this passage that stewards should be careful to invest wisely. [RS]: We need to commit to carefully stewarding the Lord’s treasures, investing more in the Kingdom of Heaven than that of this earth. In fact, C.S. Lewis wrote, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.” [2] Thus, for us, it is important that we live in the present life focused on the next life, investing treasures in the next life, and stewarding God’s possessions in a way that the ensures the most in the next life. However, to do so, we must consider and understand the value of focusing on eternity.

TS: Let us examine together a few values of focusing on eternity:

The value of focusing on eternity is the acknowledgement of our status as managers/stewards. [1-2]

The value of focusing on eternity is the commitment to repentance when we have mis-managed God’s treasures. [3-8]

The value of focusing on eternity is the reality that character guides who we are and what we do. [9-12]

The value of focusing on eternity is the challenge to evaluate our allegiance. [13]

CONCLUSION:

Bibliography [all sources consulted]:

[1] Is it Possible to be so Heavenly Minded that you are of no Earthly Good? https://www.gotquestions.org/heavenly-minded-earthly-good.html

[2] C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity. (Broadway, NY: Harper Collins, 2001), 134.