Exulting In Eternity

James 1:9–11 ESV

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

A Great Reversal

Matthew 19:23–24 ESV

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:20 ESV

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:19–20 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Implication of this Great Reversal

We need to find our identity in Christ.

We often pursue the wrong things.

Only God and his Kingdom won’t perish.

Living in light of this Reversal

Living in light of this Reversal: You MUST have an ETERNAL focus in your pursuits and joys.

Luke 10:20 ESV

20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

You MUST have a heavenly focus in your pursuits and joys.

You MUST have a heavenly focus in your pursuits and joys.

Psalm 4:7 ESV

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Living in light of this Reversal: You MUST have an ETERNAL focus in your pursuits and joys.

Are you pursuing things that will last or things that will perish?

You