THE POWER OF A HEAVEN-FOCUSED LIFE

Colossians 3:1-4; Acts 26:13-25

Death and eternity, ultimately, determines how well or otherwise a particular life was spent.

“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Ecclesiastes 7:4).

At what direction, and to which destination, is this only one life of yours headed (2 Corinthians 5:15)?

“How easy it is to live more or less in the enjoyment of God’s free grace, and yet not realize that we are called to fulfill a divinely appointed purpose” – Campbell.

P1. The Infancy and Infamy of a Heaven-focused Life

Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 2:11-15; Gal. 1:15,16;13; Acts 8:1-3

Great men of God often have had difficult beginnings:

• God is patient; He often changes the world and dispensations with the birth of a child (Jeremiah 1:4-10; Matthew 1:20,21)
• God often bears with the waywardness of the people He will eventually use to further the cause of His Kingdom
• The Potter knows how to remould vessels of dishonour to vessels of honour

“…The Shepherd is far more willing to show His sheep the path than the sheep are to follow. He is endlessly merciful, patient, tender, and loving. If we, His…wayward sheep, really want to be led, we will without fail be led – Elliot.

P2. The Indelible Influence of a Heaven-focused Life

Hebrews 11:24-27; Deut. 34:5-12; 1 Corinth. 15:9,10; Philipp. 1:12-14, 19-21; 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Let the rest of your God-given life be heaven-focused:

• Moses and Paul made deliberate but difficult decisions to commit their lives to eternal causes
• Like Moses and Paul, you can allow God to redirect your focus, so you can leave an indelible influence in time and eternity (Ephesians 2:1-6; 1 Peter 4:1-7)

“The sum of the whole matter is this: He who is one in will and heart with God is a Christian. He who loves God is one in will and heart with Him….That is Christianity in its ultimate purpose and result” – MacLaren.