January 12 – 18, 2008

FOCUS ON THE ETERNAL

In this lesson you will learn the difference between temporal and eternal and how to focus on the eternal.

I. The difference between temporal and eternal.

A. Temporal or temporary means subject to change.

B. Eternal goes beyond this life, it is everlasting. It is what counts forever.

II. Let your focus be on the eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.

A. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 – “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” – vv. 8-9. The life of Paul was full of difficulties, but he was not shaken as he focused on the eternal.

B. 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 – “We have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus”

– vv. 13-14.

C. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “Do not lose heart … for our light affliction … is but for a moment … for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

III. How to get your focus on the eternal and godliness.

A. 1 Timothy 4:8 – Paul said exercise is good for the temporal, but godliness is profitable for both temporal and eternal.

B. Psalm 1:1-3 – Blessed is the man whose “delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” – v.2.

C. Joshua 1:8 – Put the Word in your mouth and meditate on it day and night.

D. Acts 17:10-12 – “They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so – v.11. It is time to be a self-feeder.

E. Isaiah 40:7-8 – “The word of our God stands forever” – v. 8.

F. 2 Timothy 3:10-17 – Continue in the things you have learned.

G. John 15:7 – “Abide in Me, and My words abide in you.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• How much of your time, energy, effort, ability, talents, strengths, and resources are being focused on the temporal?
• How much is spent on the eternal?
• Do you need to increase your Word level? Are you a self-feeder?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week make a decision to see things from an eternal viewpoint. Get in the Word of God on a daily basis, read, study, mediate, and apply it to your life.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: 2 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.”