We receive power to focus more on non-perishable heavenly things than on perishable earthly things.
“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.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12
EXPOSITION:
If as Christians we pay attention to challenges, difficulties, afflictions, persecution etc, that confront us in life on the one hand, and on the glittering, attractive, but perishable material things of the world on the other hand, the tendency is high that we may lose focus and thereby compromise our spiritual uprightness, our Christian living standards; our love for God may wean off and become watered down. Imagine this being at the expense of non-perishable heavenly treasures that have been laid for us!
This informs the subtle warning or advice given in 1 John 2:15-17 against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and pride of life, like Paul impressed it on his audience in 2 Cor. 4: 17 where he says: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” The next verse 18 is worthy of note “…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.”
The material things we often allow to consume our passion are temporal and ephemeral, they are things we see today and may see no more tomorrow. We can imagine how regrettable it would be if all efforts, resources committed to these things ended in vanity. ‘Vanitas, vanitas, omnia Vanita.’ This is the Latin interpretation of the Preacher’s word in Ecclesiastes which means, “Vanity of vanities…all is vanity! Correlating with the question asked in Mark 8:36 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? May we not lose our soul because of anything, particularly because of the ephemeral, perishable things of this world in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Dear all in Christ, this prayer/Lenten season has been an opportune time for us to have a rethink on the issue before us today, a golden opportunity to set our priorities right so that this regrettable phrase, ‘HAD I KNOWN’ will not come from our mouth. The incidence of the rich man and Lazarus, the poor, sour ridden beggar as recorded in Luke 16:19-31 should be a lesson for us.
As we have prayed this season and will continue to pray on this topic subsequently, God will endow us the will power and the grace not to put our eternal home and our heavenly treasures at jeopardy because of the mundane material things of this world in the name of Jesus. Amen and amen. God bless you. SHALOM. Pastor Jide Siwoku
Prayer Points:
1. We thank You Lord for giving us grace and power to overcome the desire of the flesh in Jesus’ name. (Romans 6:14).
2. We thank You Lord for making us in Your own image to pursue the spiritual things than the earthly things in Jesus’ name. (Genesis 1:27)
3. Lord, forgive us in any way we have neglected the spiritual things and pursuing the earthly things of this world in Jesus’ name.
4. During this fasting period, Lord let the grace to overcome the desires of the flesh fall upon me in Jesus’ name. (Galatians 5:24).
5. Lord, give every, Minister, Worker and Member of our DCC the power to discipline their bodies so they can focus on spiritual things in Jesus’ name. (1 Corinthians 9:27).
6. Father, let the minds of all our DCC members be renewed in this year 2024 so they will be able to purse heavenly and righteous things and do God’s will at all times in Jesus’ name. (Romans 12:1-2).
7. Let the Word of God enrich our spirit and soul so that we can focus on Christ alone and be holy in His sight in Jesus’ name. (Ephesians 5:25-26).
8. Lord, as we focus on the heavenly things, give us the grace to endure hardship and persecution in Jesus’ name. (2 Timothy 3:12).
9. O Lord, as we desire to seek the spiritual things and put to death the flesh, give us the power to put on the new characters of love, kindness and mercies in Jesus’ name. (Colossians 3:12).
10. O Lord, give all our youths the power to seek spiritual things than earthly things in Jesus’ name.
11. As we teach our children the Word of God, let their minds be renewed so they can have the power to seek heavenly things in Jesus’ name. (Proverbs 22:6).
12. O Lord, let all our men and women receive power to seek God with all their hearts and might so they can discover God afresh and personally in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 14:2).
13. As we continue in the year 2024, Lord give all our leaders in CAC the hearts to seek spiritual things to they can make right decisions for the church in Jesus’ name. (Proverbs 21:1).
14. We thank You Lord, for giving us grace and power to seek the heavenly things than the temporary things on this earth in Jesus’ name.
15. We thank You Lord, because we are forever more than conquerors in Jesus’ name.
