Glory: Teamනියැදිය

Lasting Glory II

WELCOME

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."– Matthew 6:33

When my hope is in God’s lasting glory, I will seek His kingdom first.

WARM-UP

Read together Revelation 21: 9-27 (focus on verses 9-11 and 22-27). Share how you would feel to be in the place described in the passage.

WORKOUT

It feels good to be part of a strong program. Leagues, teams, universities and colleges highlight their strengths for recruitment. They hype the glory of their athletics and the future potential that being part of their organization could offer. Players within the organization adhere to the requirements and standards that maintain the reputation of the program.

Q. Discuss decisions you’ve made that benefit the program (most likely through your athletic performance) over your desires.

Q. What choices might you have made to prioritize your desires over your athletic performance (and in turn the program)?

Nothing on this side of life will last forever– some things won’t even last your lifetime. There is only one guarantee. The Kingdom of God – that is His authority and rulership will last forever. We gain the advantage when we choose to prioritize His Kingdom over fears, desires, preferences even ways of doing things.

God has conquered this world and its troubles with it. Jesus prepared His disciples for challenges that were yet to come. He concluded the forewarning in John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

We read later in Revelation 21 about our promised eternity in a city that will last forever where disappointment can never come in and take root. Nothing will be able to take away our happiness again. This is a future worth prioritizing. The Apostle Paul encourages that, “Our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”—2 Corinthians 4:17-18

There are times when our afflictions (trials) don’t feel light or momentary. Sometimes injuries come, sometimes they last entirely too long, relationships fall apart and it’s painful, work and school are trying, we may embarrass ourselves or feel misunderstood and so much more. Trials come, but we don’t have to focus on them, because they also go and so do the heavy emotions that accompany them. You have to keep living with your mind focused on Jesus, because what we read about will last forever.

Q: What challenges have you faced that felt as though they would last forever?

Q: What could seeking God’s Kingdom first look like in these situations? E.g. How do you think God would want you to think and/or handle it?

WRAP-UP

Records will be broken; legends will be forgotten; every team, program and legacy will go away at some point. But God is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. There will one day be a new heaven and a new earth. God and His glory will once again live with His people. Jesus Christ will reign, His throne will be established forever and those of us who choose Him will be apart of all of it. (Revelation 21:1-7)

Since we have such an incredible future to look forward to, let’s play hard and have the most fun for His glory today. Let’s keep our eyes and hopes on the One who is to come because we will be with Him in glory.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. - John 17:24

Q. What does it mean for you to be part of this eternity with Jesus?

Q. Do you think that it is worth the challenges with face when we choose to live for His glory today?

• Kingdom First means being a part of God’s kingdom (the Church) and reflecting His image to the world around you.

"We encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." – 1 Thessalonians 2:12

• For His Glory is the motivation behind everything you do—from the field of competition to all areas of your life.

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. – Romans 11:36