We’re Only Here For A Little While

Things You Can Take To The Bank, part 6 of 6
While seventy to eighty years, the average lifespan for human beings, can seem long, in reality it is short when we compare it to eternity. While times are tough one of the things we can remember is that tough times don’t last. We can also remember that this life is only a quiz before we experience the final exam at the end of our life. James calls our life a vapor that appears and then suddenly disappears. In light of the brevity of our lives, how can we make it count? A powerful way to do so is to form a spiritual bucket list. A list like the famous movie “The Bucket List” employed, that would help us to do what is really important in light of our short tenure on earth. In this message we’ll talk about how to live passionately, love completely, learn humbly, and leave boldly so that we make our short time on earth count.

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“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.”
(Psalm 39:4-5, NLT)

Living Well In Light Of Life’s Brevity

I) ___LIVE EVERY DAY___ PASSIONATELY.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
(Ecclesiastes 9:10, NIV)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
(Philippians 4:4, NIV)

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
(Romans 12:11, NIV)

II) __LOVE GOD & OTHERS__ COMPLETELY.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
(Matthew 22:37-39, NIV)

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you… If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”
(Luke 6:27-28, 32, NIV)

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
(1 John 3:17, NIV)

III) ___LEARN LIFE’S LESSONS___ HUMBLY.

“People who accept correction are on the pathway to life.”
(Proverbs 10:17a, NLT)

“Teach me, O Lord, to follow every one of your principles… Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.”
(Psalm 119:33 & 35, NLT)

“This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. ‘He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. Instead, he entrusted himself to Him who judges justly.’”
(1 Peter 2:21-23, NLT)

IV) ___LEAVE THIS LIFE___ BOLDLY.

“For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ whether I live or I die. For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.”
(Philippians 1:20-21, NLT)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day— and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
(2 Timothy 4:7-8, NIV)

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
(Matthew 25:21, NIV)