Sermon Title: "The Unseen and Eternal: Valuing What God Values"

Introduction: We live in a world that places great emphasis on the material, the tangible, and the visible. Our success, worth, and identity are often tied to what we can see, touch, and accumulate. Whether it is wealth, status, possessions, or achievements, we are constantly measuring our lives by what we can immediately perceive. But the Bible teaches us something radically different. As believers in Christ, we are called to focus not on the things of this earth, but on the things that are unseen—those that have eternal value. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV). Today, we will explore what God values, how these values contrast with the values of the world, and how we can realign our lives to focus on what truly matters in His eyes.

1. The Temporal Nature of Earthly Possessions: In the context of 2 Corinthians 4:18, Paul is speaking of the contrast between the temporary nature of earthly life and the eternal nature of the life to come. He acknowledges that our present struggles and the things we see around us are transient. The wealth we accumulate, the careers we build, and the material possessions we acquire will one day fade away. Earthly treasures do not last forever, and they are ultimately incapable of fulfilling our deepest needs.

Jesus Himself spoke about the fleeting nature of earthly wealth in Matthew 6:19-21:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NIV)
Jesus is not condemning wealth or possessions, but He is urging us to shift our focus. We are called to store up treasures that cannot be stolen or corroded. The things of this earth are temporary; they are perishable and subject to decay. And when we fixate on these things, we are investing in something that ultimately fades away.

2. The Kingdom of God and Eternal Values: In contrast to the fleeting nature of earthly possessions, the Bible consistently points us to the eternal values of the Kingdom of God. These are the things that matter to God, and they are the things that should matter to us as His followers. So, what does God value, and how can we align our hearts with His eternal purposes?

• Faith in Christ:
  The first and foremost value in the Kingdom of God is faith in Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 11:6, it is written, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV). Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, and it is through faith that we receive salvation and eternal life. This is not something that can be seen or touched, but it is eternal in its scope.
  In 1 Peter 1:3-4, Peter writes about the inheritance we have in Christ:
  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” (NIV)
  Faith is the gateway to receiving this eternal inheritance, which far outweighs any temporal riches we may accumulate.

• Love for God and Others:
  Another eternal value in the Kingdom of God is love. Jesus made it clear that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). Love is not something that can be seen, but its effects are eternal. When we love God and love others, we are participating in something that transcends this earthly realm.
  In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul writes, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (NIV)
  Love is eternal because it mirrors the very nature of God, who is love (1 John 4:8). Everything we do should be rooted in love, whether it is our actions towards God or our interactions with one another. Our acts of love have eternal significance because they are an expression of the heart of God.

• Character and Holiness:
  Another important value that God esteems is the development of godly character. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:29 that God’s ultimate purpose for our lives is to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. The development of Christlike character—humility, patience, kindness, self-control, and other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)—is not something that the world can see or understand fully, but it is of immense eternal value.
  Holiness, or living in a way that is set apart for God’s purposes, is a mark of a life lived in alignment with His values. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, we are called to be holy because God is holy:
  “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (NIV)
  This call to holiness is not about outward appearance or material success; it is about being transformed from the inside out, becoming more like Christ in our attitudes, words, and actions.

3. The Unseen: A Call to Eternal Focus: The passage in 2 Corinthians 4:18 urges us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” This does not mean that we should ignore our responsibilities or the realities of life on earth. Rather, it is a call to look beyond the temporal to the eternal, to prioritize what truly matters in the sight of God.

• Eternal Glory:
  Paul speaks of an eternal weight of glory in 2 Corinthians 4:17, where he writes, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (NIV) The challenges and suffering we face in this life are not wasted; they are preparing us for an eternal glory that far exceeds any temporary hardship. Our earthly struggles are brief, but the rewards of faithfulness to God are eternal.

• The Hope of Heaven:
  In Colossians 3:1-2, Paul encourages us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (NIV) As believers, our ultimate hope is in heaven, where we will dwell with God forever. This eternal perspective shapes how we live today. The hope of heaven is the driving force behind our faith, as we look forward to the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
  Jesus also speaks of the eternal rewards awaiting those who follow Him. In Matthew 25:21, He says to the faithful servant, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Come and share your master’s happiness!” (NIV) These words speak to the joy and eternal reward that awaits those who invest in God’s Kingdom and live according to His values.

4. Living with an Eternal Perspective: How can we, as followers of Christ, cultivate an eternal perspective and live according to God’s values? Here are a few practical steps:

• Prioritize Eternal Values:
  We must intentionally choose to prioritize faith, love, holiness, and character over the temporary and fleeting pursuits of the world. This might mean reordering our priorities, cutting out distractions, and investing in what truly matters. It may require us to give up certain comforts or luxuries to focus on more important things, such as serving others or growing in our relationship with God.

• Seek God’s Kingdom First:
  Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV) When we seek God’s Kingdom above all else, everything else falls into its proper place. Our focus should be on advancing God’s purposes, loving others, and living in a way that honors Him.

• Live with an Eternal Hope:
  Let the hope of eternal life shape the way we live today. When we face trials, we can be encouraged that they are momentary compared to the eternal joy and glory that await us. Let us live with an unwavering confidence that our present circumstances do not define us; rather, it is our future with God that is our true inheritance.

Conclusion: As we reflect on the words of Paul, “For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen is eternal,” let us remember that God values the things that are eternal—faith, love, character, holiness, and the hope of glory. The things we see in this world will pass away, but the things of God’s Kingdom will endure forever. Let us not become consumed with the temporary pursuits of this world, but instead, let us fix our eyes on the eternal and live according to God’s values. In doing so, we will find true fulfillment, purpose, and joy in this life and in the life to come.