Today, I came across this short clip of Pastor Francis Chan preaching about our current life here on Earth and what we expect in eternity. Francis Chan is an American preacher and he is former teaching pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California, a church he and his wife started in 1994. He is also the Founder and Chancellor of Eternity Bible College. If you a book lover, he is the famous author of Crazy Love. This is a very interesting talk because it speaks to reality whether you are a believer or unbeliever. If we truly believe that the Bible is true, Francis Chan’s message challenges us where to focus our priorities here on Earth, while we are still alive. Shall we chase the things of this world or shall we invest in heavenly stuffs? The Bible has these verses that can expound this message. Matthew 6:19-24 says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Francis Chan Putting Eternity in Perspective
Pressing Toward the Goal
Philippians 3:12-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
“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. Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Francis Chan Putting Eternity in Perspective (Transcript)
If you want to read the transcript of the clip above, here it is:
Imagine this rope okay pretend this rope just goes on forever okay just imagination pretend it goes around the world few times it doesn’t it ends at the rock but let’s just imagine this thing goes on forever now imagine that this rope is a timeline of your existence you just exist forever you see this red part this would represent your time on earth you’ve got a few short years here on earth and then you’ve got all of eternity somewhere else this is this is your existence and what blows me away is some of you all you think about is this red part it’s all you think about you’re consumed with this you go oh man I can’t wait till here you know
I’m gonna work hard I’m gonna save save save so I can really enjoy this part right here and you’re consumed with that and you’re thinking oh man I’m gonna get to travel am I gonna eat well might do this during this part and I’m like are you kidding me what about this what about this what about what about all this stuff that says it’s crazy me cuz because the Bible teaches that what I do during this little red part determines how I’m going to exist for millions and millions and millions of years forever and and so why would I spend this little red part trying to make myself as comfortable as possible enjoying myself as much as I canPaul says look I’m gonna live my life for this mission I’m gonna spend my life invest my life for this moment when I cross that finish line say I’m gonna forget about all this stuff I could enjoy and I’m not gonna look around I’m gonna be like a runner just looking at that moment when I face God because when I face him then I don’t get this chance over again we get one chance at this life on earth and it can end at any second for any of us we’ve got one chance at this and then comes eternity and I’m not gonna be fooled I’m not gonna spend my life down here see people look at some of my decisions go all your so stupid because that’s gonna really affect this I’m gonna know you’re stupid cuz it’s gonna affect all it is man, I’m serious I look I look at the way people live, and I go wow that is so crazy you are so crazy you’re gonna you’re gonna do that right now just to enjoy right now not even knowing if you have tomorrow and you think that’s smart and that I am done it doesn’t make any sense.
Paul goes I’m not gonna look around at all this stuff and it’s tempting it’s tempting to all of it that’s what I’m saying down here it’s crazy because everyone lives that way everyone lives for the red part no one’s thinking about the millions of years afterwards it’s it’s just a crazy deception that we can’t get out of our minds and Paul goes I’m not doing that because I keep my eyes on that I keep my eyes on that finish line and I’m gonna forget what’s behind me I’m not looking around I’m just gonna I’m straining because I’m straining for it I’m like stretching forward for that mark I’m gonna pass this thing I’m gonna live this out and I’m gonna face him I’m gonna come before the judges and he’s gonna hand me that trophy he was I’m gonna get and I haven’t gotten there yet he goes but I’ll you better believe I’m using every muscle exerting every bit about me because I’m gonna pass that line well.
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