Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
In the closing section he emphasizes prophets who “served…you,” angels who “long to look,” Christ’s sufferings, apostles’ labor, and even Hebrews’ “they did not receive what was promised…since God provided something better for us,” then asks, “Are you and I willing to work for something we don’t see and may never see in our lifetime?”—what would you need to sacrifice (reputation, comfort, timeline, ministry “results”) to live that way, and what does your resistance reveal about what you believe God owes you now?
Another way to ask: Would you work for something you might never see in your lifetime, like the prophets and apostles did? What would you have to give up to live that way, and what does your pushback show about what you think God should give you right now?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The speaker’s closing call is to live with long-range faithfulness: like prophets, apostles, and past saints, you labor for God’s kingdom even if you don’t see the fruit in your lifetime. Resistance to that kind of sacrifice would reveal, by implication, that you expect visible results “right now” and may be losing the vision that protects faith.
- 1 Peter 1:10-12: prophets “served not themselves, but you,” and angels “long to look.”
- He stresses the cost paid for us: “Jesus giving up his own life…apostles labored incessantly…This…was done for us.”
- He names the beneficiaries: “We are reaping many of the benefits of these tremendous sacrifices.”
- His key question: “Are you and I willing to work for something we don’t see and may never see in our lifetime?”
- He praises their mindset: “They had a vision…didn’t really care that much if they saw it or not…they were gonna do it anyways.”
- Application: “keep moving forward, even if we feel like we’re not seeing the fruit of our labors…being faithful…is a very good start.”