Life With the End in Mind

·52 min·5 clips

Brent Ingersoll asks why most people's goals ignore eternity, despite nearly everyone believing in an afterlife.

Brent Ingersoll opens by referencing Stephen Covey's principle 'start with the end in mind,' applying it to spiritual life by arguing most people's goals are limited to 60-90 years, neglecting eternity. He notes that even successful individuals like LeBron James or billionaires such as Brian Johnson and Mark Zuckerberg focus on legacy or survival in this life, not the ultimate end. Ingersoll surveys historical and global perspectives on the end, including Mayan 2012 prophecies, Viking Ragnarok, Buddhist nirvana, and atheist materialism, to show that nearly all humans have some view of ultimate reality. He transitions to Christianity, emphasizing that one's concept of the end shapes how they live. The sermon centers on Revelation 22:16-20, where Jesus describes himself as the 'root and offspring of David' and the 'bright morning star.' Ingersoll explains this means believers live between the finished work of Calvary and the promise of Jesus's return, like a morning star heralding a new day. He outlines the grand biblical narrative from creation to new creation, stressing that heaven and earth will reunite, with hell jettisoned. Ingersoll warns against getting bogged down in end-times speculation (e.g., solar eclipses, rapture theories), which leads to fear and division, instead advocating for peace and confidence in Jesus's return. He discusses living ready for the end by building the church, worshiping, evangelizing, and engaging the world as salt and light, not escaping into bunkers. The host challenges listeners to examine if they fear Jesus's return due to judgment or fear of missing out on earthly blessings, labeling fear as unbelief. He concludes by praying for trust in Jesus's finished work and longing for his coming, referencing the early church's greeting 'Maranatha.' Ingersoll announces a multi-week series to delve into details like judgment, Armageddon, and the new earth, with guest preacher Jason Ballard next week on Revelation 21.

As heard by us

A steady sermon uses the morning star to hold together what Jesus has accomplished and the new day still coming.

Brent Ingersoll shapes a familiar productivity maxim into a Christian reflection on where life is ultimately headed. He starts with Stephen Covey's call to begin with the end in mind, then moves the horizon from personal effectiveness to Jesus as the morning star.

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You get hope pictured as Stephen Covey's end-in-mind thinking meets Venus before sunrise.

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