8-11-19 Sermon Notes
“Waiting Time” – 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Last week (week 10 of the thirteen-week series “The Real Deal”) focused on what awaits followers of Jesus. This week continues with that same focus.
Introduction
Have you ever looked forward to moving from your old house to a new house?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 New International Version (NIV)
Awaiting the New Body
5 “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
Message
First, notice all the we’s. Next, notice the imagery that Paul uses – tent, house, clothed and naked.
Let’s look at some of the verses – Verse 1 – “…. if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed….” Since this is a conditional phrase, it appears that Paul was thinking that Jesus could return at any moment, thereby he would not have to experience death. Rather his body would be immediately transformed in going to be with Christ. The same possibility exists for us today. The term ‘earthly tent’ refers either to our earthly body or our earthly lives. Added note: Are tents meant to be permanent structures? Also, tents usually are moved from place to place.
Verse 1 continued – “….we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” The ‘building’ likely refers to the general environment of the heavenly existence that will endure forever. It could also refer to a body prepared for believers in heaven while they await their resurrection body. Also, notice the word ‘eternal’ to describe the house. Again, think about a tent vs a permanent house.
Verses 2-8 find Paul pointing where he wanted to go and who will be there (Jesus) when he gets there is going to be far better. It had gotten to the point for Paul that he ‘longed’ to move out of his tent and into his new home because of who was going to be in that home.
Why was Paul so sure that this home/house was going to be far better? 5 “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
The rest of the verses – 9 and 10 are the focal point of this message. 9 “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
Simply put, Paul is saying, while we are still here in our tents that we should be doing all we can to please God. This does not mean that our salvation depends on what we do for Him after we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It does suggest however that what we do for Him verifies our salvation.
The sobering thought of verse 10 – “….we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ….” should cause us to review what we are doing to please Him. Motives should also be reviewed. Is our doing for Him based on pleasing Him or might it be to please ourselves or someone else?
Concluding Remarks and Application
While we are looking forward to our final destination, we should be about our Father’s business. By doing so while we are still here, we will be pleasing to Him.