2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Chad Myhre

2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

2 Corinthians 5:1–10

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Verse by verse study through 2 Corinthians

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SLIDE 2

2 Corinthians 5:1–3 ESV

1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.

2 Cor 5:1-

SLIDE 3

2 Corinthians 5:4–5 ESV

4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 5:4–6 ESV

2 cor

2 cor 5.4-

SLIDE 4

2 Corinthians 5:6–8 ESV

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

SLIDE 5

2 Corinthians 5:9–10 ESV

9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2 Corinthians 5:6–7 ESV

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 cor 5.

INTRO:

2 cor 5.6-7

The Apostle Paul knew how to relate to every day, common people. He explained incredibly complex, spiritual concepts… with every day, ordinary things.

In the previous study… he talks about clay pots. Everybody had clay pots in their house. They used them for common things… for food, for water, to clean with, to mix contents together with… everyone had them.

In this study, he’s talking about a tent. This was easy for people to relate to. Some folks actually lived in tents.

They knew how common and how fragile these every day items were..

And Paul used these common things… to declare an uncommon message.

You, Christian… are like this clay pot… But, though common and fragile on the outside… the inside is holds a treasure great, the mind cannot comprehend..

You, Christian… are like a tent… Yes, it is common and fragile…but take heart… it’s only temporary. You will soon leave it behind and be transformed and glorified into something wonderful, heavenly, and eternal.

Paul is constantly calling us to find reason.

Look at yourself. Consider your circumstances. Think about the stuff you are going through. Think about the reaction that occurs in the world around you when your faith acts as a catalyst to both good and tragic results.

Look at the big picture… there’s a reason for what we see here in the small and in the temporary.. and that reason reaches up and beyond to something much bigger…

So yes, we are pressed on every side and not crushed. But there is a reason for that.

So yes… we are perplexed but not driven to great despair… and there’s a reason for that…

Yes we are persecuted but not forsaken… but there’s a reason...

...

Yes, we are struck down but not destroyed… but… look at the big picture. It’s a picture that gives… even in the midst of hardship, rejection, pain and depression… - it’s a picture that gives hope..

So now, as Paul transitions from talking about clay pots… and moves on to tents… he does it to instill in his readers… this very message of hope.

So… today as we look at these 10 verses, we will consider them with three points..

SLIDE 6

THE REASON FOR CONFLICT (1-4)

SLIDE 7

THE REASON FOR CONFLICT (1-4)

THE REASON FOR COURAGE (5-8)

SLIDE 8

THE REASON FOR CONFLICT (1-4)

THE REASON FOR COURAGE (5-8)

THE REASON FOR CHARACTER (9-10)

(bring up slide 6 again) THE REASON FOR CONFLICT (1-4)

Look again at the first four verses…

THE FIRST THING WE SEE… in verse one… is that our body is being compared to a tent.

As a tent… it comes with limitation. It is EASILY DAMAGED… it is PRONE TO WEAR AND TEAR… it requires frequent REPAIR AND UPKEEP… It’s not very STURDY. It’s not resilient in the presence of HARSH CIRCUMSTANCES.

Some storms are too much for it to bear.

It only provides shelter and warmth, in a small window of environment circumstance.

No matter how much care and repair you bring to it… with daily use, it’s just not going to last very long.

The first thing we learn about this tent in verse one… is that it’s going to be destroyed.

Well… that’s encouraging.

This earthly habitation… is temporary, fragile, disposable… and slated for destruction.

And yet, as we are about to see… Paul gives us this info to set up a case for hope.

This is not… a flattering description of our bodies. And yet, as Paul opens our eyes to see w/o bias the reality of our condition… he does it, so we can be in a place to see something greater than ourselves.

Here’s a cold hard reality… if we are unable to be honest with our own tent-like condition… if we are unable to see our own frailty… our own brokenness… our failures… our weakness… the places where we fall short…

If we can’t take criticism with humility and an intent for change...

If our opinion of ourselves is so high, that any reflection of fragility or insufficiency sparks a reaction of pride, offense, counter attack or blame shifting…

If the problem is ALWAYS… someone elses’

If it’s never our fault...

If we are right, and everyone else is a moron

Then we are deceived… and we are not in a place where we will truly be able to live out the hope that Paul is about to show us.

This hope is revealed in the second half of verse one.

“when this earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, “a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Folks… this might sound weird… but there is hope, in the awareness of our pending destruction.

Why? Because we truly believe… that God is going to replace this broken and ratty tent… with a building from God… eternal in the heavens.

Paul spoke of this contrast a few times… In , in … but most prominently.. in .

SLIDE 9

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

This is another way of saying: “I consider that this fragile tent is not worth comparing, to the building from God, eternal in the Heavens. “

In vs. 19 he goes on to say that creation waits with eager longing ....

WHY IS IT LONGING?

because it was subjected to futility…

WHY DOES CREATION SUFFER THE FEELING OF FUTILITY?

So that is would realize… in the midst of the futility… it was also, subjected in hope.

WHAT DOES THIS HOPE REVEAL?

… it reveals… the promise… that it will one day be set free from the bondage of corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

But for now… look at Rom.8.22

SLIDE 10

Romans 8:22 ESV

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Rom 18.22

ROM 18.22

Creation is groaning. Why? Because it too feels the conflict.

Creation groans in … and in … it’s us… His children… His church… His redeemed family living down here in tents… WE TOO ARE GROANING.

SLIDE 11

2 Corinthians 5:2 ESV

2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

AND THEN… verse 4… more groaning… and being burdened… - Because this conflict leaves us in a place… where, because of hope… we desire to be further clothed.

We desire, in the recognition of our current state… to have something better.

In previous studies from this letter, we have talked about the conflict that arrises when we, as spiritual being seek to live spiritually in this broken world..

Often times… it creates a problem. A contrast. A conflict. It serves as a catalyst.

And we see… that God’s Spirit and the spirit of this world… don’t mix. Instead, they react to one another.

So Paul shows us… that when this reaction occurs… whenever we experience the conflict… we are left with an opportunity… and that opportunity, is on for hope.

Paul address this again in 3.20-21

SLIDE 12

Philippians 2:20–21 ESV

20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Our tents will become heavenly buildings..

Our bodies will be like the resurrected and glorified body of Jesus…

We’ve discussed the term glory many times in the past. The Bible sets the topic of glory at the top of our purpose list. Why are we here? What is our purpose? To bring glory to God.

This does’t tell us what our glorified bodies will look like… but it will tell us what they will do. They will, in their making, and in their doing… draw attention to the goodness, the power, the love, the mercy and the character of God.

Whether we are alive… or whether these tents are in the grave… - They will be glorified when Jesus returns to us.

SLIDE 13

Colossians 3:4 ESV

4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

SLIDE 14

1 John 3:2 ESV

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Paul speaks of this as a sure thing for those who are saved… this is the logical outcome of our predestination… our calling and our justification…

In … he speaks of this future state with such assurance… that he reckons it as something that has already happened.

SLIDE 15

Romans 8:30 ESV

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Paul ties it all together. These broken tents… these clay pots… have an amazing treasure in them… the treasure is not destroyed with them… - But it is our guarantee of the process…

You have been known by God for eternity past and present. He knew that you would be His child. He justified you.... and He has glorified you.

We don’t stand in that glory yet… but it’s a done deal none the less… and that gives us hope.

POINT 2.

SLIDE 16

THE REASON FOR COURAGE (5-8)

Human nature tells us… when we face the conflict… that we are not equipped or prepared for it.

Isn’t this usually our first proclamation of despair? How in the world will I ever get through this? How will I go through the conflict? How will I endure the pain? How will I come up with that money? How will I get past the debt? How will I resolve this conflict? How will I get past the pain of this loss?

We can’t imagine how it’s going to happen.

It’s rare, that we face conflict with confidence.

I face things I do on a regular basis with these kinds of questions. I go into sermon preparation every week wondering how in the world I’m going to write a sermon...

Why? Because I can’t see the process and the ending from the beginning.

I only see it as it happens… as it comes together, piece by piece.

2 COR 5.

And this is often how we see our conflicts. We can’t see the process. We can’t see the other side. We only see the first step before us…

so… we feel like we are not equipped..

But… the Bible tells us that we are .

SLIDE 17

2 Corinthians 5:5 ESV

5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Christian… you are a frail tent standing against the storms of this world. Your tent will suffer wear and tear. Your tent will break. Your tent will eventually be destroyed..

But fear not. You have been prepared for this.

The storms that destroy some… will not destroy you. You have hope.

And as a guarantee, you have the Spirit of God in you.

Here’s how God works… He finishes what He starts. - He predestined you… so He will glorify you… - He began a work… He will complete it.

SLIDE 18

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

BACK IN … We are reminded in verse 6 and in verse 6… that we are of good courage.

What is the source of our courage?

We recognize.. that we have a guarantee of His promise… because we recognize that the God’s Spirit is in our lives and has been working there..

We also have courage, because we know that God finishes what He starts..

We also have courage.. that our walking… that is.. our way of life… our way of doing things… our outlook… our philosophy.. our purpose.. - is a matter of faith and not by sight.

By sight… we only see these ratty tents. We don’t see the building yet. We don’t visually see the promise of God..

But we believe it… so we walk… we live… we continue through life… by faith.

Faith takes courage… and God has given us a reason for courage..

Final point:

SLIDE 19

THE REASON FOR CHARACTER (9-10)

SLIDE 20

2 Corinthians 5:9–10 ESV

Our goal in this life… is to please God. And… to know… that it has eternal implications.

And yet… becoming a person who pleases God with what they aim to do… is not always easy.

As far as our justification is concerned… God is pleased in us already… because God is pleased in His Son… and that is passed on to us.. We are forgiven, and God sees us as holy and just.

But vs. 9 says… we ‘make it our aim to please him’. - That means… we intend to do things… that please Him. Yes, He is pleased in His son, and therefore, pleased in us… but He still wants us to do thing s in this life that please Him.

According to what Paul said in … this is an issue of character.

Why?

Because suffering produces patience if we let it… and patience produces endurance… and those who have endured, develop character… and what is the fruit of a person who has character?

According to … they will possess a hope that does not disappoint. - There is only one kind of hope that does not disappoint… and that’s defined in verse 2… “we rejoice in hope of the glory of God”...

Becoming a person with character… that is… a person who is mature… emotionally, mentally and spiritually.. - is not an easy process. But when we allow ourselves to grow...

When we become someone who can see that we are just tents… we are just clay pots… when we see how broken and frail that we really are… - When we become someone who is set up and positioned for hope… THEN…

Our hope… or as verse 9 says.. ‘our aim’… WILL BE… to please God.

Now, I don’t have a lot of answers for verse 10. There is much confusion around the idea of judgment as it pertains to the believer.

There are different forms of eternal judgment defined in the Bible… Judgments of reward… and judgments of damnation.

I do know… that we will stand before God as holy, righteous believers and be rewarded for the things we have done to glorify God. I do know.. that there will be crowns that we can cast down before God… I do know that there will be treasures in heaven..

I don’t know what any of those things look like or what they really mean..

But I do know.. that we will not face a judgment of damnation.

But verse 10 is confusing. - If my wrong deeds are covered by the blood of Jesus… and they are separated from me… as far as the east is from the west… then how could I be judged for them?

I don’t believe God is going to bring up our sins. He has decided to forget them and forgive them.

But I do think Paul means this as a warning… and he brings some clarity later on in chapter 13

SLIDE 21

2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

OH NO.... will I be judged for both my good and bad deeds?

Here’s an answer… - To those who might worry… - Examine yourself. We don’t earn salvation by works… but our salvation WILL manifest itself with works.

I can’t be a judge on whether someone is a believer or not. But we should be willing, to judge ourselves. It is not an uncommon thing that a person finds themselves in and around the Christian culture for some time… and yet… HAS NEVER SURRENDERED THEIR LIFE TO JESUS.

I don’t know what this judgment thing really means… and you might want to tell me later what it means, and I’m positive that I’ve already weighed out the explanation you will want to give me, because I’ve looked at this from many angles..

There is some mystery here… and one thing I’ve learned about the Bible.. is not to ignore the mystery.

Will you stand before God as a holy redeemed child in Jesus? If you are truly saved, you will.

But, do you know that you are truly saved?

Do you go to church? That doesn’t mean you are saved.

Do you read your Bible now and then? That doesn’t mean you are saved.

Do you find fondness for Christian practice and morality? That doesn’t mean you are saved.

Did you get baptized? That doesn’t mean you’re saved.

Have you grown up in and around Christianity? That doesn’t mean you are saved.

Did you say a prayer at some point? Well, the words of a prayer won’t save you, if true repentance and faith didn’t accompany it.

I think there are a lot of people in and around church… as a whole… who are not saved.

So Paul says to all of us… “examine yourself”.

We are called to be a people who produce works that glorify God.

So, as you examine… - do you see these things in you?

Do you see any sacrifice for God?

Do you see deeds of love and service?

Do you see generosity?

Do you see worship?

Do you see prayers that go beyond asking for stuff?

Do you see any kind of desire to learn and know His Word?

Do you see any conviction to change?

Here’s what I hear when I read about this judgement in vs. 10…

As a believer… who walks by faith… knowing his condition as a broken tent in conflict with this world… - I need to make it my goal, to please God… to glorify God… to do things that God will be pleased with when I stand before Him...

Not because I will gain my salvation by works… but rather… because of my freely received salvation… by grace… I should want to do these things…

Examine yourself..

Do you see a clay pot with a treasure in it?

Do you see a broken tent destined one day to be destroyed and then glorified?

Do you acknowledge your reason for courage? -That God has begun a good work in you, and given you His Spirit as a guarantee?

That God has begun a good work in you, and given you His Spirit as a guarantee?

Do you acknowledge… that you have a reason for character… a reason to mature into a person who lives for God’s glory?

If so… take the mystery of verse 10 as a warning and as an encouragement… do your most, in this life… to please God.