2 Cor 5.1-11

II Corinthians 5.1-11

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 KJV 1900

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The light affliction?

Difficulties abound in life: with relationships, jobs, health, and day-to-day activities.

Christians are not exempt from these difficulties; in fact, they may experience even more than their fair share

Paul described some of the troubles he and others faced as “jars of clay” in this world (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Labors abundant II Corinthians 11.

So many stripes you can’t count them all.

Imprisoned frequently

In danger of death often

5 times he received 39 stripes from the Jews

3 times he was beaten with sticks

1 time he was stoned to death

3 times the ship he was on wrecked

He floated in the ocean a whole night and day

Constantly traveling

He met danger in the water

He met danger on the roads

He met danger in the city

He met dangers in the wilderness

couldnt trust his friends

cound’t trust his enemies

constantly in pain

constantly tired

couldn’t get enough to drink

couldn’t get enough to eat

couldn’t get warm

couldn’t get clothes

Paul will catalogue his own sufferings in just 6 chapters later. Doesn’t sound light affliction to me...

So why would Paul consider it a light affliction - because he is comparing it to the glory of his destiny.

Paul is The Holy Spirit living within believers is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, and He assures us that we, too, will be raised from the dead

2 Corinthians 4:14 KJV 1900

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

This truth allows us to keep an eternal perspective when we go through hardships.

Tabernacle vs House

Consider the frailness of your Tabernacle. Tabernacles that wind down and begin to fall apart quickly.

I remember sleeping in a tent as a kid. It started to rain and my dad told me don’t touch the side of the tent it will make a breech that water can get into. WHAT??? that doesn’t happen on the sheet rock in my bedroom.

No wonder he says the tabernacle is dissolving. Your’e limited, your frail, your slowly dissolving. Yet most of creation is living this life as if this all there is. They spend ever minute in consideration of the happiness, or misery they are experiencing in this very minute. With no consideration of what happens in eternity.

Paul says the one that has trusted Christ with their eternity move from the frailty of a tabernacle to the solid state of the house not made with hands.

We’ll be moving from a Tent-city to Leawood.

This promise of our destiny affects us...

I. We long for God’s destiny for us… (2-4)

Christians groan because we see the limitations of this body and the excitement of the body to come.

Some Christians don’t earnestly desiring heaven. One reason may be that we don’t is that we are so comfortable. There is nothing earnestly desiring heaven; there is something right about being able to agree with Paul and saying “we groan”.

We don’t need to worry about our body God has a plan. The Greeks philosophers thought that a bodiless spirit was the highest level of existence.

However, the Bible highlights we will not be naked. We will be clothed in an immortal body.

1 Corinthians 15:54 KJV 1900

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

II. We trust God’s destiny for us… (5-8)

God has prepared us for our eternal destiny. Paul is helping us understand that the life you face in it frustration and pain is meant for your shaping and your preparation. God wants you to be ready to let go of this life and cling to the one that is to come.

But don’t be afraid that life will keep you from heaven, and your resurrection. You have the guarantee of the Holy Spirit.

The word earnest is the greek word arrhabon which describes a pledge or a partial payment that required future payments but gave the one receiving the guarantee a legal claim to the good in question. That day today means “engagement ring”.

The Spirit is our Promise

The Spirit is our comfort (confidence) in God’s absence.

III. We prioritize God’s destiny for us… (9-10)

We Labor...

because we will stand before the judgement seat.

2 Corinthians 4. The Aim of Our Life in Light of Our Eternal Destiny (9–10)

This is not the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). This describes a judgment of the works of believers (the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad).

ii. The phrase judgment seat is a single word in the ancient Greek language of the New Testament. Bema literally means “step,” as in a raised platform or seat. This was where a Roman magistrate sat to act as a judge. The bema was “an object of reverence and fear to all the people.” (Hodge)

d. What will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ? First, what we have done will be judged (the things done). Secondly, our motives for what we have done will be judged (according to what he has done, whether good or bad).

IV. We declare God’s destiny for us… (11)

Because we have avoided the terror of the Lord and I have avoided his Great White throne.

So now free from the terror of God’s Judgement we are called by our own conscience to give away this Gospel and persuade men of its glory. When we go through hard times, let us “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Let us choose to walk by faith and draw near to God, who is “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).