A Sincere Confession Pt. 6 • 2 Cor 5:1-21

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

We are in the middle of the section titled: A Sincere Confession

This is where Paul gives an explanation for:

His Change of Plans

His Philosophy for ministry

and his exhortation to the Church

We are in the middle of Paul explaining his Philosophy for Ministry, which will go on until ch. 6.

So far we have learned that:

Christ gives us Victory or Triumph in Ministry

Christ gives us Approval or Commendation for Ministry

Christ gives us a Proper Attitude in Ministry

We learned that when we are in ministry:

We don’t lose heart

Renounce things of shame

We see the work of satan

We Focus on the Eternal

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to chp.5:...    &   our study for today where Christ gives us The Motivation for Ministry. Read...

As we’ve mentioned chp.5: deals with the Motivation for Ministry...      so what Caused Paul to Minister...  what was the Motivation for his Ministry...  

There are 6 elements that motivate our service to God, the reasons why we live our life for God is...

1. Because of our Future Resurrection Vs. 1-8

2. Because of our Future Litigation Vs. 9-10

3. Because of Godly Trepidation Vs. 11-13

4. Because of Godly Adoration Vs. 14-16

5. Because of our New Creation Vs. 17

6. Because of our Reconciliation Vs. 18-21

1. Because of our Future Resurrection Vs. 1-8 (4)

1.1  The Dwelling Place We Have Vs. 1    

look at vs.4a, so Paul calls our bodies a tent...   

ILLUSTRATION: I love to go tent camping...  

As a tentmaker, Paul would have had a deep and intimate knowledge of tents.

His choice to use this metaphor might reflect his personal connection with his craft, making the analogy more vivid and authentic.

Working with tents would have given Paul an understanding of their temporary and fragile nature.

He would know firsthand how tents can be worn down or damaged, making the comparison with earthly bodies all the more resonant.

There are several similarities to a tent and our bodies, 6 of them if you are taking notes:

1. **Temporary Dwelling**: Just as a tent is a temporary dwelling that is set up and then taken down, our earthly bodies are temporary and perishable. This emphasizes the transient nature of human life.

2. **Fragile and Vulnerable**: Tents can be fragile and are often exposed to the elements. They can be damaged or torn. Similarly, human bodies are vulnerable and can be broken or suffer illness and decay.

3. **A Place of Sojourning**: Tents are often associated with travel and sojourning. Like a tent, our earthly bodies are not our final home but a temporary place as we journey towards eternity.

4. **A Contrast to a Permanent Home**: In 2 Corinthians 5, the earthly body (tent) is contrasted with a heavenly dwelling (building from God). As a tent is less permanent and sturdy than a solid building, our earthly bodies are less glorious than our heavenly bodies will be.

5. **Functional but Not Final**: Tents are functional dwellings that provide what is needed for a time but are not intended as a final or perfect habitation. Similarly, our earthly bodies serve us during our earthly life but are not our final or perfect form.

6. **A Shelter that Can Cause Groaning**: Paul talks about groaning while in our earthly tent. Tents may protect from the elements, but they might be uncomfortable or provide less than ideal living conditions. This can represent our longing for the heavenly body, free from pain, suffering, and the limitations of the earthly body.

ILLUSTRATION: I remember going camping w/ my family up in Yosemite. It was a 7 hour drive and when we were on our way back our tire blew out and it was memorial day and everything was closed. So we had to sleep outside of the tire shop and wait for them to open.

We couldn’t wait to get home to the AC, running water, clean clothes...          which is a picture of God’s building...

Now, this building from God speaks of our new bodies at the resurrection or the rapture where we get glorified bodies...

Philippians 3:21 NKJV

21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

And as we look forward to this new building it is certainly a motivation for Ministry for us to minister to God and serve Him...  

1.2  the Desire we Have Vs. 2-4 

But we are groaning or desiring to be with Jesus in heaven clothed in our new bodies...  putting off mortality and putting on eternal life...   

Romans 8:23 NKJV

23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

What kind of bodies will we have? I’m hoping it will be a huge improvement over the one I have now.

But whatever it is it will be perfect & glorious...      &     when that day comes we won’t care...

1.3 The Guarantee we Have Vs. 5

So here is another work or ministry of the Holy Spirit, He is the guarantee of our new glorified body… 

Guarantee: 3, banking term… money given as a down payment, to show that full payment will be made.

ILLUSTRATION: Real Estate Earnest Deposit

So the Holy Spirit is the down payment for our Future Glory…  

In fact in Eph.1:13 & Eph.4:30 we’re Sealed with the Holy Spirit…speaking of our security for Future Glory

1.4  the Confidence we Have Vs. 6-8    

I can’t see my new glorified body…   but   I walk by Faith & believe it’s waiting for me…  

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I have Confidence that God has one for me because in, 2 Tim.2:13 if we are faithless He remains faithful…

Paul had the same confidence...

Philippians 1:23 NKJV

23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

APPLICATION: When we die we will all end up in one of two places…    heaven or hell…   there is no middle ground…

As believers the moment we die we are in the presents of the Lord…   I have absolute confidence...

1 John 5:13 NKJV

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Romans 6:23 NKJV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 2:25 NKJV

25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

John 3:15 NKJV

15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

1. Because of the Future Resurrection

2.  Because of the Future Litigation Vs. 9-10

When we understand that there is a future litigation or judgment we should live our life to be pleasing to God…

Since we are going to be glorified and resurrected in the new heavenly bodies we should make it our aim to please God.

ILLUSTRATION: Imagine an archer, standing poised with bow and arrow in hand. The target lies in the distance, but the archer's eyes are fixed, not just on the target but on the bullseye, the very center.

Aiming requires focus, practice, and determination. A slight shift in focus or a momentary distraction, and the arrow may veer off course.

In our spiritual walk, our aim, our focus, and our purpose must be to please the Lord. We are like that archer, and the bullseye is God's will and pleasure.

Paul's words to the Corinthians here echo this profound call to focus our lives on what truly matters. Now remember the context, he's discussing our eternal home with Christ and the reality that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

Our lives on earth are transient, and like the archer's arrow, they will eventually reach their destination. The aim with which we live our lives today determines the path tomorrow.

The path that we follow today will influence the place we find at the end.

APPLICATION: So What does it mean to aim to please God? It means aligning our lives, our values, our decisions, and our actions with God's Word and His calling for us. It's not a one-time action but a continuous effort, a daily decision to follow Him.

As you go about your day, think about your aim. Are your eyes fixed on Christ? Are you aligning your life to please Him? Remember, the wind may blow, and the ground may shake, but with a firm and steady focus, the arrow can still find its mark.

And here in Vs. 10 the reason we are to please God is because we are all going to appear before the judgment seat of Christ!

The Bible outlines 2 Major Judgments:   

John 5:28–29 NKJV

28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

1. Unbelievers: Rev.20:11 great white throne of judgment… this will happen after the Millennial Kingdom…

Revelation 20:11 NKJV

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

2. Believers:  here in vs.10…  ya say, as believers what will we be judged on…     turn to...

We won’t be judged on our faith in Jesus Christ…  but  we will be judged on our motives…  read.

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 NKJV

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The good news is that all the ill motives will be burned up & the only thing left will be the gold, silver & precious stones… the beautiful jewels set in our crowns that we cast before His throne… Rev.4:10.

1. Because of the Future Resurrection 2. Because of the Future Litigation

3.  Because of Godly Trepidation Vs. 11-13

3.1 Reverential Fear of the Lord Vs. 11-12 

Terror:  phobos,  47 times.  Fear…  it speaks of a reverential fear or a reverential awe of God…

This is a great cause or motive to minister…    having a Reverential fear of the Lord…

And sometimes we think of fear as a negative thing: Like “we should fear God”???!!!

Sometimes fear is healthy and fear is used to protect us and to guide us:

We should fear if we approach the edge of a cliff...

Encounter wild animals

When we cross the street

APPLICATION: And so it is with God. Sometimes having that respect that fear of the Lord causes us to serve Him and live our lives for Him in healthy regard.

Psalm 25:14 NKJV

14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.

Psalm 33:18 NKJV

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,

Psalm 34:9 NKJV

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.

3.2 It Is For God and For You Vs.13

If you think I’m out of my mind it’s ok because it’s for God...  but  if you think I’m of sound mind, well know it’s for you...

Thus Paul’s Cause for Ministry involves trepidation or fear of God...

1. Because of the Future Resurrection 2. Because of the Future Litigation 3. Because of Godly Trepidation

4.   Because of Godly Adoration Vs. 14-16

4.1 The Love of Christ Vs. 14a

So not only are we to be motivated to serve the Lord because of healthy fear but also the love of Christ...

The Love of the Lord for us, is what causes us to minister...   or  our Motivation for Ministry...

4.2 The Death of Christ Vs. 14b-15a

Jesus loves us so much that He died for all of us...  

John 3:17 NKJV

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

1 John 4:10 NKJV

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Since He died, we died...     listen to.. 

Romans 6:6–7 NKJV

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

Romans 6:8–9 NKJV

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Romans 6:10–11 NKJV

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:12–13 NKJV

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Romans 6:14 NKJV

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

4.3 Our Death for Christ Vs. 15b-16  

Because of His great love for us we should die to self & live for Him...  

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

1. Because of the Future Resurrection 2. Because of the Future Litigation 3. Because of Godly Trepidation

4. Because of Godly Adoratin

5.  Because of our New Creation Vs. 17      

When we are in Christ we are brand new the old man is dead… 

Ephesians 4:22 NKJV

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Colossians 3:9–10 NKJV

9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

That doesn’t mean we’re perfect practically…   just   perfect positionally…  because we’re in Christ...

6. Because of the Lord’s Reconciliation Vs. 18-21 (3)

6.1 Who Did It Vs. 18a   Jesus...

Reconciled: to be received into favor...  we have favor with God, we can come to God through Jesus Christ...

Romans 5:10–11 NKJV

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Jesus reconciled us to God...  it wasn’t our good works…  or  good deeds...

John 14:6 NKJV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

It’s been said all roads lead to God, true...      but    there is only one road that leads to heaven...

6.2 What we Should Do Vs. 18b-20

Since we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ our natural response like Paul’s is to plead with others that they too be reconciled to God...

Because we are ambassadors for Christ regarding this glorious truth of reconciliation...  

ILLUSTRATION: Imagine being appointed as an ambassador to a foreign country. As an ambassador, you'd have the responsibility of representing your home country, its values, beliefs, and intentions.

Your words, your actions, even the way you dress, would all communicate something about the nation you represent.

Paul uses this very image to describe our role as followers of Christ. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing the Kingdom of God to a world that may not know Him.

Consider the essential functions of an ambassador:

1. **Representation:** An ambassador reflects the character and nature of the country they represent. Likewise, we are to reflect Christ in our words, actions, and attitudes.

2. **Communication:** An ambassador conveys messages from their home government. In the same way, we are to communicate God’s love, His grace, and His offer of reconciliation to everyone we meet.

3. **Reconciliation:** An ambassador works to strengthen relationships and promote peace between countries. We, as ambassadors for Christ, are entrusted with the message of reconciliation, urging others to "come back to God."

APPLICATION: Think about how you are living as an ambassador for Christ today. Are you accurately reflecting Him? Are you sharing His love with others? And are you actively engaged in the ministry of reconciliation?

Let us strive to fulfill our calling, knowing that we have the ultimate guide in Jesus Christ, and that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be effective ambassadors in a world that needs to know the love and grace of God.

6.3 What we Become Vs. 21       righteous...

Vs.21a - When Jesus died on the cross He took the sins of all mankind upon Himself...  

1 Peter 2:24 He bore our sins in His own body on the tree,  

Gal.3:13 He became a curse for us for cursed is...    

Here He became sin for us...       why...

Vs. 21b - We become righteous because Jesus took our sins and bore them in His own body...        

1 John 1:9 NKJV

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

now we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to our account...

None of us can stand before a holy God in our own righteousness...

Isa.64:6 our righteousness is like filthy rags

Rom.3:10 non righteous...

But when come to Christ we become the righteousness of Christ positionally... good cause for ministry

ENDING........