Duncan Revival 1

2 Corinthians 5:1–5 CSB

1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

I. One day we will all die.

2 cor 5:1-

2 Corinthians 5:1 CSB

1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands.

We need to stop seeing our tent as if it is a permanent mansion.

2 cor 5:1

2 Corinthians 5:1 CSB

1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands.

Illus: Christians believe that every person who fully trusts in the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ will be saved. They will be saved from the wrath of God and eternity in hell.

But we believe more. We believe that every person who places their faith in Christ becomes a child of God, an heir of the kingdom of God.

What a wondrous thought that we have the paradise of a new heavens and a new earth awaiting us.

That said, as I have watched the way both Christians live their lives, and how they have handled death, I have come to realize that we do not live with the hope of eternity in their hearts.

Christians view eternity with God in paradise as a consolation prize. “Well you lost the battle of life in this world, you get the consolation of eternity in the next.”

We live feasting on this world as if there is nothing to follow, and fight with all that we have to stay out of heaven.

Do you genuinely long for the day where God makes all things new? Do you genuinely welcome eternity with God?

Col 3:

Colossians 3:1–4 CSB

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Eternity is certain, but where?

2 Corinthians 5:1 CSB

1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands.

Illus: Scripture teaches that every one of us is born on this earth broken, sinful, and at war with God.

It teaches that the right thing God would do for us is to punish us all and send wrath upon us.

That said, because God is loving, and because God is merciful He sent Jesus Christ to this world to take the punishment we deserve.

Jesus fully took both the physical torture and the spiritual wrath each one of us has earned and deserved.

But a response is demanded by God from His act of love. Either you embrace by repentance and faith the gift of God, or your reject it.

Let’s be clear… repentance is more than apologizing, and faith is more than simply intellectually thinking that Jesus died for you.

It is act of turning away from a life of self governance and worship to a life under the complete authority of God.

Romans 6:23 CSB

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

II. Our mortality should focus our hearts on immortality.

2 Corinthians 5:2–4 CSB

2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

Embrace the groaning of life, knowing God does not waste your groaning.

2 Corinthians 5:2–4 CSB

2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

Illus: As a pastor I get to spend a good amount of time with people suffering.

Just look at the world around us, school shootings, suicides, devastating storms, infertility, crippling disease.

When I began ministry here, I was learning. I would come to the bedside of to pray with a believer in their last days. Many times the family would ask me to pray for healing.

Over the past year I have led funerals for teenage suicides, moms who have left this world far to soon. The question that is always asked is why would God allow such things.

It is because

I was always conflicted as many times the elderly saint was ready to step into eternity while the family asked for temporal healing.

As I have walked in ministry, the way I pray has changed. As a pastor I pray much less for the physical and much more for the spiritual.

This isn’t just with seniors stepping into eternity, but also with young adults dealing with infertility, or families walking through early life cancer.

God does not waste suffering or pain, but often uses it to draw the believer to know him and trust him in a way that ease never could.

When suffering hits, is your first response to ask God to remove your suffering, or do you ask him to use your suffering as a tool to draw you to him?

When you live with eternity on your heart, you can endure knowing that even suffering is redeemed for your good.

Rom 4:

Romans 4:3–5 CSB

3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. 4 Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.

Romans 5:3–5 CSB

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Eternity should motivate the way you live.

2 Corinthians 5:2–4 CSB

2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

2 Cor 5:2-4

Illus: Back in 2004 Tim McGraw wrote a song asking the question of how a terminal illness would affect the way you would live day to day. His response was:

"I went skydiving I went Rocky Mountain climbing I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu And I loved deeper And I spoke sweeter And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying"

Knowing that we do have an expiration date eternity should motivate our lives.

Eternity should lead us to embrace God’s word and draw near to him as he is the treasure we long for.

Eternity should equip us to embrace and endure suffering knowing that this world is not our permanent home.

Eternity should change the way we view our friends, family, and even enemies knowing that all who do not trust Jesus will spend eternity in hell.

We as Christians should model a life where we live like we are dying… because we are.

But our response to living like we are dying is not attempting to squeeze everything out of this life, but instead taking every moment as a preparation for our real lives with Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 CSB

6 So we are always confident and 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 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2 Cor 5:

III. God is preparing us for eternity.

2 Corinthians 5:5 CSB

5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

As this life draws to a close, you step towards true life: One that we only have just a taste of now.

Illus: I want to challenge you to two questions today.

1. Are you certain of your eternity. Have you genuinely trusted Jesus Christ in both repentance and faith.

2. Do you live motivated by eternity?

Starting tonight and going through Wednesday, I am going to share practically what a life motivated by eternity looks like.

Romans 8:22–23 CSB

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.