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The 2nd Sunday in Trinity
Our Journey of Life
June 14, 2009

TEXT:  (2 Corinthians 5:1-4 NKJ) 1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
 
To properly understand the lesson of our text we must remind ourselves of the experiences of Paul’s life—first he was educated as a Pharisee—he sat on the temple steps for years studying under the greatest teacher of the Scriptures of that day—his teacher was the Pharisee Gamaliel—after Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried—and Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven—some of the Pharisees and Jewish officials plotted to destroy the Church by murdering or imprisoning the members
 
Paul was one of the participants in the destruction of the Church—Paul was converted to being one of the greatest missionaries that ever breathed—and he met the Lord Jesus on the way to Damascus—and from that time on he lived each day for the Lord
 
 
Even though Paul was a master of the Old Testament—he never really understood salvation and God’s grace and mercy until his conversion—and once he understood these things, Paul knew the love of God with an intensity few of us will ever realize—Paul knew he deserved death for what he had done—and he spent the rest of his life telling everyone that would listen that Jesus is the only way to heaven—Paul could never pay for his sins—and he couldn’t do enough to spread the love of God to others
 
Why Did God Create Us?—Why Are We Here?
Who among us hasn’t pondered why God ever made us?—Why were we born to the family God gave us?—Why were we born in the circumstances God provided for us?—Where we were born—when we were born—whether we were born rich, poor, black, white, Jew, Gentile, etc.—if we’re asking these questions—think about what must have been going through Paul’s mind—God chose Paul from the beginning of time to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles—God placed Paul exactly where He needed him for the purpose of bringing the truth of the Word to those who were God’s—God also placed each of us exactly where He wants us—and there is work for us to do—Paul was going to be made to suffer—and he was going to be one of the greatest instruments of God ever to be born—hear the instructions for Paul as the Lord instructed Ananias to restore Paul’s sight
 
(Acts 9:15-17 NKJ) But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
 
And Saul—later named Paul—was filled with the Holy Spirit—and after his conversion he preached in every corner of the known world—spreading the Good News that Jesus died for our sins and through Jesus the Christ we can all be saved—Paul understood that God had mercy on him—and God shed His grace upon him—Paul understood that God wants all men to be saved—listen to Paul’s instructions to young Timothy—as Paul prepares Timothy for the service of ministry—and that God wants each of us to spend eternity with Him in heaven
 
(1 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJ) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
 
 
Paul knew that if God would call him into service—that there are few men on earth with worse sins—what could be worse than trying to kill every member of every church?—but Paul told Timothy that Jesus was his Savior—Paul truly understood God’s mercy and grace—Paul could not deny that he was a sinner
 
(1 Timothy 1:15 NKJ) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
 
Now consider the innocent Christians Paul laid hands on and dragged out of their homes—some killed, some imprisoned—these people suffered in the name of Jesus—they were born and placed where God wanted them—and their part in God’s plan was to suffer and die so Paul could be motivated through some most desperate times as he carried God’s message to the far corners of the earth—Paul would never forget what he had done to those people—and he would understand God’s mercy to a depth we may never understand
 
Why did God make us?—Why did God place us here today?—these questions are now yours to ponder—and yours to act upon—each of us has a purpose—each of us have gifts from God to do His work—and each of us is given opportunities to do God’s work—some are here to do good works as the fruit of the Holy Spirit—and some are here to suffer—but we’re all here for a purpose that will be revealed to you internally—the Holy Spirit will equip you and guide you—now let us look to the text
 
Life Application of the Lesson
TEXT:  (2 Corinthians 5:1 NKJ) For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
 
Paul refers to our physical body in several terms in chapters four and five of this letter to the Corinthians—outward man—earthen vessel—the body—mortal flesh—earthly house—and then our text reference to the tent—Paul wanted desperately to be free of this body—because he understood that when this body dies he will be in heaven for all eternity—perhaps that is why he seemed so driven to do the work—as soon as God is satisfied that Paul accomplished his part of God’s plan—God could take Paul home
 
The Bible is full of symbolism—and as we study God’s Word the teachings become clear—in the Old Testament God dwelt among His people in the Tabernacle—Paul, a master of the Old Testament, understood the tent called the Tabernacle—and Paul understood the dwelling place of God in the New Testament—Jesus told us the Holy Spirit—God—will dwell in us
 
(John 14:17 NKJ) "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
 
Paul understood that we are the dwelling place of God the Holy Spirit
 
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJ) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
 
(Romans 8:8-9 NKJ) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
 
I would urge each of you to read those complete chapters—Paul writes with a sense of urgency because everyday God gave him was another opportunity to teach us about Christ—let’s continue with teachings of Jesus concerning our future
 
(John 5:24 NKJ) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
 
(John 8:51 NKJ) "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."
 
When Jesus was talking to Martha about her dead brother Lazarus—He told her that believers will never die
 
(John 11:25-26 NKJ) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. …
 
Paul understood that God’s people belong to God—and they belong with God—God placed us here just as He placed Paul here—there was work for Paul to do—God prepared him and sent him—and Paul worked until his journey called life came to an end—then God took him home—when Paul refers to our bodies as earthly tents—he understands that a tent is a temporary place to live until you get home—is there anyone among us who doubts that Paul is in heaven?—his beheaded body remained in this world—but Paul dwells in heaven with God—in one of the many mansions Jesus spoke about
 
(John 14:2 NKJ) "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
 
Jesus is not speaking of buildings—He is speaking of our heavenly bodies—Jesus is telling us that this body stays here at death—and we go to heaven to live in the presence of the throne of God—dwelling in the light of the Lamb forever
 
Paul lived every moment of every day for Christ—how could Paul possibly thank God for the gift of life?—Paul wants us to understand the struggles of living for Christ—in Romans chapter 7, Paul describes the war of good and evil within him—he doesn’t want to sin—but he sins—he wants to do good—but he fails to do the things he wants to do—listen to his conclusion to the matter
 
(Romans 7:24-25 NKJ) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God-- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
 
Paul wants to fold up his tent and go home—but he can’t go home—God placed him here for a purpose—and until that purpose is served and until God brings his life-journey to an end—Paul must continue to do the work—Paul prays that this life will come to an end—because it is the only thing preventing him from going to heaven
 
(Romans 8:23 NKJ) 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.
 
TEXT:  (2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJ) We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
 
(Philippians 1:21-25 NKJ) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
 
Paul wanted to die and go to heaven—but he understood that for the sake of the Church, God needed him here—it is no different for us today—we are here to do the work God sent us to do—then we will go home—we will close with one more of Paul’s writings—perhaps the greatest comfort verse a Christian can hear
 
(Philippians 3:20-21 NKJ) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.
 
Life is a journey—it begins with birth—it contains suffering and pain—we are here to work—don’t look to the things of this world to bring you joy—because Paul properly understood that the only true joy is to know that we are in a tent—and that at journey’s end we will be in our home—a mansion!
 
ALL GLORY BE TO GOD!