LET US NOT LOSE HEART/HOPE
Thesis: To encourage the hearer unto faithfulness through the hope of God’s help and promises as revealed in His word.
Text: 2 Cor 4:14-5:1
Introduction,
1. We can all thank God that He brought forth His Son, born of a woman (only, not a man; Isa 7:14; Mt 1:22-23), born under the Law (Gal 4:4), Who was the visible image (Col 1:15) of the invisible God (John 1:18), Who consummated, brought forth God’s eternal purpose, the church (Eph 3:11), His called out ones, He stated He would build it, and He did ( Mt 16:18), through hand chosen individuals who bound and loosed (Mt 16:19; 18:18) that which was settled forever in heaven (Ps 119:89), that living and active word of God (Heb 4:12), through which God revealed His salvation plan unto a lost and dying world on that 1st Pentecost after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ (Acts 2).
2. These chosen men, referred to as the apostles of Christ (ones sent by Christ) brought the gospel into all the civilized world in the 1st century (Rom 1:8; 16:26; Col 1:5-6, 23), those who are disciples of Christ today are commanded to continue to do likewise (Mt 28:19-20), each in their God ordained roles (1 Cor 11:2-16).
3. Faithful men are also to teach those who have the ability to teach others also (2 Tim 2:2), so that the pattern of sound words may be held (2 Tim 1:13), defended (Phili 1:16), contended for (Jude 3), and propagated as leaven throughout all the earth (Mt 13:33), faithful women are to assist and enable these men to do such unto God’s good glory (Lk 8:3).
4. Yet the apostle Paul prophesied of a time when those who professed to be followers of God and Christ would pervert and deny the very gospel which saves them (2 Tim 3:1-5; 4:3-4), sadly that day is upon us in full force.
5. In fact perverters and poisoners of the gospel have been working as the agents of Satan since the establishment of the church (2 Cor 11:13-15); there was a brief time of peace (Acts 2:47), but when the religions of men heard what was being brought forth by followers of The Way, they took up arms against the Truth on many differing fronts, this is the spirit of antichrist (1 Jn 4:3).
6. And this constant onslaught against the Truth and the men of God who were commissioned by Christ to bring it forth is the topic of our text, those that teach that one Faith (Eph 4:5), and declare it as such (for there is no other gospel; Gal 1:6-9; no other way to God; Jn 14:6), have all types of weights and pressures put on them by the enemies of God outside (and sadly) inside the church.
7. And there is none that can be compared to the apostle Paul in this respect, he suffered immensely for the cause of Christ (2 Cor 11:23-28), like all who follow the Lord in truth are called to bear in varying and likely lesser degrees (2 Tim 3:12).
8. Yet God kept him going, he may have been wearied, but God renewed his strength, he may have been pressed down, but God lifted him up; and just how did He do this, was it buy some miraculous direct operation upon his heart? No! God does it the same way today as He did back then, by giving those that love Christ and keep His commandments that faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13:13) which is able to drive one to accomplish the will of God in the face of innumerable enemies and odds.
9. Clearly one can see that this is the same situation we face today, therefore we also need to look to God’s power in order that we can accomplish His will on earth which is “to seek and save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10) and that we “do not lose heart” but rather “be renewed” with the strength that only God can supply.
10. Therefore in the lesson we will look into our text and see how it brings forth . . .
1) The “Reassuring Renewal” (2 Cor 4:15-18)
2) The “Reality of the Resurrection (2 Cor 4:14)
3) The “Restoration to Righteousness (2 Cor 5:1)
I. THE REASSURING RENEWAL (2 Cor 4:15-18)
A. (v 15, we will skip v 14 and come back to it in the next section)
2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God (ASV).
2Co 4:15 For (all things are) it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
The entire plan of redemption, which was formed in the mind of God before the foundation of the world, from first to last was manifest through the love and favor of God towards the world (John 3:16),
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only (begotten) Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1. Yet God is not like man, who oftentimes angers and acts rashly, but rather before the creation account He foresaw the problem with man and put a plan into action (look at Eph 1:3-6).
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
Eph 1:5 he predestined (foreordained) us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Eph 1:6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
a. This plan was purposed to save mankind and simultaneously glorify Himself, for God is glorified by and in the church (Eph 3:20-21).
Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Eph 3:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
b. Therefore everything that the apostle Paul did and endured was for the elect’s sake and thus God’s glory, as he wrote to Timothy concerning this matter (2 Tim 2:10-11).
2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2Ti 2:11 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:
c. For when one obeys the gospel they figuratively put their self concerns to death, and put God’s will first and foremost on their list (Mt 6:33; 26:39), and in doing such they reign upon the earth with God Who dwells in them, and works through them (Rev 5:10).
Rev 5:10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
d. Yet it’s going to be a struggle (2 Tim 2:12).
2Ti 2:12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:
e. If we endure the hardships that come upon the faithful in Christ, suffering and struggling for the kingdom and its propagation on earth, we can look forward to that crown with all those that loved the appearing of Christ (2 Tim 4:8); but if we don’t, if we are ashamed of the gospel (Rom 1:16) and what it teaches, we can only look forward to being separated from God eternally, we need to confess Christ and his teachings as a regular part of our lives, Christ stated (Mt 10:32-33; Luke 9:26) . . .
Mat 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
B. (v 16)
2Co 4:16 So (wherefore) we (faint not) do not lose heart (i.e. hope). Though our outer self is wasting away (decaying), our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Paul didn’t become inwardly discouraged even though his outward body was taking a beating, also being corruptible it was just plain wearing out from age, but in his working for the Lord, his inward man, his spirit, was being invigorated, renewed, knowing that he brought people closer to heaven, and all the while glorifying God.
1. The same could be said for us today, because of sin God has decreed that we will go back to the dust which we came (Gen 3:19; Heb 9:27), and this God ordained process is not going to be pleasant to say the least, but the spirit indeed goes back to God Who gave it (Eccl 12:7), and it is our hope that that we can abide in the heavenly places reserved for the redeemed.
a. Yet it’s a long way from Babylon to Jerusalem, in other words, it some took time and diligence to fashion our inner person to the standards of the world, and it is going to take some time and work (the working of God through the gospel; Phili 2:13) to make the Christian the type of person God wants them to be in order that they may reside for eternity with Him who cannot fellowship darkness, and this also seems to be an unpleasant process while it is taking place, yet this is God’s plan and it is the only one that will work (Zech 13:9).
Zec 13:9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"
b. This refining process takes place through trials and struggles upon this earth which come about in our everyday lives; (Ja 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7; 4:12-16).
Jas 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
Jas 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Jas 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1Pe 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1Pe 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
c. This refining/testing may come from those outside of Christ when we attempt to hold forth the word of truth (Phili 2:15-16).
d. It may take place through church discipline, or verbal chastisements from other Christians who might be aware of some area of our lives not aligned with God’s will (Mt 18:15-17).
e. But for the most part this refining and renewing process takes place through the Spirit delivered and confirmed word, His (the Holy Spirit’s) instrument of choice (that “sword of the Spirit” Eph 6:17), as we study and apply, thus feed and grow from God’s word (1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18).
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, thirst for the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow in your salvation. (ISV)
2Pe 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
e. Then when God’s law is written upon our minds, our biblical hearts (Heb 8:10; 10:16), it directs us on how to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to our Father, and when we do something contrary to it, our conscience chastises us until we bring our mind and actions in alignment with God’s revealed will, the conscience is an important part of this process and it is imperative that it be functioning properly and that it is formed by the Truth, not one’s personal preferences, beliefs, nor the creeds of men, Jesus said (John 8:31b-32; 17:17) . . .
Joh 8:31b If you abide in my word, then are you truly my disciples;
Joh 8:32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth.
f. For it is by that same word that we will be held accountable on the Last Day (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12)
Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has something to judge him: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day,
Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books (this is a reference to the books of the bible) were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books (so is this), according to their works.
g. This process is called the “renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Tit 3:5; Rom 12:2), it starts to work on us when we first hear or read God’s word, it convicts us of our sinful state before God (Jn 16:8) and thus brings us to believe and obey the gospel in the hope of redemption, and through the rest of our lives it continues to mold us and shape us unto the likeness of God preparing us for heaven (Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:5-10).
Eph 4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
Eph 4:21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Col 3:6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
Col 3:7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
Col 3:8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
Col 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
C. (v 17)
2Co 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
Again, the afflictions, the sufferings that we endure through the gospel and for the gospel are for our good, we need to keep these things in mind, and not think like those of the world who are without God and without hope. Paul endured because of the gospel (2 Cor 11:24-28), and we also to some degree will have to suffer because of the gospel (2 Tim 3:12) . . .
2Co 11:24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.
2Co 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
2Co 11:26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;
2Co 11:27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
2Co 11:28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
1. Yet Paul and so also we ought to consider these light afflictions compared to the reward we are going to receive on That Day (Rom 8:18).
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
2. And he also considered it but a moment in time compared to the eternality of heaven, we need to remember that time is something that exists in this physical realm, not in the heavenly places (Rev 21:25; 2 Pet 3:8).
Rev 21:25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and (for/because) there will be no night there.
a. There is just day there, that eternal day, with no end
2Pe 3:8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
b. A thousand years is the same as one day, and one day is as a thousand years in the eternal realms, time does not exist there, there is no reason for it, seeing that it lasts for ever and ever (Rev 22:5).
c. Seeing that just a speck of our existence is in this realm, yet what we do here will determine so large a part of our future, thus we ought to do that which is good for God, for others, and for our selves, and its summed up in these passages (Eccl 12:13-14; Jn 5:28-29).
Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter; all has been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Joh 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
Joh 5:29 and come (forth) out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
d. Jesus says (John 14:15)
Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
e. Do we have reverential fear for God? Do we love Christ? Our lives openly declare whose we are, the world’s, or God’s, it can’t be the world’s for we supposedly have been called out of such through the gospel (John 15:18-19; 2 Thess 2:14; Ja 4:4; 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Cor 6:17-7:1)
Joh 15:18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
2Th 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
D. (v 18)
2Co 4:18 as (while) we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are (temporal) transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Paul wasn’t primarily focused upon things of a temporal nature (such as material possessions, social standings, earthly advantages or even the afflictions of our context), but rather he was focused upon things that were eternal/spiritual in nature.
1. We need to understand that we do have responsibilities upon this earth, and to not fulfill them is sin.
a. We are to work (1 Thess 4:11; 3:10).
1Th 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.
b. And we are to care for our families (1 Tim 5:8).
1Ti 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
c. And all have their duties therein, parents and children alike.
d. Yet God is to be involved in every part and in every aspect of out lives, and to not do so, is sin as seen in Ja 4:13-17 . . .
Jas 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"—
Jas 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist (vapor) that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Jas 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."
Jas 4:16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Jas 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (The “doing good” or “the right thing to do” in this context is to humbly recognize God’s sovereign rule and thereby include God this business venture)
f. If we are without God in our everyday lives, this is a sign that we are also without hope (Eph 2:12)
Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
2. We are to use our temporal/physical blessings for eternal/spiritual good, Jesus says (Mt 6:19-21) . . .
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
a. The point that is being made is that a focus shift is to be taking place, while on earth, suffering, striving, being diligent to do the will of God (because this earth is not a land where righteousness dwells; 2 Pet 3:13), we are to grow according to God’s will, doing things God’s way, bringing glory to God, for we are day by day getting closer to our true treasure (where our focus is to be), leaving behind that which is a little more than a temporal testing ground, which will ultimately be done away when it has served God’s purposes (Gen 8:22; Ps 72:5, 7; Mt 24:35; 2 Pet 3:10).
Gen 8:22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Psa 72:5 They shall fear thee while the sun endures, And so long as the moon, throughout all generations.
Psa 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace, till the moon be no more.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
3. Concerning the things that are eternal/spiritual in nature (God, Satan, the heavenly angels, other spiritual beings and the many mansions (non-physical adobes); Heaven, Hell, Hades, and whatever else is not revealed; Deut 29:29) we can only see with the eye of faith (Heb 11:1).
Heb 11:1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.
a. And faith comes from God’s word (Rom 10:17).
Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Christ).
b. God said it and we believe it! But we don’t have a blind faith, He gives us outward evidences that He is Who He says He is, as seen in creation, sometimes referred to as “general revelation” (Rom 1:20),
Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (the design in the universe demands a Designer, only a fool looking at the world around us would state that this all happened and is happening by chance)
c. And within His “special revelation” to mankind (the Bible) there are evidences that it is the Truth, there is . . .
i. Its unity
ii. Its moral standards
iii. Its agreement between the book and land
iv. Its alignment with archeological evidences
v. Its scientific foreknowledge
vi. Its revealed and fulfilled prophecies
vii. And its almost 10,000 documents of antiquity
d. Therefore in areas that we can’t test in a laboratory or examine under a microscope, we believe, as did the other faithful followers of God throughout the ages . . .
i. We believe “Concerning creation” (Heb 11:3)
Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which appear.
ii.We believe “Concerning the flood” (Heb 11:7)
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
iii. And we believe “Concerning Heaven” (Heb 11:9-10)
Heb 11:9 By faith he (Abraham) became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 for he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
e. We in like manner do believe that which God has set forth in His word, being reassured by these truths, as we walk faithfully, bringing the glory to God, being renewed in our inner persons, looking to the things above, which enable us to endure while upon this earth and “not lose heart/hope” “faint not”; look at Col 3:1-4) . . .
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ (this raising looks back at Col 2:12 and speaks of our being raised out of the waters of baptism which parallels our spiritual raising at that time; Eph 2:6, we being determined to walk in newness of life; Rom 6:4), seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
f. We will likely have to endure quite a bit of trials and tribulations in this life, but at Christ’s 2nd coming it will be all worth it (Phili 3:20-21).
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Php 3:21 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.
g. This is why I refer to this process as the “reassuring renewal”.
II. THE REALITY OF THE RESURRECTION (2 Cor 4:14)
A. (Look back at v 14)
2Co 4:14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and bring us with you into his presence.
The word “knowing” here is “eido” (i-do), it literally means “to see” and Paul literally did see the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, also this word is a perfect active participle, which basically means Paul was still seeing that perfected action in his mind, and that was one of the main reasons he was able to do the Lord’s will in season and out of season.
1. Therefore seeing that we posses the divine account of what Paul saw, believed and obeyed (the resurrected Lord Jesus), we in like manner see Him with the eye of faith, as it is written in John 20:29 . .
Joh 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
a. Therefore we also “know” as if we are seeing Him ourselves, for He is but the firstfruits of those who will be raised (1 Cor 15:20), never to die again (Rev 1:17-18).
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,
Rev 1:18 and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
b. The “Reality of the Resurrection” is of the utmost importance, it confirms Christ to be whom He said He was (look at Rom 1:4).
Rom 1:4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,
c. In fact we are born again by belief in the fact of the resurrection of Christ, and this belief sustains us in our faith giving us the hope of Heaven, this hope is living as Christ is also alive (turn to 1 Pet 1:3-4).
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept (reserved) in heaven for you,
d. This is a fact we need believe if we expect to be saved (look at Rom 10:9),
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
e. Christ’s resurrection is not only a pattern for ours (1 Cor 15:20, 23),
1Co 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
f. But also is a promise by the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Tit 1:2).
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
g. This sustained Paul in all his troubles, it enabled him to continue to work for the Lord despite all that came upon him, and it is that which should sustain us in like manner (1 Cor 11:1).
1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (Who also knew the Father would raise Him)
h. Just like Abraham was able to sacrifice his own son if it was God’s will, knowing that God could raise him (Heb 11:17-19), we in like manner can sacrifice ourselves to do God’s will, knowing He can and will raise us also (Rom 12:1-2).
Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual (service) worship.
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2. In our verse (2 Cor 4:14) it states that He (Christ) “shall present or bring us us (Paul, Timothy) with you” (the congregation at Corinth, and all the saints in Achaia, in fact all the saints everywhere “into His presence” or “To Himself” as the Syriac version reads (Eph 5:27; for the LORD is one; the Godhead is united; Deut 6:4), Jesus said in Jn 10:30 . . .
Joh 10:30 I and the Father are one.
a. And God’s goal through the gospel is to have us also be “one” with Him through Jesus, look at Jn 17:20-24 . . .
Joh 17:20 "I do not ask (pray) for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Joh 17:21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Joh 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
Joh 17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly (perfected into) one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Joh 17:24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
3. Jesus will present us (Rev 21:2, 9; the entire church; i.e. the faithful throughout the ages) as a spotless bride, washed by His blood (Rev 1:5; Jn 19:34; Rom 6:3), and the word (Jn 15:3; 17:17), He will present us unto the Father on that Last Day (look at 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 5:26-27).
1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
Eph 5:26 that he might sanctify it (make it holy), having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word (Jn 17:17),
Eph 5:27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
a. God raised Christ, we believe it
b. God will raise us, we believe it
c. God will present us to Himself, we believe it
d. We will then be forever in that place where righteousness dwells, we believe it, and are looking forward to it (Col 3:1-4)
e. This is where “the Reality of the Resurrection” is to lead us.
III. THE RESTORATION TO RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 Cor 5:1)
A. (v 1)
2Co 5:1 For we know that if the tent (tabernacle) that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Again the word “know” here is “eido”; (i-do) what is spoken of here is as real as if Paul were actually looking at it, keep in mind, these aren’t Paul’s opinions, this is part of that which he received by revelation from Christ (Gal 1:12; Eph 3:3); “if” we suffer, “if” our physical bodies die, “if” they go back to the dust whence they came (Gen 3:19; Eccl 12:7), it is no real problem, because our true home is in Heaven with God. Note “if” here is brought forth, this is because some will not experience physical death (turn to 1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thess 4:16-17).
1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be, caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1. When will this take place? The Christians of the 1st century didn’t know when the Lord would come, we don’t know when the Lord will come, despite what you might hear today, only the Father knows, Jesus said (Mt 24:35-36) . . .
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Mat 24:36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
a. But seeing that there has been many generations since Christ appeared in the flesh, the odds are we won’t partake of that group who won’t taste death, but again, only the Father knows, we might.
2. But if we do experience physical death, and this tabernacle/tent goes back to the dust from which it originally came, it is no real problem, in fact it is something most Christians must go through to get to where we are going, this is speaking of the consummation of God’s eternal purpose, the redemption of mankind back to Him.
a. First God made mankind in His image (Gen 1:26), God made man a free agent, He gave man the ability to choose, and of course mankind was deceived by Satan and enticed to be as God (to be the Sovereign, to be the Rule Maker) and man thereby fell into sin (Gen 3).
b. Yet God in His foreknowledge knew this would take place, and already had a plan, which He conceived before the foundation of the world to save man from sin (Luke 19:10).
Luk 19:10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
c. Through which He put him in God’s kingdom on earth, the church (Col 1:13; Acts 2:47).
Col 1:13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;
d. Wherein man is cleansed from sin, the guilt of sin and the results of sin are thus removed.
e. And then the love of sin and the practice of sin are changed to the love of righteousness, the love of God, and the love of others,
f. And man’s perspective in other areas are also changed into that likened unto God’s, concerning creation, suffering, death, and so forth.
g. And then God will ultimately bring him (man, us) into a place where righteousness dwells, the heavenly kingdom of our God (2 Pet 1:11; 3:13)
2Pe 1:11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2Pe 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
3. Therefore we look forward to our true home, those “many mansions” (turn to John 14:2-3).
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions (abiding places); if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
a. Knowing that ever since we believed and obeyed the gospel, we, like that those of the hall of faith, are now looking forward to that better country, eternal in the heavens (look at Heb 11:13-16).
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Jn 15:19)
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. (2 Pet 3:13)
Heb 11:15 And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out (1 Jn 2:15-17; Ja 4:4), they would have had opportunity to return. (Lk 9:62; 17:32)
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly country,(Col 3:1-4): wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he has prepared for them a city. (Rev 21:1-2)
b. What was lost in the Garden, will be restored in Christ completely and fully, on That Day, the Last Day, that Eternal Day, as affirmed in Acts 3:20-21a (turn there) . . .
Act 3:20 and that he may send the Christ who has been appointed for you, even Jesus:
Act 3:21a whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things,
c. Access to the tree of life will be regained (Gen 3:22-24; Rev 2:7; 22:2),
Gen 3:22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—"
Gen 3:23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.
Gen 3:24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who (overcomes) conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'
Rev 22:2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
d. And most importantly intimate, up close and personal, fellowship with God is restored (Gen 3:8; Rev 21:3; 22:3-4), in that heavenly land where righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1-7).
Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"
Gen 3:10 And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself."
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God:
Rev 22:3 And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;
Rev 22:4 and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads.
e. Then all our work and trials will seem as nothing, they will likely be forgotten in eternal bliss, as we fellowship, serve, and worship our God, and join the heavenly multitudes together in eternal praises to Him, basking in His love and power, reigning in righteousness (Rom 5:21) literally with Him for ever and ever (Rev 22:1-5).
Rev 22:5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
f. This is where it all leads, this is the end, the goal of God’s eternal purpose, the gospel, the Faith, the Way, this is where it is going, “the Restoration to Righteousness,” yet it all begins with that plan revealed almost 2,000 years ago.
One is to . . .
1) Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God/Christ.
One is to . . .
2) Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the resurrected (Rom 10:9), Divine (Jn 8:24), Son of God (Acts 8:37), and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6). This is the point where one crosses over from spiritual death to life, wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) Jesus said (Jn 5:24) . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
One is to . . .
3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), repentance is a change in mind that results in a changed life, Jesus Himself said . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except you repent, you shall all in like manner perish.
One is to . . .
4) Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9) as did the eunuch, he proclaimed. . .
Act 8:37 . . . that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
One is to . . .
5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His blood was shed (John 19:34), unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); this is the point where one is to be dead to self and alive unto God, totally dedicated to Him (Rom 6:3-11).
One is to . . .
6) And live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), fainting not, not losing heart/hope, but rather being determined to follow God’s divine instructions, thereby demonstrating one’s living hope in the RENEWAL, the RESURRECTION, and the RESTORATION, which God Who cannot lie (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18) promised would take place, setting our sights on heavenly things (Col 3:1-4), while serving our God with His earthly blessings (Mt 6:19-21).