Personal Eschatology: Living and longing for home
2 Cor. 4:7-5:10
Sermon Introduction
Living
in a trailer in
Text
2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10 (ESV)
Prop:
A biblical view point of
the end times calls us to a radical counter-culture life-defining
all-encompassing perspective that has everything to do with our lives here and
now.
the persective that this
is not our home but
we are pilgrims here, on
a short-lived journey, Living and longing for our real home.
Living and Longing for
Home in a
Living and Longing for
Home Because The Best Is Yet to Come
Living and Longing for
Home By Living Wisely Now
1.
Living and
Longing for Home in a
Background of the defense of Paul’s ministry. Insight into the motivations of God’s apostle.
1.1.
Paul’s sufferings
2
Corinthians 11:23-29 (ESV)
23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like
a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless
beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the
hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 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; 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; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night,
in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And,
apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for
all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to
fall, and I am not indignant?
Luke
18:28-30 (ESV)
28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left
house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the
Leaving
1.2.
Groaning
2
Corinthians 4:7-5:10 (ESV)
Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being
renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as
we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For
the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are
eternal. 1 For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home,
is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal
in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on
our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be
found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we sigh, being
burdened––not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed,
so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
1.2.1. Because of decline
Getting older, Basal Cell carcinoma, wrinkles on my face.
Energy level, weight gain, sleep, the bump on my foot.
Picture on the fridge. Paul at 19 vs. 39!!!!!! Mary didn’t know who it was. :L
Looking forward to heaven.
Trading in the Chevy!
"The world tells us, if you don't take it now, you're never going to get another chance. I have seen that misunderstanding drive people into forsaking their marriages after 30 or 40 years and running off with another, usually younger, person, hoping they can still fulfill their dreams because they feel life is slipping away from them. Christians are not to think that way. This life is a school, a training period where we are being prepared for something that is incredibly great but is yet to come. I don't understand all that is involved in that, but I believe it, and sometimes I can hardly wait until it happens."
Ray Stedman
Saying goodbye so many times!
1.2.2. Because of sin
Constant struggle, the enemy within, tiring, longing for obedience and love, battle within and without
Always having to remind myself of the gospel and shepherding my soul.
My day – rising with flesh, wonderful QT, work – thoughts, repentance, word, worship, driving, up and down.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
4 For while we are still in this tent, we sigh, being burdened––not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
It is fitting to groan and long. We are pilgrims. The best is yet to come!
Though many of us have seen pictures of a huge eagle's nest high in the branches of a tree or in the crag of a cliff, few of us have gotten a glimpse inside. When a mother eagle builds her nest she starts with thorns, broken branches, sharp rocks, and a number of other items that seem entirely unsuitable for the project. But then she lines the nest with a thick padding of wool, feathers, and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for the eggs. By the time the growing birds reach flying age, the comfort of the nest and the luxury of free meals make them quite reluctant to leave. That's when the mother eagle begins "stirring up the nest." With her strong talons she begins pulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers, bringing the sharp rocks and branches to the surface. As more of the bedding gets plucked up, the nest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles. Eventually, this and other urgings prompt the growing eagles to leave their once-comfortable abode and move on to more mature behavior.
Today in the Word,
Not establishing Comfortable Life Church, problems of ingrowness vs. discomfort in many churches – common.
Enduring as a pilgrim.
Eyes on eternity.
Suffering and counting loss as needed for God’s purposes.
For His wonderous glory, for eternal rewards, for the lost!
"Don't succumb to the philosophy that you have to have it all now or you will never have another chance. You can pass by a lot of things now and be content because you know that what God is sending you now is just what you need to get you ready for what he has waiting for you when this life is over. One of my favorite quotations is the words of Robert Browning, which you sometimes see carved on sundials:
Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life,
for which the first was made."
Ray Stedman
2.
Living and
Longing for Home Because The Best Is Yet to Come
2
Corinthians 4:7-5:10 (ESV)
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting
away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this
slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory
beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen
but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient,
but the things that are unseen are eternal. 1 For
we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a
building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For
in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if
indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we
are still in this tent, we sigh, being burdened––not that we would be
unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be
swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing
is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are
always of good courage. We 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 Yes,
we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home
with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it
our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done
in the body, whether good or evil.
2.1.
An eternal weight
of glory
17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Light vs. weighty
Momentary vs. eternal
Paul’s suffering! Not hyperbole but comparison.
Paul, therefore, prescribes the best antidote against your sinking down under the pressure of afflictions, when he places in opposition to them that future blessedness which is laid up for thee in heaven. (Colossians 1:5.) For this comparison makes that light which previously seemed heavy, and makes that brief and momentary which seemed of boundless duration.
Calvin, Commentary on Corinthians
C. S. Lewis has a great message, which I hope you will read in its entirety, based upon this very passage. It is called The Weight of Glory, and in it is a passage that has always intrigued me. He says:
We are to shine as the sun, we are to be given the Morning Star. I think I begin to see what it means. In one way, of course, God has given us the Morning Star already. You can go and enjoy the gift on many fine mornings if you get up early enough. What more, you may ask, do we want? Ah, but we want so much more -- something the books on aesthetics take little notice of. But the poets and the mythologies know all about it. We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words -- to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.
The door on which we have all been knocking all our lives will open at last.
Our present sufferings are preparing us for something so incomparable, so amazing, so marvelous that there are no words to describe it. That means that no trial, no pain, no isolation, no heartache, no loneliness, no weakness or failure, no sense of being put aside is without significance. All of it is playing its part in accomplishing God's work in your life and the lives of others. It is building for us an incomparable weight of glory. I do not know what else to say about it.
Ray Stedman
Time at the beach last evening – glorious – clouds billowing up, blue, gray, purple and white,
Warm water, surf, children playing, walking with my lovely wife.
Yet – old house there, new people, fading, grasping oil with the hands – passing, momentary, versus eternal – the shadow versus the reality – o the reality is so much better!
If we consider the greatness and the glory of the life we shall have when we have risen from the dead, it would not be difficult at all for us to bear the concerns of this world. If I believe the Word, I shall on the Last Day, after the sentence has been pronounced, not only gladly have suffered ordinary temptations, insults, and imprisonment, but I shall also say: "O, that I did not throw myself under the feet of all the godless for the sake of the great glory which I now see revealed and which has come to me through the merit of Christ!"
Martin Luther.
A reward! A quantitative reward!
Some greatly rewarded – some getting in as just through the flames.!
1
Corinthians 3:12-15 (ESV)
12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become
manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire,
and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If
the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a
reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss,
though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Luke
19:17-19 (ESV)
17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have
been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18
And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19
And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
What an investment deal! Pay pennies in cost and sacrifice and suffering and receive millions back!
What a return.
2.2.
A permanent home
2
Corinthians 4:7-5:10 (ESV)
1 For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is
destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For
in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if
indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we
are still in this tent, we sigh, being burdened––not that we would be
unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be
swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing
is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are
always of good courage. We 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 Yes,
we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home
with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our
aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done
in the body, whether good or evil.
A building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Mortal swallowed up by life
Shadow overcome by the reality.
Not to be unclothed but to be further clothed.
Not to be disembodied- a common Platonic concept – but to have a new body.
This body is temporary.
This is not the preferable model – we have a huge upgrade coming.
Kinda like working with DOS and now God will give us a Unix OS.
A unicycle to a Lamborghini
We have the Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come!
We have a taste of it – a partial upgrade already – went from slate to a computer.
This model is declining – it is corrupt – I can’t wait for the new model!
Glorious and sinless and eternal and unfading and imperishable – not like this one!!!
This is what we are longing for and it is ours in Christ!
A body given so we might have a body! – the gospel!
6 So we are always of good courage Understatement!
DEATH AS A FRIEND and not as a foe!
2.3.
Being with the
Lord
6 So we are always of good courage
2
Corinthians 4:7-5:10 (ESV)
6 So we are always of good courage. We 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 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be
away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at
home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive
what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Home in the body – away from the Lord.
Away from the body – home with the Lord.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Thrill new porch.
The thrill of my wife on our wedding day or after being apart.
The Thrill of first time at CCC
The Thrill of ARL
The intermediate state.
Philippians
1:19-24 (ESV)
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is
my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with
full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life
or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22
If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which
I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two.
My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But
to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
Romans
8:38-39 (ESV)
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Luke
23:43 (ESV)
43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with
me in
What about the body – away from the body? Further clothed or naked?
Resurrection at Jesus’ return – YET.
Hebrews
12:22-24 (ESV)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to
God, the judge of all, and to the
spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the
mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better
word than the blood of Abel.
Matthew
22:32 (ESV)
32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob’? He is not God of the dead,
but of the living.”
Revelation
6:9-11 (ESV)
9 When he opened the fifth seal,
I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God
and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a
loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge
and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they
were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number
of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be
killed as they themselves had been.
Revelation
20:4 (ESV)
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the
authority to judge was committed. Also
I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and
for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had
not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and
reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Apparently an intermediate state. Not fully redeemed – not bodies yet but in great measure. Mystery!
The body, such as we now have it, he calls a house of tabernacle For as tabernacles are constructed, for a temporary purpose, of slight materials, and without any firm foundation, and then shortly afterwards are thrown down, or fall of their own accord, so the mortal body is given to men as a frail hutto be inhabited by them for a few days. The same metaphor is made use of, also, by Peter in his Second Epistle, (2 Peter 1:13, 14,) and by Job, (Job 4:19,) when he calls it a house of clay. He places in contrast with this a building of perpetual duration. It is not certain, whether he means by this term a state of blessed immortality, which awaits believers after death, or the incorruptible and glorious body, such as it will be after the resurrection. In whichever of these senses it is taken, it will not be unsuitable; though I prefer to understand it as meaning, that the blessed condition of the soul after death is the commencement of this building, and the glory of the final resurrection is the consummation of it.
Calvin, Commentary on Corinthians
Commencement of the heavenly body to be consummated at the resurrection.
This is Home! This is reality! This is what awaits us.
WE ARE TO LIVE FOR THIS!
3.
Living and
Longing for Home By Living Wisely Now
2
Corinthians 4:7-5:10 (ESV)
9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please
him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body,
whether good or evil.
3.1.
Living as a
Pilgrim
Lifestyle check: time, money, energy – where are they going?
What do you look forward to most?
What gets you through hardship?
Got your eyes on the prize?
Shadow land dweller?
Living in PA for internship.
The thought of this future may well relieve the darkness of the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth. Hush, hush, my doubts! death is but a narrow stream, and thou shalt soon have forded it. Time, how short--eternity, how long! Death, how brief--immortality, how endless!
CHS, M&E Jan 29 AM
3.2.
Walking in Joy
Be encouraged – He is with us and we will be in his presence and there shall be reward.
That is your real home.
Get to trade in your car soon!
The best is yet to come.
Not fearing death – death is a friend and no longer an enemy!
3.3.
Fearing God
Evaluation is coming – the last one.
Yearly evaluation has a pronounces effect! At the Army RL!
Are we living in light of that.
3.4.
Investing in eternity.
Living and investing your life with this in view?
Finances
Family
Church
Evangelism.
When D. L. Moody, the great evangelist, was dying, his last words were, "Earth is receding. Heaven is approaching. This is my crowning day." That is the utterance of faith. That is looking at reality. Nothing is more encouraging to me than to realize that when I believe the Word of God, I am becoming more and more realistic. That is what life is all about.
Ray Stedman
4.
Conclusion Applications
Responses