A.Let us begin by reading 2Corinthians 5:1-8, which is the basis of this lesson.
1.In this context, the apostle Paul was defending his apostleship against those who attempted to discredit him among the Corinthian Christians.
2.Part of that defense was an explanation of Paul’s own conduct and circumstances, which some used against him, but he used them as proof of his faithful ministry.
B.In this passage, we find a message of proper perspective, courage, and comfort for all Christians throughout the ages.
1.In this, we gain an understanding of the fleeting ways of this life and the hope of something better.
2.Essentially, the message is presented with two figures: tents and houses.
II.“THE EARTHLY TENT” VS. “A HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS”
A.Our “earthly tents” are our physical bodies.
1.From our reading, compare verse 1 (“…the earthly tent which is our house…”) with verse 6 (“…we are at home in the body…”).A person’s house or home in this life is his body.
2.The figure of an earthly tent represents the nature and the purpose of the body.
a.To say that the body is earthly means that it is of this world (terrestrial).
b.The figure of a tent (tabernacle –KJV, ASV) indicates that the body is a temporary residence.No one can live in a tent for very long, and no one can live in the body very long, either.
c.Thus, the physical body is a temporary abode for the soul.
B.Our earthly tents cannot endure, but Christians have a hope for a heavenly house.
1.The human body is in a constant decline toward death (Eccl. 12:1-8).
a.Those who place their confidence in the earthly tent lose heart because their bodies fail them.Age and sickness take away the strength of life, and nothing can prevent it.
b.The declining nature of the body makes it unsuitable for eternal life, and “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1Cor. 15:50).
2.However, Christians have a hope beyond this tent.
a.Notice Paul’s attitude toward the decay of his own body (2Cor. 4:16-18).He did not despair, but rather he had an eternal, spiritual perspective.
b.The decline of the body is an indication of the temporary nature of the world and our need to seek an existence beyond the present.In Christ, we have found that hope.
3.Our hope is for a “building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
a.The figure of a house is a contrast to the figure of a tent.
i.Clearly a house is superior to a tent.It is an enduring structure rather than a temporary dwelling.
ii.Also, a heavenly dwelling is superior to an earthly dwelling.
b.The earthly tent of the body will give way to a glorified, spiritual dwelling.
i.The earthly body that is sown perishable, dishonorable, weak, and natural will be raised imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual (1Cor. 15:42-44).
ii.Although we do not yet know what we shall be, we know that we will be like our Lord (1John 3:2).
c.Notice the similarity of Paul’s writing in 2Corinthians 5:1-8 and the description of the quest of Abraham’s family in Hebrews 11:9-10, 13-17.
i.They literally dwelt in tents on earth, but they sought for a “city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God,” which God prepared for them.
ii.Similarly, Christians have no lasting city here, “but we are seeking the city which is to come” (Heb. 13:14).
iii.Although this seems to be describing the differences between earth and heaven, the idea is a similar contrast between a temporary dwelling and a permanent one.
C.Therefore, faithful Christians long for the time when they may put on that dwelling from heaven.
1.In verse 2 of our reading, Paul said, “For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven.”
a.“Groan” (Gr. stenazo) means to be put in straits, to sigh, to murmur, or to pray with grief.
b.This groaning is due to the burdens that weaken our earthly tents, our physical bodies (v. 4).It is also the result of yearning for our heavenly houses, our glorified bodies.
2.Christians do not have a death wish, but rather they have a desire for a better, eternal dwelling that can only be realized after this life has ended.
III.“WE ARE OF GOOD COURAGE”
A.In verse 5, Paul wrote, “Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.”
1.The meaning of this verse is that God has prepared Christians for the difficulties of life by giving the Holy Spirit as a pledge, an earnest, or a down payment of the future, spiritual blessings that He has promised.
a.In 2Corinthians 1:21-22, Paul said that God gave the Spirit “in our hearts as a pledge.”
b.Notice Ephesians 1:13-14, where the Spirit is described as “a pledge of our inheritance.”
2.Therefore, if we have the Holy Spirit, then we know that God will give us all that He has promised.
a.Let there be no doubt that the Spirit dwells in all Christians (1Cor. 6:19-20).
b.A detailed explanation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is beyond the limits of this lesson, but it is no different than Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith (Eph. 3:16-17).
B.As a result of God’s preparation, Christians may be of good courage regarding the declining and fleeting ways of life in this world.
1.Christians have every reason to be of good courage, to be optimistic, and to be joyful.
a.We believe that we have a building from God, a house not made with hands (v. 1).
b.We look forward to being clothed with our dwelling from heaven (v. 2).
c.We have the Spirit as a pledge of our eternal inheritance (v. 5).
2.With this attitude of faith in God, we can overcome any of the problems we encounter in this world.
a.“The LORD is for me; I will not fear.What can man do to me?” (Psa. 118:6; Heb. 13:6).
b.“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psa. 23:4).
C.Ultimately, we are of good courage because we “prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (v. 8).
1.As long as we remain in our earthly tents, our physical bodies, we cannot see the Lord.
a.Because we cannot see Him, we believe on Him through faith (Heb. 11:1).
b.It is faith in the unseen Lord that guides us in this life, for “we walk by faith and not by sight” (v. 7).
2.Therefore, if we long to see our Lord, it is much better to “be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (v. 8).
a.This is why Paul could say, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).He desired “to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” (Phil. 1:23).
b.Such an attitude requires a tremendous faith, but when we realize that our earthly tents must fail, it is really the only attitude to have.
