Live with an eternal perspective, focusing on pleasing God and anticipating our heavenly dwelling, rather than earthly concerns.
Good morning, beloved. I am grateful for the opportunity to share God's word with you today. As we gather in this sacred space, let's take a moment to prepare our hearts and minds to receive the divine wisdom that our Lord has in store for us.
Opening Scripture Reading – Our focus today is on a passage from 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. Allow me to read it for you: "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
These verses remind us that our time on earth is but a fleeting moment compared to the eternity we will spend with our Lord. This perspective changes everything about how we live our lives today. The esteemed Christian author, A.W. Tozer once said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." So, as we reflect on this passage, let's consider what it reveals about God's character and his plan for us.
As we open our hearts to the divine wisdom of God's Word, let's remember that we are in the hands of a master builder. The Lord is not just a builder, but the greatest architect and craftsman of all time. He is the one who has designed us, and He is the one who is continually shaping us.
Our Scripture talks about our earthly bodies as tents, temporary homes that are here today and gone tomorrow. But it also speaks of a building from God, an eternal house in heaven. This is not a structure made by human hands. If our earthly bodies are like tents, then they are under constant construction. We are always changing, growing, and being shaped by our experiences. But all the while, God is at work in us. He is the one who is building us up, preparing us for our eternal home with Him.
This is a comforting thought, isn't it? No matter what we're going through, no matter how much we may feel like a work in progress, we can rest assured that we are under construction in Christ's care.
A. The first aspect of this idea that we'll consider is the nature of the construction process. Construction is not always a comfortable process. It involves tearing down and building up. It involves change and transformation. But the end result is always worth it. In the same way, our spiritual growth may not always be comfortable. We may have to let go of old habits, beliefs, or attitudes that are not in line with God's will for us. We may have to face trials and challenges that test our faith. But through it all, God is at work in us. He is shaping us into the people He wants us to be.
B. The second aspect that we'll look at is the role of the Holy Spirit in this construction process. In verse 5, Paul tells us that God has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our comforter, and our helper in this process of spiritual growth. He is the one who convicts us of sin, leads us into truth, and empowers us to live in a way that pleases God.
C. The third aspect that we'll consider is the purpose of this construction process. Why is God so interested in our spiritual growth? Why does He care so much about shaping us into the people He wants us to be? The answer is simple: because He loves us. God's love for us is so great that He wants us to be the best we can be. He wants us to grow in our relationship with Him, to become more like Christ, and to fulfill the purpose He has for our lives. This is why He is continually at work in us, shaping us and molding us into His image.
D. Finally, let's consider the end result of this construction process. What is the goal of all this growth and change? The goal is to be at home with the Lord. As Paul says in verse 8, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." This is our ultimate destination. This is what all the construction is leading towards. We are being prepared for our eternal home with God. And when we finally arrive, we will be perfectly suited for our new environment, because we have been shaped by the master builder Himself.
As we turn our attention to the passage from 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a glorious transformation ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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