Eternal Perspective: Our Lives

Eternal Perspective: Our Lives

2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Pastor Miles

November 2, 2014

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NIV)

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. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭1-5‬ NIV)

1. We live in a temporary home, but we have an eternal home that awaits us.

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. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ NIV)

2. We long for the transformation of this broken world and our broken lives.

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. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭2-4‬ NIV)

We are burdened by our mortality and our fallenness.

So we long for a better place.

It's like living in a motel when we know that we have a home out there.

Paul reminds us that this is all temporary and that we are broken on the inside.

Once in a while we catch a glimpse of what eternity looks like which makes us long for life as it's supposed to be.

We long for the transformation of this world and our broken lives.

Where are our eyes focused on? Is it here and now, or is it on the unseen, what God has made us for?

3. We have a guarantee from God to remind us of what is to come.

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. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ NIV)

A pledge from God to us via the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us.

This is the down payment from God that marks us as belonging to God.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

...

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

...

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

...

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 

(‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭5-6, 10-11, 14, 16‬ NIV)

Are we seeing our friends, families and colleagues with an eternal perspective?

Will we see them in heaven?

Have we lost our heart for the lost?

Pray that we will see others as God does.

Do we have enough margin in our lives?

Next steps: read 2 Corinthians 5

Lionel