MORTAL SWALLOWED UP OF LIFE

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The Scriptures plainly reveal that the faithful will inherit a
      heavenly home.
      1. The Bible gives us several beautiful descriptions of that
         eternal home.
      2. One such description is found in 2 Cor. 5:1-10, and in this
         lesson we want to study this passage, verse by verse.
         a. It will give us instructions and exhortation concerning
            the life beyond.
      3. As we examine this text, we see that they pertain to strong,
         faithful Christians.

I. 2 Cor. 5:1
   A. The first part of verse 1 indicates the certainty of the       
      fulfillment of the promises; that is, the certainty in the     
      heart of the strong Christian.
      1. All Christians should have an unshaken faith that the
         promises of God will be fulfilled.
         a. Peter said that God has given us exceedingly great and
            precious promises.
         b. There is an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and
            reserved in heaven which is ready to be revealed in the
            last time. 1 Pet. 1:3-5
      2. Paul emphatically confirmed that the promises of God will be
         fulfilled. 2 Cor. 1:20
         a. Thus, we know and are assured that the promises of
            God will be fulfilled.
         b. As a matter of fact, with every passing moment of time
            we draw closer to God's fulfillment. Rom. 13:11
   B. The last part of verse 1 gives us an idea of what we will      
      receive.
      1. "Our earthly house, this tent" - Of course, this is talking
         about our physical bodies.
         a. Peter spoke of putting off his "tent" in death. 2 Pet.
            1:13-14
         b. When he was old and asked about his health, John
            Quincy Adams, speaking of his body, said, "Mr Adams
            is all right, but the house he lives in is dilapidated,   
          and it looks as if he will have to move out."
      2. "We have a building from God, a house not made with
         hands, eternal in the heavens."
         a. This shows what we will have.
         b. "A building from God" - God, Himself, is the architect
            of this new building.
         c. "Not made with hands" - It is not something feeble and
            flimsy like that made by human efforts.
         d. "Eternal" - It will not be like our present bodies which
            are subject to decay and death.
         e. "In the heavens" - It will not be on earth. All things   
            will be made new. The old will pass away. Rev. 21:1-5
            (1) In that heavenly home we will have a pure,
                celestial, immortal body, skillfully and wonderfully
                made by God Himself. 1 Cor. 15:49-57

II. 2 Cor. 5:2-4
   A. Christians are longing and earnestly looking for the habitation
      which is from above. Verses 2-4
      1. Thus, the Christian groans and longs that his mortal body
         may be swallowed up of life.
         a. He is eagerly seeking the redemption of his body. Rom.
            8:19-23
            (1) Rom. 8:19-21 - From the very beginning, sinful
                man was given hope that God would provide
                deliverance from the bondage of corruption
                (mortality) to a glorious liberty (immortality).
            (2) Rom. 8:22-23 - No only does man in general seek
                deliverance from the bondage of corruption, but
                Christians especially are groaning within, eagerly
                waiting for the redemption of their bodies.
            (3) In view of these things, let us continue to be       
                faithful to God regardless of whatever hardships,
                adversities, troubles, difficulties, or persecutions 
                we might face.
            (4) We know there is something far greater which will
                more than compensate for any afflictions faced on
                earth. Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:16

III. 2 Cor. 5:5
   A. God made us for this purpose, that is, to obtain the salvation 
      of our souls.
      1. God has set before us the goal of obtaining salvation. 2
         Thess. 2:14; 1 Thess. 5:9-10
      2. The whole duty of man is to make preparation for the next
         life. This is man's purpose on earth. Eccl. 12:13-14
      3. Only those prepared will enter the heavenly city. Rev. 22:14
   B. God gave the Christian the Holy Spirit as an earnest or down
      payment of the inheritance.
      1. See also 2 Cor. 1:20-22; Eph. 1:13-14.
      2. The Holy Spirit assures us of salvation in two ways.
         a. He does so through the word; e.g., the word teaches us
            that God's promises are certain. We have faith and
            rejoice in them.
         b. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts assures
            us of the inheritance.
            (1) How do we know that we have the Spirit?
            (2) It is not by physical perception, feelings,
                experiences, but by revelation and belief in the
                revelation.
            (3) How do we know we have a soul that lives
                eternity? Again, it is by God's revelation and our
                belief in it. And, so it is with the indwelling of   
                the Holy Spirit.

IV. 2 Cor. 5:6-8
   A. Verses 6-8 express the Christian's confidence in receiving the
      promises.
      1. Even though we are in the body now we can be of good
         courage, because we know as soon as we are absent from the
         body, we will be with the Lord.
   B. Our faith in someday being with the Lord becomes our motivator.
      Verse 7
      1. All things which are seen are temporal. 2 Cor. 4:18
      2. Our eyes are on the things which we cannot see, and this
         causes us to faithfully live the Christian life.
      3. In Africa there is a small deer named "impala" which can
         jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of    
         more than 30 feet. However, these magnificent creatures can 
         be kept in any enclosure with a wall only 3 feet high.      
         Impalas will not jump when they cannot see where their feet 
         will land. Thus, in order to contain them the enclosure must
         be a wall and not a see-through fence.
      4. Through faith we are able to see that which is not seen, and
         this becomes the motivating factor that drives us.
   C. Verse 8 - The Christian desires to depart and be with Christ.
      1. Consider Paul's words in Phil. 1:23-25
      2. Let us not love this life, but reach beyond to the next     
         life. John 12:25
      3. Let us not love this world, but reach beyond to the next
         world. 1 John 2:15-17
      4. Someday, the faithful will be with Christ forever. 1 Thess
         4:17
         a. They shall be like Him, for they will see Him as He is. 1
            John 3:2
         b. They shall reign with Him forever and ever. Rev. 22:5

V. 2 Cor. 5:9-10
   A. The word "therefore" is a conjunctive adverb and means, "for   
      that reason, on that basis, on account of that."
      1. Thus, on account of our anticipation of future glory, since
         we have assurance of it, we continually strive to be well
         pleasing to the Lord. 2 Cor. 7:1
   B. Furthermore, we should make it our aim to be well-pleasing to
      Him because someday we all will stand before Him to be judged.
      1. At the judgment we will be reminded of the things done
         while we lived in our bodies whether they be good or bad.
         Matt. 25:34-40
      2. God will bring every work into judgment. Eccl. 12:14
         a. The sins that have been forgiven will be forgotten. Heb
            8:12

Concl.
   A. Let's make a summary of what we have studied.
      1. Verse 1a shows the certainty of the fulfillment of the
         promises of God.
      2. Verse 1b gives a glimpse of what we will receive - a house
         not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
      3. Verses 2-4 reveal the Christian's earnest longing for
         immortality.
      4. Verse 5 mentions that God has given us the Holy Spirit as a
         down payment to assure us that we will receive immortality.
      5. Verses 6-8 indicate the confidence or good courage the
         Christian has because he knows that when he is absent from
         the body, he will be present with the Lord.
      6. Verses 9-10 show that on the basis of these things, the
         Christian seeks to be well-pleasing to the Lord at all      
         times, knowing that He will stand before Christ to give     
         account.
   B. We ask, "How do we stand in relation to these things?
      1. Are we earnestly longing to go to heaven?
      2. Do we groan in the body that the mortal may be swallowed
         up of life?
      3. Do we have an intense desire to depart and be with Christ?
   C. Hopefully, studying these things will help us build and        
      increase our desire.
      1. Let us make it our aim to be well pleasing to the our Lord.