"This Old House"
2 Corinthians 5:1-8 (NASB)
(This Sermon was preached at Trinity Bible Church on October 1, 2000)

Note: Although this sermon is has a lot of Greek mixed in it, I do not go through every word during my sermon.  These Greek references are only that, references for me to use if it strengthens the message.  Plus it is helpful if someone has questions about what I said after the sermon.

Introduction: Most of us are familiar with the PBS TV show, "This Old House," that is now beginning its 21^st year. Week after week they show us how to do home improvement projects, to complete home renovations. The whole idea of this show is to help us to maintain and preserve our old houses. I don't think that the Apostle Paul would care much for this show, because he had a different attitude when it came to renovating his "Old House." In our passage today, Paul is continuing the idea of our human bodies as being temporary and fragile. Paul points out that there is more to life than just our what we can see and feel. What is important to the believer's "Old House," is what's inside of it, and someday moving into a "New House" that God has built for us.
 

I. It Is A Temporary Home (v.1).
1. Earthly tent (v.1a).

A. Paul compares our earthly bodies to a tent so that believers could keep the right prospective while they faced trials and assaults during their lives and ministries.

1) "earthly tent,"

A) "earthly," epigeios {ep-ig'-i-os: adj, nom, f, sg}; earthly, existing on earth, belonging to earth.
B) "tent," skenos {skay'-nos: n, gen, neut, sg}; tent, tabernacle (used here of the human body in it temporary and corruptible state).

2) Christ also referred to His incarnate body as pitching His tent among man in John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of  the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (NASB)

- "dwelt," skenoo {skay-no'-o: v, indic, aor, act, 3 per, sg}; to dwell temporarily, to camp in a tent, to pitch one's tent or tabernacle.

B. We don't know if Paul used this analogy because he was a tent maker, or if he had the tabernacle of Israel in mind; but one thing is for sure, each were only temporary dwellings.

1) "our house is torn down"

A) "house," oikia {oy-kee'-ah: n, nom, f, sg}; a house, a dwelling (used here as the habitation of the soul).
B) "torn down," kataluo {kat-al-oo'-o: v, subj, aor, pass, 3 per, sg}; tear down, destroy, to dissolve (used here as the death of the body as a house or temple).

2) When a believer dies, their tent is "taken down," because it is a temporary dwelling that is not suitable for eternal life with a Holy God.

A) 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." (NASB)
B) Philippians 1:20-23, "according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;" (NASB)

Application: As believers we must always keep a heavenly perspective about this life we are living so we will not become discouraged and give up, or as Paul says in chapter 4, verses 1 and 16, "lose heart." If all that we have is what we can touch and see, then there is not much comfort or hope for those believers who suffer and die for the Gospel. But Paul tells us that our hope is not in "This Old House," but in our future dwelling.

2. Heavenly house (v.1b).

A. While the temporary tent is taken down, Paul tells us that a new permanent house will await us someday.

1) It is a gift from God.

- "we have a building from God,"oikodome {oy-kod-om-ay': n, acc, f, sg}; building, construction, something made by God (possibly used here of the resurrected body in the future).

2) It cannot be made by man's hands.

A) "a house not made with hands,"

- "house," oikia {oy-kee'-ah: n, acc, f, sg}; a house, a dwelling.
- "not made with hands," acheiropoietos {akh-i-rop-oy'-tos: adj, acc, f, sg}; not made by human hands, made without hands.

B) Man has always desired and sought eternal life they their own means, and not God's.

- Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (NASB)
- John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.'" (NASB)

C) Man has built many great and wonderful monuments and buildings, but none will last for eternity.

- Revelation 21:1, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea." (NASB)
- Isaiah 65:17, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind." (NASB)

3) It is an eternal dwelling place.

A) "eternal in the heavens."

- "eternal," aionios {ahee-o'-nee-os: adj, acc, f, sg}; eternal, everlasting, without beginning and end, without end.
- "in the heavens," ouranos {oo-ran-os': n, dat, m, pl}; heaven, the dwelling place of God.

B. What is our new heavenly house?

1) There are three views about this passage.

A) The house made by God is speaking about heaven itself.

- Problem: The house is said to be IN heaven, and not heaven itself.

B) The house is an intermediate state between death and resurrection.

- Problem: This view lacks Scriptural support (or some sort of temporary body).

C) The house is the resurrected body of the believer.

- This view is probably the best view in light of Paul's teachings to the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 15).

Application: The believer's hope isn't based upon the material things of this earth, or on how well you are liked. The believer's hope is in Jesus Christ and His promises of our future resurrection and eternal life with Him. Revelation 21:4, "and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (NASB).
 

II. It Strains Under It's Earthly Load (vv.2-5).
1. The old house groans and longs for the new heavenly home (vv.2-4).

A. Paul found himself groaning in his flesh due to the frustration of its mortal limitations and disabilities, knowing as he did that he was destined to possess a spiritual body perfectly adapted to eternity and heaven.

1) "we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven" (v.2)

A) "groan," stenazo {sten-ad'-zo: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; groan, sigh.
B) "longing,"epipotheo {ep-ee-poth-eh'-o: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1per, pl}; to long for, earnestly or greatly desire.
C) "clothed with,"ependuo {ep-en-doo'-om-ahee: v, inf, aor, mid}; be further clothed with, put on in addition (used here of the resurrection body).
D) "dwelling,"oiketerion {oy-kay-tay'-ree-on: n, acc, neut, sg}; habitation, dwelling, home (used here of the body as the dwelling place of the soul).

2) "while we are in this tent, we groan being burdened" (v.4a).

A) "tent," skenos {skay'-nos: n, dat, neut, sg}; tent, tabernacle (used here of the human body in it temporary and corruptible state).
B) "groan,"stenazo {sten-ad'-zo: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; groan, sigh.
C) "burdened,"bareo {bar-eh'-o: v, part, pres, pass, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; weigh down, to burden, depress, overcome.

B. Paul also expresses the thought of "groaning or longing for," elsewhere in the Scriptures.

1) Romans 8:19-23, "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." (NASB)
2) Philippians 3:20-21, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (NASB)

Application: Paul wasn't hoping for death, but rather he was eager for Christ's return so that he would be "clothed" with his resurrected body, his "new house." Paul only looked forward to his liberation from the imperfections of his present embodiment, he was groaning for glory!

Probably one of the best songs that expresses the idea of deeply longing for something is, "Sweet Beulah Land," by Squire Parsons;

"I'm kind of home sick for the country"
"To which I've never been be before"
"No sad good-byes, will there be spoken"
"For time won't matter anymore"
"Beulah Land, I'm longing for you"
"And someday on thee I'll stand"
"Where my home shall be eternal"
"Beulah land, sweet Beulah land."

2. The down payment for our new heavenly home is already paid (v.5).

A. God has prepared us to someday possess our new heavenly homes (v.5a)

1) "prepared," katergazomai {kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee: v, part, aor, mid, dep, nom, m, sg}; prepare, carefully fashion, make completely ready, as working toward an effect, work.
2) God has begun the transforming process in us that someday will culminate in our possessing a resurrected, glorified body.

A) 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (NASB)
B) Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (NASB)

B. God has also guaranteed the completion of His work in us by placing a down payment (v.5b).

1) "who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge,"

A) "gave," didomi {did'-o-mee: v, part, aor, act, nom, m, sg}; to give, to bestow, present.
B) "Spirit," pneuma {pnyoo'-mah: n, gen, neut, sg}; The Holy Spirit.
C) "pledge,"arrabon {ar-hrab-ohn: n, acc, m, sg}; earnest, money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid.

2) Jesus Christ has purchased us by His death upon the Cross, and the Holy Spirit's indwelling of the believer is the down payment upon our "new heavenly home."

Application: One of these days we will move out of our "Old Houses," into a "New House." Just like a family who has placed an down payment on a new house, who eagerly awaits the time when they will be able to move into it, so it is likewise with a Christian. Sometimes we may groan when obstacles seem to block or hinder our attempts to move on, but until that moment arrives we don't stop living or working, we long for the day we can move on.
 

III. It's Foundation Will Remain (vv.6-8).
1. It is built upon an unseen foundation of faith (vv.6-7).

A. Paul had the right perspective about his life and ministry which gave him confidence (v.6).

1) "being always of good courage,"

A) "always," pantote {pan'-tot-eh: adj, adv}; always, at all times.
B) "good courage," tharreo {thar-hreh'-o: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; be confident, have confidence, be full of courage, be cheerful (used to show an attitude).

2) "knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord"

A) "knowing," oida {oy'-da: v, part, perf, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; to know, to understand or perceive, comprehend.
B) "home,"endemeo {en-day-meh'-o: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; be at home, be present (used here to be physically alive).
C) "body," soma {so'-mah: n, dat, neut, sg}; the physical body (dead or living).
D) "absent," ekdemeo {ek-day-meh'-o: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; be absent, be away from.
E) "Lord," kurios {koo'-ree-os: n, gen, m, sg}; Lord, Master, sovereign.

B. Paul's sure foundation was based upon his faith in Jesus Christ (v.7)

1) "walk by faith,"

A) "walk," peripateo {per-ee-pat-eh'-o: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; to walk, go about, live (used here of how a person conducts their daily life or behavior).
B) "faith," pistis {pis'-tis: noun, gen, f, sg}; faith, belief, firm persuasion, reliance upon Christ for salvation, assurance.

2) "not by sight,"

A) "not," ou {oo: part, neg}; no, not (can denote a strong emphasis or contrast).
B) "sight," eidos {i'-dos: n, gen, neut, sg}; sight, what one sees.

3) Faith is taking God at His Word

A. Paul was of good courage in view of the blessed hope that lay before him (v.8a)

- "good courage," tharreo {thar-hreh'-o: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; be confident, have confidence, be full of courage, be cheerful (used to show an attitude).

B. Paul had courage to face his trials and conflicts because he knew that if he lost his life then it would only mean that he would be home with the Lord (v.8b).

1) "willing," eudokeo {yoo-dok-eh'-o: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; be willing, be pleased, to be favorably inclined towards, to prefer.
2) "absent from the body,"

A) "absent,"ekdemeo {ek-day-meh'-o: v, inf, aor, act}; be absent, be away from.
B) "body,"soma {so'-mah: n, gen, neut, sg}; the physical body (dead or living).

3) "home with the Lord"

A) "home,"endemeo {en-day-meh'-o: v, inf, aor, act}; to be at home, be present, to be among one's own people (used here of being at home with the Lord in heaven).
B) "Lord," kurios {koo'-ree-os: n, acc, m, sg}; Lord, Master, sovereign.

Application: Notice that our confidence doesn't come from our "Self Esteem." The Bible never teaches us to have "Self Esteem," but to trust in God. Our worth comes from God. Paul's confidence about his future home wasn't based upon his own abilities or works, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the Cross, and His promise to never leave us or to forsake us. Paul wasn't just focused on the present, but on the future conditions. To live this way is to live by faith and not by sight. This is our "Sure Foundation" on which our "New Heavenly Home" is built. Any other foundation is built on shifting sand and will not last.
 

INVITATION:

1. What kind of house are you living in?

A. Is it built upon the sure foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
B. Or is it built upon the works of your hands?

2. As Christians we must always remember that our life upon this earth is only temporary and very short.

A. There awaits us, a better home, one that will not suffer pain or sorrow, and is free from all sin.
B. Knowing this truth should instill confidence and hope in our serving the Lord.