By Steve A. Hamilton

2 Corinthians 5

Introduction: Have you ever wondered about the things you can’t see (2 Cor. 4:18)? Isn’t it ironic, all that we know from experience is only temporary but the things that are beyond our observation is eternal. In fact, as Christians, we look forward to the things beyond this earth and yet we know so little of those things.

In the resurrection, what do we know?

I. We know that we will take on a new form (2 Cor. 5:1-8).

    A. Paul equates “our earthly house, this tent” to our physical bodies. He says when we die, God will have a building, an eternal house for us. In fact, we groan to be clothed in this eternal habitation (Phil. 3:20-21).

    B. This change in body is further explained by Paul (1 Cor. 15:35-54).

    C. Yet, we could be found naked after the bodily change takes place (2 Cor. 5:3).

        1. God sees all in judgment (Heb. 4:13).

        2. Nakedness is being unprepared for judgment (Rev. 16:15).

        3. The church in Laodicea was naked (Rev. 3:17).

    D. We do not want to be naked before the Lord. We want to be prepared. We want to enjoy immortality. But we must seek God’s word that was provided by the Holy Spirit. We must study in order to develop our faith (Rom. 10:17). Through faith we have a confidence while we live in this body. We walk by faith!

II. We know we will all appear before the judgment seat of God (2 Cor. 5:9-11).

    A. We must be found well pleasing to the Lord (Rev. 20:12, 15).

    B. We will be judged based upon the things we have done in the body (Eccl. 12:14).

    C. This knowledge should terrify us (Heb. 10:30-31).

III. We know we must be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:12-21).

    A. Reconciliation is restoring to friendship. That restoration was made possible by Christ dying upon the cross for our sins (Rom. 5:8-11).

    B. The message of reconciliation is ours to preach.

Conclusion: Have you been reconciled to God? By all rights, you should die for your own sins. But Christ paid the price for our sins with his own blood. We now owe him and all he asks is obedience. You can obey Christ in baptism right now.