Whats the Purpose that Drives Your Life? 2 Corinthians 5:1-11
Slide 2 Whats the Point in Life? Nihilism dominates the views of
Hollywood and academia today. We are being taught that life is
meaningless and then you die. Believers should not be nihilists. We
have every reason to live meaningful lives. Slide 3 Our Flawed
Bodies Remind Us That Our Purpose Is Out of Sight (5:1-8) Slide 4
Groaning Is Appropriate As We Long for Glorified Bodies & the
Kingdom 2 Cor 5:2, 4 Romans 8:23 (G4ROB) 2 Cor 5:2 (G4NB) 2 Cor 5:4
(G4NB/L) Slide 5 Assurance Is Implicit in What Paul Is Saying in
5:1-8 We only know we have glorified bodies awaiting us if were
sure of our eternal destiny. Assurance is by faith alone, apart
from works. Works are discussed here after assurance. Slide 6 2
Corinthians 5:9-10 Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present
or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the
things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether
good or bad. Slide 7 Trying to Escape Hell Is a Lousy Lifes Purpose
for a Christian (5:9-10) How can we have fear of hell if we know we
arent going there? Believers cant go to hell: John 3:16; 5:24;
6:47; 11:26. Once we believe in Jesus, escaping hell is a done
deal. Sadly most people in Christianity have this very purpose and
motivation in life. Slide 8 Aiming to Please Jesus Is a Great Lifes
Purpose in Light of the Bema Slide 9 If Eternal Life Is a Free
Gift, Why Will Jesus Judge Us? Because God guarantees that we reap
what we sow (Gal 6:7-9). Because this life is a test to see how
much we want to glorify Jesus forever. Slide 10 Christians Are
Accountable! Ready or not, all Christians will be judged by Jesus
one day for what we did with our lives. This judgment is not
optional. Knowing about the Bema is helpful for it reminds us that
pleasing Jesus is good for us, now and forever (in terms of eternal
rewards). Slide 11 Bema-related Fear of the Lord Should Lead Us to
Seek to Persuade Others to Please Jesus (2 Cor 5:11) Slide 12 Paul
is not afraid of the Lord, but he does have a reverential awe of
him and recognizes that his whole life and ministry will come under
Gods scrutiny. It is with this awareness that he persuades men.
Kruse, 2 Corinthians, p. 119. Slide 13 The Grace of God Is Not a
License to Sin If a believer is not living consistently with Gods
Word, then he will reap the consequences both in this life and at
the Judgment Seat of Christ. If a believer is not living for God,
then those closest to him will also be negatively impacted. Slide
14 Two Major Ramifications of the Grace and Justice of God The only
condition of everlasting life and a future glorified body is faith
in Christ. Assurance is not dependent on our works. All believers
are accountable for what we do in these fallen bodies. How we live
(the works we do) matters greatly to ourselves and to those around
us. Slide 15 Eternal Life Is Just the Beginning Slide 16 Bema
Persuasion Paul was in the persuasion business. So should we. He
persuaded believers to make their aim to please the Lord and to
live in light of the Bema. Slide 17 Make Your Purpose to Be WELL
Pleasing to Him
