2 Corinthians 5: Home Is with the Lord
Is a spiritual body more or less real than a physical body? Why might people think that?
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2 Corinthians 5:1 When our physical bodies decay, we have spiritual bodies that live forever with God.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
What reasons do people have to fear death?
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2 Corinthians 5:2 Weary of our house on Earth, we long to be with the Lord.
Hebrews 2:14 Since God’s children were flesh-and-blood human beings, Jesus became like us, subjecting himself to death so he could destroy the devil, who had power over death.
2:15 Thus, he freed us from a lifetime of fearing death.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
How will our spiritual bodies be clothed?
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2 Corinthians 5:3 In our spiritual bodies, we will have no nakedness that needs to be covered.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
In what ways will a spiritual body be better than what we have now?
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2 Corinthians 5:4 We feel pain, groaning and suffering in these earthly bodies, not to have less but to gain the more, that our mortality will give way to eternal life.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
What clues might we have to show what our spiritual body will be like?
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2 Corinthians 5:5 The evidence of this transformation is the gift of his Holy Spirit working in our lives.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
What can be gained by reminding ourselves that our present physical condition is temporary?
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2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore, we have full confidence, knowing that our present condition is temporary and we will soon be at home with the Lord.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
How can we believe something without physical evidence?
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2 Corinthians 5:7 We know this through faith, by spiritual insight, not physical observation.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Why do people question whether being at home with the Lord is better than living in earthly bodies?
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2 Corinthians 5:8 Without a doubt, we would rather be free from our earthly bodies so we can be at home with the Lord.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
What might be wrong with the concept that we’ll sit on clouds in Heaven, playing harps?
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2 Corinthians 5:9 We will always be working to please the Lord, no matter whether we are on Earth or in Heaven.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Do people have any reason to fear the day of judgment? Why or why not?
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2 Corinthians 5:10 One day, everyone will stand before Christ to be judged. We are accountable for the work we do, good or bad.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
What evidence would show that Paul’s motives for ministry were pure?
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2 Corinthians 5:11 With a clear understanding of our responsibility, how important it is, we work hard to persuade others. God knows our motives are pure, and I trust that you do too.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
How did the ministry of those with impure motives differ from Paul and his associates?
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2 Corinthians 5:12 We aren’t bragging so you will praise us but so you can see how different we are from those who claim to have a spectacular ministry but are insincere fakers.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
Why would some people think that Paul’s behavior was crazy?
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2 Corinthians 5:13 If you think we’re crazy, know that we’ve been radicalized to follow the Lord and give him glory. If you see us as sane, then surely you know that our sacrifice is for your benefit.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
Why is love so crucial in ministry?
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1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak with human excellence and angelic might yet don’t really care for the wellbeing of those I serve, my message is like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal, getting attention but not really helping.
13:2 If I predict the future, understand mysteries, and answer all questions—with such trust in God that mountains are moved—I am nothing without love for people.
13:3 Without love, I gain nothing by leaving everything I have to help the poor before I am cremated.
2 Corinthians 5:14 Either way, the driving force behind our actions is Christ’s love for you. The verdict is clear: if Christ gave his life to save everyone from death, he died to save you.
King James
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.
What percentage of people do you think will live for Christ and how many will turn away?
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Matthew 7:13 Enter through the small gate. For many take the wide gate and broad road that lead to destruction.
7:14 Only a few find the small gate and narrow road that lead to life.
2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for everyone so those who receive him will no longer live for themselves. They live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
King James
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Why do people judge others based on physical appearance? What other basis might we have for judgment?
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2 Corinthians 5:16 No longer do we judge people by physical condition or social status. At one time, people knew Jesus as a physical being, but now we have a spiritual relationship with him and others.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
When we are alive in Christ, how is our behavior different?
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Romans 7:15 A battle rages between what we know in our hearts and what our minds and bodies say would be good. I don’t do what my spirit says I should do, so I wind up doing what my moral instincts condemn.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Those who are alive in Christ are new creatures, unlike who they were before. The old life in the flesh is over, and a new life in the spirit has begun.
King James
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
How does our ideal relationship with God compare with other relationships?
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John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me so they may be of one spirit with you, as we are.
Romans 8:29 Because God knew what we would become, he sent his Son to be the first example of what his family will be like.
2 Corinthians 5:18 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, we may be God’s children, but we don’t yet know what we will become. But the more of him we see, the more we’ll want to be like him, for we shall see how great he really is.
King James
John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
How does our relationship with God affect our relationship with others?
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2 Corinthians 5:19 Through Jesus Christ, God offered reconciliation to the world, forgiving our wrongdoing, and appointed us to share the reconciliation message.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Why do people resist the Christian message?
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2 Corinthians 5:20 We are Christ’s emissaries, extending God’s invitation to you. We beg you to hear our message and be reconciled to God.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
How can someone cover the wrongdoings of someone else?
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2 Corinthians 5:21 For Jesus, who was without sin, took our wrongdoings upon himself so we might be made right with God.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.