Facing Death with Confidence (Chantilly)

Be Aware: You are not made for this world

Life today feels like tent-living

2 Corinthians 5:1 CSB – if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens

2 Corinthians 5:2 CSB – Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling,

2 Corinthians 5:2b-4 CSB – desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

Life today feels like being unclothed

2 Corinthians 5:3-4 CSB – [in heaven] when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed,

Psalm 90:12 CSB – Our lives last seventy years
or, if we are strong, eighty years.
Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow;
indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.

v.2, …desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, .

v.4b. … because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

Application: Life with an Upper Story Perspective

2 Corinthians 4:17,18 CSB – For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. ¹⁸ So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Matthew 6:19-21 CSB – “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Be Informed: Understand what to expect when we die

1. We experience separation from the body

v.6, So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.”

v.8, “…we are confident and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

Romans 8:1 & 30 CSB – There is therefore NOW no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

….those he predestined, he also called; and those He called He also justified, and those He justified He also glorified.”

2. Immediately, we are in the presence of Jesus

3. We receive a glorified body

v.3, we will not be found naked

v.4b, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

1 Corinthians 15:35 CSB – Paul writes, Some will ask, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body with they have when they come?”

You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.  And as for what you sow—you are not sowing the body that will be, but only a seed…

v.40, There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones.

v.42, “….sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power….

4. We face judgment

2 Corinthians 5:10 CSB – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

For unbelievers—a judgement of sin 

Matthew 8:12b CSB – Jesus said, “[they] will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 9:48 CSB – where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

Believers are NOT judged for sin (sins have been forgiven), but for deeds

Galatians 3:27 CSB says For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.

Matthew 5:11-12 CSB – Jesus said, “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. ¹² Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2 Corinthians 5:9 CSB – Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.

5. We receive eternal reward

John 14:1-3 CSB – Jesus said,  In my Father’s house are many rooms. …I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.

Be Eager: Anticipate your reward in heaven!

2 Corinthians 5

v.2, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling,

v.4, we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

v.5, Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God,

v.8, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord

Pictures of heaven increase anticipation

1. Heaven is Solid

1 Peter 1:3-4, Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

2. Heaven is Perfection
3. Heaven is Home
4. Heaven is God’s Absolute Presence

Psalms:

• In Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11)
• Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2)
• Let my judgment come forth from Your presence (Psalm 17:2)
• Do not cast me away from Your presence (Psalm 51:11)
• “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” (Psalm 84:10)

Psalm 27:4 CSB – I have asked one thing from the Lord;
it is what I desire:
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,

John 17:3 CSB – This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:1 CSB – For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens

Be Confident: The Holy Spirit is a down payment

2 Corinthians 5:1 CSB – For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens

v.5b, God… gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

1 Peter 1:3-4 CSB – Because of his great mercy he has given us … a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

John 17:3 CSB – This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:7-10 CSB – For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.