1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell Our Heavenly Dwelling The Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:1-21
2 Our Heavenly Dwelling The Ministry of Reconciliation Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-21, 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. 2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 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. 5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 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. 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. 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.
3 13. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 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. 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. 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 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; 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. 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. 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. Introduction: I. In chapter 4, Paul spoke of the afflictions he endured for the cause of Christ. A. It might be asked, Why would anyone endure the afflictions Paul endured? B. The answer, of course, is Jesus. 1. Because of Jesus, the Christian has hope.
4 2. Because of Jesus, Christians will not lose heart. C. All that this world offers us is merely temporary. What the Lord offers us is eternal. Commentary: A New Creation in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, 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. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 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. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. I. The home in which we live is material a body of flesh. A. Earlier (4:7), Paul said the light of the knowledge of God is in jars of clay. 1. Here, Paul uses the image of a tent. a. A tent is something that will be worn out. b. Jars of clay can be broken. c. Tents may last a long time, but experience tells us that when they become frayed, ripped and weakened over years of use, they are simply thrown away.
5 2. Likewise, experience tells us that with much use jars of clay become brittle and cracked. a. They, too, need to be discarded. 3. The comparison Paul makes is clear: the body of man, with all of its strength, is really quite weak. B. Peter speaks of his own body as being a tent. 1. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am I this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease (1 Peter 1:13-15). C. Though the home in which we live is actually God s creation, Paul s point is the material and temporal aspect of that body in which we live, is a physical creation. II. Our new home. 1. In this home of ours we long for something better. 2. Just about all people everywhere long for something better. 3. It is Christians who have a promise from the Lord God that will be realized. A. When we lose our earthly home, our comfort and confidence is in realizing that our new home will not be anything physical; that is, of this earthly realm.
6 1. Rather, it will be fashioned according to the realm of eternity. B. In verse 1, we read that the home will be a building fashioned by the hand of God. 1. By putting on this new home (Paul using clothing as a comparison), we are not found naked. 2. What does Paul mean by this? C. As we take one garment off and put another on, we have a moment of time in which we are not clothed. 1. When this old life is over, as the imagery would go, we would be found naked. 2. But Paul says we will not be found naked. 3. Why is that? Notice: For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26, 27). D. Since we have put Jesus Christ on, there will be no time in which we will be naked. 1. The figurative speech is noteworthy. 2. In this, we have confidence and protection. 3. This confidence is because of what our Lord has done for us and His desire to save us.
7 4. Paul said, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20) E. God has also given us a guarantee that what He has said, He will accomplish (vs. 5). III. God s guarantee. 1. Because Paul believed God, he lived in this world with confidence. 2. That confidence, however, was not Paul s only. 3. It is to every child of God. 4. While we live this life, we have confidence that whether absent or not, we serve the Lord and we know He will save us. 5. We have a guarantee! A. God s guarantee is told to us in His word. 1. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he wanted them to mold their life to give glory to God reflecting this guarantee. B. Some were misguided in thinking that there needed to be some elevation of particular teachers. 1. Paul, on the other hand, did not elevate preachers.
8 2. For he said, For we are God s fellow workers; you are God s field, you are God s building (1 Corinthians 3:9). 3. When we elevate man, we lose sight of Jesus. C. On the other hand, if we look at ourselves while here on this earth as being God s building (church), then we are much more apt to focus upon the Lord s glory, not the preacher s/teacher s. D. Those who walk by faith live in this created world differently. 1. Of Abraham it was said, By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:9, 10). E. With our focus squarely on the Lord, we have hope and we have a guarantee. 1. The Lord s guarantee? His Spirit. 2. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19). 3. How will the Lord know them that are His? 4. By his having put His stamp of approval upon them (us); He has given them (us) His spirit as a pledge, as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the
9 Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 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. I. Paul s courage. A. It is so easy to become discouraged in life. 1. But Paul was not going to be discouraged. 2. Rather, while he lamented the fact that he was not with the Lord, he truly was patient and walked with the Lord. B. Notice what he said to those of Philippi: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again (Philippians 1:21-26). C. Paul could be of good courage because of whom it was that he served. 1. The Holy Spirit said to the Christians of the Hebrews epistle, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that
10 He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). D. Because Paul believed as strongly as any man could and because he always sought after the Lord s glory, he had come to know and understand that the Lord God was going to reward him. 1. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, NASV). E. With all that, what does Paul mean when he says he walked by faith? Simply that he walked by the Lord s word. Notice: 1. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). 2. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). 3. Christians do not close their eyes to the world in a literal way, but they do close their eyes to this world in a spiritual way. 4. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17). II. Man s judgment. There are many things of note in this verse that need to be considered (5:10).
11 A. First, man will stand before Almighty God in judgment. Paul called this the judgment seat of Christ. 1. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42). 2. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17:30, 31). 3. If man will stand before God in judgment and Christ is the one who will actually judge us, what does that say about Jesus? That He is God! B. Second, man will be judged by what he has done on this earth. 1. If someone has placed within our trust a possession of their own, would it not be expected they would desire to have it back? 2. Surely, it would! The Lord has placed within our possession a precious trust. 3. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). 4. In the book of Numbers, Moses appealed to God on behalf of the nation. Then they fell on their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation? (Numbers 16:22).
12 5. God is the creator of that part of us that will live eternally. At the appointed time He desires it back. 6. That which we will present to the Lord will not be as He gave it. So we must give account for our use of it. 7. Man will be judged by what he has done in this earthly life. a. This eliminates what is commonly called purgatory. b. Purgatory is a Roman Catholic Church teaching that says there will be temporal punishment in the intermediate realm for all those who have died at peace with the Roman Catholic church, but are not perfect; consequently, they must undergo penal and purifying suffering (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, p. 897). 8. The life we have is a life that will stand before the Lord. a. If there is no peace between God and man while one lives here on this earth, man is doing himself a disservice. b. If there is no peace between God and man when that man dies, there will be no peace and no purifying period of time after man dies either. C. Third, all will appear before the Lord. All who have ever lived will stand before the Lord. 1. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And
13 there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:11-13). 2 Corinthians 5:11-17, 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. 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. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 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. 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. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. I. Paul s understanding of the eternal realm gave him the courage he needed to preach Jesus and Him crucified (5:11-13). A. Paul understood the Lord s wrath and because he understood it so well he preached the good news so that men would not have to stand before the Lord guilty. 1. Albert Barnes said: The sense is, knowing how much the Lord is to be feared; what an object of terror and alarm it
14 will be to stand at the judgment-seat; how fearful and awful will be the consequences of the trial of that day (E- Sword). a. Most people today look upon the message of the gospel as some virtuous message, but not a message that needs to be obeyed. b. Politicians have neutralized the force of the gospel in such a way that people are utterly confused as to whether they need to obey or not. c. We are told that one religion is as good as another as long as we are sincere in our approach to God. d. Preachers have so diluted the message that people are hearing and wanting more of a feel-good type of religion. e. They want their ears tickled. f. The idea of preaching a message of hope and judgment is simply not acceptable to them. g. They will accept the former, but reject the latter. h. Paul did not accept any of that nonsense! He knew the Lord s judgment was real and he was seeking to persuade men to turn from their sins. i. More preachers need to read 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 again! B. A personal note. Paul said God knew them. In other words, God knew Paul s (Silas s and Timothy s) motivation.
15 1. Some in Corinth might have called their motivation into question, but not God. a. That being said, Paul was not commending the three of them, but he also knew that those in Corinth (at least some) knew their motivation as well. 2. This knowledge was a reason to speak of them favorably (that is, defending them). 3. The Good News Bible translates, We are not trying again to recommend ourselves to you; rather, we are trying to give you a good reason to be proud of us, so that you will be able to answer those who boast about people s appearance and not about their character. 4. Some thought (perhaps) that Paul s accusers were saying he was deranged. (See verse 13). a. That did not trouble Paul; it did not matter to him that others might have thought this. b. What mattered to him was what the church at Corinth thought. c. Paul served the Lord Jesus and he served the church. d. It would be good to learn something from this. e. People will fly accusations in our direction endlessly; but when our focus is upon the Lord
16 Jesus, we will not have to burden ourselves with always trying to show otherwise. f. Do not misunderstand; Paul did defend his honor, but there comes a time when one must determine when he (or she) will do such a thing. g. Paul chose to defend his honor (and the honor of Timothy and Silas) to the church. II. Paul did this because of his love for Christ and he did this because he knew Christ s love for him (5:14-15). A. Earlier Paul said that God knew them (5:11) and it was Paul s desire that the Corinthians would have a proper understanding (knowledge) of their motivation as well. B. Here, Paul makes clear his (their) motivation. 1. That motivation is the love of Christ. 2. God s love to man was/is so strong that it was/is God s desire to save man. 3. This was not lost on Paul. To say that it was (is) God s desire to save man, it is clear that man is lost in sin. C. This is Paul s meaning when he said, therefore all have died. The Scriptures say: 1.... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and 2. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
17 D. Since Jesus Christ came to this earth for man s benefit, it is incumbent upon those who have obeyed to no longer live for their own benefit, but the Lord s. 1. Sometimes, the ease of understanding this does not always translate into quick action. E. What does it mean to live for the Lord Jesus? Paul answers this in the next verse. III. Paul s courage, understanding, and love for God gave him an outlook that puts emphasis upon the new creation, not the old (5:16-17). A. Paul understood man s inclination to judge according to a particular standard. 1. That standard was NOT in accordance to man s wishful thinking. 2. By wishful thinking, I mean this is what man actually perceives to be the case whether or not it is so. 3. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are Gods (John 10:34). a. Looking at the context of John 10:31-39, Jesus recognized the people s failure to properly judge the matter before them. b. Psalm 82, from which Jesus gets these words, is a Psalm rebuking those who stood in position of a judge and yet righteous judgment was not exercised.
18 c. They used a standard that kept them blinded to the truth. d. John 8:43-45, Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. e. Earlier, Paul mentioned what the god of this world is accomplishing (4:3-4). f. He has blinded the minds of the unbelievers. 4. Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. (John 7:24) 5. Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing? They answered and said to him, Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee. (John 7:50-52). B. While perception on the part of many was NOT reality, Paul was determined to make his judgments not on the basis of a standard that man is inclined to use, but a standard that Christ already used righteousness.
19 1. At one time Paul might have looked at the Lord according to the common opinion (which was confused), but now he no longer does so. 2. John 7:11-13, Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. 3. John 7:32-36, The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him: will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? C. How will he look at people? 1. Jesus will look at them as a new creation. 2. Whatever they might have been mattered not to him. 3. What they are and what they can be in Christ are most important. 4. There are those who take pride in mere appearance; Paul emphasizes his knowledge of an individual in what Christ has done for him now that s an appearance!
20 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. 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. 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. Note: Verse 18 is separated from verse 17 because this author thinks verse 17 concludes well with the previous section. Others think verse 18 should follow on the heels of verse 17, that is, being part of the same paragraph. Maybe so, but in this author s view the separation of the verses is more natural. I. The ministry of reconciliation. 5:18-19. A. God reconciled us. 1. The word reconciliation is a word not used as often as it once was. It is still used, but not as often. 2. The sense of it is: when two people are separated from one another and then work out their differences, they are reconciled; that is, they are joined back together. 3. God was not the One who needed to be reconciled to man; it was the other way around. a. Behold, the Lord s hand is not shortened, that is cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:1-2).
21 b. Because our sins have separated us from the Lord God, the Father gave us a means by which we could be re-attached, if you will. c. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). d. Because of what the Lord has done for us, the Scriptures teach, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2). 4. All this is from God and to that we say a hearty AMEN! B. This ministry of reconciliation that Paul speaks of was for the purpose of saving all who would hear and obey. 1. There are two things we learn in 5:19, a. First, the reconciling message was to man and for man. b. The Lord gave His message to men who were guided into all truth and this message was passed down to other men. c. 2 Timothy 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
22 II. Ambassadors of God. 5:20-21. d. Second, this reconciling message makes clear that only through Christ will a person enjoy the eternal bliss of heaven. e. Nor is there salvation in any order, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). A. What ambassadors do. 1. Paul uses an interesting word. 2. The use of this word ambassador means that Paul is Christ s representative on this earth. 3. How does God speak to man? Through His representative. B. What Paul taught, God had him preach. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ (Romans 15:18, 19). C. What we have here is the fact that God has communicated His message unto man. 1.... how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I wrote before in a few words, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has not been revealed by
23 the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: (Ephesians 3:3-5). This is a message of reconciliation. D. God brings His message to man through especially appointed men called ambassadors or apostles. 1. But God has revealed them to us through His spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). E. These men speak the very word of God. 1. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness... (1 Timothy 6:3). 2. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). F. If we would hear God, we will listen to God s messengers.
24 G. What Christ did. There is some difficulty in understanding this phrase that God made Christ to be sin on our behalf. The translations indicate this as well. 1. Notice the five translations below: a. King James: 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 b. Revised Standard Version, For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. c. New American Standard: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. d. Living Bible: For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God s goodness into us! e. Simple English: Christ never sinned, but God caused him to become sin for us, so that we could be right with God in Christ. f. New Jerusalem: For our sake he made the sinless one a victim for sin, so that in him we might become the uprightness of God. 2. If Christ had no sin, how can He be made sin for us? Does that not mean that he had sin. That the Lord had no sin, the Scriptures attest (same verse); but His love for us was so great that He willing took upon Himself the penalty of sin that we might have life.
25 3. Yet it pleased Jehovah to crush Him; to grieve Him; that He should put forth His soul as a guilt-offering. He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the will of Jehovah shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the fruit of the travail of His soul. He shall be fully satisfied. By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify for man; and He shall bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:10, 11).
26 Questions 2 Corinthians 5:1-21 1. We know that if our, this, is destroyed, we have a from, a not made with, in the heavens. 2.Why did Paul and why do faithful Christians, while living on earth, groan? 3. How are jars of clay and tents figuratively like our earthly bodies? 4. While living in our physical bodies we long for something better. What about our physical bodies would you like to see improved? 5. How do those who walk by faith live differently than those who do not walk by faith?
27 6. What is God s guarantee to the faithful? Explain. 7. We Christians must make it our aim to be. For we must all before the of, that each one may receive the things done in the, according to what he hath done, whether or. 8. In view of what Paul by the Holy Spirit said in 2 Corinthians 5:10 (see question 7 above), what changes do you need to make in behavior and attitude? 9. What was Paul s remedy for discouragement? Paul encountered more than his share of discouragement and his remedy will help us in our times of discouragement. 10. What does it really mean to walk, live by faith?
28 11. If there is between and during this life, there will be no and no of after man. 12. All will appear before the Lord in judgment at the resurrection! How do you feel about standing before God in judgment? Are you ready for that day to come? Why or why not? 13. Albert Barnes said,... knowing how much the is to be ; what an object of and it will be to at the - ; how and will be the of the of that day. 14. List ten qualities of God. Include both words to describe the goodness and severity of God. 15. When and for what purpose did Paul defend his honor? 16. All have and of the of. The of is, but the of
29 is in our. 17. On what basis do humans judge others? On what basis does God judge? 18. God reconciles converted sinners to himself through Jesus Christ. How does God do this? What is involved in this wondrous transformation? 19. Christians are ambassadors for Christ. What does Christ expect of his ambassadors? 20. How, in what ways and why did God make Jesus to be sin on our behalf?