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. 2 Corinthians 5:13-15

Why do we do anything that we do? When we wake up in the morning, why did we pray immediately? Or why do we read the Word of God daily? Or why do we tell everyone we know about Jesus? As the Apostle Paul says “For the Love of Christ compels or constrains us” It’s the Love of Christ and the Love for Christ that drives everything we do in life

Remember what Paul said “But God demonstrated his love towards us, why we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) Think about that, even at our worst, even when we were enemies of God, He always loved us and even died for our sins. Can we even begin to fathom this amazing grace and love our God has towards us!

So when we serve The Lord, we are not doing this because we are trying to “earn our salvation” or we are not doing this to be “religious” No we serve The Lord because we love The Lord and He loves us! It’s a relationship with your Creator not a dictatorship. We gladly serve Jesus Christ because He is our Lord, and because Christ has loved us first!

As Paul continues to say “And that He (Christ) died for all, that they (us) which live should not live for themselves” Our lives belong to Jesus, because our lives were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20) You were bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, your life is not your own anymore! We live for Jesus, because Jesus died for us! Think about that!

For Him (Christ) who died for them (Us) and rose again! (v15) Because Jesus rose again we can have eternal life! Everything we do is for and because of the Love of Christ, who loved us first, Amen!

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. 2 Corinthians 5:11-12

Often in Christianity today we hear a watered down , sugar coated gospel. We hear about a Jesus who only loves, yeah doesn’t require repentance or obedience. This is why we have so many false converts throughout the Church, there is no fear of The Lord. 

The Bible tells us “The Fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom and understanding” (Proverbs 9:10) So what does this mean? How can “fear” bring us to wisdom or understanding? Well first if you dive into the original Hebrew word translated as Fear here its “Yirah” which also means Reverence or Awesome. 

Many people will affirm Jesus loves them, and Yes Christ loves everyone as He demonstrated his love towards you on the cross. But the real question is “Do you love Jesus”? If you claim to love Christ, then why don’t you demonstrate your love? Jesus said “If you love me, Keep my commandments” (John 14:15) If a child continually defies and dismisses what their parent says, do they really love them? No, true love is a respect or reverence for someone. So do you really have reverence for God? 

Back to our original question, how can fear bring wisdom? The first question is why do I need a Savior? Often people dismiss the gospel because they don’t understand the purpose of the gospel, we have all fallen short of the glory of God, we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) How can the knowledge of sin be obtained? By the Ten Commandments, Gods moral law. If you want to know if you need Jesus, just walk through the Ten Commandments and examine your life

The Bible also says “It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) The bad news is there are consequences for your sin, as the Bible says “The Wages of Sin is death”(Romans 6:23) the second part of the verse gives us the gospel or Good News “BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23) You can’t have the good news without the bad news, right? Otherwise the good news doesn’t sound like good news!

As the Apostle Paul says “Knowing the terror of The Lord, we persuade men” How do you persuade people to need Jesus? You give them the bad news first, we are all sinners headed to Hell, the good news is Jesus Christ gave us the way to eternal life, Amen!

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the 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 labour, 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. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Recently John Macarthur did a sermon on “We lose down here”, and while I have great love and respect for Macarthur, I strongly disagree with his message. Our scripture readings today support my stance on this, as Born Again Christians we can never “lose”. Whether we are alive or dead, whether we are rich or poor, whether we are healthy or sick, we have Victory in Jesus Christ, period! (1 Cor. 15) 

While from a worldly perspective it may look like we are “losing”, our victory is sealed and guaranteed, Jesus said “I have already overcome the world” (John 16:33) Now Pastor John might have been trying to address “Christian Nationalism” which is an entire different topic, but understand this, nothing can separate you from the love of God, nothing! (Romans 8)

The Apostle Paul teaches “To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord” If your alive today, rejoice you have another day on this Earth. If you have died today, you are with The Lord! There is no losing as a Born Again Christian, as Jesus said to the thief on the cross “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43) Jesus didn’t tell the thief, when the resurrection happens you will be with me, No Christ said Today, instantly! It lines up perfectly with what Paul is teaching

So the idea of “Soul Sleep” is not Biblical, to think you are going to die and cease to exist until God remembers you again, doesn’t align with scripture. Strangely this viewpoint aligns more accurately with Atheism than it does Christianity. How can we have Victory if we cease to exist? Why would Paul desire to depart from the body, if he was going to cease to exist? Did Jesus lie to the thief on the cross? No of course not, Soul Sleep is another man-made doctrine destroyed by the Word of God

So does this mean, we coast through this life, waiting to be with The Lord? No, as Paul says “We labor” as he goes on to teach, all of us with stand before Christ and give an account of all the works we have done, whether good or bad! Does this mean we have to “earn our salvation”, No, we can only be saved by faith in Christ. However if you are Born Again, filled with the Holy Spirit, then you should be producing fruits of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) A good tree produces good fruit! 

Take heart and comfort knowing to depart from the body is to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever! Amen!

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. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

If you live long enough, you know life is painful. Life is full of trials and suffering, life is full of medical issues and struggles, sometimes it makes us wonder what is the point of life, right? This is why the gospel is called the Good News, all your pain and suffering will be gone! All your physical and mental health issues will be gone! All your family who loves The Lord will be seen again! This is described as the New Heavens and Earth in the Bible (Revelation 21)

Because Jesus Christ physically died for our sins and physically rose from the dead, defeating sin and death, we will someday physically rise again with glorified bodies, this is the final resurrection (1 Cor. 15) The Apostle Paul describes this in more detail “our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” Many of us have a “thorn in the flesh” that haunts us everyday, however one day that thorn will be removed in our glorified bodies. One day the battle with sin will be over, as our earthly house will be dissolved and we are given a temple of God, a glorified, sin free body

Paul describes our current state best here “ For this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” As Born Again Christians we groan daily, striving to be conformed in the image of Christ, while stuck in a sin-filled body. We groan at the current state of the world, while we strive for daily sanctification of the Holy Spirit, the world strives for the flesh and becomes more depraved. We groan for the day we are physically united with our Lord Jesus Christ, and reign with him in God’s Kingdom!

As Paul continues “For we that are in this tabernacle, do groan, being burdened” Take comfort and peace knowing that God understands your burdens and groans in your current state. While you struggle daily to understand how you are blessed or Born Again, but reminded of the promise, that one day we will be Rise with Christ in glorified bodies. While the current struggle of life seems long, Gods eternal kingdom is forever, take heart Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33) Amen!

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you can’t see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3) I believe this is a foundational teaching of Christianity that is often neglected by the Church. Most Churches will affirm the cross and the resurrection of Christ, how many Churches are teaching you must be Born Again? You must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit to see the Kingdom? When you ask most “Christians” are you Born Again, then look at you like you have three heads

It’s a foundational teaching because Jesus said “You can’t” be saved without the Holy Spirit. Looking at Paul’s teaching here, without the concept of regeneration, it wouldn’t make any sense. Paul says “Our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed daily” Most would say Paul is talking about the resurrection of the body, well no because are you being resurrected on a daily basis? No, but we as Christians should be renewed daily, how? By the sanctification of the Holy Spirit

Anytime we start talking about sanctification and holiness, everyone runs for the door. But if you’re truly a Christian, then you must be Born Again, and if you are truly Born Again, then the Holy Spirit lives inside of you. And if the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, you are going to be sanctified. Your going to be renewed daily, growing in Christ, moving farther away from your sins, gaining deeper knowledge in The Lord, yes this is a lifetime process

I love the next piece of wisdom Paul reveals here “For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” We could write a whole sermon about this, having an eternal perspective. The world only has a temporal perspective, they are living for the flesh, they are living just for today. We as Born Again Christians are living for the eternal Kingdom of God. Everything we do is for the Kingdom, everything we do has eternal consequences and the fruit will last forever

The unregenerated person doesn’t understand the spiritual warfare that they are in. They don’t understand there is a war for their soul, that their sin has eternal damning consequences. Jesus Christ came to set us free, our inner man is being renewed and sanctified on a daily basis, Amen!

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.2 Corinthians 4:11-14

What hope does this world have? If you said Jesus Christ, then you are correct, but what about those without Christ? What hope does the world have without Christ? Nothing, there is no hope outside of Jesus, why? Because regardless of your beliefs or religion, we are all under the curse of death. We are all dying on a daily basis!

But as the Apostle Paul reminds us “So then death works in us, but life in You” As Born Again Christians we are not yet in our glorified bodies, therefore our physical bodies are dying everyday, just like the world. However our “inner man, our soul is being sanctified daily! As Paul says later in this chapter “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed daily” (v16)

Those who reject the soul, this concept would make no sense, how can the Holy Spirit be sanctifying our physical bodies everyday? It wouldn’t make sense because our physical bodies are wasting away on a daily basis until our glorification in Christ. 

How do we know its the Holy Spirit renewing us daily? Notice what Paul says here “Knowing that He (Holy Spirit) which raised up the Lord Jesus , shall raise up us also by Jesus” Wow, consider what Paul said in Romans “The same power that rose Jesus from the dead is living inside of you” (Romans 8:11) The Holy Spirit shall raise us up also like Christ! Do we ever acknowledge the Holy Spirit enough?

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

How much does God love you? Christ died for you, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, and notice what Paul says “For all things are for your sakes” If you feel unloved or unimportant, remember you are made in the image of God and all of this was done for your grace, to give God the glory in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Jesus said “They will hate you because they hated me first” (John 15:18) This idea of “prosperity gospel” that we Christians are going to live our “best life now” is not only not Biblical, but it’s absolutely blasphemous and disgusting. Did Jesus Christ live his best life now, when the world crucified him to a cross? Did the Apostles live their best life after they murdered every one of them, except John? Anyone with little Bible knowledge knows this is a lie straight from Satan

The Apostle Paul describes what life was like for the early Church, “We are troubled on every side, we are perplexed, we are persecuted, and cast down” Does that sound like the “American Gospel”? It’s absolutely nauseating to think someone could stand up on a stage, hold up a Bible, and proclaim prosperity in Jesus name. Where is the Fear of God? This is why James warned “not many of you should be teachers, because you will be held under a stricter judgment” (James 3:1)

Now going back to what Paul said, even though we are to expect persecution and suffering as Christians, “We are not distressed, we are not in despair, we are not forsaken, we are not destroyed” You might ask “How is that possible”? Because it depends of your perspective and your faith in Jesus Christ. If you have a temporary, worldly perspective, then your life is going to be miserable. However if you have an eternal perspective, understand Christ defeated sin and death forever, and God’s Kingdom is eternal

Not only that, Jesus promised to give us the greatest gift, the Holy Spirit, that is living inside of You! (Luke 11:13) You are not alone or forsaken, God is with us! You are the temple of the living God, the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead, this is all you need! Money or possessions will not save your soul as Jesus said “What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul” (Mark 8:36) 

Your best life now? What does Paul continue to say here “always bearing about in the body the dying of our Lord Jesus” As the body of Christ you will suffer the same as Christ! Many Christians don’t want to hear that but that is your calling! You were bought with a price, your life belongs to Jesus Christ! Amen!

whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

Many people are asking these days “What is wrong with the world”? Well if they read their Bible, you would know exactly what is wrong with the world and people. For Born Again Christians, the state of this world and humanity should not be a surprise to you. Notice what Paul says here “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded”

Did you know Satan is called the god of this age or world? It’s no surprise the world is insane because it’s under the influence of the evil one (1 John 5:19) This is why as Christians we are not to conform to the ways of the world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) A Church that is conforming to the world, is a Church that worships the god of this world, Satan, think about that!

Yet how many “Churches” today do we see conforming to this world? Today we see rainbow flags hung at the majority of Churches, only a few years ago this would be considered an abomination. What happened? They are blinded by Satan! What happens when you shine the light on the darkness? What happens when you flip over a rock, the bugs scatter, this is what happens when you share the real gospel of Jesus Christ with the uncoverted world

As Paul says here “who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” Jesus said “The world will hate you because it hated me first” (John 15:18) Again can you put two and two together? Why does the world hate the real Jesus, they hate the real gospel, they hate the real Church? Because the god of this world is Satan

If your Church is more like the world then it is Christ, then you know who their real god is. Jesus said “Narrow is the gate of life and very few will find it” (Matthew 7:14) A mega Church is not a sign of a Born Again Church, attendance numbers are not the true sign of a healthy Church, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are. If Christ said very few will find salvation, then you wouldn’t expect packed arenas in air conditioned buildings, you would expect an Upper Room with an inner circle of disciples

What is our motto, Paul sums it up best here “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus The Lord, and we are servants for Jesus sake” We preach the true gospel because Jesus Christ is our Lord, we dont conform to the ways of this world because we are servants of Jesus Christ, who has already defeated the fake god of this worldy, Amen!

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2 Corinthians 4:1-3

Now that we are Born Again in Jesus Christ, what do we do next? Do we just sit around and wait to be raptured? No , Jesus said “Go and preach the gospel to all the nations” (Matthew 28:19) Since you were called by Christ, you have a calling by Christ, Go and be the Church, Go and be the hands and feet of Christ, be the Light and Salt into this dark world (Matthew 5) You are filled with the Holy Spirit, the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead is living inside of You! (Romans 8:11)

Is this going to be easy? No way, remember what Jesus also said “They will hate you because they hated me first” (John 15:18) Remember you are in a spiritual war against the dark forces of evil, the darkness hates the light, Satan hates you and wants to destroy you. You have become an enemy to the world as a true disciple of Christ. That’s why you can’t conform to this world (Romans 12:2) because you are an enemy to this world

Lets see what the Apostle Paul says here “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not or don’t lose heart” Notice Paul is warning the Christians, don’t give up in your ministry, because it’s not going to be easy. The world hates you because the world is under control by Satan (1 John 5:19) If you preach a true gospel, expect heavy opposition from the dark forces of this world. But don’t lose heart, Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33) You are filled and sealed by the Holy Spirit, demons tremble at the name of Jesus Christ! (James 2:19)

And as a Born Again Christian, we must walk worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) As Paul says here “We renounced the hidden things of dishonesty or shameful ways” We no longer live in the sin before we came to Christ, we are Born Again, we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) And importantly “ we don’t handle the Word of God deceitfully” If your truly Born Again, then you believe the Bible is the Word of God. We listen and obey the Bible, we don’t twist and distort to fit our agenda or lifestyle!

“But the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” Notice the keywords here “In the sight of God” Christ is watching your ministry! If your being deceitful , you might be able to fool people, but you can’t fool God, you will be under heavy judgment. Walk worthy of your calling, be led by the Holy Spirit, read and follow the Word of God

Finally Paul says “But if our gospel be hid or veiled, its hid to those who are perishing” The reality is most people are not going to accept the true gospel of Jesus Christ, but you must continue to be obedient and preach it, because there will be a remnant that will receive it. Don’t lose heart, many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14) Get Busy for our Lord and God Jesus Christ, Amen!