At Home with the Lord

The sermon will be under these FOUR WORDS: The GROANING, GUARANTEE, DESTINY, and MOTIVE.

The Groaning (vv. 1-4)
Our life here is likened to a "tent" (v. 1), or more particularly, our life in this world in our mortal bodies is like living in a tent. It is impermanent. It is characterized by groaning, longing "to put on our heavenly dwelling." (v. 2)

The Guarantee (v. 5)
• The guarantee of this eternal life, this glorious weight of glory, this permanent heavenly dwelling is found in v. 5: "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (v. 5)
• God prepared it as a gift to those in Christ and He planned it before the foundation of the world. He guarantees it by giving the Holy Spirit to us. His presence in our lives indicates the reality and certainty of what God has revealed.

The Destiny (v. 8)
• Whether a resurrected body or heaven itself, it doesn't matter. What is certain is that we will be with Christ (v. 8, "at home with the Lord"). We will not be naked, unclothed in glory, yet "this future blessedness" is ultimately defined as "at home with the Lord".
• He says that we are currently "away from the Lord" (v. 6) but we will be at "home with the Lord" (v. 8). That is OUR DESTINY, to be with the Lord. Rather AT HOME WITH THE LORD.

The Motive (vv. 9, 10)
Paul's Point in v. 9: It doesn't matter where we are, what our situation, here or there, we aim to please Christ.
Not "gaining acceptance in his eyes" (as one commentator wrote) but pleasing Him because of all He has done for us. Paul was not doing this to earn Christ's presence and forgiveness but wanting to please Him because of God's grace.