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Thomas F. Fischer, M.Div., M.S.A., Editor
Fourth Sunday After
Pentecost
Series B
II. Because we have the Holy Spirit as a down payment on the future--text, vv5-8; Rom 8:23ff; 2 Cor 1:22-24; 4:17-18; Eph 1:13-14; 1 John 3:24
III. Because our Savior will be our Judge--text, vv9-10; 1 Cor 4:5; Gal 6:7ff; Eph 6:7-8; Rev 22:12-13
Key Words & Phrases––Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament:
2 Corinthians 5:2: To be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven (to oikeôôteôôrion heôômoôôn to ex ouranou ependusasthai). First aorist middle infinitive of late verb ependuoôô, double compound (ep, en) to put upon oneself. Cf. ependuteôôs for a fisherman’s linen blouse or upper garment (John 21:7). Oikeôôteôôrion is old word used here of the spiritual body as the abode of the spirit. It is a mixed metaphor (putting on as garment the dwelling-place).
5:4 That what is mortal may be swallowed up of life (hina katapotheôôi to thneôôton hupo teôôs zoôôeôôs). "Only what is mortal perishes; the personality, consisting of soul and body, survives" (Plummer). See note on 1:22 for "the earnest of the spirit."
5:8 We are of good courage (tharroumen). Good word for cheer and same root as tharseoôô (Matthew 9:2, 22). Cheer up.
Are willing rather (eudokoumen). Rather, "We are well-pleased, we prefer" if left to ourselves. Cf. Philippians 1:21f. Same eudokeoôô used in Luke 3:22.
To be at home with the Lord (endeôômeôôsai pros ton Kurion). First aorist (ingressive) active infinitive, to attain that goal is bliss for Paul.
5:9 We make it our aim (philotimoumetha). Old and common verb, present middle, from philotimos (philos, timeôô, fond of honour), to act from love of honour, to be ambitious in the good sense (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 15:20). To be well-pleasing to him (euarestoi autoôôi einai). Late adjective that shows Paul’s loyalty to Christ, his Captain.
5:10 Before the judgment-seat of Christ (emprosthen tou beôômatos tou Christou). Old word beôôma, a step (from bainoôô), a platform, the seat of the judge (Matthew 27:19). Christ is Savior, Lord, and Judge of us all (tous pantas, the all).
That each may receive (hina komiseôôtai hekastos). Receive as his due ( komizoôô).
Bad (phaulon). Old word, akin to German faul, worthless, of no account, base, wicked.
For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ... Martin Luther explains: "None other will hold court on that day than he who gave himself for us. He will certainly not deny himself but will declare that he gave himself for your sins, as you believe. What, then, will sin do when the Judge declares that He has taken it all away? Who will accuse you? Who will judge the Judge? Who will overcome Him? He himself would have to be condemned before sin could condemn him for whom He gave Himself. Oh, here is great, sure security. It only depends on the strength and firmness of our faith. Christ will not waver; He is firm enough. Therefore, we should diligently cultivate our faith and exercise it. Then it becomes firm and strong."
+ + +
Let’s see how good your ears are this morning. I will use the same two words three different times, but I will pronounce them a little differently each time. That’s how you’ll know what I mean each time I use these same two words. READY?
Mr. White left the White house and walked past the white house on the corner on his way to the White House. (Repeat)
Got it?
About 20 years ago I was in Washington D.C. with some high school students and a few adults. They took a bus ride and I traveled on a plane. I caught up with them in the line that was headed for the White House. "It wasn’t the white house on the corner or the place where Mr. White lived with his family, but the WHITE HOUSE, the house where the President and his family live.
We got to see a few rooms, but nowhere near as many as a friend of mine did. About 10 years before, his sister was the Secretary to the President and they got to see just about the whole place. In the last verse of today’s 2nd reading, Paul tells us something about Jesus that I want you to remember: He said: We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Paul says that the Judge on the Last Day is our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us so much that he died on the cross for our sins. And here is what the Lord God says about our sins: "I will forgive their sins and I will remember them no more" (Jer 31:34). I am very good at forgetting things and I'm guessing you are too when you have to take a test. God never forgets the way we do. When he forgets, it is because he wants to forget. And he wants to forget our sins because the blood of Jesus has covered them. Even God can’t see them any more.
So remember this: Just as my friend got to see a lot of the White House because his sister was the President’s Secretary, so our sins are forgotten because Jesus is our Friend. And now God forgets our sins but remembers our good works and will reward us forever for them.
What a great friend we have in Jesus!
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This page was revised on: Monday, November 13, 2006 12:59:48 PM |