Our inheritance in Christ

1. Our inheritance in Christ Part 3 of the 8 week Series 2 Corinthians Chapter 5

2. Chapter 4: 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal Chapter 5: 1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

3. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 11Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

4. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God

5. 1) All of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ. • There will be Resurrection of the body. • 2 Corinthians 5:4For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. • 1 Corinthians 15:51–52"we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable and we shall be changed"

6. 1) All of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ. • We will all face the judgement seat of Christ • 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.“

7. 1) All of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ. • After judgement we will be with Jesus forever • 2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. • Philippians 1:21-2421 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body

8. Why judgement for believers? • 2 Corinthians 5:10: 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. • Romans 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. • Romans 14:10-12 10 ………………… For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…………….. 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. • John 5: 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

9. Why judgement for believers? • 28“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.  • Hebrews 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment • Matthew 16:27, "The Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and will then recompense every person according to his deeds. • (Revelation 22:12). Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to render to every person according to what he has done"

10. Why judgement for believers? • Believers when they go through the Courtroom , There Jesus sits on the throne of the judgement – looks at each one of us. He knows the day we have genuinely received Jesus as the Lord of our lives and his free gift of salvation. So you have been set free. No condemnation. For all that you have done, Jesus died on our behalf. So no fear of hell because you are destined for eternal glory • To receive the rewards for the good deeds we have done through faith. Eph 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do • To openly declare the reality of the faith and the salvation of God's people by the evidence of their deeds. Salvation is owned by faith. Salvation is shown by deeds

11. 2) We are a New Creation • 2 Corin 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! A “new creation”—the Greek word used here was ktisis. If anyone has dedicated himself or herself to Christ, that person is a new ktisis. The two major meanings of ktisis are: (1) the creative act, the act of creation or (2) the thing created, the creation itself. • 2 Corin 5:15 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again

12. 3) We are the ambassadors of Christ • 2 Corin 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God The Greek word used was ‘Presbeuein’ ‘Presbeutus’ – means a man who has a direct commission from the emperor.