Family Bible Series for August 7: Once and Future Life_72505

Posted: 7/26/05

Family Bible Series for August 7

Once and Future Life

• 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

By Mitch Randall

First Baptist Church, Bedford

Back the 1970s, one of the great television shows of that era was a futuristic science-fiction account of Captain James T. Kirk and his beloved Starship Enterprise. The captain and crews’ mission took them to the ends of the galaxies, encountering incredible adventures along the way, and combing the far expanses of space to go where no man has gone before. Within that little catch phrase, which the show opens with in each episode, there is a since of mystery about the unexplored.

There has always been a since of exploration to areas of life and beyond for those asking the right questions. At the church in Corinth, Christians there were asking those same sorts of questions about a life beyond death…or those questions consisting of a place where no man has been before and told about it.

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2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Paul writes to his Christian companions in Corinth about endurance. He encourages them, “do not lose heart”. It appears the Corinthian Christians were distraught about something. They could have possibly been frustrated with the infiltration of Greek philosophy into the theology. Or, they could simply be discouraged with rising tide of persecution under the Roman government. at any rate, they were in desperate need of some hope.

Even though the body weakens from time to time…even though the outer shell received nicks and cuts…the soul is strengthened through the endurance of life. Lance Armstrong recently won his seventh consecutive Tour De France. While many of the athletes were in as good of shape as Armstrong was, while many were physically capable of beating him, there was one factor many of them could not muster…the internal drive to overcome external obstacles. There is something about the internal will which drives a person to accomplish great tasks.

For the Christian, the soul strengthens the body even though the body might be weak. Such a process prepares the believer for the life to come, the life not seen. With Christ as Lord, a believer is strengthened day by day for the coming time when an eternal destiny awaits.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Until that eternal destiny arrives, the believer is forced to dwell in an earth tent constructed of flesh and blood. Yet, the eternal dwelling transforms the believer to exist in a state of internal fortitude lived out in an external manner. In other words, while earth is a place where the body keeps the soul in tact, heaven is a place where the body and soul collide for the eternal state of dwelling with God.

Paul continues his thought as he instructs the Corinthians regarding the matter of earthly clothing being taken off, while longing to dwell in a heavenly dwelling. Paul reminds them that there will be a day when the earthly clothing will be shed for a new dwelling place to rest. The suffering and frustration of this life would come to an end, replaced by the celebration of an eternal peace with God.

This heavenly reality to which we exist – even yet distant and unseen – gives each believer confidence to face, not only the present day, but the eternal future as well. Paul calls this way of life faith. While we walk, to what appears to the world in darkness, we bear a light that shines brighter than the sun. So, let the faithful walk according the teachings of Jesus, for there comes day when we will all face him.

The teachings of Paul are the Good News continued. While this world breaks down the physical within us all, the Lord builds up the spirit to one day exist with him in eternal salvation. Do not lose heart; there is a future life after this present one.

Discussion Questions

• In this world, what breaks down the body and mind?

• What hope has been give to those who believe in Jesus?

• In your own words, what is heaven? Do not try to explain its surroundings, but elaborate to the state of its existence.