A CONFIDENT MINISTRY

2 CORINTHIANS 5: 1-7

WHAT ARE WE CONFIDENT OF:

1. WHEN WE DIE WE WILL HAVE A NEW BODY – 5:1

2. IN FACT WE GROAN TO BE CLOTHED UPON WITH IMMORTALITY

AS IN Romans 8:22 - We know that the whole creation [of irrational
creatures] has been moaning together in the pains of labor until now.(E)

3. WE HAVE RECEIVED THE EARNEST OF GOD’S SPIRIT – 5:5 (which is

a pledge, like a part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as
security for the rest) THIS ALSO IS SUPPORTED BY Romans 8:23 - And
not only the creation, but we ourselves too, who have and enjoy the firstfruits
of the [Holy] Spirit [a foretaste of the blissful things to come] groan inwardly
as we wait for the redemption of our bodies [from sensuality and the grave,
which will reveal] our adoption (our manifestation as God's sons).

4. SO GOD WHO SAYS MY WORD WIL NOT RETURN TO ME VOID

WANTS TO CONVINCE US SO BADLY OF WHAT A GLORIOUS
FUTURE WE ARE PROMISED GIVES US A SECURITY DEPOSIT ON IT.

5. DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO CONVINCE US THAT VERSE 6 IS TRUE

6. BUT THIS ONE SOMETIMES TAKES A LOT TO CONVINCE US – 5:7 IT

CONNECTS WITH VERSE 8 IN THAT IN WHILE ABSENT FROM THE
LORD WE MUST WALK BY FAITH. IT ALSO CONNECTS WITH VERSE
5 IN THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS SPIRIT SO THAT WE MAY WALK
WITH HIM EVEN WHEN WE ARE PHYSICALLY ABSENT FROM HIM.