Flesh and Blood Forever

Message Listening Guide

2 Corinthians 4:14-5:10

Guiding Question: Can we keep our bodies from failing? How should we respond when they do?

Because God isn't finished with your body… (2 Corinthians 4:14-15)

The Christian hope isn't for a disembodied life after death, but an embodied life after life after death (cf. N. T. Wright). Which means God isn't finished with any of us—young or old, fit or frail.

…you aren't just wearing out, you're being renewed (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Paul considers not the physical vs the spiritual, but the present person vs the eternal person (which overlap). There is a fallen, mortal aspect to us that is in the process of rotting—and—for those who follow Jesus—there is an eternal, resurrected aspect to us that receives abundant, never-ending life from God. He doesn't give up, because the animating Holy Spirit is giving life to our eternal selves. And because our present afflictions are achieving future glory.

…death is not the solution, it is the final enemy (2 Corinthians 5:1-5)

Paul describes our present experience as groaning in our earthly tents. Groaning is a fitting response to the physical frustrations we suffer from! But note his hope: not to be unclothed (a disembodied spirit) but to be further clothed (a resurrected being). When your body is experiencing so much pain and frustration, it can be easy to see it as the problem, and death as a solution to that problem. But in spite of his own sufferings, Paul does not view it that way. Death is the last enemy to be destroyed, not something to welcome as release. Don't hope for death, hope for life.

…your work isn't wasted, it's counted (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)

Here is Paul's application of all of this: make it your aim to please the Lord, because He sees it all and will repay it all. He sees the suffering that no one else does. He sees the care that no one else notices. So, if you are healthy, remember the works of ministry and care you do matter and are seen by the Lord and will be repaid by Him. And if you are frail and frustrated and limited, take comfort that your suffering is not going unnoticed or unused. It is