2 Corinthians 5:11-15

11 Since, 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. 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. -2 Corinthians 5:11-15

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Our desire to serve others is proportional to our understanding of God’s love for us.  The more we understand how much Jesus loves us, the more we are inspired to love and serve others.  This is what Paul means when he writes “for Christ’s love compels us.”  When we feel totally loved and totally accepted by God, there is a natural inclination that we want others to feel the same way.  So, we allow God to use us to love others radically.  We allow God to use us as His hands and feet to bless the world.

Do you feel loved by God?  Are you serving others because Christ’s love compels you?  If you’re uncertain about any of these questions, talk to your youth pastor about it, or talk to an AYL leader, or talk with a Harvesters leader.  They would love to talk to you about it!

2 Corinthians 5:2-5

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. -2 Corinthians 5:2-5

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What’s with all the groaning in this passage?  The Apostle Paul is alluding to the fact that while we live in this fallen and broken world, there’s a sense that this is not how things should be.  Racism is not how things should be.  Covid-19 is not how things should be.  Cancer is not how things should be.  Bullying is not how things should be.  Broken relationships is not how things should be.  Death is not how things should be.

The “groaning” Paul mentions is an awareness we all have that something is deeply wrong with this world.  We try to distract ourselves with K-dramas, anime, video games, and relationships, but when we have a moment to really be quiet and reflect, that “groaning” returns.  It’s this dread that the world is messed up and there’s very little we can do about it.

The Christian writer and thinker C.S. Lewis aptly pointed out in his writings that this dread we feel about the state of our world is a sign that we really belong to another world—God’s world.  Check out this quote:

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

Our dissatisfaction with this world is a sign that we were made for another.  Instead of distracting ourselves from our dissatisfaction, we need to embrace it and recognize that where we are right now is not our true home.  Our better home is elsewhere with God and we are simply passing through here.

The thought of heaven and eternity with God gives us the strength to endure the temporary present.

2 Corinthians 5:1

For 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 Corinthians 5:1

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There are so many things you can do with your youth.  Physically and socially, you’re at the peak of your game.  Our society has an obsession with youth.  So many of our shows and our commercials are geared toward youth.  But youth can also be deceptive.  There’s an illusion that you will always be young.  Take it from a 40 year old, that will not always be the case.

This is what this passage reminds us of—of our own mortality and the even greater future that awaits us.  Paul compares our bodies to temporary “tents” that can and will be destroyed one day.  But he encourages with God’s promise of a better “buildings” or bodies as we live in heaven with God.   To be young on earth is great, but to live forever with God for all eternity is infinitely better.

By keeping heaven on our minds, it helps us to properly order our earthly loves.  Being athletic on earth is great, but it’s not everything because when we get to heaven it’ll be better.  Being successful in the eyes of the world is fine, but it’s not everything because when we get to heaven it’ll be better.  Relationship with a significant other is great, but it’s not everything because when we get to heaven it’ll be better.

Ironically, thinking of heaven helps keep us grounded.  It doesn’t allow the things we have on earth to become an idol or a mini-god.

Are you keeping heaven on your mind?

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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. -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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Serving God and others can be tough.  It can drain you emotionally, mentally, financially and spiritually.  To love other is to allow them to drain you.  This is why the Apostle Paul writes that he is outwardly “wasting away” as he serves others.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.  This past week at Harvesters our founder Will talked about the importance of sacrifice in the Christian faith.  Yes, there’s sacrifice in Christianity, but there is also glory.  When we give ourselves to God and to others, we receive more of God, so much more that what we sacrifice doesn’t even seem like a sacrifice.  This is what Paul meant when he writes, “For our light and momentary troubles achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

It’s like God is asking us to sacrifice a Kia Rio so he can give us a Ferrari 812 Superfast.  Is giving up the Kia for a Ferrari even a sacrifice?  I heard one pastor say it this way: It’s like God asking us to sacrifice McDonald’s fries so that He can give us a steak dinner or a full sushi meal.  Is giving up fries for steak even a sacrifice?

What’s God asking you to give up right now?  Do you believe that having God is far better than what God is asking you to let go of?

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”  Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. -2 Corinthians 4:13-15

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How much do you talk about Jesus or your faith?  When we’re excited about something, we talk a lot (or post a lot) about it.  I’ve seen students talk and post a lot about anime or video games like League, Minecraft, or Genshin Impact.  But how much do we talk about Jesus?  Are we more excited about anime than we are of Jesus?  Are we more excited about video games than we are of Jesus?

In this passage, the Apostle Paul talks about how he can’t stop but talk about Jesus.  We can’t help but talk about the things we love and if we love Jesus, we’ll talk about him.

I’m going to expose Will a little bit here.  Being newly married to Lovely, all Will talks about is Lovely.  He gave a Harvesters lesson this past week and Lovely was in it.  In our cabin time, the examples he used were of his relationship with Lovely.  It’s Lovely this and Lovely that.  But it makes sense.  Will obviously loves Lovely and so he can’t stop talking about her.

Are we like that we God?  Are we so passionate and so in love with Jesus that we can’t help but talk about him?

2 Corinthians 2:3-6

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. -2 Corinthians 2:3-6

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We’ve just survived through a presidential election.  Now I want to share with you how the word “election” is used in Christianity.  “Election” in Christianity is the idea that God chose us.  It assumes that because of our sin we are so messed up that if left to ourselves we would never pick God.  In Romans 3:11 it actually says that “there is no one who seeks God.”  That’s how messed up we are!

So what is going on when we do sense a desire to seek God.  Many of us have made a commitment to Christ at a retreat or at church or even at Saranac camp.  This passage tells us that our DESIRE to even want God comes from God Himself.  That’s what election means.  It means God chose us to give us the desire to want Him.  This is why the Apostle Paul writes that God “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory.”  God gives us the ability and desire to want and know Him.

So if you’re reading this, it means that already is God is working in your heart and has given you a desire to read something spiritual.  That desire to read God’s Word came from God Himself!

Thank Him for working in your heart and choosing you to know Him and grow in Him.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. -2 Corinthians 4:1-2

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Doing God’s work is tough.  Ministry is tough.  Recently I’ve been more acutely aware of this.  But here the Apostle Paul encourages us in the midst of trials and obstacles that come our way.  He tells us not to “lose heart” because God has given us the ministry.  In fact, it is God’s ministry and we’re just along for the ride.  The trials and obstacles are not a shock to Him.  He knows and He has a plan.  Our adversity is God’s opportunity to reveal more of Himself and more of His power.

When facing adversity and obstacles, Paul encourages to take the high road and to keep God’s commandments.  We shouldn’t cut moral corners when it comes to dealing with issues.  In fact, it requires us to be blameless before others.  Even the godly way we deal with adversity is a way to show God’s presence in our lives.

Are you facing something tough in your life?  Does it tempt you to compromise your integrity in the way that you deal with it?  Stand firm, friends!  Pray!  And honor God with your actions.  He will lead you through the difficulty to safety.