In The Mean Time

“In The Mean Time” 2 Corinthians 5:2-21 . 2 Meanwhile (In the Mean time or For the time being ), we groan, to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 4For while we are in this tent (This Body) , we groan and are burdened, we want heaven

1. Paul shares with Corinth in the meantime. The now time, the present time, this moment, and this time, this instant, it’s the time before our departure.

• In the meantime is the dash born 1958-??? Paul writes, “While we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord … we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away,” we make it our aim to please him (vv. 6, 8-9).

• The mean time is like waiting for your next flight to take off what will you do in the meantime. Paul writes that he’s packed and ready,: “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

2. In the meantime Paul says it should be our aim to please the Lord we make it our aim to please him

• In Between the Now and then Paul claims until that day I am living every day for Christ.

• Paul wants so bad to get on that flight but I need to live in the meantime He says, “I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.

• Paul is pressed between the two depart or stay He knew that he was living in the now, even though he preferred the then.

3. Paul living in the meantime meant He must endure life ordeals

• Paul believed life can be difficult it was for him

• In prison, beaten, abused, shipwrecked, in dangers, and more

• Paul could have thought his life as empty life

• His life was filled with downtime’s But he lived life as up times

4. Paul in his meantime lived a missional type life

• Before Paul's flight we learn that Paul sees his mission as an ambassador of reconciliation.

• His mission while living in the meantime is to urge people to be reconciled to God.

• We have been reconciled “that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (v. 19).

• Paul’s mission is to tell people : “Hey, God has no beef with you! Why not be reconciled? Reach out. God’s ready to receive you as one of his own children.”

• His work is to get people to turn their faces to God and have a fresh start. “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (v. 17).

• One commentator says, “This was his mission; it might not be yours. But when you’re living in the meantime, when you’re going through struggle because of sickness, a layoff, an economic downturn or a failed relationship just what is your mission? What’s the plan, Stan?

• We can’t possibly think that God’s plan, God’s will or God’s purpose for us is aimlessness, confusion and despair, can we?”

5. Paul living in the meantime (Now Time) was to live the faith life So we are always confident.” assured

• Why?” For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

• Paul holds up faith “Friends in Christ, this is faith. Like Vince Lombardy held up pigskin Walk by it. Hold on to it. Don’t drop it or let it slip from your grasp. Cling tightly to it. Defend it from all attacks. Believe in it. Carry it, and it will carry you — to victory!” Paul walked by faith

• Finally, Until your flight, your departure, In the meantime be confident, live by faith,

• let’s make our goal to please the Lord,

• until that time I am preparing for the Judgment day because I will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, in the mean time I will try to persuade others,

• until my going home day Christ’s love compels me,

• until that great get-in up morning I will live as a new creation because the old man dead.