Sermons on 2 Corinthians 5:9
The various sermons below interpret 2 Corinthians 5:9 as a call to align one's desires and ambitions with God's will, emphasizing internal transformation over external actions. They collectively highlight the importance of making pleasing God a daily ambition, akin to handling electricity with reverence due to its powerful nature. This daily practice is seen as a guiding principle for all actions and decisions, underscoring the continuity of life both in the body and with the Lord. The sermons use analogies such as living in two different countries and transitioning from earth to heaven to illustrate the seamless nature of a Christian's life purpose, which is to glorify Christ. They stress that pleasing God involves an inner transformation, contrasting it with the misconception that it is about performing specific religious duties or external achievements.
While the sermons share common themes, they also present unique nuances. One sermon introduces the concept of spiritual adultery, where prioritizing personal desires over God's is likened to adultery against God, emphasizing the need to align desires with God's will. Another sermon focuses on life as a continuous journey with two parts, highlighting the opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven through actions that please God. A different sermon contrasts the inner transformation required to please God with the external focus of the Old Covenant, stressing the importance of aligning earthly life with heavenly ambitions.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Interpretation:
Aligning Desires with God's Will: A Call to Worship (Leaf River Baptist Church) interprets 2 Corinthians 5:9 as a call to align one's desires with God's desires. The sermon uses the analogy of a "super Christian" to illustrate the misconception that pleasing God is about performing specific actions or behaviors. Instead, the sermon suggests that pleasing God involves aligning one's heart and desires with Christ's, rather than focusing on external actions. The speaker shares a personal struggle with understanding this verse, initially viewing it as a call to perform certain religious duties, but later realizing it is about internal transformation and aligning one's desires with God's will.
Living with Reverence: Pleasing God Daily (Tony Evans) interprets 2 Corinthians 5:9 as a call to make pleasing God a daily ambition. The sermon emphasizes the importance of taking God seriously, akin to handling electricity with care. The analogy of electricity illustrates the dual nature of God's power—beneficial yet requiring reverence. The sermon suggests that pleasing God should be a daily practice, evaluated each night, and that this ambition should guide all actions and decisions.
Living Purposefully: Embracing Life's Eternal Significance (Open the Bible) interprets 2 Corinthians 5:9 by emphasizing the continuity of life in two parts: life in the body and life with the Lord. The sermon uses the analogy of living in two different countries to explain the continuity of a Christian's life. It highlights that the purpose of life now is to please God, which aligns with the eternal purpose of glorifying Christ. The sermon also discusses the challenge of standing before the Judgment seat of Christ and the opportunity to please God now.
Transforming Ambitions: Pleasing God from Within (CFC India) interprets 2 Corinthians 5:9 by focusing on the ambition to please God both on earth and in heaven. The sermon uses the analogy of transitioning from earth to heaven without a change in direction, emphasizing that one's ambition should remain constant. It highlights the importance of an inner life that pleases God, contrasting it with external religious practices. The sermon stresses that pleasing God is not about external achievements but about an inner transformation.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Theological Themes:
Aligning Desires with God's Will: A Call to Worship (Leaf River Baptist Church) presents the theme of spiritual adultery, where focusing on personal desires over God's desires is likened to committing adultery against God. This theme emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's will and desires over personal wants, suggesting that when personal desires take precedence, it creates a barrier between the believer and God.
Living Purposefully: Embracing Life's Eternal Significance (Open the Bible) presents the theme of life as a continuous journey with two parts, each with its own challenges and opportunities. The sermon emphasizes that the current life in the body is an opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven through actions that please God.
Transforming Ambitions: Pleasing God from Within (CFC India) introduces the theme of aligning earthly life with heavenly ambitions. The sermon stresses the importance of an inner transformation that aligns with the eternal purpose of pleasing God, contrasting it with the external focus of the Old Covenant.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Aligning Desires with God's Will: A Call to Worship (Leaf River Baptist Church) provides insight into the cultural context of the term "Christian," explaining that it was originally used as an insult, meaning "little Christ." This historical context is used to emphasize the importance of living in a way that reflects Christ, aligning one's desires with His.
Transforming Ambitions: Pleasing God from Within (CFC India) provides historical context by discussing the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. The sermon explains that the Old Covenant was external, with laws written on stone, while the New Covenant involves an internal transformation with God's laws written on the heart. This context highlights the shift from external religious practices to an inner life that pleases God.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Cross-References in the Bible:
Aligning Desires with God's Will: A Call to Worship (Leaf River Baptist Church) references Luke 3:21-22, where God expresses pleasure in Jesus, to illustrate the concept of pleasing God. The sermon uses this passage to highlight that pleasing God is not about actions but about being in alignment with God's will, as Jesus was. Additionally, Ezekiel 14:3 is referenced to discuss the concept of idols in the heart, illustrating how personal desires can become idols that obstruct one's relationship with God.
Living Purposefully: Embracing Life's Eternal Significance (Open the Bible) references several passages to support the interpretation of 2 Corinthians 5:9. Romans 8:1 is cited to emphasize that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Romans 14:12 and Matthew 12:36 are used to highlight the accountability before God. Matthew 6 is referenced to discuss the rewards for faithful service, and 1 Corinthians 3 is used to illustrate the concept of building one's life with enduring materials.
Transforming Ambitions: Pleasing God from Within (CFC India) references Matthew 5:20 to emphasize the need for righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. The sermon also references Hebrews 8 to discuss the abolition of the Old Covenant and the establishment of the New Covenant, highlighting the internalization of God's laws.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Christian References outside the Bible:
Aligning Desires with God's Will: A Call to Worship (Leaf River Baptist Church) references theologian Douglas Moo, who explains that James uses the term "adulteresses" to describe believers who are unfaithful to God by seeking friendship with the world. This reference is used to support the theme of spiritual adultery and the importance of prioritizing God's desires.
Transforming Ambitions: Pleasing God from Within (CFC India) references the teachings of Paul, particularly his call to follow him as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). The sermon emphasizes the importance of following godly examples and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers to live a life that pleases God.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Aligning Desires with God's Will: A Call to Worship (Leaf River Baptist Church) uses a personal story about the speaker's struggle with pride and the realization of worshiping self over God. The speaker shares an experience of being confronted by a professor about pride, illustrating how personal desires can become idols that need to be addressed and removed to align with God's will.
Living with Reverence: Pleasing God Daily (Tony Evans) uses the analogy of electricity to illustrate the concept of fearing God. The sermon compares the power and benefits of electricity to the power of God, emphasizing the need to handle both with care and reverence.