This World Is Not My Home

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1

Paul described the fact that our lives on earth are temporary, yet we have an eternal home in heaven. It is important that we understand this – this world is not our home; our real home is in heaven. In this lesson, we are going to contrast these two homes and consider how this reality should cause us to live.

What is Home?

  • Home is a place of comfort (Psalm 132:1-5) – David vowed he would not enjoy the comforts of home until the temple was built
  • Home is a place of security (Genesis 19:8) – Lot argued that his house was to be considered a place of safety
  • Home is a place of love (Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4) – this was the ideal that God placed upon the home
  • Home is a place of family (Proverbs 25:17) – primary place for family; others may enter, but are exceptions

Our Temporary Home

  • Temporary and imperfect comfort – always work to be done (1 Timothy 5:13-14); houses do not remain comfortable if not maintained (Ecclesiastes 10:18)
  • Temporary and imperfect security – degree of security (Matthew 24:43); but we are never completely safe (Matthew 6:19; 12:29)
  • Temporary and imperfect love – love is commanded and taught (Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4); this is because love is often lacking or it fades
  • Temporary and imperfect family – loved ones will pass away (Hebrews 9:27); family is full of fallible people (Romans 3:23)

Our Eternal Home

  • Eternal and perfect comfort – tears wiped away (Revelation 21:4); pain from this life will be perfectly comforted; no further pain
  • Eternal and perfect security – nothing that belongs will ever enter that home (Revelation 21:27; 22:15)
  • Eternal and perfect love – God is love (1 John 4:8); we will be in His presence (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
  • Eternal and perfect family – even if none of our earthly family is there (Matthew 10:34-36); our spiritual family will be (1 John 3:1; Matthew 12:46-50)

Our Lives as Pilgrims

  • Remember where our true home is – our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20); recognize that we are strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11)
  • Live in such a way to reach that home – as pilgrims, God expects us to live a certain way (1 Peter 2:12); we will be judged for this (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
  • Use the time wisely that you are given here – make the most of your time (Ephesians 5:15-16); fill it with fruitful labor (Philippians 1:21-24) wherever you are

Conclusion

  • We must never lose sight of the fact that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20)
  • We must live in such a way that we will get there – do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21)
  • We do not want to hear, “I never knew you, depart from Me” (Matthew 7:23)