Introduction: A Christian's Hope consists of:

• The Presence of God
• The People we love
• The Provision of Heaven
• The Person we will be

1. Our Building Up There (2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
   See All...) (Tabernacle- 2 Peter 1:13-14 [13] Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; [14] Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
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1. Heavenly
2. Spiritual
3. Eternal (Doctrinal note: Does not refer to resurrection/ but to transformation at death)
4. It occurs at death
5. This "body" is already in heaven
6. It is not a temporary body "eternal in the heavens"
7. It must be a "spiritual" body of sorts, which is incorporated into the glorified body at resurrection
2. The Burdens We Bear (2 Corinthians 5:2-4 [2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: [3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. [4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
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1. To be clothed upon (2 Corinthians 5:2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
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2. To avoid a state of wondering (2 Corinthians 5:3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
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3. To cast off present burdens (2 Corinthians 5:4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
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4. To swallow up mortality (2 Corinthians 5:4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
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3. With Boldness We Dare (2 Corinthians 5:5-8 [5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. [6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
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1. By the Earnest of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
   See All...) (Ephesians 1:13-14 [13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
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2. By our confidence in the Promise of His Presence (2 Corinthians 5:6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
   See All...) (Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
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3. By our walk of faith (2 Corinthians 5:7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
   See All...) (2 Corinthians 1:24Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
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4. By our willingness to go (2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
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