With that, let's get into our study of God's Word.

On Sunday mornings, we're going through 2 Corinthians now, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.

And today our text will be chapter 5, verses 1 through 8.

So I'll have you turn there, and once you do, if you're able, if you could stand. If not, that's all right.

You can follow along with me as I read.

The Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Corinth and by the Holy Spirit says verse 1, 4,

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.

Meanwhile, verse 2, we groan.

How many can bear witness with verse 2 here this morning? We groan longing to be clothed

instead with our heavenly dwelling. Because when we are clothed, verse 3, we will not be found naked.

For while we are in this tent, and here it is again, 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.

Now verse 5, 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. Therefore, we are

always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body, we are away

from the Lord.

For we live by faith, not by sight.

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the

Lord.

Would you join with me as we pray, we'll ask God's blessing on our understanding.

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