In 2007 the congregation read through "The Message" New Testament by Eugene Peterson. This lesson is taken from the assigned reading from May 20-26.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:1-21 MSG 1 For instance , This chapter 2 Corinthians 5 is closely connected with the former, and indeed has been improperly separated from it, as is manifest from the word. “ For” (γὰρ gar) with which it commences. It contains a further statement of reasons for what has been said in the previous chapter.

5. Now continuing with verse 1 , chapter 15: 1 For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven--God-made, not handmade—

13. Because God has formed us for immortality and glory, and given us his Spirit as the earnest of it, we take heart, are of good courage, do not sink under our burdens, or despair of happiness, but are fully assured of enjoying what we are desirous of: (Gill)

14. 9 But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. 10 Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.

15. 11 That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care.

16. This is a stimulus to labor so as to be accepted by Christ. The object of this judgment is that he may reap the fruits of what he has done in the body. The language here implies that our probation ends with our earthly life. (PNT)

17. 12 We’re not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. 13 If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. 14 Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.

18. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. 15 He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. A NEW LIFE

19. In this verse, Paul brings into view the principle which actuated him; the reason of his extraordinary and disinterested zeal. That was, that he was influenced by the love which Christ had shown in dying for all people, and by the argument which was furnished by that death respecting the actual character and condition of man (in this verse); and of the obligation of those who professed to be his true friends. (Barnes)

20. 16 Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. 17 Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!

21. Because, crucified with Christ ( Rom 6:6 ), buried into his death ( Rom 6:4 ), we have died with Christ ( 2Co 5:14 ), and risen to walk in a new life ( Rom 6:4 ). The old life ended when we died and were buried. Born anew, we are new creatures who must live a new life. “ a new life burgeons!” The affections, the motives, the thoughts, the hopes, the whole life. (PNT)

22. 18 All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. 19 God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.

23. 20 We’re Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 21 How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

24. “ All this comes from the God” The gospel, the object of which is to transform men, and to bring them to peace with God. “ who settled the relationship between us and him,” This explains more fully the ministry of reconciliation. It was not God who was to be reconciled, but the world. In Christ it is offered peace and shown the love of God. The ministry of reconciliation is to persuade men to accept God's love and mercy, and to repent so that he can forgive their trespasses.

25. “ God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.” We have God's message, are his authorized messengers, and speak for God, beseeching you for Christ, and in his name, to “Become friends with God;” by repentance and the obedience of faith. “ God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong,” As a sinless substitute he suffered for our sins, that our sins might thus be atoned for, the law satisfied, and we be forgiven and accounted righteous. Since we die with Christ, in him we pay the penalty, and are justified. (PNT)

26. 1 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. 2 God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. 3 Don't put it off; don't frustrate God's work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we're doing. 2 Corinthians 6:1-18 MSG STAYING AT OUR POST

27. The “marvelous life God has given us.” meant is the gospel, the ministry of reconciliation. To “squander” it would be to receive it and then fall away. Compare 1Cor. 15:2 . The prophecy, Isa 44:8 , is an offer of salvation to the Gentiles, to whom the Corinthians belonged. The point is that God has offered the salvation, but that “now is the right time to listen,” and it is not safe to “put it off.” (PNT)

28. 4 Our work as God's servants gets validated--or not--in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; 5 when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; 6 with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; 7 when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right;

29. 8 when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; 9 ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; 10 immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

30. 11 Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. 12 We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. 13 I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

31. 14 Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That's not partnership; that's war. Is light best friends with dark? 15 Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands?

32. 16 Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: "I'll live in them, move into them; I'll be their God and they'll be my people. 17 So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good," says God. "Don't link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. 18 I'll be a Father to you; you'll be sons and daughters to me." The Word of the Master, God.