Our Main Ambition

2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Paul is speaking about longing for the new body that will come with the resurrection. Paul's preference is to be with the Lord, clothed in immortality. However, no matter where he is, his main ambition is to please Christ. While in his present body, Paul determines to live in such a way that he will be rewarded when he appears before the judgment seat of Christ.
This is what the pastor at First Ev Free in Fullerton was speaking about: how we live in the present affects how we will experience and enjoy eternity. Paul has abandoned himself to pleasing Christ and is anticipating a full enjoyment of eternity as a result. He anticipates that everyone will be judged based the things they have done while in their present bodies. Obviously this does not determine the salvation of the person. Paul makes that clear in other passages - by grace through faith alone. However, this does not absolve us from doing any works. Paul is equally clear in this and other passages that everyone will receive what is due them for the works they have done.
The question that arises with a salvation that is by grace through faith alone is, "why, then, should I bother to do anything when all that is required is faith in the grace of Christ?" The answer from Scripture is that what I do here in this body affects my experience of eternity.