PAINFUL GAIN

♦ June 1, 2012 ♦ Leave a comment

Bible Text:  2 Corinthians 4:1-18

In this chapter, second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he is revealing the treasures in jars of clay for the sake of the Gospel. These are the “motivations of the willing heart”. Because of God’s mercy, a heart is rising up! “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” (v.1-3)

1.      Entering the dark to bring the light. (v.4-6)

  • “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2.      Facing the death to pass on life. (v.7-12)

  • “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

3.      Preaching the one to reach more. (v.13-15)

  • “ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

4.      Making the best of temporary for a better eternity. (v.16-18)

  • “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

 CONCLUSION:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  – Philippians 1:21

  1. “When we die because of the Gospel, we will be with Christ in heaven. It’s a gain!”
  2. “When we live for the sake of the Gospel, Christ in heaven will be with us here. It is life!”

Encouragement for the workers of the Gospel:

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” –Hebrews 6:10

Leave a comment