Resurrection hope

Hymn/Song

My Soul Will Wait (Psalm 62)

Review

Parenting is the ongoing process of seeking to transfer our children’s dependence from self to parents to Christ.

Summarize

An eternal focus will fuel intentional living.

Learn

2 Corinthians 4 16-18 “16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Prior context:

Message of God’s mercy proclaimed faithfully – by open statement of the truth (v2)

Not proclamation of self, but of Christ.

We are worthless vessels entrusted with a priceless treasure

the point is not the vessel, but what is IN the vessel!

2 Timothy 2:20 “20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.”

We, as believers, have within us the very word of life who spoke all things into being and upholds them all, even now, by the word of his power. (Gen 1, Col 1)

We will be raised by him who raised the Lord Jesus. We will be brought into his presence.

Paul did all that he did for the sake of the salvation and sanctification of others, to the glory of God. (v15)

Our Passage:

In light of that, Paul does not lose heart :: He doesn’t give up on the gospel, give in to underhanded methods, or give out self-help advice.

He doubles down on his enthusiasm for the gospel as the means by which lives are changed. He used the same phrase in verse 1 in light of receiving the ministry of mercy from God.

Paul had a right perspective:

He knew his outer self (physical body) is wasting away (passive - being acted upon [by the curse]).

and that his inner self (spiritual soul) is being renewed day by day (passive - being acted upon [by the Spirit])

NOTE: this is NOT to say our physical body is evil or bad and that our soul is good. Rather Paul is recognizing the reality that our inner man is eternal and our outer man is a tent in which we dwell for this life until the day of resurrection when we receive it made new.

Paul understood that the affliction he faced as a vessel of the gospel was preparing something far greater.

Notice where Paul is looking though: it’s not at his circumstances, the seen things.

Paul’s gaze is fixed on the unseen, the lasting things, the eternal things.

His hope is not in the moment, or even in this life. He seeks to be faithful, but only so that thankfulness for Christ’s work grows to the glory of God.

The end goal is gospel proclamation resulting in transformed lives.

“We can handle anything if Christ is our everything” H.B. Charles

the Point: An eternal focus will fuel intentional living.

Apply

In what ways are we tempted to lose heart in proclaiming Christ to others?

In what ways are we tempted to lose heart in proclaiming Christ to ourself?

If our outer self is wasting away, what is our responsibility to care for it?

What part do we play in the renewing of our inner self since it is passive (meaning we are being acted upon, rather than doing the action of renewing)?

How does living with an eternal perspective impact...

...your priorities?

...your attitudes and thought life?

...your speech and conduct?

Is it possible to be “so heavenly minded you are of no earthly use”? If yes, describe how it might look.

What should we do if we are accused of this?

Do

Read “Hope of Heaven” from a Gospel Primer. Meditate on the Scriptures the author notes and write one out and post it somewhere you will see it during your week.

Pray