Week 09 - Focused on Ministry in The Midst of Suffering

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

TODAY: Focused on the Future Glory in the Midst of Suffering and Weakness

Opening Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:13 (ESV)

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,

Focused on the Future Glory in the Midst of Suffering and Weakness

How...

1. Focus on the Treasure

The Treasure we have is light of God within (v. 6).

The Treasure we have because of the mercy of God.

2 Corinthians 4:7 “7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

“jars of clay” were cheap, of little value, but Paul says the light from them (v. 6) is a treasure!

The purpose of having the treasure is to show it!

(PAUL IS GOING TO ILLUSTRATE THIS POINT IN VV. 8-9 AND THEN RESTATE THE PRINCIPLE IN VV. 10-12)

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 “8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”

Have you felt close to being crushed?

Have you been perplexed/confused by life?

...Intensifying affliction, confusion, and persecution in Paul’s life

However, the power of God is at work bringing Salvation…He will not be crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, nor destroyed!

Matthew 27:46 “46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?””

2 Corinthians 4:10–11 “10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

We carry the “deathness” of Jesus (word “dying” suggests the stench and rotting of a person dead or dying).

A life lived belonging to Jesus received the imparted life of the resurrected Jesus through the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:6)

Paul in his own suffering is identifying with Jesus suffering

2 Corinthians 4:12 “12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.”

The Corinthian community received the benefit of Paul’s suffering just like all believers receive the benefit of Jesus suffering.

2. Speak with Faith

We focus on the treasure and thus we speak with faith!

In the midst of suffering and weakness speak faith like Paul and the psalmist!

2 Corinthians 4:13–14 “13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”

“spirit” here is our spirit and not the Holy Spirit.

“faith” here comes from what is “written”

Psalm 116:10 “10 I believed, even when I spoke: “I am greatly afflicted”;”

The psalmist pours out their heart to God

v. 14 The knowledge of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (i.e. Gospel) strengthens our faith!

The Focus is on Jesus and being in His Presence

2 Corinthians 4:15 “15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”

The increase we desire is not affliction but the grace of God through more people coming to Him, which leads to more thanksgiving.

3. Do Not Give Up, Be Renewed each day

2 Corinthians 4:16 “16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

“outer self” is like those cheap jars of clay

2 Corinthians 4:17 “17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”

Paul is reframing his affliction, which by our standards were neither “light” nor “momentary”

Paul is reframing his experience based on eternity.

Consider What Is Eternal

2 Corinthians 4:18 “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.”

Examples of “Bob’s” decisions:

Career Path:

Temporal Focus: Bob is offered a lucrative job opportunity that promises immediate financial rewards but requires him to compromise his values and work in an environment that conflicts with his principles.Eternal Focus: Instead of choosing the higher-paying job for immediate gains, Bob decides to pursue a career path aligned with his values and long-term goals. He values job satisfaction, personal growth, and making a positive impact on others over a quick financial boost.

Relationships:

Temporal Focus: Bob finds himself caught up in a busy work schedule, neglecting meaningful relationships with family and friends. He prioritizes short-term career achievements at the expense of nurturing his personal connections.

Eternal Focus: Realizing the significance of relationships in the grand scheme of life, Bob deliberately carves out time for family gatherings, meaningful conversations, and maintaining connections with friends. He recognizes that investing in relationships has lasting implications beyond immediate career successes.

Generosity:

Temporal Focus: Bob contemplates keeping his resources solely for personal comforts, focusing on accumulating wealth for short-term pleasures and luxuries.

Eternal Focus: Understanding the temporary nature of material possessions, Bob chooses to allocate a portion of his income to tithes and offerings. He believes in making a positive impact that extends beyond his lifetime, leaving a legacy of generosity and compassion.

Conclusion/Reflection/Application:

How do we focus on the future in the midst of suffering?

Cultivate a daily renewal of your inner self by shifting your focus from the temporal things of this world to the eternal.

Renew your focus on eternity by reading God’s word (2 Cor. 4:13).

Renew your focus on eternity by speaking to God (2 Cor. 4:14)

Renew your focus on eternity by sharing about Jesus (2 Cor. 4:15)

When faced with afflictions, confusion, or persecution, view them through the lens of eternity. Remember that, like Paul, reframing our experiences based on the eternal perspective transforms our understanding of suffering.

Embrace the idea that our lives are like jars of clay, seemingly fragile and of little value. Recognize that within these ordinary vessels lies the extraordinary treasure of God's light, a divine presence that becomes more evident through our weaknesses and challenges.

Talk It Over

How can cultivating a daily renewal of our inner selves, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:16, impact our effectiveness in ministry and our ability to navigate challenges?

According to 2 Corinthians 4:17, afflictions in ministry produce an "incomparable weight of glory." How can a perspective shift towards seeing challenges as opportunities for glory impact the way we approach and respond to difficulties in our ministry endeavors?

In 2 Corinthians 4:18, the focus is directed towards the unseen but eternal aspects. How can maintaining an eternal perspective influence our decision-making, priorities, and resilience in the face of temporal challenges within the context of ministry?