The Holy Spirit Changes Perspective

The Holy Spirit Changes Perspective

INTRODUCTION

Division in politics.

Why do those on the left and those on the right think each other are ignorant?

They are both seeing the world through different world-views.

Your underlying beliefs shape how you see the constitution as well as how you see other nations.

People will argue over things that they both saw with their own eyes.

Car accident

the color of a ladies dress in a picture.

Christians should see the world differently

The Holy Spirit changes our world view.

Light and darkness contrast in scripture= those who see truth and those who are blind to truth.

Pharoah vs Moses- Pharoah was blind to the reality. Hard Heart.

Holy Spirit helps us see the world the way God sees the world.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

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.

Set Up "So we do not lose heart."

Compare to 4:1 -

2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

Ministry - don't lose focus, motivation, desire.

Living God's ministry is hard work.

It’s not time to lose heart. - We need everyone’s head in the game.

3 Tests for Our Perspective

1- Do You See Your Life As Decaying or Renewing? (16)

2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

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= physical self= "wasting away"= decay and loss (16)

ILL- running out of gas- mileage

Our clock is ticking.

inner self= spiritual self= "renewed"= reference to a believer's moral transformation.

new life makes all things new.

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 ESV

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

We must see people as spiritual beings. It is hard to see past the "jar of clay".

We must see our selves as spiritual.

As believers our lives are renewing (sanctification)

our lives should show that we are in the process of becoming holy.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV

1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Growing in our spiritual lives.

When were you the closest to God? Is that answer past tense?

You can only blame yourself. You are responsible.

2- Do You See Your Life As Easy or Hard? (17)

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

When we suffer for Christ it is preparation for eternity.

4 Truths About Trials

from 2 Corinthians 4:17

A. They are Light

= only because of the right perspective.

Think of all Paul went through.

2 Corinthians 11:21–29 ESV

21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

B. They are Short

= (momentary) only because of the right perspective

short compared to eternity.

C. They are Preparation

= it is making us stronger

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

D. They Result in Glory

A reversal of the events.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8

2 Corinthians 1:8 ESV

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.

same words were used of a shipwreck. ("beyond all strength" same Greek as "beyond all comparison"

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

2 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—

3- Do You See Your Life As Temporary or Eternal? (18)

2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV

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.

What are spending your time reading, planning, giving to, etc?

Physical or spiritual? Seen or unseen? Transient or eternal?

transient= here today, gone tomorrow.

ILL-- investing in a stock of a company that you know is going under tomorrow.

It takes using eyes of faith.

One day we will reap what we have sown.

Are you throwing away your eternity for the pleasures of this brief life?

James 4:14b ESV

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

ILL- Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:16–21 ESV

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

There will be a day each of us will breathe our last breath. Is your life going to be marked by an investment in the temporary or eternal?

CONCLUSION

Has your perspective been changed by the Holy Spirit?

Do you see with physical eyes or spiritual eyes?