2 Corinthians 4

A Restored Relationship

Other Passages

Psalm 116:10 I trusted in the LORD when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; 11 in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.” 12 What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

John 15:20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ t If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

Colossians 1:22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation

2 Thessalonians 2:10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

I Peter 1:6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed

Translations

to be shown mercy (state) v. — to be or become the recipient of leniency and compassion.

to be disheartened v. — to be or become discouraged or disheartened; lose spirit.

to be hidden (concealed) v. — to be or become unknown by virtue of concealment, secrecy, or complexity.

evil age n. — a particular stage of history understood according to its values, beliefs, and morals in distinction to God’s.

to be caused to be distressed v. — to be brought into difficulties or distress or suffering.

to be distressed hopelessly v. — to be in a distressing situation without hope of escape, survival, or other positive outcomes; possibly conceived of as an extremely narrow area from which no physical escape can be found.

to be perplexed v. — to be or become filled with confusion resulting from failure to understand.

to fall apart v. — to lose one’s emotional or mental composure.

to be persecuted v. — to be or become subject to systematic harassment and attack due to one’s religious beliefs.

to be left behind v. — to be or become forsaken or abandoned by someone at their departure (either intentionally or through neglect).

to be felled v. — to be or become fallen by or as if by receiving a blow.

to be destroyed v. — to be or become destroyed or damaged irreparably.

to be brought into a state ⇔ be delivered v. — to be or become forced or compelled into a state or condition; conceived of as being handed over to an authority.

to resurrect ⇔ wake up (someone) v. — to resurrect someone, conceived of as causing someone to wake up and arise (out of bed).

extraordinary overabundance n. — the state of having extremely (even superlatively) more than is necessary.

Thoughts

Perhaps the shameful ways was to use the gospel for profit.

Paul is confronting those who use the scripture to accomplish their purposes, not God’s

The enemy uses human logic to deceive

Illustrations

Outline

Message Brief for February 8, 2026 Text: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 (1159) Title: A Relationship Restored: 2 Corinthians 4

Introduction: Today we continue our journey through 2 Corinthians. Paul had a difficult relationship with the church at Corinth and this letter happened after the relationship was renewed.

2 Corinthians 4:1-18 (1159)- point out in v. 4, we do have a villian in our story.

I. Our primary job is to make much of Jesus (5-6) Explanation: Paul makes it clear that everything they do is about pointing people to Jesus- It is His light that shines through us-v. 5- This is not about us- but we should make much of Jesus in everything

Illustration: Giving money to community organizations and blaming it on Jesus

Application: We need to make much of Jesus as a community of faith and as individuals

II. Making much of Jesus does not mean a problem free life (7-12) Explanation: to be caused to be distressed v. — to be brought into difficulties or distress or suffering.

to be distressed hopelessly v. — to be in a distressing situation without hope of escape, survival, or other positive outcomes; possibly conceived of as an extremely narrow area from which no physical escape can be found.

to be perplexed v. — to be or become filled with confusion resulting from failure to understand.

to fall apart v. — to lose one’s emotional or mental composure.

to be persecuted v. — to be or become subject to systematic harassment and attack due to one’s religious beliefs.

to be left behind v. — to be or become forsaken or abandoned by someone at their departure (either intentionally or through neglect).

to be felled v. — to be or become fallen by or as if by receiving a blow.

to be destroyed v. — to be or become destroyed or damaged irreparably.

Illustration: Paul saying good-bye to the Elders in Ephesus (Acts 20)- told by the Spirit that arrest and danger lie ahead in Jerusalem

Application: Paul knew, as those of us who have been chasing Jesus for a while, no sacrifice is to great if Jesus is being glorified.

Conclusion: Last week , Jay talked about evaluations- what do you want to hear when you cross the finish line- I hope it is “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Gospel- Don’t let the villian convince you that there is something better than Jesus!