2 Corinthians 4 When facing chaos - Do not lose heart)

Chaos and suffering.

Easy to lose heart

To become inwardly focused.

To focus on the trouble

But Paul provides a different way. He encourages to not lose heart even in the face of the difficulties.

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

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;

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,

We have a purpose and a mission that is critical to the Lord

We may be common/fragile vessels, but we have been given great value as the great treasures of God have been placed within us. And we are to shine and share this great treasure on His behalf.

We have the perspective of eternity and the glory that awaits us in the days ahead.

So we do not lose heart.

I. We do not lose heart: Because of the need for ministry

A. No reason to lose heart

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 1 Therefore, having this ministryby the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

1. Because of the ministry

a) It’s truth

b) It’s purpose – real purpose

2. Because of the mercy of God

a) Not because we deserve or earned it

3. Therefore do not lose heart –

a) Heart fail

b) get discouraged

c) Lose hope

B. Embrace the truth

1. Reject temptation to leave the truth

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, …

a) Wavering is disgraceful

b) Be manipulative

c) Change the God’s Word

2. Embrace the truth openly / clearly

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 2 … but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

a) Openly declare the truth

b) Before people

c) Before God

C. Know the lost are blinded

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1. Gospel is veiled to the lost

2. Satan actively blinding to prevent understanding – one of the reasons people are the way they are

3. Christ is greater (not said but implied here)

II. We do not lose heart: Because we show His light

A. Shown to us for the sake of others

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselvesas your servantsfor Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1. True light shone in our hearts

2. In order to give light to others – knowledge of glory of God – penetrate the blindness of Satan

B. Intentionally put in clay pots

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

1. Great and valuable treasure carried about in earthy vessel – the message of the gospel

2. Given to clay pots

a) Common – nothing special

b) Limited in capability

c) Fragile – weak

3. To contrast with the limitless power it contains

a) But what it carries is great – surpassing power / unlimited – Lead casing that surrounds an atomic bomb

b) Glistening light from a raging fire in a clay pot

4. Not about the clay jar – its about the supreme power of the light of the gospel that it carries

C. Continually afflicted but not broken

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 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;

1. Afflicted – hard pressed / not hemmed in, crushed

a) Pressed against but yet able to breathe

2. Perplexed – anxious, uncertain, at a loss / not without hope

a) Don’t know what to do – but don’t give up

b) Feeling lost, but never completely hopeless or lost

3. Persecuted – hunted down, moved against / not deserted

a) Pursued but not overtaken

4. Struck down – Thrown down / not destroyed, still ticking

a) Same root word – Knocked down, but not knocked out

5. Like Jesus in suffering / like Jesus in His resurrection life

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.

D. Still speaking forth by faith

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 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.

1. Believed

2. So spoke

3. Knowing we will be raised out of the suffering to be in His presence

III. We do not lose heart: Because we understand withperspective

So we do not lose heart

A. Inner self is being renewed

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

1. Even in the physical decay – renewed daily in the spirit

B. The affliction is light / momentary

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

1. Suffering is light

2. Suffering is momentary

C. An opportunity for great eternal glory

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 4 17 For this light momentary afflictionis 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.

1. Contrast - Light weight affliction produces weighty glory

a) Produces glory (potentially as we respond)

2. Contrast – transient/momentary vs. eternal

3. Keep focused on look with intensity - look to the unseen - the eternal – live with eternal perspective