Preparation

2 Corinthians 4:13–18 NIV84

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1. Produced to proclaim the works of God

Don’t let opportunities pass you by

Everything has a purpose

What happened to you is so that you can proclaim the works of God

You are pressed on every side, but not crushed

Perplexed, but not in despair

Persecuted, but not abandoned

Struck down, but not destroyed

You are still answering the bell

Life has hit you with its best shot and you are still here

I believe therefore I speak

God got me though all of my trials

What killed others didn’t kill you

What destroyed others didn’t destroy you

What ended other marriages didn’t end yours

I believe therefore I speak

2. A time of reflection

Reflect on the goodness of God

You have died to this world

There is nothing in the world that can be better than God’s gifts

You were taken from darkness and placed in His marvelous light

You were created by the Master

Fearfully and wonderfully made

We live for Him so that others may come to Him

He saved you so that you can share the Good News with others

3. A time of preparation

Therefore we don’t lose heart

Hit me with your best shot

I trained for this

I was born for such a time as this

I know things will be tough

I know in whom I believe

I know whose I am

I know He is for me

Though outwardly we are wasting away

In pain but still going

Getting older but still holding on

Been sick but still living

I got more aches than dollars

I got more pain than gain

I got more gray than pay

Don’t let the outside fool you

Like Caleb, I am as strong today as I was when I was younger

Yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day

I will keep holding on

Every day is a new day

His mercies are new every morning

I get to write a new story

I get a fresh day

Yesterday is dead

Learned my lesson

Passed the test

Survived the test

I am a new creation

4. A time of promotion

Your troubles prepare you

Your troubles are a guide for you

Your passion is your purpose

Your problems reveal your promotion is near

Your affliction is temporary

This too shall pass

Your affliction will last as long as you need to learn

When you learn the lesson the promotion comes

The affliction was revealing God’s blessing

Momentary troubles prepare you for an eternal glory

Prepared for promotion

5. Prepared to spend eternity in His presence

Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die

You want to get to college but you don’t want to finish high school

You want to have children but don’t want to be married

You want to drive but don’t want the payment

You want a family but don’t want the responsibility

You want a nice house but don’t want to spend money

You want glory but don’t want the suffering

You want the blessing but don’t want to submit to the One Who Blesses

You want to experience healing but don’t want to be sick

You want provision but don’t want to be in lack

You want to know God but don’t want to a relationship with God

You want a Savior but don’t want a Lord

You have been prepared

Don’t let fear keep you on this side of your blessing

Look to what is eternal

You are only here for a short period of time

What is seen is temporary

Problems are temporary

Peace is eternal

You’re prepared