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2 Corinthians Chapter Four

 
Chapter Four General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To appreciate Paul's transparency and view of service
 
2) To understand why some people are so blinded to the obvious
 
3) To gain insight into why God allows His children to suffer
 
4) To glean Paul's secret for not "losing heart" (getting discouraged)
 
SUMMARY
 
Paul continues his defense of himself and his ministry. With such a
glorious ministry described in chapter three, he does not get
discouraged. Instead he has renounced the use of deceitful tactics and
openly proclaims the truth (1-2). If the gospel seems veiled, it is
only to those whom Satan has blinded so they might not see the light of
the gospel (3-4). Paul is simply preaching Christ Jesus as Lord and
considers himself as a servant for their sakes. He humbly realizes
that it is God who has shone in his heart so he might share that light
of the gospel with others (5-6).
 
As magnificent this "treasure" may be, he is simply an "earthen
vessel". As such he experiences great suffering in his ministry, but
he knows that God allows it so that the "life of Jesus" (the power of
God) might be manifested in his mortal body by the way he endures it,
and that such grace from God might cause much thanksgiving to the glory
of God (7-15). In addition, he does not lose heart because his inward
man is renewed daily by the knowledge that affliction is light and
temporary compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits him, and
by keeping his focus on things which are unseen but eternal (16-18).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE "HONEST" NATURE OF PAUL'S MINISTRY (1-6)
 
 A. THE HIDDEN THINGS OF SHAME RENOUNCED (1-2)
 1. Having received a glorious ministry by the mercy of God, Paul
 does not lose heart (1)
 2. He has renounced the hidden things of shame (2a)
 a. He does not walk in craftiness
 b. He does not handle the Word of God deceitfully
 3. But with open presentation of the truth he commends himself
 before all and before God (2b)
 
 B. THE GOSPEL VEILED ONLY TO THE PERISHING (3-4)
 1. If the gospel seems veiled, it is only the perishing who think
 it so (3)
 2. For their unbelieving minds have been blinded by the "god of
 this age" (4a)
 3. So that the light of gospel of the glorious Christ does not
 shine on them (4b)
 
 C. PROCLAIMING CHRIST AS LORD, AND THEMSELVES AS SERVANTS (5-6)
 1. Preaching not themselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord and 
 themselves as their servants for Jesus' sake (5)
 2. It is God who has shone in their hearts so that they might 
 spread the light of the knowledge of God's glory revealed in
 Jesus Christ (6)
 
II. THE "SUFFERING" NATURE OF PAUL'S MINISTRY (7-18)
 
 A. SUFFERING PERMITTED TO DEMONSTRATE THE LIFE OF JESUS (7-15)
 1. The treasure of the gospel is in "earthen vessels", but this
 is so the excellence of God's power might be demonstrated in
 them (7)
 2. Examples of overcoming suffering (8-9)
 a. Hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed
 b. Perplexed, but not in despair
 c. Persecuted, but not forsaken
 d. Struck down, but not destroyed
 3. In this way, "dying for Jesus" gives them opportunity to
 demonstrate the "life of Jesus", which in turn blesses others
 (10-12)
 4. Confident of the resurrection and ultimate glorification, he 
 knows that all things can be to their benefit, resulting in 
 thanksgiving and glory to God (13-15)
 
 B. AFFLICTION PRODUCES AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY (16-18)
 1. He is not discouraged, even when the outward man is perishing,
 for the inward man is renewed daily (16)
 2. Affliction is light and temporary, compared with the eternal 
 weight of glory (17)
 3. His focus is on the unseen, on things that are eternal (18)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - The "honest" nature of Paul's ministry (1-6)
 - The "suffering" nature of Paul's ministry (7-18)
 
2) Why does Paul not "lose heart"? (1)
 - Because of the nature of his ministry (cf. 3:7-18)
 
3) In renouncing the hidden things of shame, what two things does Paul
 not do? (2)
 - Walk in craftiness
 - Handle the word of God deceitfully
 
4) To whom is the gospel "veiled"? Who has blinded them? (3-4)
 - Those that are perishing
 - The god of this age
 
5) Who does Paul preach? How does he view himself? (5)
 - Christ Jesus the Lord
 - As their servant for Jesus' sake
 
6) How is the "light" that God has commanded to be shone in his heart 
 described? (6, cf. 4b)
 - As the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
 - As the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God
 
7) How does Paul describe the gospel, and himself in comparison? (7)
 - As "treasure" in "earthen vessels"
 
8) What four examples does Paul use to describe how God's power had 
 worked in him? (8-9)
 - Hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed
 - Perplexed, but not in despair
 - Persecuted, but not forsaken
 - Struck down, but not destroyed
 
9) Why was Paul and others allowed to suffer for Christ? (10-11)
 - That the life of Jesus may be manifested in their mortal bodies
 
10) Who benefited by the things Paul suffered? (12,15)
 - The Corinthians
 
11) Why did Paul not "lose heart" when his outward man was perishing?
 (16)
 - Because his inward man was being renewed daily
 
12) In what two ways does Paul contrast his affliction and the glory to
 come? (17)
 - Light vs. a far more exceeding weight
 - Momentary vs. eternal 
 
13) Upon what does Paul keep his focus? (16)
 - Things unseen, which are eternal

We Do Not Lose Heart (4:1)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Twice in the chapter in which our text is found Paul makes the 
 statement "we do not lose heart" - 2 Co 4:1,16
 a. The phrase "lose heart" means to "be discouraged"
 b. If anyone ought to have been discouraged as a Christian, it 
 should have been Paul
 1) Consider some of the things he suffered - cf. 2 Co 11:23-29
 2) And yet note what he says in 2 Co 4:8-9
 -- I.e., Paul says "we do not lose heart"!
 
2. However, it is not uncommon for Christians today to "lose heart" or
 to become discouraged
 a. This is both strange and sad
 b. Strange, because we do not experience near the hardships Paul did
 c. Sad, because as Paul wrote in Ga 6:9b...
 
 "...in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
 
3. In this lesson, I want us to examine various aspects of "losing 
 heart"...
 a. We shall consider some SIGNS of losing heart
 b. And identify REASONS people lose heart
 c. And then identify PAUL'S SECRET to not losing heart
 
I. SIGNS OF "LOSING HEART"
 
 A. LACK OF PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER (NOT SO VISIBLE TO OTHERS)
 1. Christ equated fervent prayer with not losing heart - Lk 18:1
 2. Most often, the first sign of losing heart is being haphazard
 in our prayer life
 3. In contrast, a strong Christian life is characterized by 
 fervent prayer
 a. "With all prayer and petition pray at all times." - Ep 
 6:18
 b. "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it." - Co 
 4:2
 c. "Pray without ceasing." - 1 Th 5:17
 d. "I want the men in every place to pray" - 1 Ti 2:8
 
 B. GROWING WEARY IN DOING GOOD (VISIBLE TO OTHERS)
 1. Paul equated this with losing heart in Ga 6:9
 2. Some examples of growing weary in doing good...
 a. Neglecting opportunities to help others in need - Ga 6:10
 1) Such as visiting the sick and afflicted
 2) Such as telling others of the gospel of Christ
 b. Forsaking the assembling of ourselves together - He 10:
 24-25
 1) Which in itself is designed to encourage others
  2) And encourage ourselves as well!
 
[Both of these are clear symptoms that one is losing heart. But when 
there is PEACE to be found in prayer and JOY to be found in doing good,
what would cause some people to be discouraged and "lose heart"...?]
 
II. REASONS SOME "LOSE HEART"
 
 A. ONE ANSWER: TRIBULATIONS!
 1. Paul alluded to this in his remarks to the Ephesians - Ep 3:13
 a. He was concerned that they not lose heart over HIS
 tribulations
 b. If such was possible over his troubles, how much more over
 their own!
 2. Jesus warned in His parable of "The Sower" that some would be
 affected this way - Mt 13:20-21
 3. Tribulations can take different forms
 a. Both Paul and Christ had reference to those peculiar to 
 Christians
 1) Ridicule, ostracism, even physical abuse by those of the
 world
 2) Sometimes even from those we least expect it...brethren
 who sin against us
 -- Many Christians have "lost heart" being discouraged in
 these ways
 b. But there are also tribulations common to all men
 1) Sickness and death
 2) Frustrations at job and home
 -- These also take their toll
 
 B. ANOTHER REASON: LAWLESSNESS!
 1. Jesus said this would happen in Mt 24:12
 2. "Lawlessness" is lack of respect for God in both:
 a. Attitude (toward God's word)
 b. Obedience (in doing God's will)
 3. Such "lawlessness" is infectious
 a. For when many people demonstrate a lack of respect for 
 God's Will ...
 b. ...it discourages the faithful and even encourages them to
 unfaithfulness - cf. 1 Co 15:33
  4. I suspect that today...
 a. More Christians are "losing heart" because of lawlessness
 rather than tribulations
 b. Because in our country...
 1) Most severe forms of tribulations are forbidden
 2) The most severe forms of lawlessness are practiced and
 even encouraged!
 
[Yet Paul stands before us as an example of one who despite the worst 
of tribulations, and living in the most lawless of cultures could still
say "we do not lose heart"!
 
What was Paul's secret? For the answer we must look at the context in
which his statement is found...]
 
III. SECRETS TO NOT "LOSING HEART"
 
 A. APPRECIATE THE GLORIOUS NATURE OF OUR MINISTRY...
 1. Paul refers to the relationship of this ministry and not 
 losing heart in 2 Co 4:1
 2. "Therefore" refers to the previous chapter, in which Paul 
 contrasted the NEW Covenant with the OLD - 2 Co 3:5-18
 3. Compare the OLD with the NEW...
 
 The OLD Covenant  The NEW Covenant
 
 Of the letter vs. Of the Spirit 3:6
 Kills vs. Gives life 3:6
 Glorious vs. More glorious 3:7-11
 Ministry of condemnation vs. Ministry of righteousness 3:9
 Ministry passing away vs. Ministry which remains 3:11
 Ministry with a veil vs. Ministry which is unveiled
 3:12-17
 Ministry which hardens vs. Ministry which gives
  hearts liberty 3:14-17
 Transformed one vs. Transforms all 3:18
 
 4. The glory of the New is seen to be even greater when we 
 remember what is said about the value of the Old! - Ps 19:7-11
  a. If this is true with what David had in his day (only part
 of the OT)...
 b. ...then consider what must be true when we have the 
 completed OT and NT!
 5. It is in view of such a wonderful ministry that prompted Paul
 to say "since we have this ministry, as we have mercy, we do
 not lose heart."
 -- Do we really appreciate the nature of the ministry we have in
 Christ? It would help us not to "lose heart"!
 
 B. REALIZE THE POWER OF CHRIST WHEN WE ARE WEAK...
 1. Paul is referring to this when he makes the statement again in
 2 Co 4:16
 2. As we have seen, Paul suffered greatly for Christ - cf. 2 Co
 4:8-9
 3. But he saw it as opportunities for God's power through Christ
 to be shown - cf. 2 Co 4:7,10-11
 4. This was a lesson Christ taught Paul, when he struggled over 
 his "thorn in the flesh" - cf. 2 Co 12:7-10
 a. When we are weak, that is an opportunity to depend upon the
 Lord for strength!
 b. So infirmities and tribulations can be occasions to 
 rejoice, not despair!
 -- Have we learned this lesson? It would help us to not "lose
 heart"!
 
 C. LOOK AT THINGS NOT SEEN...
 1. This is what renewed Paul inwardly day by day (i.e., enabled
 him not to "lose heart") - 2 Co 4:16-18
 2. Things "not seen" refer to:
 a. The "far more exceeding and eternal weight of GLORY"
 b. Which makes our AFFLICTION...
 1) Light
 2) Momentary, temporary
 c. This "glory" is further described in 2 Co 5:1-5
 3. Looking at things "unseen" renewed Paul daily!
 -- Do we let such a hope of glory renew us? Or do we lose heart
 because we never take the time to dwell an such things?
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. In closing, read with me what Paul wrote to the Galatians...
 
 "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows,
 that he will also reap."
 
 "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,
 but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting
 life."
 
 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we
 shall reap if we do not lose heart."
  (Ga 6:7-9)
 
2. Hopefully, we will not grow weary and "lose heart" in our service to
 the Lord
 a. But if you ever find ourselves growing weary...
 b. Review what Paul wrote in 2 Co 3-5, where you will find the 
 secrets to not "losing heart"
 
We spoke briefly of the glorious nature of the ministry we have in 
Christ, a ministry of in which WE ALL can be TRANSFORMED. Have you
begun this "transformation" process with your obedience to the gospel
of Christ?... - cf. 2 Co 5:17; Ga 3:26-27

－－《Executable Outlines》

Surpassing Power

Outwardly Wasting Away

Inwardly Being Renewed

I. Merely Preach Christ as the Lord

1. Three “don’t”

2. Reveal God’s Grace

3. The Light of the Gospel

II. Treasure in Jars of Clay

1. Clay Jars Are of Little Value

2. Precious Is the Treasure

3. Four “but”

III. The Directory of Believers’ Lives

1. Troubles Are Light

2. Glory Is Eternal

3. See in Faith