We were able to get through 2 Corinthians 4 this morning! There are so many encouraging verses that can be applied directly into our daily lives. Last week we discovered:
1. Having received mercy, we all have a ministry to fulfill while we are in this life. Let us not faint in our stewardship! V.1-2
Galatians 6:9: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2. We have a message to share with this world that is covered in the darkness of unbelief. V.3-4
Today, we completed the encouragement found in V.5-7:
3. Our method of delivering the message is preaching. We are all preachers to those the Lord brings our way. V.5-6
We took a sidetrack in V.6, in order to discuss the “light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, looking at Matthew 16:13-17:1-3. Caesarea Philippi was a place of worship of Roman gods found at the base of Mount Hermon, at the headwaters of the Jordan River. Rightly dividing the Word through principles found in premillennial dispensationalism, keeps us from wrong conclusions that are taught in postmillennialism and amillennialism.
Matthew 16:28 – 17:1-3: Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Jesus was clearly speaking of Peter, James, and John, who were invited to get a glimpse of the millennial kingdom ruled by the glorified Son of man, the Messiah king, the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the prophets. “After six days” is a picture of the 6,000 years of human history, and Jesus took them up on Mount Hermon on the 7th day, which is a picture of the 2nd Advent. This is why his transfiguration was a confirmation of the coming, literal kingdom.
4. Our motivation is the treasure that we possess in these earthen vessels – our flesh and blood bodies – the person of the Holy Spirit who resides in every born again child of God. V.7
A vessel must be clean, empty, and available for service! The real characteristic of man is not his power, but his weakness.
2 Timothy 2:20-21: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.2 Corinthians 4:8-12, 6:1-10, and 11:16-12:10 are three times Paul writes of the persecution he suffered for Christ. He understood that suffering for Christ was part of his life experience as a Christian. Philippians 3:102 Corinthians 4:13-18 reveals the 4 keys to the secret of enduring trials and persecution in this life. Hebrews 12:1-3 is a companion scripture to give us greater understanding of what growing in Christ is all about.
Hebrews 12:1-3: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4 keys to the secret of enduring trials and persecution:
1. Our ultimate victory! V.13-14 (See 1 Corinthians 15:50-54)
2. That God be glorified! V. 15 (See Romans 8:28)
3. That our trials are working for us, not against us! V.16-17 -- Glory has weight! (See Colossians 3:4)
4. That the invisible world is real! (See Romans 1:20)
Looking forward to our study of 2 Corinthians 5 this coming Sunday!
