March 25, 2014
CHECK YOUR PRESCRIPTION
2 Corinthians 4
Kyle Phillip
Central Truth
As Christ followers, we should focus on God's eternal kingdom, not on the temporary pleasures of this world.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 4:18
[W]e 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. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
2 Corinthians 4
The Light of the Gospel
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, 1 4:1 Greek having this ministry as we have received mercy we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice 2 4:2 Greek to walk in cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 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. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants 3 4:5 Or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) for 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.
Treasure in Jars of Clay
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; 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. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
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. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self 4 4:16 Greek man 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, 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.
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 4
Are you nearsighted or farsighted? In this passage, Paul challenges us as believers to focus not on what is right in front of us, but rather on that which is in the distance. Our time spent on earth is but a moment compared to an eternity with Jesus. This is good news!
Maybe you are caught up in what this world has to offer. I'm certainly guilty of that from time to time. There are more temptations that grab our attention than ever before. It's hard to focus on what God has blessed us with when we are surrounded by reminders of what we don't have. If you had two investment options, one that will default at some point in the future and one that will continue to grow in value forever, wouldn't you chose the latter? This is the argument Paul is making. Why invest in things that will perish, when you can focus your time and effort in something that will have everlasting value?
So, what does it mean to invest eternally? This is the essence of the gospel. God has given us "this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV). The treasure that Paul is referring to here is God's grace and eternal life for all those who choose to believe in Christ. We are the jars of clay that carry this awesome treasure. How cool is it that God chooses to use something as simple and plain as clay jars to carry this precious treasure? What beautiful irony! God isn't waiting for you to polish up your life before He will use you, so come as you are and start investing eternally. Praise God that He is willing to use imperfect folks like you and me to proclaim this gospel: you have a treasure inside of you to deal with life's difficulties. How wonderful that He would find us worthy of representing the good news!
Discussion Questions
1. What distractions are currently pulling you away from thinking eternally?
2. As you make decisions today, ask yourself, "Am I viewing this from a near- or farsighted perspective?"
3. Think of one person that you can invest in this week. How can you be a vessel of God's good news to him or her?