Off the Shelf Sunday School--2 Corinthians
Warren Mueller
Christian Author & Lake Ecosystem Scientist. Manager Environmental Assessments at Ameren (Retired).
Perservance in Suffering (4:8-18)
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: “I believed therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with you in his presence. 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. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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. Many times, success in preaching the gospel and in strengthening Christians brings more trials and temptations. This was certainly true for Paul who suffered constant opposition from many directions. Why do you think this happens?
2. Christians are called to die to their own will and ways, so that they might think and live like Jesus. In this way, we are being delivered to death daily through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. This is necessary so that the world will see this transformation, which bears witness to the truth of the gospel. (Mt 16:24-27; Rom 6:5-14; Gal 2:20) How has the Holy Spirit changed you? How have these changes in you shown others the truth of the gospel?
3. Paul says that we should not be paralyzed by fears and opposition to the gospel. We are to focus our lives on honoring Jesus and expanding his kingdom. Time is slipping away from each of us. We have only a limited number of opportunities to do the good works which God has prepared for us to do. The troubles of this world are temporary, but the rewards of heaven are permanent. (Heb 12:1-11)