Explore the Bible Lesson Preview May 6, 2018 Displaying the Gospel Background: 2 Corinthians 2:14-5:10 Lesson: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18 Motivation: Where do we find the testimony of our Christian maturity? How do Christians grow under the New Covenant? What restrictions are placed on us? Paul answers these questions and more in this exciting study. I. Praise for Christ s Triumph (2:14-17) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1650: 2:14-16 Many explanations for this passage have been proffered. At least this much is clear; Believers witnessing for Christ are a sweet aroma to God and to those who are saved through that witness; Christians are the sweet smell of life giving rise to life. On the other hand, the gospel witness contains announcement of judgment to the lost and is, therefore, an aroma of death giving rise to death. (John 3:17-18) Paul probably is using the image of the victory parade of a Roman General. William Barclay describes the word picture: in that procession there were the priests swinging the incense-filled censers. To the victors the perfume from the censers would be the perfume of joy and triumph and life; but to the wretched captives who walked so short a distance ahead it was the perfume of death, standing for the past defeat and their coming execution. So Paul thinks of himself and his fellow apostles preaching the gospel of the triumphant Christ. To those who will accept it, it is the perfume of life, as it was to the victors; to those who refuse it, it is the perfume of death, as it was to the vanquished. Of one thing Paul was certain not all the world could defeat Christ. (Acts 17:31) He lived not in pessimistic fear, but in the glorious optimism which knew the unconquerable majesty of Christ. ( The Letters to the Corinthians, p. 184) Paul gives several insights on sharing our faith: we re to be thankful, triumphant, 1 / 15
confident, and sincere. Our ultimate victory is through Jesus Christ! (Mark 10:28-31) II. Concerned or Confident? (3:1-18) A. Christians as Paul s Letters of Recommendation (3:1-3) In the ancient world, a travelling person s bona fides could not be easily verified (communication by ship from Jerusalem to Rome and back would involve from 1-6 months!) Therefore, epistles of commendation were common. In fact, Paul had such letters from the Sanhedrin when he went to persecute the saints in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2) Evidently, Paul s enemies were questioning Paul s lack of such letters. B. Paul As A Servant Of The New Covenant (3:4-11) 1. Our Salvation - Old Covenant Our Salvation - New Covenant Written in ink (3) Written by the Spirit (3) On tablets of stone (3) 2 / 15
On the heart (3) Of the letter (6) Of the Spirit (6) Kills (6) Gives life (6) Glorious (7) More glorious (8) Passing away (11) Remains (11) Not given with an oath (Heb. 8:13) 3 / 15
Given with an oath (Heb. 6:13-17) 2. Our Sufficiency Our competence is from God (5) Jesus said... without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5) God has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant (6) It is an amazing fact of God s plan that He chooses to use us to accomplish His ministry. From our perspective, we need to be constantly reminded that this is His ministry not ours. (II Cor. 5:18-21) C. Covenant of Lasting, Not Fading Glory (3:12-16) The Judaizers were evidently holding up the Law as the glorious tradition of the Jews. In fact, the glory of God was so evident in the giving of the law that Moses had to wear a veil (7). Paul agreed with the past glory but affirmed that it was a fading glory (7). By comparison, the New Covenant is that much more glorious and will remain. D. Liberated and Transformed by the Spirit (3:17-18) 1. What Freedom Is Freedom is a key word in the New Testament. We were slaves to sin (Rom. 6:6, 16-17, 20), to others (Rom. 7:23), to the law (Gal. 3:23, 4:5), to idols (Gal. 4:8), to corruption (2 Pet. 2:19), and to the fear of death (Heb. 2:15). Now through Christ, we have been set free (John 8:32-36). 2. How Freedom Benefits Us Jesus said that the Spirit had sent Him to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18 cf. Isaiah 61:1-2) Paul writes that even creation is in bondage and will be set at liberty (Rom. 8:21-23) God devotes the Book of Galatians to instruct us in liberty; Christ has liberated us to be free. (Gal. 5:1) James writes But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer, but one who does good works- this person will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25) 4 / 15
3. Where Freedom Ends The freedom is not open ended. We are still under God s authority and our liberty ends when it conflicts with His will for us: III. Why Paul Did Not Give Up (4:1) A. God s Plan Therefore refers to Chapter 3 - In great detail Paul demonstrated the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old Covenant: (a) God s in charge, (b) God has a successful plan, and (c) God s plan includes me. B. God s Purpose Since we have this ministry Paul saw not only a plan for the ages but also saw a personal plan for himself. The ministry was not his, but God s. C. God s Power because we were shown mercy - This same expression is used in I Timothy 1:13b-14 to describe Paul s conversion: one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (16). Getting saved is a big deal! Jesus gives us a new start (II Cor5:17). Here s the conclusion: to give up and despair is equivalent to denying God s mighty power! IV. How Paul Maintained His Integrity (4:2-4) A. Things We Renounce Instead, we have renounced... 1. Degradation shameful secret things Paul s private life matched his public testimony. His walk matched his talk. He refers to things, which if brought to light, would bring 5 / 15
shame on the doer. Paul voluntarily gave up the right to do things in private that he could not profess in public. (I Cor. 10:23) 2. Deception not walking in deceit Deceit is also translated cunning or trickery. The words carry the idea to purposefully deceive people concerning your walk or lifestyle. Paul wrote that he was not involved in some elaborate scheme to present an impression that didn t match his inward character. (Eph. 5:15-17) 3. Distortion not distorting God s message a. We distort God s message when we doubt it. (Gen. 3:1) b. We distort God s message when we fail to apply it. (James 4:17) c. We distort God s message when we use a double standard. (Gal. 5:13) d. We distort God s message when we falsely use it to justify sin. (Rom. 6:1; 2 Peter 2:1-10) B. Things We Retain 1. Availability by an open display of the truth (4:2) God s truth is lived out in us. When people look at us they see the living proof of God s truth. (Phil. 4:8) 2. Accessibility commending ourselves to every person s conscience (4:2) Paul encourages believers to examine him. Put him to the test. He is openly encouraging them to do as I do. 6 / 15
3. Accountability in God s sight - Paul acknowledged that his ultimate judge is God, not man. Whereas, it may be possible to live a double life before others, God sees everything we do. C. Things We Reveal But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing (4:3) Paul s mission was to do all he could with all his resources to reveal the gospel light to as many as possible. (I Corinthians 9:19-23) D. Things We Realize In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers (4) Satan is protecting his realm. We should not be surprised that the gospel makes no sense to many people; nor should we be offended. Intense spiritual warfare is taking place and while Satan will ultimately be defeated, he wins individual battles every day. (I Cor. 1:18-2:16; I Tim 2:1) V. Proclaim (4:5-6) For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. 6 For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. A. Proclamation Requires Putting Christ First For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord (5) It s amazing how much can be accomplished when one doesn t care who gets the credit. In the Christian community only one person deserves the credit Christ! One can hardly promote oneself and at the same time promote the cause of Christ. (Ps. 75:5-6) B. Proclamation Requires Working in Unity with Other Believers ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus (5) Paul pictured himself as a slave for a cause. But he was not a Lone Ranger ; Christ and other believers joined with Paul in unified action. 7 / 15
C. Proclamation Requires God Shining Through Us 6 For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God s glory in the face of Jesus Christ (6) As Paul wrote in Gal. 2:20 not I, but Christ. We can only accomplish all He wants when we allow Him to work through us to do His will. (Phil. 2:5; Rom. 12:1-2, 5:10) VI. Live (4:7-15) Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. 14 We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God s glory. A. Paul Overcame in The Strength of the Lord (4:7-11) William Barclay makes four summary statements concerning verses 8-11 ( The Letters to the Corinthians, p. 198-200): 8 / 15
1. We are sore pressed at every point, but not hemmed in. 2. We are persecuted by men but never abandoned by God. 3. We are at our wit s end but never at our hope s end. 4. We are knocked down but not knocked out. B. Paul s Reasons for Never Giving Up Hope (4:12-15) (Rom. 15:1-13) 1. Renewal So death works in us, but life in you (12) Paul seemed to reflect on the hardships he d faced that would eventually contribute to his death. (II Cor. 11:23-28) However, it s all worthwhile because he could see the Corinthian believers being renewed because of his sacrifices. Paul saw fruit for his labors. 2. Reliance And since we have the same spirit of faith... (13) Notice that believing comes before speaking. Because of our faith, we can live. Apart from Christ we can do nothing. 3. Resurrection We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also... (14) Even though He was slowly dying (12), Paul trusted God to raise him up. We never give up hope because God specializes in ninth inning rallies. 4. Redemption... grace extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God s glory. (15) Paul saw the work clearly spreading in ever increasing circles. We must never give up hope if we are capable of sharing the powerful gospel message. 9 / 15
VII. Looking Down or Looking Up? (4:16-5:10) 1. Although Outwardly Decaying, Encouraged by Inward Renewal Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. (4:16) 1. Reflection Therefore Paul concluded this section with the same statement made in 4:1 We do not give up. This is not a wistful hope or an empty yearning. It is a statement of fact rooted in a deep abiding faith and trust in Christ. 2. Reality Our outer person is being destroyed We begin to die the day we re born. Paul deals with fact: we re all in route to an appointment with death (barring the soon return of our Lord). Many have theorized that Paul s thorn in the flesh was an eye ailment or malaria. With all his beatings, might he not have walked with a limp? To look upon Paul, few would have argued that he was being destroyed. 3. Renewal our inner person is being renewed day by day Paul chose not to lose heart by focusing on outward circumstances. Instead, the focus is on the renewal of his spirit and mind (Romans 12:2). When we get to heaven, the skills learned on earth that will serve us best are not sports or academic related. In fact, God prizes the spiritual skills that only He can provide. 3. Comparison of Earthly Afflictions with Eternal Glory (4:17-18) 1. Afflictions 1. Temporal light affliction Few would call Paul s beatings, imprisonment and shipwrecks light. However, in view of his great reward he views them as trivial (Rom. 8:18). 2. Transitory momentary Paul evidently had a physical disability that lasted throughout his adult life. But, when measured against eternity, it was momentary. (John 17:22-24) 3. Trustworthy is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory A soldier in the front lines or a football lineman at the snap of the ball may feel that the affliction is overwhelming. They endure it because they know that it will pass and if endured can win them great glory. Paul presented a 10 / 15
similar picture to the Christian: endure pressure for a brief time in exchange for God s trustworthy promise of a great reward. 2. Appearances 1. Temporary For what is seen is temporary... Paul exhorts us to keep our eyes on the right things. We naturally want to evaluate everything through our senses: what we see, hear, taste, touch and smell. But all of those by their very nature are temporary compared to God s eternal spiritual empire. 2. Timeless but what is unseen is eternal Paul concludes the famous love chapter with And now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love (I Cor. 13:13) No person, place or thing that we can see is eternal in its natural state. Only the spiritual qualities that God desires will last forever. (John 20:29; Heb. 11:1; I Peter 1:7-9; I Tim. 4:8) 4. Expecting a Heavenly Home (5:1) For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 1. Earthly House Paul s analogy, comparing our bodies to a tent, is appropriate in several ways: (2 Peter 1:13-14) 1. A tent is temporary By design, no one attaches much permanence to a tent. You don t associate a tent with indoor plumbing, a concrete driveway or running water. A tent is erected only to serve a temporary purpose and is then taken down. 2. A tent is transitional A refugee lives in a tent in-between living in more permanent structures. It s not a long-term solution. 3. A tent is troublesome Leaks have to be repaired; poles have to be replaced. A tent is not all that sturdy and often lets us down. (Rom. 8:23) 4. Eternal Home a. Design From God Our heavenly home is designed and built by eternal God! Jesus 11 / 15
said I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2) b. Description not made with hands Heaven is a spiritual realm. We cannot help but think of our heavenly home in earthly terms (ranch style or split level!). We can get a tantalizing glimpse of our heavenly home by observing Jesus post resurrection appearances; but even they raise about as many questions as they answer. (Heb. 9:11-12) c. Duration eternal A nice home sometimes comes with a one-year warranty. A roof may be guaranteed against leaks for a decade or two (pro-rated). This body has no guarantee at all; we speak of life expectancy. However, our eternal home lasts forever! d. Destination in the heavens We ll be where God is! 5. Yearning to Be Clothed with the Heavenly Dwelling (5:2-5) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1653: 5:3 By naked, the apostle means a disembodied state. At the moment of physical death, the immortal spirit of a Christian goes to be with the Lord (v. 8). The dead in Christ are actually alive in heaven, experiencing all the glories of that place, but the saint himself is without a body temporarily, a state which Paul calls being found naked. Paul would prefer to be alive at the return of Jesus, desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, i.e., having a glorified body (vv. 2, 3). On the other hand, the apostle does not fear death because he knows that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (v. 8). Therefore, the doctrine of soul-sleep, which states that at death a man sleeps, unconscious until Jesus comes, is refuted. Jesus words to the repentant thief on the cross are in perfect harmony with this text (cf. Luke 23:42, 43). (Eph. 4:8-10; Phil. 1:21) 6. Living with Courage and Dying with Assurance (5:6-8) 1. Assurance So, we are always confident, knowing... (6) John writes These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life... (I John 5:13) When asked Do you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven?, the average person is less than assured. A hallmark of our faith should be a bedrock confidence, with Paul, of our eternal destination. 12 / 15
2. Absence While we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (6) Remember, Paul is the one who wrote... Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27) Believers are never absent from the Lord spiritually; however, in terms of this world, Christ had ascended to His Father. Only upon our death, or at the Rapture will we be totally reunited with Him. 3. Attention For we walk by faith, not by sight (7) Paul s confidence, knowledge and perspective are all determined by faith. When Peter switched from faith to sight, he sank into the waves (Matthew 14:28-31). Faith is our compass, giving direction, as well as our gyroscope, giving stability. 4. Advantage We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (8) Overheard in the hospital: What s the worst that could happen? I could die! And what happens if you die? I go to heaven. So where s the downside. Paul reminds us that there is no downside to death for a Christian! 13 / 15
7. Judgment as a Motive for Pleasing God (5:9-10) 1. Ambition Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him (9) 2. Appearance For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ... (10) Bel iever s Study Bible, p. 1653: 5:10 The context of this verse is the believer s future glorious spiritual body. Thus, only the believer is in view, and only believers, therefore, will appear at the judgment seat of Christ. They will be judged for their works, but their salvation will not be at stake (cf. Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 3:13). This judgment takes place immediately after the return of Christ for His church. Only Christians are present. It should be clearly distinguished from the Great White Throne Judgment of Rev. 20:11-15, which is only for unbelievers and which occurs immediately before the establishment of the eternal state cf. Rev. 21, 22). Application: 1. A believer has the right purpose to make Christ known. 2. A believer has the right perspective walking by faith rather than sight. 3. A believer has the right priority to please our Lord. Leader Pack: Item 15: Handout: The Faithfulness Factor Illustrator: p. 22; The god of this World; Paul s Portrait of Satan in 2 Corinthians Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g ; Dates: 4/26-28 Spring Weekend of Choir; 5/1 All Staff @ Sienna; 5/4 MYA Block Party; 14 / 15
5/5 Men:Serve; 5/12 IMPACT Crawfish Boil @ Hunt; 5/12 - SoFA Recitals; 5/12 CBS Graduation; 5/13 Mother s Day event SPF; 5/17 VBS Director/Teacher training; 5/18-20 Summit Spring Retreat; 5/20 Parent Commitment; 5/20 First Grade Bible Presentation; 5/23 HCHS Graduation Rehearsal; 5/24 FBA 8 th Grade Graduation; 5/25 HCHS Graduation; 5/28 Memorial Day offices closed; 6/1 - Family Night @ Typhoon Texas; 6/8-9 Life of a Single Mom Conf; 6/10 Timothy Ateek. 15 / 15