2 Corinthians 4 (Glory In Christ, Not The Flesh)

Text: 2 Corinthians 4

Theme: Glory in Christ, not the flesh

1. By enduring weakness (1-5)
E. Suffering magnifies God's adequacy (2:12 - 5)

Chapter four gives several reasons to glory in Christ, not the
flesh: 1) Because God saves the lost (1-6), 2) uses the weak
(7-12), 3) raises the dead (13-15), and 4) rewards the
faithful (16-18). Our physical weakness magnifies God's power
in salvation, and this should encourage us to glory in Christ,
not the flesh.

God saves the lost (1-6). Unlike false teachers who tried to
discredit him, Paul commended himself to men's consciences by
proclaiming the truth (1-2). The reason some do not believe,
is because they are perishing (3), Satan is blinding them (4),
and only God can cause the light of the gospel to dawn on a
person's heart (5-6). Our inability to make people believe
magnifies God's power to save the lost, and should encourage
us to endure unbelief for Christ's glory.

God uses the weak (7-12). Trials and physical pain can
discourage those who minister for Christ. However, "We have
this treasure [gospel of Christ] in earthen vessels, that the
surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from
ourselves" (7). Afflictions, pressures, and persecutions of
believers magnify God's power in saving the lost, and this
should encourage us to endure weakness for Christ.

God raises the dead (13-15). Perhaps one of the greatest
discouragements a believer might face in proclaiming the
gospel, is the fear of dying. But when one believes God will
raise them with Christ, even death has no sting. The hope of
resurrection should encourage believers who face death for
Christ's glory.

God rewards believers (16-18). Even though our physical
bodies are decaying, God renews our "inner man" "day by day"
(i.e., conforms us, more and more, to the knowledge, attitude
and conduct of Christ; cf. Colossians 3:8-10), and will use
our "momentary, light affliction" to "produce for us an
eternal weight of glory" (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-9). The hope of
inward renewal and eternal glory should encourage believers to
endure weakness for Christ.

Our physical weakness magnifies God's power in salvation, and
this should encourage us to glory in Christ, not the flesh.

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
______________________________________________
www.faithguard.org
www.twitter.com/faithguard
www.facebook.com/faithguard
______________________________________________