{{

SECOND CORINTHIANS

“PAUL -- A MINISTER OF CHRIST”

Lesson 5, Page 7Lesson 5, Page 7

Second Corinthians 4:1-18Second Corinthians 4:1-18

Review of the first three chapters:Review of the first three chapters:

A. Paul’s ministry: A. Paul’s ministry: PastPast. 1:8- 2:17. 1:8- 2:17

1. His 1. His troubletrouble as a minister of Christ. 1:8-11 as a minister of Christ. 1:8-11

2. His 2. His sinceritysincerity as a minister of Christ. 1:12-14 as a minister of Christ. 1:12-14

3. His 3. His changeschanges as a minister of Christ. 1:15- 2:2 as a minister of Christ. 1:15- 2:2

4. His 4. His motivationmotivation as a minister of Christ. 2:3-11 as a minister of Christ. 2:3-11

5. His 5. His dutyduty as a minister of Christ. 2:12-17 as a minister of Christ. 2:12-17

Paul Defends Himself as a Minister of Christ

B. Paul’s ministry: B. Paul’s ministry: PresentPresent. 3:1- 4:18. 3:1- 4:18

1. His 1. His workwork as a minister of Christ. 3:1-4 as a minister of Christ. 3:1-4

2. His 2. His sufficiencysufficiency as a minister of Christ. 3:5-11 as a minister of Christ. 3:5-11

3. His 3. His boldnessboldness as a minister of Christ. 3:12-18 as a minister of Christ. 3:12-18

Today’s study:Today’s study:

4. His 4. His confidenceconfidence as a minister of Christ. 4:1-7 as a minister of Christ. 4:1-7

5. His 5. His couragecourage as a minister of Christ. 4:8-18 as a minister of Christ. 4:8-18

Paul Defends Himself as a Minister of Christ

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Read Second Corinthians 4:1-7

5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Read Second Corinthians 4:1-7

He was confident because of the significance He was confident because of the significance of his ministry. (See chapter three) (v.1)of his ministry. (See chapter three) (v.1) God is faithful to support His faithful supporters! God is faithful to support His faithful supporters!

See Hebrews 6:18See Hebrews 6:18

He was confident because he had confidence He was confident because he had confidence in consciences of brethren. (v.2)in consciences of brethren. (v.2)

Good men will respect the work of other good menGood men will respect the work of other good menSee 1Thessalonians 5:13See 1Thessalonians 5:13

His Confidence as a Minister of Christ Second Corinthians 4:1- 7

He was confident of his preaching even when He was confident of his preaching even when others were not. (vs.3, 4)others were not. (vs.3, 4)

He was confident because of his own pure He was confident because of his own pure motives. (v.5)motives. (v.5)

He was confident because he recognized the He was confident because he recognized the source of his power to preach. (vs.6,7)source of his power to preach. (vs.6,7)

He was confident because he was a useful tool He was confident because he was a useful tool (“vessel”) in the hand of God. (v.7)(“vessel”) in the hand of God. (v.7)

His Confidence as a Minister of Christ Second Corinthians 4:1- 7

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

Read Second Corinthians 4:8-17

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”[a] we also believe and therefore speak,

14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Read Second Corinthians 4:8-17

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Read Second Corinthians 4:8-17

We must marvel at his courage!We must marvel at his courage!(1) He continued preaching even after being stoned for (1) He continued preaching even after being stoned for

preaching. See Acts 14.preaching. See Acts 14.

(2) He displayed no fear of a mob made angry by his (2) He displayed no fear of a mob made angry by his preaching. See Acts 19:30.preaching. See Acts 19:30.

(3) He rebuked sin openly even in a guilty church (3) He rebuked sin openly even in a guilty church leader (Peter). See Galatians 2:11.leader (Peter). See Galatians 2:11.

a.a. Perhaps this act required the most courage of all!Perhaps this act required the most courage of all!

His Courage as a Minister of ChristSecond Corinthians 4:8-18

Paul’s SufferingsPaul’s Sufferings: : Paul’s Paul’s Reactions:Reactions:

Hard pressed on every side .....Hard pressed on every side ..... butbut... he was not crushed!... he was not crushed!

Perplexed .................................Perplexed ................................. butbut... he did not despair!... he did not despair!

Persecuted ...............................Persecuted ............................... butbut... he was not forsaken!... he was not forsaken!

Struck down .............................Struck down ............................. butbut... he was not destroyed!... he was not destroyed!

The Dying Jesus was displayedThe Dying Jesus was displayed butbut... the Living Jesus was portrayed!... the Living Jesus was portrayed!

Delivered to death personally ..Delivered to death personally .. butbut... the life of Jesus was manifested!... the life of Jesus was manifested!

Death worked in him ................Death worked in him ................ butbut... life worked in his converts!... life worked in his converts!

Apostolic Courage in the Face of Difficulties: Second Corinthians 4:8-11

How timid we are in handling the gospel! How How timid we are in handling the gospel! How ashamed we should be! ashamed we should be!

See Romans 1:16, 17.See Romans 1:16, 17. Whence came Paul’s courage? It sprang from:Whence came Paul’s courage? It sprang from:

(1) The knowledge that others were depending on (1) The knowledge that others were depending on his work. (v.12)his work. (v.12)

(2) The example of other faithful spokesmen. (2) The example of other faithful spokesmen.

(v.13)(v.13)

(3) The realization that death is only a temporary (3) The realization that death is only a temporary matter for a faithful preacher. (v.14)matter for a faithful preacher. (v.14)

His Courage as a Minister of ChristSecond Corinthians 4:8-18

(4) Faith that his suffering and death would (4) Faith that his suffering and death would strengthen others’ faith. (v.15) strengthen others’ faith. (v.15)

See Philippians 1:12-17.See Philippians 1:12-17.

(5) A spiritually mature discernment of the relative (5) A spiritually mature discernment of the relative value of things. (vs.16-18) See Hebrews 5:14.value of things. (vs.16-18) See Hebrews 5:14.

His Courage as a Minister of ChristSecond Corinthians 4:8-18

The outward man The outward man The inner manThe inner man

Perishing of the Perishing of the Renewing of theRenewing of the

outward manoutward maninner maninner man

Temporary affliction Temporary affliction Eternal gloryEternal glory

Things that can Things that can Things that cannot be Things that cannot be seen seen be seenbe seen

Things that areThings that are Things that areThings that are

temporarytemporary eternaleternal

Relative Value of Things Less Value More Value