2 Corinthians 4 Life out of Death Greg Morscher Xenos Christian Fellowship May 28th, 2006

God’s intention for us: To reveal His glory 2 Cor 2:14,15 But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing.

God’s intention for us: To reveal His glory 2 Cor 2:14,15 2 Cor 3:18 And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.

God’s intention for us: To reveal His glory 2 Cor 2:14,15 2 Cor 3:18 2 Cor 4:7 But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.

Paul: An Example of This 2 Cor. 4:1-2, 6 And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up. We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that… For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

How does God do this? 2 Cor. 4:7 But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. God’s presence My perishable self

The Life out of Death Process 2 Cor. 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 2 Cor. 4:8-11 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies. John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:25-26a "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me;

The Life out of Death Process 2 Cor. 4:8-11 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies.

The Life out of Death Process: The Ways of Paul Suffered 2 Cor. 4:8-11 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies.

Relationships & Ministry Prayer Word

The Life out of Death Process: The Benefits of Suffering 1. Power of God to sustain us 2 Cor. 4:8-11 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies. 2 Cor. 4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

The Life out of Death Process: The Benefits of Suffering 2 Cor. 4:12 So we live in the face of death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you. 2. Spiritual impact in others lives 2 Cor. 4:14-15 We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

Current situation is "light" and short-lived What is it we have to do? Current situation is "light" and short-lived 2 Cor. 4:16-18 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. skopeo Future is AWESOME!

A Few Promises For the Present When anxious – Phil 4:6,7; Matt 6:33,34 When spiritually weak, unmotivated – Phil 2:13 When distant from God – Heb 4:16 When overwhelmed with guilt – Rom 8:1 When tempted – 1 Cor 10:13 When fearful – Rom 1:16 When overwhelmed by circumstances – Rom 8:28 When drained because of self-sufficiency – Matt 11:28-30 Next week: the FUTURE

Announcements Splash in Morscher’s pool or just hang out after CT DMT meeting at Morscher’s Wednesday at 7:30 PM Finances are low  $4498 so far for month (we need $8900/month)