1. Seeing Unseen the 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Seeing the Unseen
Introduction
If there was anyone who had a good excuse to “lose heart” (v. 16) it was Paul (or the other apostles).
Paul’s apostleship was questioned (cf. 10:8-11; 11:12-15 – There were “false apostles” who were denying Paul’s authority and swaying the Corinthians with false doctrine.).
He had great love for the Corinthians, and all others he ministered to, but they were not showing the same fidelity and love toward him because of the influence of false teachers. (cf. 11:2-4) (That might cause some to “lose heart,” but not Paul.)
Paul, and the other apostles, had their lives threatened (cf. 1:8-11; 11:23-28).
These things did not cause Paul to “lose heart” (v. 16). He was able to remain faithful, confident, and positive because of the ability he had to see the unseen (cf. 4:16-18).
By observing Paul’s view of his life we will be able to gain strength in our own lives by imitating his mindset (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1).
Why does Paul not lose heart? 
The Transforming Glory of the Gospel
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2. The Transforming Glory of the Gospel
Sufficient Ministers…
2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 3:4-6
…of the Glorious Covenant
Exodus 34:29-35; Corinthians 3:7-18; 4:1, 6
We Minister As Well
The Transforming Glory of the Gospel
Sufficient Ministers of the Gospel
2:14-17 – God’s means of spreading the gospel – the apostolic ministry.
(v a) – Roman triumphal procession – victory march of general, his army, and his captives.
Sweet smelling incense scattered during march.
To some it smelled of death (Those perishing – rejected Gospel).
To some it smelled of life (Those saved – accept the gospel).
Paul, and the other apostles, are of the side of the General as victors!
Not only that, but they were the ones given the honor, and appointed to diffuse the powerful fragrance of life. (Death to those who reject gospel.)
Why did they get to experience such an honorable thing?
(16b-17a) – not preaching the gospel for dishonest gain like others.
(17b) – Sincere, appointed by God (“as from God”), ministering before God obediently, preaching Christ.
3:4-6 – sufficient in God – He appointed them – as ministers of New Covenant 
Ministers of the Glorious Covenant (opponents – Judaizers binding OT)
Exodus 34:29-35 – example used of Moses to illustrate the more glorious New Covenant.
(v. 30) – afraid to come near.
The glory of God in the face of Moses frightened them. (OT)
3:7-18 – Glory of the New covenant contrasted with the Old.
V – brightness of Moses’ face represented glory of OT.
If…then arguments: (Comparing OT with NT ministry) (NT is better – similar to arguments of Hebrews).
“engraved on stones” (OT)/”ministry of the Spirit” (NT)
“Ministry of death”; “ministry of condemnation” (OT)/”ministry of righteousness” (NT)
“passing away” (OT)/”remains” (NT) (transient/everlasting)
The ministry Moses was appointed to was great and glorious.
However, compared to the ministry appointed to the apostles, the ministry of Moses appears “to have no glory in this respect.”
V – Apostles are ministers of a better covenant.
V. 12 – confident because of the better nature of NT.
V – There was a veil in the OT. There was a mystery not yet fully revealed.
(v ) – Under the OT there was a veil. The glory of the OT was the ever present thread which lead to the Messiah.
However, because of the hardness of their hearts there was a veil.
They could not see the ever present glory of the OT because they failed to realize its glory resided in the fulfillment of the Christ.
“could not look steadfastly to the end of that which is abolished” (KJV)
“the end” – goal; conclusion.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).
OT = passing away; transitory.
End of OT = Christ
OT pointed to Christ.
(v. 14) – the ultimate problem was their hardness of heart – failed to see the purpose of the OT.
(v ) – The same was occurring with Jews during the time Paul was writing.
Why turn away from Christ to that which veiled?
Any glory, any benefit, in the OT is unveiled in Christ! (v – condemnation under OT; Liberty in Christ). (By means of the preaching of the MORE GLORIOUS covenant.)
The point he is making concerns a contrast between Moses’ and his appointed ministry:
Moses’ ministry was glorious, as the OT he was ministering was glorious.
However, the glory which the OT possess pales in comparison to that of the NT.
The NT is the fulfillment of the OT. The glory is far more!
Condemnation/salvation.
Bondage/freedom.
Death/life.
Veiled/Unveiled.
V. 18 – Like Moses’ ministry of the OT transformed him, so the apostles’ ministry of the NT transformed them all the more!
Their glorious transformation is more so than Moses’ because of the nature of their ministry.
(4:1, 6) – because of this, they don’t lose heart (because of the glorious ministry given them).
The context is the apostles’ ministry. The fact that God chose them to perform in such a glorious office makes their hardships worth it, as they are being transformed into God’s glory in their ministry.
The same can be applied to us in a way.
We are to make disciples – be ministers of God’s word.
By teaching others, and living it ourselves, we are being transformed into God’s glory.
This will be ultimately revealed in the end – “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3).
This makes our efforts and struggles worth it! – we see the unseen in the revelation of God’s word, and the effect it has on us who believe.
However, we must believe, and manifest that in faithful obedience.
(4:3-4) – To those who do not want to believe and obey God, the gospel is veiled. (THEY DON’T RECEIVE SUCH A GLORIOUS TRANSFORMATION BECAUSE THEY WOULD RATHER LIVE ACCORDING TO THE WORLD.)
Paul elaborates on the glory he and the other apostles are being transformed by, and the hope they have 
The Hope of Life

3. Afflicted, but Unbroken Hope of a Heavenly Habitation
The Hope of Life
Afflicted, but Unbroken
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Hope of a Heavenly Habitation
2 Corinthians 5:1-11
The Hope of Life
Afflicted, but unbroken (4:7-18).
(v. 7) – so the power and glory are seen as God’s, He uses feeble men (apostles).
Paul sees the treasure!
He is not concerned with afflictions to the vessel.
(v. 8-12) – He does not see the negative, but the unseen and coming positive.
(v ) – suffering and dying for Jesus leads to life.
(v ) – he continually denies himself, and suffers for Christ’s sake as he preaches the gospel, because he knows that in doing so, his body is alive to righteousness, seeking to imitate Christ’s life.
NOTE: 5:4 – in resurrection, mortality is swallowed up. Life to mortal bodies (4:10-11) does not refer to resurrection, but being alive to righteousness, as was Jesus in His life.
To not lose heart, he looks to the unseen. (What is being accomplished in his ministering, although he suffers outwardly?) 
(v ) – His ministering in the glorious gospel may bring hardship, but it is transforming him daily!
(v. 14) – Because of his faithfulness despite suffering, he has the hope of the resurrection to life with Jesus.
(v ) – Despite the immense amount of suffering he is having to endure in his ministry, he does not lose heart because of his transformation.
He does not look at the negative on the outside.
He looks at the positive on the inside.
NOTE: It is not easy to live life for Christ, but it is certainly worth it!
We will not know this if we can only see the negative that is happening to the outward man.
We must be able to see the transformation of the inward man, as we imbibe and live out God’s glorious message!
Hope of a Heavenly Habitation (5:1-11).
(v. 1-8) – Their hope of the resurrection pushes them and sustains them. God has promised and He cannot lie.
(v. 9-11) – Because they have this hope they continue to preach and remain faithful.
Otherwise they would be judged for disobedience, and lose their heavenly habitation.

4. Seeing
the
Unseen
“Therefore we do not lose heart…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.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, 18)
Conclusion
Paul and the other apostles did not have it easy. They were constantly opposed and afflicted. If it wasn’t the enemies of the gospel causing them hardship, it was the roughness of the journey.
The reason they did not lose hope, and remained faithful in their ministry, is because they saw the unseen. They walked by faith.
Understood the glorious blessing and transformation it brought as ministers of the gospel.
Looked forward to, and were confident in, having life if they sacrificed for Jesus.
Had continual hope of a better home after a life of faithfulness.
We too should be Seeing the Unseen in order to remain steadfast in this life.