2 Corinthians 4:13-18

                                                                 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.  For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

The Gospel is such a hope filled message because it gives us meaning for life in the present and it promises a glorious eternity.  However, the ultimate reason for preaching the Gospel is the glory of God.  This is why it must be proclaimed and why it is worth any amount of suffering to advance.  

WE SPEAK THE GOSPEL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD: Our faith in the Gospel assures us of an eternal salvation.  That faith comes from the teaching of Scripture and the work of the Spirit in our lives.  However, it is almost always fanned into flame because of the speaking of God’s Word.  The price for sin has been paid by the death of Christ on the cross, God demonstrated the His wrath has been satisfied by raising Christ from the dead.  The resurrection of Christ is the assurance that we too will be raised from the dead because all our sin was placed on Christ, and He was raised so that is our assurance of forgiveness and resurrection.  This hope is what fills us with thanksgiving and inspires us to worship Him.  Our love of Him and desire to see Him worshiped by others along with our love for others is what motivates us to speak the Gospel to other people so more and more can enjoy worshiping Christ with us.

WE SUFFER FOR THE GOSPEL IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY WITH GOD: The hope of the Gospel and the glory of God is what inspires us to suffer and sacrifice for the advancement of the Gospel.  We may have physical suffering as we advance the Gospel to new cultures that are marked by sin from generation to generation; but our spirit is lifted up by the joy of serving our Lord.  No matter how much suffering we are called to face, and Paul faced a great deal, it can be described as light and momentary.  It is light in comparison with the suffering Christ faced on our behalf.  It is momentary in comparison with the eternal life that we have been promised.  As believers, we must learn to practice living in light of eternity.  All the comforts and pleasures of this world are passing away and they don’t even bring satisfaction in this life, much less for eternity.  The Gospel and living for Christ results in eternal reward.

APPLICATION: Be motivated by a grateful heart and a desire to see Christ glorified to tell other people about Christ.  Live a life filled with hope and joy because of the promises of God’s Word and the coming resurrection.  Suffer joyfully knowing that it is only temporary and that the eternal rewards for faithfulness are far greater than any pain or sacrifice we could make in this life.

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