June 6, 2004pm  The Challenge-Looking at the Unseen!  II Cor.4:11-18

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

 

Introduction:  How do you look at something that’s unseen?  Ultimate challenge in Christian life is to live by Faith.  This is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.  Live by looking at the unseen. 

 

Scripture Text:  2Cor 4:11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 

What is our motivation for living the life?  What causes us to give our life up for others and for Christ? 

 

I.  (Unseen)- Light of the knowledge of the glory of God.  (v. 6)  vs. Dark of knowledge of Man. 

Man says there is no God, no eternity, no heaven or hell.  This is knowledge taught by the world.  We have seen the unseen. 

 

II.  (Unseen)-Excellency of Power of God in us  vs.  the power of mankind to be good. 

This power is compared to treasure in an earthly vessel.  See the results of this power in v. 8.  Valuable power.

1.      Troubled yet not distressed

2.      Perplexed and yet not in despair.  Complex lives that have unseen power to maintain.

3.      Persecuted but not forsaken.  Never have to walk alone.  Loneliness results from self-pity. 

4.      Cast down but not forsaken.  Failure isn’t final.

 

III.  (Unseen)-Life and death of Jesus works in us.  (v. 10-12)

His death brings us life.  Jesus lived to die for us.  We die to live for Him. 

1.      Our death is the outward man that perishes. (v. 16)  Death involves pain – denying the outward man. 

2.      Our death brings renewal day by day in ourselves (v. 16), also this brings about life in others. 

 

IV.  Our Unseen Death Brings Unseen great and eternal rewards.  (v. 17) vs. Seen rewards – live for the moment.   Rewards for denying self come from God – rewards for not denying self come from world. 

 

VI.  I believed therefore I have spoken.  I believed therefore I have given my life to Christ.  This is the spirit of faith that causes us to live for Christ.

 

VII.  What do we believe in?   The fact of the resurrection of the dead, so then anything we give for the Lord will not be in vain. 

 

VIII.  What does this spirit of faith create in us? 

This faith creates an unfaltering life of sacrifice.

This faith creates an unseen source of power and strength that causes us to be renewed day by day.

This faith gives us an unseen eternal reward that is more valuable than any light and momentary troubles. 

This faith gives us a focus for life.  What is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. 

 

IX.  Which Things are You Looking at?  Seen Or Unseen.  (v. 18)  Seen are the physical possessions and pleasures, and earthly occupations, family ties, earthly glory.  Unseen are the spiritual possessions and blessings from God, ministering through the church, are the spiritual family ties, and heavenly glory rewards.  II Cor. 5:7  “ We walk by faith not sight.