II Corinthians 4:16-18 Faith Bible Church of Vallejo April 26, 2015

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18

Outer Man vs. Inner Man 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. II Corinthians 4:16

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Outer Man vs. Inner Man Momentary Affliction vs. Eternal Glory 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, II Corinthians 4:17

23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. II Corinthians 11:23-27

“It is written that we shall stand before Him, shall appear, shall be inspected. The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possibly by the work of Christ, that some of us, that any of us who really chooses, shall actually survive that examination, shall find approval, shall please God. To please God … to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness … to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son – it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is... For glory meant good report with God, acceptance by God, response, acknowledgement, and welcome into the heart of things. The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last.” C. S. Lewis

16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:16-18

Outer Man vs. Inner Man Momentary Affliction vs. Eternal Glory Seen vs. Not Seen 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:18

“Fixing our eyes on the unseen gives us hope. It puts this moment into the context of eternity and all things that are visible to us in the context of the invisible, giving us a much different viewpoint. When we become spiritually nearsighted it’s because we live in a world of instant gratification, a world that has taught us to value the temporary over the long-term. Therefore, our experience here and now overwhelms eternity in our perception and our anticipation.” Doug Goins

The Temporal or the Eternal  Outer Man vs. Inner Man  Momentary Affliction vs. Eternal Glory  Seen vs. Not Seen