LEADERS GUIDE

II CORINTHIANS

LESSON 13

I. Read II Corinthians 4:8-15 A. In verses 8 and 9, the Apostle Paul speaks honestly about the trials and tribulation he has suffered for the sake of the gospel. At each point he makes in this description, he offers a counterpoint, the hope that only true believers have in Christ. List the affliction and the hopethe point and the counterpoint. 1. Afflicted but not crushed 2. Perplexed but not despairing 3. Persecuted not forsaken 4. Struck down not destroyed 5. Carrying about the body of Jesus the life of Jesus made manifest in us B. Read the following quotes of contemporary preachers/teachers who claim that obedient Christians should never suffer, then contrast their quotes with Pauls description of his life in II Corinthians 4:8. poverty is a curse that comes upon those who either have not served God properly, or who are not following certain laws of GodPat Robertson You are sufferingbecause you have refused your place in Christ.E.W. Kenyon Jesus was not poor in His ministry, He had a treasurer!Kenneth Copeland These men assert that God always intends prosperity and good health for his faithful servants. This notion is simply unbiblical and is founded upon mans self-centered greed and lust rather than Gods Word. The quotes represent the antithesis of seeking the furthering of Gods Kingdom and glory, no matter what the cost. Paul would be amazed at how Scripture is being twisted in our day, and particularly at how we are so prone to taking our theology piecemeal from the affluent culture in which we live. The Reformed Study Bible comments regarding vv8-9 of II Corinthians 4, The great evangelist and theologian (Paul) also faced great discouragement(he) sees his own sufferings as an imitation of Christs. Read Matthew 5:10-12 and describe what Jesus promised to the faithful. Persecution for righteousness sake. That doesnt mean that Christians ought to seek persecution or enjoy it when it comes. Jesus was simply establishing the proper perspective of the believer toward the conflict between the church and the world (James 4:4). To those who insist that the system(s) of this world will always reward obedient believers, James 4:4 must be difficult to deal with! C. A very important principle is explained in II Corinthians 4:10-12. Read and compare Galatians 2:20, then discuss the gist of that principle. The Reformation Study Bible explains, Pauls suffering and apparent defeats are one evidence to all that he has no effective strength in himself and that, as Christ died, so also Paul knows he is dead in terms of his own ability to accomplish anything of eternal significance. Paul uses the key experiences of Christ (death and resurrection) as a position for understanding his own experiences as an apostle. Those who have trusted the gospel of Christ have identified with and been positioned with Christs crucifixion. Truly this means that their sins fell upon Christ on the cross. Believers identify with Christ because He identifies with them. This spiritual principle, which

explains the believers access and acceptance before a Holy God, is also experienced (existentially) moment by moment in the life of the believer. In other words, what is true positionally becomes manifest practically as the believers faith is lived out in a fallen world. This entails self-denial, self-sacrifice, dying to self, trials and tribulation, and persecution the very same kinds of things Jesus experienced during His earthly incarnation. It is important to note that these things only have value in so far as they reflect the believers justification in Christ. Those who attempt to be justified by practicing self-denial, selfsacrifice, etc., are an offense to God because they are disdaining the work and merit of Christ by trying to please God with their own efforts and merit. D. In II Corinthians 4:13-14, Paul further explains the second part of the principle he described in verses 10-12. Read Philippians 2:8-11 and explain what must occur before exaltation and resurrection. Crucifixion must precede resurrection. In regard to an individuals salvation, he must believe that Christ died for him personally, thus identifying with and trusting in Christs crucifixion, before the hope of the resurrection becomes his possession. In our day to day life, as in the spiritual realm, humility and self-denial precede exaltation. This is true in the believers sanctification and can be seen in each and every instance in which a believer dies to self in order to live with Christ. The modernist or liberal theologian disparages the shedding of Christs blood on the cross as being barbaric. Yet he wants to possess the benefits that Christs crucifixion brings (justification, sanctification, adoption, etc.). Apart from the cross, there is no basis for these benefits. To put it another way, liberals want Christ but not His cross, His sacrifice without His blood, and His redemption without recognition of the reality of their own sin. Contemporary evangelicals understand the necessity of the atoning work of Christ, but often fail to grasp the necessity of crucifying the flesh in the work of sanctification. They want the blessing and power of Christs resurrection, but refuse to be crucified with Christ in their daily walk. It simply doesnt work that way. The Apostle Paul explained this for us in II Corinthians 4 and in Galatians 2:20. E. In II Corinthians 4:15, Paul gives the other side of the ministry coin which he introduced earlier in verse 5. In verse 5, he explained that he preached and ministered first and foremost for Jesus sake. In verse 15, he explains the infinite value of each person under his care as he writes: For all things are for your sakes. This is the other side of the gospel ministry if it is being done with the proper perspective. My former pastor, Darrel Robinson, explained to me once that an old preacher had advised him to pursue his ministry by purposing to preach the Word, love God and love the people. Paul worked at fulfilling Gods calling on his life for the sake of (the love of) Jesus and for the sake of (the love of) the people. Each of us should serve from the same motivations. The result of gospel ministry is cited at the end of II Corinthians 4:15. What is it? the glory of God F. Paul describes what is happening in Corinth and elsewhere as the grace which is spreading to more and more people. Read Acts 2:42-47 and cite some of the particular aspects of the grace which Paul is alluding to in II Corinthians 4:15. Another way to express it would be to list the four aspects of grace described in Acts 2. (1) They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching or doctrine, (2) to

intimate and caring fellowship, (3) to the careful observance of the sacraments and (4) to fervent prayer. The things listed in 43-47 were the results or consequences of the diligent application of the means of grace. What are the implications for any church which wants to see the grace of God spreading to more and more people? Teach the Wordteach sound doctrineteach the apostles doctrine (II Tim. 3:16-17); establish a loving community in which fellowship can flourish and deepen; celebrate the sacraments with enthusiasm and joy; pray for the church and the people! There are some other ways a church can grow. The church growth movement (perhaps the dominant philosophy of ministry in contemporary evangelicalism) says to give the people what they want. Entertain them rather than bore them. Cater to them rather than convict them. The question we must ask is whether or not churches growing through these sorts of things are truly examples of the grace of God spreading, or is this something else entirely?! G. Should churches always desire to grow numerically? They should desire to see the grace of God spreading to more and more people! Numerical growth is not our primary goal, but it surely ought to be something we long to see. When numerical growth is accompanied by growth in knowledge, holiness, and love, God is blessing the church. What should be the ultimate goal of Christians collectively (the church) and Christians individually? (See very last of verse 15.) To glorify God.

H.