PDF version (136K)

Lesson #9 THE WEIGHT OF GLORY 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 18

It’s not always easy to keep the big picture in focus, especially when times are tough. Paul’s perspective on the future was based on his absolute conviction that Christ was indeed raised from the dead, and would be there to usher Paul into heaven. What keeps you ticking?

I. Resurrection faith 4:13-15
II. An eternal perspective 4:16-18

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Look up Psalm 116:5-10 for background on verse 13. What is the connection between believing something and speaking it? How is the resurrection an encouragement to Paul? What is "the grace that is reaching more and more people"? How does God "renew us inwardly" (verse 16)? (see Isaiah 40:28-31, Rom 8: 26,27; Phil. 1:6, 2:13) Explain the "glory" that Paul refers to in verse 17 and why it is a motivator. (see also Rom 8:18-25) Paul said that his "troubles" were "light". Read about some of them in 2 Cor 6:5 and 11:24-27. Would you call those "light"? Do you think he’s just spiritualizing?

t 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.

"The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, is part of our inconsolable secret, and from this point of view the promise of glory becomes highly relevant to our deep desire. For glory means good report, acceptance by God, response, acknowledgment and welcome into the heart of things. The door on which we have been knocking all our loves will open at last." C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? In your own words, summarize the main point of this passage.

LIFE RESPONSE How is God asking you to put this into action in your life this week?

Describe a recent time when you felt God "renewed" you...

What event in your life has most caused you to gain an eternal perspective?