Beholding Glory Through Suffering
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Tim Chang
Sermon Series: Behold the Glory of God
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (ESV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 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, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 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.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 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.
Sermon Outline
1. Suffering is real
2 Corinthians 1:8–9 [8] For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. [9] Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are afflicted in every way…perplexed… persecuted…struck down
2 Corinthians 4:16 … our outer self is wasting away…
2. Suffering is not wasted
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Corinthians 4:6 …the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Corinthians 4:10-12 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you.
3. Suffering is not final
2 Corinthians 4:14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison
2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, while there is so much that is good and beautiful in our world, the reality of brokenness and suffering weighs on us. We confess that when we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down, we cling to the things that are seen rather than the things that are unseen and eternal. Forgive us for trusting more in our own power and strength than in the surpassing power that belongs to you. Renew us by your grace. Help us to carry the life of Jesus in our frail and broken lives. And by your Spirit, strengthen us to hold fast to the promise that you who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us into his presence. Give us grace to not lose heart. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What connected with you from the sermon or the passage?
What stands out to you about how honestly Paul describes his suffering in this passage?
Why do you think it can be hard for Christians to be honest and to admit when we’re struggling and when life is hard?
In verses 10-12, Paul connects his suffering with the death and life of Jesus. What do you think it means for the Christian life to follow this pattern of death giving way to life?
How might God be inviting you to see his power at work through weakness and suffering rather than only waiting for it to disappear?
Paul calls his suffering a “light momentary affliction” compared with an “eternal weight of glory.” How does the resurrection change the way we understand present suffering?
Paul says “we do not lose heart,” not simply “you should not lose heart.” What might it look like for our church to encourage one another in times of suffering? When have you experienced the gift of Christian community in difficult times?
What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?