With Eternity in Mind

Theme: The believer’s quest

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: We can persevere in living for and serving God, knowing glory awaits us in Heaven.

Think: I let an eternal perspective guide my attitudes, choices, and actions.

Do: Live for and serve God with integrity, proclaiming Christ as Savior and Lord.

B1 Integrity

C1 Hebrew words

D1 תֹּם, tome which means integrity, innocence, and completeness

E1 Genesis 20:5 NKJV - "Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this."

E2 Proverbs 10:29 NLT - The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.

D2 תֻּמָּה, toom-maw' which means integrity, innocence.

E1 Job 2:9 NLT - His wife said to him, "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die."

E2 Proverbs 11:3 CSB - The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.

C2 Greek word is ἀφθαρσία aphtharsía which means incorruption, purity, sincerity, honesty, etc. 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 CSB - For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.

C3 Another Greek word translated integrity is ἀδιαφθορία adiaphthoria meaning incorruptness: Titus 2:7 (WPNT) in all things presenting yourself as an example of good works: showing integrity, dignity and incorruptibility in your teaching.

B2 2 Corinthians Chapter 4:1-6,

C1 What kind of man was Paul before he was born again?

D1 Acts 22:3-5 NKJV - "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, "as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

D2 Philippians 3:4-6 NKJV - though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

C2 What did he do in the name of Judaism to the Christians?

D1 Acts 8:3 NKJV - As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

D2 1 Corinthians 15:9 NKJV - For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

D3 Galatians 1:13 NKJV - For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

D4 Philippians 3:6 NKJV - concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

D5 1 Timothy 1:13 NKJV - although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

C3 How did God’s grace affect him at the time he wrote to the Corinthians?

C4 Why doesn’t Paul become discouraged?

C5 What are some things Christians hide?

C6 What is the main problem with deception in a Christian?

D1 It is listed as arising from the heart, the inner person of all humans: Mark 7:21-22 NKJV - For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

D2 It is incurably wicked: Jeremiah 17:9-10 CSB - The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? I, the LORD, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.

D3 God hates it: Jeremiah 17:9-10 CSB - The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? I, the LORD, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.

D4 False prophets and false teachers have:

E1 Jeremiah 23:26 NKJV - How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart.

E2 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 CSB - For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.

D5 The Lord Jesus never did: 1 Peter 2:22 NKJV - Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth.

D6 How can we discern one is a false teacher?

C7 Name some examples of “handling the Word of God deceitfully?”

D1 1 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV - For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

E1 Does God desire all humans to be saved, or does He desire most to go to hell to be roasted, barbecued, and tormented forever?

E2 Calvinist: I have often times heard people quote 1 Timothy 2:4 to dismiss, out of hand, the biblical teaching on Sovereign grace or Divine election. In quoting the verse they have told me that God has no interest in electing certain people to salvation but that His desire is for every person to be saved. Yet, we must remember that the word "all" always has a context. It can sometimes mean all people everywhere - many times it does - but it sometimes means "all" in the sense of "all kinds" or "all classes, types" of people or at other times it refers to all within a certain type or class.. For instance, we do the same thing in our English language when a school teacher in a classroom may ask the question, "are we ALL here?" or "is EVERYONE here?" She is not asking if everyone on planet earth is in the classroom, but because of the context in which the question is framed (the school teacher's classroom) we understand she is referring to all within a certain class or type - in this case, all the students signed up for the class. (Source).

E4 Non-Calvinist: Jamieson-Fausset-Brown: Since He wishes that all should be saved, do you also wish it; and if you wish it, pray for it. For prayer is the instrument of effecting such things [Chrysostom]. Paul does not say, "He wishes to save all"; for then he would have saved all in matter of fact; but "will have all men to be saved," implies the possibility of man's accepting it (through God's prevenient grace) or rejecting it (through man's own perversity). Our prayers ought to include all, as God's grace included all. (Source).

E5 Even their interpretation works against them for all kinds would refer to everyone. God who inspired the Bible writers (overseeing them) knows how to communicate perfectly. Why shouldn’t we believe God and take the plain, normal sense. See here for further and more detailed information.

C8 How would satan blind someone to the Gospel?

C9 How do people preach themselves instead of Jesus Christ?

C10 Who sends the light?

B3 2 Corinthians 4:7-18,

C1 2 Corinthians 4:7-10—were the Christians having a good time? Why can the Christian life be rough? Should we warn new Christians?

D1 Jesus foretold that His followers would face this, just because they follow: Luke 21:16-17 NKJV - You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.

D2 It is a condition of service: 2 Timothy 1:11-12 NKJV - to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

D3 What other reasons can you think of?

C2 Why are Christians always delivered into death? Who hates Christians? Why are Christians hated? The NLT has 2Co 4:11 NLT Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.

C3 Why are Christians still motivated to live and preach Jesus even when under constant danger?

C4 What power in 2 Corinthians 4:7 is Paul speaking of? Consider: Ephesians 3:20 NKJV - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

C5 How does Paul not get distressed when the situation is very hard? Consider this encouragement from HandFuls on Purpose, Smith/Lee Psalm 27:13-14: A Threefold Encouragement.

1. TO BELIEVE. "I had fainted unless I had believed." Troubled on every side, yet not distressed (2Co 4:8-10), because our faith is in God. Peter fainted while on the water because he doubted.

2. TO WAIT. "Wait on the Lord." Wait on Him because the expectation of faith is from Him (Psa 62:1-5). All who truly wait on Him will yet be able to say, "Lo, this is our God" (Isaiah 25:9).

3. TO WORK. "He shall strengthen thine heart, be of good courage." "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it" (Ecc 9:10), for His strength is made perfect in weakness.

C6 Have you ever been perplexed by things happening in your life? How does Paul handle this?

C7 How can we survive persecution without feeling forsaken?

C8 How do Christians carry the death of the Lord Jesus in their lives?

C9 What hope does Paul have the 2 Corinthians 4:14? How does that give Paul strength and rest?

C10 How does the resurrection strengthen our spiritual life:

C11 How does God’s grace increasing more and more result in more and more thanksgiving to God?

C12 Why do some people give up the Christian faith?

C13 How do we keep our eyes on the eternal things of God? Consider: Matthew 6:19-21 CSB - Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

B4 Next week:

C1 Great Expectations

C2 Theme: The Believer’s Identity

C3 Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-21