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
