2 Corinthians 4

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Light and Life of Christ Within Us

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Light of Christ is seen as believers live to serve.

  2. The life of Christ is seen as believers die to self.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s weigh our afflictions on God’s scale!

QUESTIONS

  1. Whose minds has Satan blinded?

  2. How can we be involved in the important ministry of veil-removal?

  3. Explain the beautiful parallel between creation and salvation in verse 6.

  4. Review the battering of the clay vessel in one hand, and the miraculous deliverance by the power of God on the other hand.

ANSWERS

  1. Satan is not permitted to blind people so that they have no choice and can’t believe the gospel. Rather, he blinds those who do not believe. That is, they are already committed unbelievers.

  2. We must “renounce the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:2

  3. As the Spirit of God moved in the darkness over the face of the deep and God said, “Let there be light,” so the Spirit of God has been at work to prepare our dark hearts for God to bring the Light of Christ into our lives.

  4. a. hard-pressed—yet not crushed b. perplexed—but not in despair c. persecuted—but not forsaken d. struck down—but not destroyed

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the great contrast in this passage between the message and the messengers. Discuss: “The Light of Christ is seen as believers live to serve.”

  2. Have you been battered in your life? How has this allowed others to see the life of Christ within you?

CHALLENGE

  1. Weigh your burdens on God’s scale this week. How do your momentary, light afflictions compare to the exceeding and eternal weight of glory?

KEY VERSES

  • “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

  • “Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 4:14

  • “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17



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