2Corinthians 4

2 Cor 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, 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 Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Paul spoke the gospel, in truth by the grace of God. If we are in the Lords leading, we do not wear out. Remember we are yoked together with Christ, he being the greater. He is our good shepherd, we follow him, not pulling in our own direction opposing him. His mercy comes in obedience, his grace comes as we serve him.

1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

"craftiness" -- unscrupulous conduct

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

"gospel" -- good news

2 Cor 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

People believe foolish things to avoid the voice of their conscience. They invent a chance evolution when the Bible teaches that God created. If all is by chance, then there is no accountability to a righteous God. You're OK, I'm OK, we do what we want. No, God has a better way, a way that we shall go in. Jesus is the way of forgiveness and a new life. There is no other way. God is creator, we are not to be creating our own way when God has provided his son, Jesus, to bring us to himself, free of sin and guilt.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

the gospel from Jesus

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The gospel witness of Peter

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

The gospel spoken by Paul

1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1 Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Cor 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1 Cor 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1 Cor 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

2 Cor 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

"troubled" -- to afflict "not distressed" --anguished, in a narrow space "Perplexed" -- mentally finding no way out "not in despair" -- not utterly without a way

The truth is, that with God there is always hope and life and blessings. If we don't see the way out of a difficulty, trust God, he will be your help. Too often people turn to the world's cure, and end up putting a psychological label on their problem while being medicated. Go to God first, trust him and his promises.

2 Cor 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Paul needed no letter of recommendation to the church that he founded. His ministry was proof of his authority; his life completely dedicated even with many afflictions.

1 Cor 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1 Cor 4:13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

2 Cor 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

In a society absorbed with "self," this may indeed sound strange, but God's way is usually opposite of our way. "Self" glory does not honor God, or anyone else. The way to God is through Jesus, for all who will receive. The sharing of Jesus with a troubled world requires self sacrifice.

We die to self, so that you, who are in need may receive. A servant must be obedient to his master, to please him with his work. Which has the most lasting value, a trip to Disneyland's magic kingdom or a soul delivered from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God? A silly comparison, maybe, but if our life is about self pleasure, where is the witness of Jesus? Being obedient to God is life's greatest joy and adventure. The joy continues through eternity with souls brought into God's family, many people of one heart in the Lord.

2 Cor 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; [Psalms 116:10]

2 Cor 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Having the same spirit of faith as Jesus, we believe his written word and we can speak his word with authority. As Jesus was risen from death we shall be risen, and be with him. We do not act out a religious experience, but are truly annointed by the Holy Ghost to minister and to live forever, with the chosen of God, let us praise him.

2 Cor 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Afflictions, persections, reviling, mockings will come to those witnessing for Jesus, our flesh is weak, our emotions may shatter, but the Lord is our strength. We are renewed each day in his word and through his presence. He is all we need for life.

2 Tim 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Tim 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

We walk by faith, believing in God and in his word. By his word the worlds were brought into existance. By his word we receive Jesus and pass from death unto life. I believe and witness for my Lord, I am not ashamed.

2Corinthians Chapters

2Corinthians 5
2Corinthians 3
2Corinthians 2
2Corinthians 1
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