LESSON TWO - PAUL'S MOTIVATION

TEXT: 2 Cor. 4:1-12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL'S LIFE WAS ONE OF SACRIFICE AND SUFFERING

          ( Phil. 3:4-8;  2 Cor. 11:24-28 ).

B.      SOMETHING KEPT HIM GOING WHERE OTHERS QUIT.  WHAT WAS IT?

I.      "I BELIEVED, AND THEREFORE DID I SPEAK"( 4:13-14 ).

A.      We note Paul's discussion of faith as a motivator.

          1.       Something  is more important than the temporal( vs. 16-18 ).

          2.       There a longing for home( 5:1-8 ).

          3.       Peter speaks of the "love of faith"( 1 Pet. 1:8 ).

          4.       Abraham  as an example( Heb. 11:9-10 ).

B.      Whence cometh this faith?

          1.       Paul saw( 1 Cor. 15:5-8 ).

          2.       Paul preached( vs. 11;  John 20:30-31;  Rom. 10:17 ).

C.      Faith sustains.

          1.       God provides an escape( 1 Cor. 10:13 ).

          2.       We are guarded by faith( 1 Pet. 1:5;  Eph. 6:16 ).

D.      Faith motivates.

          1.       Consider the promised reward( 2 Tim. 4:6-8;  2 Cor. 5 ).

          2.       Look to Jesus( Heb. 12:1-2 ).

          3.       2 Cor. 5:7.

II.     "KNOWING THEREFORE THE FEAR OF THE LORD"( 5:11 ).

A.      Judgment is certain( Acts 17:30-31 ).

          1.       Our stewardship is to be considered( Mat. 25:14-30 ).

          2.       We will be punished if we don't fulfill( vs. 30 ).

          3.       The branch that bears not fruit( John 15:2 ).

B.      What is our responsibility?( Mat. 28:19-20;  Mark 16:15-16 ).

          1.       God's plan( 2 Tim. 2:2 ).

          2.       What if we fail?( Rom. 10:13-15 ).

C.      fear of God motivates us in all things( 1 Pet. 1:17;  Heb. 10:31 ).

III.    "THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US"( 5:14-15 ).

A.      How was his love manifested?

          1.       All sin( Rom. 3:23 ).

          2.       All deserve death( Rom. 6:23 ).

          3.       Jesus bore our punishment( 1 Pet. 2:21-24 ).

          4.       Therefore through Jesus all died( 2 Cor. 5:14 ).  All have access( vs. 15 ).

B.      His sacrificial death demands something - "constrains."

          1.       He appeals to our judgment - do we understand?( vs. 14 ).

          2.       His death places obligation upon us( vs. 15 ).

          3.       Other passages( Rom. 12:1;  Gal. 2:20;  Rom. 1:14 ).

C.      Thoughtful consideration leads to a life of service

          ( Rom. 2:4 ).  Do we appreciate?

CONCLUSION:

A.      WHAT MOTIVATED PAUL?

B.      SHOULDN'T WE BE MOTIVATED AS WELL.