2 Corinthians Week 6

Day 1 

READ 

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 

Paul recounted many problems he and his team faced, but he also focused on some positives they experienced. Their physical bodies suffered in order that Jesus’ life could be seen in them. Their suffering was caused by persecution for their teaching that caused problems with their bodies.  

REFLECT 

Have you had some spiritual trials that have caused physical problems? Did these in any way dim your hope in Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about how spiritual trials can cause physical problems. More will be written by Paul in 2 Corinthians about this. For now, remind yourselves of what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. Talk with other believers about how God is using this in your life. 

Day 2 

READ 

2 Corinthians 4:11-12 

11 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. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. 

The apostle and his team members were in “constant danger of death.” Why was this? He added, “because we serve Jesus.” Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that his willingness to face death to preach the gospel of the grace of God had resulted in salvation for the Corinthians. Paul considered his body as dying so the message of eternal life might be brought to others. 

REFLECT 

Do you know of some who have risked their lives to bring the gospel to others? 

RESPOND  

Join with others in praying for those serving Jesus in life-threatening circumstances. This could even be by believing in Jesus as Savior and being persecuted by their family members.  

Day 3 

READ 

2 Corinthians 4:13-15 

13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 

Paul referred to what the psalmist said in Psalm 116:10. Because of the confidence Paul had in his resurrection because of the one who raised Jesus from the dead, he kept preaching. Realizing that someday everyone will be in eternity changes the way one lives. Paul wanted to preach God’s grace to as many people as possible so God would receive more glory. 

REFLECT 

Does your belief in eventually being with Jesus affect the way you live? 

RESPOND 

Some say there is no reason to teach about future events now because people are not interested. That is not what the apostle Peter believed. See what he wrote in 2 Peter 3:8-13. Having some knowledge about the future should determine the way one lives today. 

Day 4 

READ 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 

Paul told why he and his team would never give up. They had their eyes on the future, not on the present troubles. Lives would be changed if they thought like Paul when he wrote, “For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” This is living with eternity’s values in view.  

REFLECT 

Think of all the things you see around you now and realize that someday they will be gone.  

RESPOND  

Talk with a friend about those things that will last forever—the souls of people and the truths of the Word of God. Determine to live with heaven’s values in view and endeavor to take as many people as possible with you to heaven. 

Day 5 

READ 

2 Corinthians 5:1-3 

1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 

Some take this passage to mean there will be a temporary body for believers if they leave this life before the rapture of the Church. Verse 1, however, refers to an “eternal body,” not a temporary one. For believers after death, the inner person—soul and spirit—will be with Jesus in a conscious state. When Jesus returns for the Church they will come back with Him. When the Church is caught up into the air to be with Jesus is the time when each believer who has passed away will receive a glorified body. 

REFLECT 

You may have many questions about what will occur when you go to be with Jesus. Be assured it will be a perfect place so you do not need many questions answered.  

RESPOND 

With another believer, read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The words “caught up” are from a Latin word from which is derived “rapture.” Notice the last verse says this passage should be of comfort. That will only be true for those who have believed in Jesus.