Today, Tomorrow and Eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
INTO: This morning our text passage is a real attention grabber! …. I’m talking about an “in your tracks type.” CHECK IT OUT!
WHY IS THIS? Because it’s a passage of contrasts! In the literary world writers often use special devices to capture their audience’s attention by adding emphasis through literary devices: (i.e.) terms of repetition, metaphors, parallelisms and contrasts. This morning, we will be looking at a passage of Scripture that is using the literary device of contrasting comparisons.
Just what is a contrast? It can be defined as: “to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences.”
(n) OUR TEXT
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
(16) For which cause we faint [to be utterly spiritless] not; but though our outward man perish [to change for the worse/to decay], yet the inward man is renewed [being changed into a new kind of life] day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Let’s notice Note the contrasts Paul presents in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 … beginning in VS 16: outward IS CONTRASTED/UNLIKE inward AND THEN perisheth IS CONTRASTED/UNLIKE renewed; LOOKING AT (VS 17) a light and momentary affliction IS CONTRASTED/UNLIKE an exceeding and eternal weight of glory; FINALLY, IN (VS18) the temporal (tangible things seen) IS CONTRASTED/UNLIKE the eternal (unseen intangible things).
(n) THIS MORNING: I WANT TO LOOK AT THESE PASSAGES WITH THE IDEA OF APPLYING THEM TO: (1) OUR TODAY [Vs 16], (2) OUR TOMORROWS [Vs 17] and THEN (3) OUR ETERNITY [Vs 18]
(n) IN VERSE 16 WE LOOK AT (1) OUR TODAY . . . This is where we are right now!
For which cause [speaking of Jesus who is the Firstfruit and Guarantee of resurrection for all who place their faith in Him for salvation (vs. 14)] we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed [to be changed from something former] day by day.
(n) NOTE THE CONTRAST HERE: Our “outward man perisheth” WITH our “inward man as being “renewed” . . . “day by day” [one day at a time]
WE SEE THIS EVERYDAY… Look at our outer man today! It does not look the same as when we were younger. How many of us still possess the same strength we did when we were 18-30 YOA? I thinking tickers have slowed down and our cognizance grows dimmer!
But I love this word: BUT! BUT we look to our INNER MAN, which should be growing in the sanctification process. We are becoming more mature in our walk and cross bearing … we are looking at the glory of this… becoming more like Jesus, more usable in the hands of the potter.
(n) IN VERSE 17 WE LOOK AT (2) OUR TOMORROW’S … This is what our tomorrows look like!
For our light affliction, which is BUT for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
NOTE THE CONTRASTS HERE: our affliction is light and momentary WITH an exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
In this passage, Paul is weighing our present trials against a future of glory!
The only other place this word (in Greek context- as an adjective) is used is found in Matthew 11:30, where Jesus said: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
WHAT DOES OUR LIGHT AFFLICTIONS (trials) MEAN?
FRIENDS, because even on your worst day (by measure of eternity) is but for a moment!
(Use a ruler to demonstrate: Our life is maybe an inch of this ruler)
(n) Our affliction is light! (David Guzik’s
--- Our affliction is light compared to what others suffer.
--- Our affliction is light compared to what we deserve.
--- Our affliction is light compared to what Jesus suffered for us.
--- Our affliction is light compared to the blessings we enjoy.
--- Our affliction is light as we experience the sustaining power of God’s grace.
--- Our affliction is light when we see the glory that it leads to.
Ref: Guzik, David. Enduring Word. David Guzik’s Commentary. 2 Corinthians. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) A coming glory that outweighs any of today’s difficulties.. Accessed February 28, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-corinthians-4/.
WHY IS IT WORKING FOR US “and exceeding and eternal weight in glory [2nd part of VS 17. Because it is our future portion of eternity in heaven!
When I think of the idea of “weight in glory,” I can see someone that like to cook and is what we call very heavy handed when applying the spices… that is in full measure and then some!
Weight in glory is what has been promised to us!
1 Peter 1:3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you
(n) IN VERSE 18 WE LOOK AT OUR ETERNITY… Here, we have our eternal status!
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal
NOTE THE CONTRASTS HERE: we do not look at the tangible (things which are seen) and temporal BUT ON things that are unseen (intangible) and eternal.
The things we can see make them seem more realistic but, honestly, these are the things that are temporal and last but for a season.
The invisible things (that are seen through faith) are the true and eternal things: salvation, peace with God, adoption, having a blessed hope, a mansion in heaven, Etc.
Friends, life is not all about what we can see. Think about some very important things in life that are unseen: the air we breathe, the love we express and feel, inner peace, compassion, beliefs, aspirations, values. YET, these are quite important in our life.
CONCLUSION:
Shouldn’t we be encouraged that we (as Christians are on the positive side of these contrasts)
(n) IN A NUTSHELL - - - WHY SHOULD WE BE ENCOURAGED? THIS IS WHY!
(VS 16) WE TRADE OUR CURRENT TODAY AS an outward and perishing status of a sinner condemned to eternal separation from God FOR an inwardly renewed, saved by grace (day by day), redeemed and adopted child of God with a heavenly inheritance!
(VS 17) WE TRADE OUR CURRENT TOMORROWS OF momentary light affliction FOR an eternal weight in glory!
(VS 18) WE TRADE THE temporal (tangible and seen) of a life that passeth away FOR the eternal (intangible and unseen gifts) of eternity!
