The Greatest Problem In The World, The Greatest Promise Ever Given And The Greatest Power Ever Known

2 Corinthians 4:11-18 12/8/24 a.m.

I was reading a while back about a set of twins named Natalie and Monica Rex. Two beautiful young ladies who are now 30 years old. Because of me having a twin brother this story was interesting to me and it really touched my heart. These two have spent their entire lives together but 8 years ago, just before she graduated college, Natalie was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease that’s usually fatal. The name of the disease is Fredreich’s Ataxia. It’s called FA disease for short. It’s a Neurological Disease that starts off by a person having problems with coordination but then progressively gets worse.

Natalie was devastated but, as you can imagine, Monica was too. Monica has chosen not to be tested for the disease and, for now, she has no symptoms.

And so the twins moved in together and Monica has taken on the role of being sister, friend, roommate and caregiver. She wanted to stay close so they can both live a very celebratory life while Natalie is still able.

In many ways, the sisters enjoy life as they always have, hosting dinners and movie nights with friends — but in other ways, Natalie’s disease has resulted in two very different experiences for the twins.

#1, it's really drawn them close, which they both describe as being amazing.

#2 it's also created a lot of moments where they have had to understand their limits.

Monica said, “there have been moments of tension as we figure out what it looks like to navigate this together — but we will always be there for each other, and we'll always have each other's backs. At the end of the day, we truly just want what's best for each other."

And here’s where I’m going with this. As Christians, the sisters have drawn comfort and support from their faith as they go through the challenges of Natalie’s disease.

Natalie said, “I lean heavily into my faith to understand and process the purpose and hope that can come from a hopeless diagnosis like FA,"

And this is what Monica had to say, “The physical decline of Natalie’s body is a daily reminder that this world is not our home — and that one day, all things, including our bodies, will be made whole and healthy in eternity.”

One of Natalie’s favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 4:16, which says, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."

Monica added that she trusts God has a "bigger plan" for their pain.

And as I read this story about these amazing young ladies, some of you all came to my mind. Some of the HEALTH STRUGGLES you all are going through. The AFFLICTIONS that you have in your lives. The GRIEF and SORROW some of you all face. I know at times you may feel overwhelmed and so this morning I feel like God would have me preach out of 2 Corinthians 4, and we’ll read Verses 11-18.

“For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

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;

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

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

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed 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.”

This morning I want us to see the Greatest Problem that faces mankind today. But then I want you to see the Greatest Promise that has ever been given. And it is given to us by the Greatest POWER to ever exist. Almighty God. Omnipotent or Omni potent as I like to say, Omniscient and Omnipresent. He is the GREATEST POWER and He has answers for us today. So before we get into this message let’s go to the Lord in Prayer.

Brother ____, would you lead us?

I. So what is the Greatest Problem facing this present world? It stares us in the FACE everyday. We do our best to stay away from it but it’s everywhere. We see it on the NEWS, read it in the PAPER, talk about it on Social Media. DEATH!!!