TEACHING NOTES Introduction In this series we have been learning how to be thankful no matter what we are facing in this life. Since being thankful is a mindset, we have to learn to change how we think. This is not easy in the culture we live in. We are constantly told to be angry, afraid, contentious, jealous, and entitled. It takes discipline to reject the worldly mindset and embrace the mind of Christ. Paul tells us the first steps in the process of changing our mindset in Romans 12:1-2. ‌ Romans 12:1-2 (my translation) 1 Therefore brothers, I appeal to you, in view of the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrificial gift, holy and pleasing to God, which is your genuine worship. 2 Do not be conformed to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, by testing to discern the will of God, which is good and acceptable and perfect. ‌ Series Review: 1. Be faithful. 2. Focus on good things. ‌3. Practice worship daily. ‌4. Look ahead. ‌ Illustration: Negotiating Curves ‌ When driving through a long curve, some people look at the road directly in front of the vehicle. This causes the driver to make constant corrections, even over-corrections and makes for uncomfortable ride. The driver and passengers are swayed back and forth throughout the curve. This is not the best driving strategy. ‌ If you want to make a consistent curve, look ahead to the furtherest point you can see. This may sound weird but you’ll find that when focusing further ahead your brain will process your peripheral vision almost automatically. You will notice that you will make smaller and smoother corrections throughout the curve. ‌ The same is true in life. If you only look at what is happening in the present, what’s right in front of you, then you will try to make constant corrections (fixes) or even over-corrections. As followers of Jesus, we have to look further ahead and trust that God has a plan and is working in our lives. Looking to our promised future helps us to realize that the present is only temporary. Our present struggles cannot even be compared to our future. ‌ 2 Corinthians 4:6–7 ESV 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Let light shine out of darkness = Paul is paraphrasing Gen. 1:3. ‌ The glory of God in Jesus = See John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” ‌ Paul also wrote in Colossians 1:13–20 “13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” ‌ In the face of Jesus Christ = Paul looked ahead to the moment that he would be face to face with Jesus. This was Paul’s ultimate goal and his greatest desire. He wanted to be with Jesus so much that he was torn between dying or continuing to live and spread the Gospel (see Phil. 1:21-26). ‌ Belongs to God and not to us = Paul was the greatest missionary for the Gospel that the world has ever seen. But Paul knew that his life was not his own. Paul was a thankful person because he realized that everything is not about him. ‌ When you’re faithful to and focused on Jesus, life becomes more about Him and less about you. ‌ 2 Corinthians 4:8–10 ESV 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. ‌ Afflicted, not crushed = The early Christians were afflicted in many ways. At times they were being hunted down, jailed, beaten, and killed by both Jews and Romans. In Greek cities, Christians lost their jobs for refusing to worship the Greek gods. But Paul claims they were still not “crushed” which is from a Greek word meaning to be restricted or confined. So, Paul could mean that though they are afflicted the Gospel is not restricted from spreading. ‌ Perplexed, not in despair = Paul is saying that it is normal to be confused or to not have all the answers. In our culture, people fall into despair when they don’t have all the answers. In western culture, we put a high value on reason and certainty. Suffering is seen as a problem that can be solved and when we can’t solve it, we get depressed and hopeless. However, as Christians we know there is a purpose behind our suffering and we know that God has all the answers. ‌ Persecuted, not forsaken = The Greek word for “persecuted” here is diokomenoi, which means to be pursued. There were multiple periods within the first 300 years of Christianity that Christians were pursued and arrested. Once in custody they would be brought before the authorities and told to reject Christ and make a sacrifice to the emperor or Greek gods. If they refused they were brutally killed. They were burned at the stake, crucified, and even tied to a stake while lions ripped them apart. ‌ Struck down, not destroyed = Even though early Christians were struck down by the thousands, the church was never destroyed. In fact, the church spread like wildfire during persecution. The fact that the church survived the first 300 years is evidence that their message is true. ‌ So that Jesus may be manifested = When we stay faithful through suffering, we are being like Jesus. This puts Jesus and the Gospel on display to those around us. They see our faithfulness and are drawn to the Gospel. ‌ When we’re faithful through our suffering, we are being like Christ and revealing His grace to others. ‌ 2 Corinthians 4:11–12 ESV 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. ‌ We are always given over to death = The early Christians were severely persecuted, both by Jewish and Roman leaders. Yet, the early Christians were some of the most thankful and faithful believers in history. ‌ The life of Jesus manifested = Early Christians believed that their persecution only furthered the Gospel. Historical records tell us that often when Christians were martyred many in the crowd became believers afterward. ‌ Death at work in us, but life in you = Paul is saying that death is chasing them down for preaching the Gospel, but this will lead to life for those who hear. ‌ When life gets difficult, remember that God is using your life to bring eternal life to others. ‌ 2 Corinthians 4:13–14 ESV 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. ‌ “I believed, so I spoke” = Paul quotes a Psalm 116:10, which is a song of thanksgiving. Remember, when a New Testament author is quoting a verse from an Old Testament passage, we are meant to go back and read the entire context of the quotation. This was a shorthand way to point readers back to a larger passage. ‌ He who raised Jesus will raise us also = A vital element of becoming a thankful person is to realize that this life and its troubles are temporary. When we focus on the fact that we have a future in a new body in a new creation, we can stop complaining about this life and look forward to eternity. ‌ Bring us with you into his presence = Our future is an eternity in the perfect presence of God. For the apostles, being in the presence of God is the most important part of eternity. They were not looking forward to mansions in the clouds or playing harps. They were looking forward to being with Jesus again. ‌ 2 Corinthians 4:15–16 ESV 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ‌ As grace extends to more people = The Greek word translated “extends” is pleonasasa, which means to multiply, increase, or grow. Paul is talking about the Gospel spreading to more and more people. ‌ It may increase thanksgiving = The Greek word translated “increase” is perisseuse, which means to abound. Apparently, sharing our faith and seeing more and more people become faithful disciples will led us to abound in thanksgiving. ‌ 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ESV 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ‌ This light momentary affliction = Paul wants the Christians in Corinth to remember that the affliction of this life is only momentary in light of eternity. ‌ Preparing for us an eternal weight of glory = This life is preparation for eternity. God is working on us, in us, and through us for a purpose. ‌ Beyond all comparison = Paul also wrote in Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” ‌ Things seen are transient = This physical world and life is temporary. That means that the troubles of this life are also temporary. Paul wants us to focus on what is eternal. ‌ When life gets difficult, look ahead to what God has promised and be thankful now for what He will do in the future. ‌ Conclusion ‌The proper response to Paul’s message is worship and thanksgiving. When we pray, sing, and take Communion we are thanking God for all He has done. So, we begin our response with confession and repentance. Then we take Communion to celebrate our forgiveness.