Bible Study - Ministering (3) - Ready When Sickness Comes to Stay - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and 12:7b-10 - February 1, 2015

Bible Study – Ministering (3) – Ready When Sickness Comes to Stay – February 1, 2015

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Ready: Ministering Life to Those in Crisis.”

Our focus scripture is 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 12:7b-10.

GOD’S Grace is sufficient – even in times of sickness. Long term illness is not something I had considered until a few years ago when I witnessed friends taking care of their parents, siblings, relatives or spouses taking care of their spouses. In many cases, the care giver’s health is compromised and in fact often the care giver will die before the one he or she is caring for. As we age, we experience more aches and pains. Getting old is not for wimps.

The Apostle Paul was getting up in age and he had some physical and health issues related to aging and bodily treatment he had received for obediently serving the LORD JESUS. He lists some of the issues he faced in 2 Corinthians 11:22-27:

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the • seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman —I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. 24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false • brothers ; 27 labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.

In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 Paul addresses the Jewish religion which is made up of commandments and laws versus faith in CHRIST.

New Covenant Ministry

 7 Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to look directly at Moses’ face because of the glory from his face —a fading glory— 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory. 10 In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious now by comparison because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was fading away was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious. 12 Therefore, having such a hope, we use great boldness. 13 We are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites could not stare at the end of what was fading away, 14 but their minds were closed. For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ. 15 Even to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.

This scripture leads us into the 2 Corinthians 4:1-15:

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not • walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth. 3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your • slaves because of Jesus. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars (Christians are jars of clay in whom GOD has made righteous through the shed blood of CHRIST and in whom HE has placed HIS Spirit.)

7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. 14 We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory.

Let’s jump ahead to 2 Corinthians 12:1-7a, which will give us some background on what the Apostle Paul was addressing in our focus scripture:

1 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. 3 I know that this man —whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. 6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7a. especially because of the extraordinary revelations.

Paul begins by stating that what he is about to reveal is extraordinary because he has had extraordinary experiences during his walk with JESUS. He attempts to minimize pointing to himself by stating that he knew a man some fourteen years ago, who--. When did this event happen? Likely, when Paul was stoned at Lystra as reported in Acts 14:19-20:

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. 20 After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Those who stoned him thought that Paul was dead. Did Paul have a near death experience? I believe this experience gave Paul an understanding that few 

people have regarding death.

Eternal life was confirmed in Paul by his faith in CHRIST and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This experience gave him a better understanding that this earth suit, called our human body, is all that ties us to earth. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8:

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Our earthly bodies were not intended to be eternal but through the miracle of rebirth, though faith in CHRIST, HE gives all who place their faith in HIM eternal life. Faith in CHRIST results in eternal life and the promise of a new glorified body when GOD’S kingdom is established upon earth.

The aging of the human body brings all people to that moment of truth when they realize that one day they will face death. In essence, Paul was saying, eternity is far greater than anything earth has to offer, so Christians can face the issues of life knowing that their salvation will be complete and they will be glorified once they leave their earth suits/human bodies.

I have previously written about this event which occurred in my life many years ago. Several of us had been praying for a certain lady who had cancer and she died. In fact, there had been several people we had prayed for and they had died over a period of time. At that stage of my Christian growth, I thought that when we prayed people were to be physically healed. It was a discouragement for me to see those for whom we were praying die. It was like our prayers for those with life threatening illnesses were the kiss of death. I remember very clearly, I was on GOD’S case about everyone we prayed for dying. HE let me rant and rave and when I finally shut-up, HE spoke. Not as I hear another person. HE brought to mind another lady we had prayed for sometime earlier and she died as the result of cancer. HE said that HE did not want her to have cancer or cause her cancer but she was willing to have cancer if it glorified HIM. Her disease was the same as if she had been a missionary, captured by a hostile tribe and martyred for being a Christian. HE said only eternity will reveal the number of doctors, nurses, relatives, friends and others whose lives were touched by her witness and faithfulness to ME. When she died I met her as she entered heaven and wrapped MY arms around her and said “well done, good and faithful servant.” We turned and walked down the streets of gold which were lined with the saints shouting victory because she had remained faithful and had overcome. Then HE said “Would you deny that of anyone?” I said, “No.”

There is much more than we know that goes on in heaven. JESUS said it well in John 14:1-11:

1 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going.” 5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus Reveals the Father

 7 “If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.

1 Corinthians 2:9:

9 But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him.

Christians have not seen or heard or thought about what awaits them as they faithfully serve HIM upon earth and enter into HIS presence in heaven when their work upon earth is over.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul used “therefore” to state why he did not get discouraged which will follow in the next few verses.

Every person ages, will face health issues and death but don’t give up. Although our human bodies are breaking down, our born-again Spiritual bodies are being renewed each day. Renewed means “to cause to grow up,” “to be new strength and vigor,” “to be changed into a new kind of life as opposed to the former corrupt state.” Christians are being gradually made into the image of CHRIST. Our outward shell is deteriorating but our inward born-again Spirit is getting stronger. It is a day by day transformation into the image 

of CHRIST.

The world views the poor health and other negative issues of Christians as GOD’S disfavor or punishment. When we sin, Christians or non-Christians will suffer the consequences of the sin. Because Christians suffer from health, financial, family and marital issues does not mean that GOD has abandoned them.

Paul used the words “light affliction.” Affliction comes from a word which means “pressure” – “distress, tribulation, trouble.” Paul admonishes Christians not to focus on what is seen but what is unseen, which is finishing the race because the rewards of heaven far outweigh the light suffering this world offers.

When a Christian dies his or her born-again Spirit goes immediately to heaven. GOD has fashioned a special heavenly body for each Christian which he or she will use while they are with HIM in heaven. Those in heaven will follow behind JESUS when HE returns to earth for the second time to rapture HIS living church. At that instant, they will receive their new Glorified, eternal bodies. At that instant the Christian’s salvation is complete. We will be like JESUS in full control of our Glorified Bodies.

All of this is presently unseen but promised, guaranteed, secured by the precious shed blood of CHRIST and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Earth is not our home and was never intended to be our home. Sin kicked us out of our true home but salvation through the shed blood of JESUS and placing our faith in HIM results in rebirth. We become GOD’S Sons or Daughters and our citizenship is in heaven.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 12:7b-9a:

Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9a But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Paul used “therefore” again.

Since Paul had the extraordinary stated in 2 Cor. 12:7a and other extraordinary experiences in obediently walking with and serving GOD, GOD allowed “a messenger of Satan” to give him a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. Paul asked the LORD three times to remove the thorn in his flesh. The Hebrew word translated “thorn could also be translated “stake.”

We do not know what this thorn in his flesh was but GOD did not remove it. We know that it had a Spiritual purpose in Paul’s life to keep him humble and dependent upon GOD. GOD saw that Paul’s ego could have gotten in his way to be an obedient servant.

GOD wanted Paul to stay focused upon HIM and HIS sufficiency.

Grace is unmerited favor. It is GOD’S gift which cannot be earned.

GOD told Paul ““My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” GOD’S grace carries Christians through times of trouble. HIS grace is vital because the power of GOD’S presence is manifested in Christians when they are weak and lack self-sufficiency. In our weakness, we die to self and allow GOD to fill us with HIS power and strength in times of need. It is no longer I but CHRIST in me, which is complete trust that GOD’S will be accomplished in whatever we are experiencing.

When we are self-sufficient, we do not need GOD and we take matters into our hands. Such an attitude creates a struggle between us and GOD. Thus, when we are weak, we allow GOD to be strong within us.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10:

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul considered that his thorn in the flesh kept him humble and resulted in him staying focused upon CHRIST’S power and not his importance and the experiences he had. It is all about CHRIST and not about Paul or the extraordinary events he had experienced. It is about maintaining the right attitude of the heart as he ministered to others. It is CHRIST in you, the hope of glory.

Spiritual arrogance is an easy attitude for Christians to slip into when GOD blesses their ministry in a bountiful way. Ministry is always about JESUS. When others see us in our frail or weak condition, yet we reflect GOD and GOD continues to work through us, it brings glory to HIM. It is HIS power that is manifested and reflected.

Paul listed a partial list of the troubles he had encountered during ministry:

-         Weaknesses, a general word for “sickness.”

-         Insults, came from his opponents.

-         Catastrophes, “hardships” come with being a human.

-         Persecutions, comes from a word suggesting religious persecutions.

-         And in pressures, “to compress” or “to restrict” because of obediently serving CHRIST.

Paul believed when he was weak, others could see CHRIST at work through him. So Paul rejoiced in being weak. JESUS had to become weak in order to be perfected as we read in Hebrews 5:8-9:

8 Though He was God’s Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. 9 After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him,

JESUS suffered for us and Christians will suffer with HIM as written in Romans 8:12-17:

12 So then, • brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “ • Abba , Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

No one likes to think of suffering but suffering perfects. We do not seek suffering to be perfected but if and when it comes, we know with suffering comes the power of GOD and HIS sufficiency. There is a big difference, as Christians, we have the assurance of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is our guarantee, down payment and security deposit of our faith in CHRIST. Christians do not suffer in vain but in the assurance of CHRIST in us and heaven and glory to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22:

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 5:5-9:

5 And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we • walk by faith, not by sight, 8 and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we 

make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.

Do you have this assurance? If not and you are not a Christian, ask CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and to take you as you are and make you into the Christian HE wants you to be. Yield your will to HIM and follow HIM as the Holy Spirit leads you. It is a journey. If you are a Christian, then ask CHRIST to reveal to you why you don't have this assurance. 

Many Christians think that GOD sprinkles holy dust on us and instantly we become complete but salvation is just the beginning of the process of sanctification. But the Holy Spirit is with us every step of the way as we are transformed into the image of CHRIST. Blessings!!!