The Things That are Eternal 2 Corinthians 4
The Things That are Eternal 2 Corinthians 4
Some things happen in our time and lives we do not anticipate or plan for. The death of our dreams? The loss of someone we loved? Life's changes are momentary yet there are times when we bend our knee and our heads and ask, " Why?" It is difficult to know how to trust . Sometimes groups take a "trust walk" where the group is blindfolded and the leader helps them get through obstacles in the walk. At the end a debriefing occurs when questions are asked," Why was trusting your team important?" The one I did was up and down stairs which was really challenging.
It seems that God takes us through a trust walk as we go through changes and chances of this mortal life. ( the prayers from 1928 BCP " to be used after the Collects of Morning or Evening Prayer or Communion, at the discretion of the Minister"-----" Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help....")Questioning, doubt that may turn into a deep despair, shadows that do not seem to end are the parts of life as well. The apostle in the letter we heard knew of these things.
His apostleship was being questioned, and he said, " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair..."
1. "Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." renew- to renew by moving from one stage to a higher one...Bible hub.com vs. 16 Our thoughts do not welcome death yet the word renewed is that we move to a higher stage in the inner man .
We are being renewed every day we listen to the Word of God, the Church where Christ's body is on earth and its leaders, feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of the Son of God.
Jesus said the body is more than food and clothing. Matthew 6:25 " Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
2. " Our light affliction , which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.." Affliction= glory
John 16:33 ..." These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
Serenity prayer the 2nd vs--"-Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen. "
3. " 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." 4:18 Look at eternal things.
In the end who is still standing? We are human and die. God lives, and His Word will not change. " For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. 92Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction." Psalm 119
Some things happen in our time and lives we do not anticipate or plan for. The death of our dreams? The loss of someone we loved? Life's changes are momentary yet there are times when we bend our knee and our heads and ask, " Why?" It is difficult to know how to trust . Sometimes groups take a "trust walk" where the group is blindfolded and the leader helps them get through obstacles in the walk. At the end a debriefing occurs when questions are asked," Why was trusting your team important?" The one I did was up and down stairs which was really challenging.
It seems that God takes us through a trust walk as we go through changes and chances of this mortal life. ( the prayers from 1928 BCP " to be used after the Collects of Morning or Evening Prayer or Communion, at the discretion of the Minister"-----" Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help....")Questioning, doubt that may turn into a deep despair, shadows that do not seem to end are the parts of life as well. The apostle in the letter we heard knew of these things.
His apostleship was being questioned, and he said, " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair..."
1. "Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." renew- to renew by moving from one stage to a higher one...Bible hub.com vs. 16 Our thoughts do not welcome death yet the word renewed is that we move to a higher stage in the inner man .
We are being renewed every day we listen to the Word of God, the Church where Christ's body is on earth and its leaders, feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of the Son of God.
Jesus said the body is more than food and clothing. Matthew 6:25 " Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
2. " Our light affliction , which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.." Affliction= glory
John 16:33 ..." These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
Serenity prayer the 2nd vs--"-Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen. "
3. " 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." 4:18 Look at eternal things.
In the end who is still standing? We are human and die. God lives, and His Word will not change. " For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. 92Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction." Psalm 119
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