2 Corinthians 4 Lesson
Purpose And Perspective
PAUL’S SUFFERING
The Apostle Paul had guts and determination!
Over the course of his ministry, he endured:
- Beatings,
- Being stoned,
- Shipwrecks,
- Being lost at sea,
- Danger from robbers,
- Danger from being hunted,
- Hunger,
- Thirst,
- And imprisonment.
About Paul, Jesus said:
- “He is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake. ” – Acts 9:15-16.
PAUL’S EXAMPLE
God had a plan for Paul like He has a plan for each of us. (Jeremiah 29:11).
And as we look at Paul’s example, we need to understand how Paul relentlessly executed God’s plan for him once it was revealed. So should we!
And despite all these hardships, Paul never lost faith.
Why?
Because he had a sense of purpose and a sense of perspective.
Living for the Lord provides us with a sense of purpose and perspective that cannot be found anywhere else.
When we commit to following Jesus, our lives take on a deeper meaning than ever before. It may not always be easy from a worldly perspective, but it will be important and fulfilling Spiritually.
A SENSE OF PURPOSE
The Apostle Paul lived an extraordinary life!
Early in his adult life, he was known and feared for persecuting Christians.
There is no telling how many people Paul persecuted, but it appears to have been a significant amount.
His reputation preceded him with Ananias who said of Paul:
- “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” –Acts 9:13-14.
And yet, God had a plan for Paul,just like he has for each of us!
The Prophet Jeremiah wrote about this in the following scripture:
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11.
Paul’s spiritual journey is a remarkable one!
If God can use somebody who persecuted Christians to spread the Gospel, He surely can use us to do the same. This gives us reason to have hope!
Jesus also said He was going to show Paul how much he must suffer for Jesus’ name’s sake.
We understand that as Christians, we need to be prepared to suffer for our faith.
We also know that the glory that awaits us in Heaven will be like nothing we have ever experienced before! (Romans 8:18)
When Jesus revealed to Paul what He wanted him to do(Acts 9:6),Paul did it!
That is exactly what God wants from us!
We may not have a “Road to Damascus” moment like Paul had, but if we actively work on our faith, God will reveal to us what He wants us to do.
And if we are wise enough to follow God’s plan when it is revealed to us,our lives will take on a newfound purpose!
A SENSE OF PERSPECTIVE
In addition to having a great purpose, Paul also had a profound sense of perspective.
He realized that whatever pain he was experiencing on earth, was only temporary.
Paul understood that any suffering he endured on earth, would pale in comparison to the joy that awaited him in Heaven.
He wrote about this in his letter to the Romans:
- “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Romans 8:18.
As Christians, we know that we will be tested, and we know that life will get hard. (2 Timothy 3:12)
Keeping things in their proper perspective, with God’s help, allows us to overcome any challenges that we may face.
CONCLUSION
Whatever God’s plan is for us, He will help us through it if we follow Him and put our trust in Him.
If we do that, our lives will take on a sense of purpose and perspective like never before!
We will conclude today's lesson with the following scripture:
- “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
1) What did today’s Bible study make you think or feel?
2) What questions do you have?
3) How can you apply what you have learned to something specific in your life?
***PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE***
1) What did today’s Bible study make you think or feel?
2) What questions do you have?
3) How can you apply what you have learned to something specific in your life?
***PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE***
We each have a purpose in life. During this pandemic when I have been pretty isolated, I needed to wake up and plan for something purposeful to do. ..clean, call a friend, do a good deed, read the Bible.Sometimes we are not clear on what our purpose is. We may have a vague idea. However, we need to keep God in our presence throughout the day, knowing that he will equip us with what we need and help us find His purpose for us even during a pandemic.
I am inspired by the response of Ananias to the Lord's directive. While he expresses his deep concern about Saul to the Lord, he refrains from any accusation. Remember that Saul had approved of the martyrdom of Stephen. The Lord answers Ananias' honest concern, of which we also can be assured that he will address our honestly expressed real concerns, but note that Ananias follows up with immediate and absolute obedience to the Lord's direction which he must have had before or even while expressing his concern to the Lord. Ananias' faith is reflective of our Lord in the garden - 'nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.'
And finally when meeting Saul in person, he states the Lord's purpose directly and succinctly. Ananias greets Saul as brother - immediately and without any hesitation. Without any accusation or any acknowledgement of Saul's past, Ananias seems to accept as already accomplished that which he was told will happen.
It is inspiring to see how his faith worked in harmony with his sense of purpose and his perspective.
May my faith also be seen working in harmony with His purpose and perspective of me today.
I enjoyed your comments Nick. Thank you!
It is encouraging to know that whatever our purposes, God will see us through it. He is powerful and has a purpose for our life, and he knows us all by name. The hairs on our individual heads are numbered. That means God knows all about us individually, and we can all work to the glory of God. Don’t be discouraged.
Amen!