Old Llantrisant Hill
- There is something in this passage that everybody wants
- v16 - "we do not lose heart"
- When bad things are happening to me - I do not lose heart
- The chapters before and afterwards are all connected
- Therefore - look back at chapter 3
- v2 - we are proclaiming the gospel clearly
- He said a similar thing in 1 Corinthians
- Paul declared the gospel very clearly
- We have heard the gospel already this morning
- v3 - difficult to understand, but encouraging when we do
- Personal anecdote
- Example of friend
- In our witness we may encounter those who don't listen and can't see
- This can be encouraging because God has opened our eyes
- Unbelievers should pray that God will open their eyes - He will answer this prayer
- v4 - God's light (like the light of creation) must shine on unbelievers
- v5-6 - There is value is sitting and just beholding God
- Col 1
- We should stop and behold
- v7 - This treasure is in fragile vessels
- Our physical bodies are frail
- We are not always the best or brightest
- E.g. of Old Testament spokes people - Gideon
- This is of God (not of man)
- Example
- v8 - We are hard-pressed
- Paul lists multiple examples - he probably knew these experiences
- Remember v16 - connected to v7 ("the power may be of God")
- Phil 3
- v16-17
- Light affliction - said by Paul, not me
- 11:22-28 - examples of Paul affliction
- You can only say this if looking to things ahead
- These things are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal glory
- The glories of heaven are far more than we can think or imagine
- Therefore, Paul does not lose heart
- v17 is the climax of the passage
- v18 - We do not look at the things that are seen
- We look ahead to what Jesus has purchased for us
- But these things are only true if you are a believer
- Claim Jesus' promise and come to Him