Sermon Notes of II Corinthians 4:16-5:21[1]
Readings: Matthew 5:13-16; Colossians 4:5, 6; I Peter 3:14-16
​
I. We Do Not Lose Heart (II Corinthians 4:16-18).
    A. We focus on eternal things.
II. We Have a House from God (II Corinthians 5:1-10).
  A. We aim to please Christ.

There’s More (II Corinthians 5:11-21)
I. We are  Ambassadors of Reconciliation
  A. We persuade from fear II Cor. 5:10[2] (v11).
    1. A believer’s reverence[3] (Prov. 9:10; II Cor. 7:1; Acts 9:31; Eph. 5:21)
  B. We are apparent to God and man (v11-13).
    1. An enthusiasm sometimes looking like madness and sometimes like sobriety (Ex. Acts 26:22-24)[4]
  C. We are controlled (compelled) by love (v14-17).
    1. The love displayed and imparted by Christ[5] (I Jn. 4:19)
    2. To keep within the narrow bounds to serve Christ[6]  
    3. Based on Christ’s work
    4. Produces new priorities:
      1a. Live for Christ rather than self (v15)
      2a. View people in terms of eternity (v16)[7]
        1b. James and Jude knew Jesus as Lord rather than as a half-brother (Jas. 1:1; Jude 1:1).
        2b. People in Christ are new creations (v17).
  D. We speak peace (reconciliation) (v18-21).
    1. God has given all the things of the new creation[8].
    2. God invites people to be reconciled through His servants.
    3. Christ, the sinless, became sin so we may become righteous (v21).
II. Implication: All Believers are Ambassadors (Representatives)
  A. Are we good or bad ambassadors for Christ?
    1. Does reverence for God make us obey Him and warn others?
    2. Do we live like God and other people are watching?
    3. Do we respond to Christ’s love with love (obedience)?
    4. Do we live by God’s priorities or our own priorities?
    5. Does our speech reflect the gospel of Christ?

[1] June 22, 2025 Renewal Bible Fellowship and Mount Pleasant Christian Church
[2] (Robertson, 1933)
[3] (MacArthur, 2005)
[4] (Henry, 1714)
[5] (Perowne, 1921)
[6] (Perowne, 1921)
[7] (MacArthur, 2005)
[8] (Jamieson, 1871)

Sermon Notes of II Corinthians 4:16-5:21[1]
Readings: I Corinthians 15:35-50; I Thessalonians 4:13-18
There’s More Part 2  (II Corinthians 5:1-10)
I. We Have a House (Structure) from God.
  A. Our house from God (v1) (Jn. 3:36; 6:47):
    1. Made without hands (Mk. 14:58)
    2. Eternal in the heavens
    3. The believer’s resurrected, glorified body (I Cor. 15:35-50)[2]
    4. Helps us understand physical death.
  B. We lust for the heavenly structure (v2, 4) (Jn. 14:3).
    1. We groan (sigh) for it (v2, 4) (Rom. 8:23)[3].
    2. We then will not be naked (v3) (Php. 3:21; I Cor. 15:50)[4].
    3. This is when the mortal is swallowed up by life (v4) (I Cor. 15:54).
      1a. God is the One accomplishing this in the believer (v5).
      2a. The Holy Spirit is the pledge (earnest) (II Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13, 14; 4:10; 1 Jn. 3:24).
  C. Until we get to our eternal house (v6-8):
    1. We are of good courage.
      1a. Because we walk by faith, not by sight.
    2. We prefer to be present (be home) with the Lord (Ps. 16:11; Php. 1:23).
    3. We strive (labor) to please Christ (v9).
      1a. (Php. 1:22; Jn. 6:27; I Cor. 9:26, 27; I Tim. 4:10; Heb. 4:11; II Pt. 1:10, 11; 3:14)
      2a. Because Christ will judge our deeds practices (v10).
        1b. (Ps. 62:12; Mt. 16:27; Gal. 6:7, 8; Rev. 22:12)
II. Implication: We Have a Home, but We are Not Yet Home.
  A. This present world is not our home.
III. Challenge: Start Packing
  A. Be excited.
  B. Be of good courage (be confident).
  C. Be faithful.

[1] June 15, 2025 Renewal Bible Fellowship and Mount Pleasant Christian Church
[2] (MacArthur, 2005)
[3] While in our temporary dwelling
[4] (Wiersbe)

Sermon Notes of II Corinthians 4:16-5:21[1]
Readings: Romans 7:22; II Corinthians 11:23-33; Ephesians 3:16; 4:24
There’s More (II Corinthians 4:16-18)
I. We Faint (Fail in Heart) Not (4:16).
  A. Our inner man is being renewed: Christian growth and maturity
    1. Outward man (physical body[2]) is decaying (being destroyed)
    2. Inner man: immaterial body (Rom. 7:22; Eph. 3:16; 4:24; Col. 3:10)[3]
  B. We have an eternal weight of glory coming (4:17).
    1. Afflictions Produce: work fully; work out; accomplish[4]
      1a. Affliction (Gr. “thlip-say-ohs”; pressure, anguish, persecution) (II Cor. 11:23-33)
      2a. For a moment
      3a. Light (easy): Quickly passing[5]; Transient[6]
    2. Weight of glory: Glory with Christ
      1a. Outweighs earthly suffering (Rom. 8:17-18; I Pt. 4:13)[7].
  C. We do not look at (consider; heed) unseen (eternal) things (4:18).
    1. Seen things are temporary.
II. Are You Having trouble with Heart Failure[8]? There’s More.
  A. Draw near to Christ (James 4:7-10)[9].
  B. Take trials with joy (James 1:2-4).
  C. Focus on eternal things (I Jn. 2:16, 17).

[1] June 8, 2025 Renewal Bible Fellowship and Mount Pleasant Christian Church of Hall
[2] (MacArthur, 2005)
[3] (Johnson, 1889)
[4] Working (NASB); Preparing (ESV)
[5]  (Geneva Bible Translation Notes, 1599)
[6] (Meyer, 1914)
[7] (MacArthur, 2005)
[8] Spiritual heart failure
[9] Submit to God.