Introduction: I love 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. Reading it is like riding a roller coaster. Ups and downs, curves and bumps, are all along the way. But after experiencing its truth, it is refreshing. The thrill of the ride makes you want to ride it again. See if you agree after reading the text.

1. The Treasure! (2Cor 4:7)

“7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

The word “treasure” is θησαυρός. This is interesting because it is the Greek word from which we get our English word thesaurus (thay-sow-ros’).

The word means a store-house for precious things like a treasure, a store.

The word “earthen vessel” is ὀστράκινος, which means made of clay, or earthen.

Do you get the picture? It’s almost like having an expensive diamond ring in a dirty sock! We have the treasure of the Holy Spirit of God residing in this earthly suit – clay pot. That puts things in perspective!

2. The Trouble! (2Cor 4:8-10)

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

The word “troubled” is θλίβω (thlee’-bo), which means to make narrow by pressure. It means to press upon, to press hard.

The word “distressed” is στενοχωρέω, which also means to be made narrow, to compress, to press upon, cramp, or restrain.

The word “perplexed” is ἀπορέω, which means to be at a loss, to be perplexed; mid or to be in doubt.

The word “despair” is ἐξαπορέομαι, which means to be utterly at a loss, or to be utterly without resource, in despair.

All of us feel the pressure. Right? But we are not going to be hemmed in! Because of the treasure, we have riches that supersede the troubles. Do you see that? Do you believe that?

3. The Triumph! (2Cor 4:16-18)

“6For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While 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.”

Everything does not necessarily appear as it really is. If we fail to look up to heaven, which is the believer’s final resting place, then we can lose perspective in this life. Our focus for the future determines our enjoyment in the present. Where is your focus?