Kress Biblical Resources :: A Christ-Sufficient Ministry Will Be Marked by Difficulty and Satanic Opposition—Not Temporal Ease (2Co 4:1-15)

Detailed Outline of 2 Corinthians

Defending the New Covenant Gospel Ministry of Grace and the Sufficiency of Christ

II. Gospel ministry and the sufficiency of Christ (2Co 1:3-7:16)

B. A Christ-Sufficient ministry explained and defended (2Co 2:12-17; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7)

2. A Christ-Sufficient ministry will be marked by difficulty and Satanic opposition—not temporal ease (2Co 4:1-15)
   1. The preaching of Jesus as Lord is the singular message and focus of a Christ-Sufficient ministry—but will be opposed by Satan (2Co 4:1-6)
      1. The source of encouragement for the Christ-Sufficient ministry (2Co 4:1)
         1. Having received a ministry that frees and transforms
         2. Having received mercy from God
      2. The sincerity and integrity of the Christ-Sufficient minister (2Co 4:2)
         1. No secret agenda
         2. No slick manipulation of God’s Word
         3. Notable sincerity and honesty in revealing the truth to men and before God
      3. The supernatural nature of the Christ-Sufficient message (2Co 4:3-6)
         1. The minds of unbelievers are naturally blinded to the message (2Co 4:3-4)
            • The gospel is veiled to those who are perishing (2Co 4:3)
            • The god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to the glory of Christ (2Co 4:4)
         2. The message proclaimed is Jesus as Lord (2Co 4:5)
            • The Sovereignty of Jesus as Lord
            • The servants of the church for Jesus’ sake
         3. The miracle of illumination and regeneration creates light, life, and love for Christ in a once darkened heart (2Co 4:6)
            • The power of God in creation
            • The power of God in conversion
   2. The power of God is sufficient to sustain God’s ministers amid opposition and difficulty (2Co 4:7-15)
      1. The priceless treasure of the gospel (2Co 4:7a)
      2. The power of God in frail messengers of the gospel (2Co 4:7b-12)
         1. The purpose—to reveal the surpassing power of God (2Co 4:7b)
         2. The paradox and peculiar perseverance (2Co 4:8-12)
            • Hard pressed but not crushed (2Co 4:8a)
            • At a loss but not lost (2Co 4:8b)
            • Hunted but not hopeless (2Co 4:9a)
            • Down but not destroyed (2Co 4:9b)
            • Suffering for Christ but showing He is alive (2Co 4:10-11)
            • Loss and death producing life and disciples (2Co 4:12)
      3. The principle convictions produced by the gospel (2Co 4:13-15)
         1. The conviction of faith (2Co 4:13)
            • Faith that is comparable to Psalm 116:10—hope in the midst of persecution
            • Faith that compels you to speak to others of the gospel
         2. The conviction of the resurrection (2Co 4:14)
            • The power of God in raising Jesus
            • The power of God in raising us
            • The power of God to present us together before Him
         3. The conviction of the praiseworthiness of God (2Co 4:15)
            • Suffering is to strengthen others
            • Suffering is serving to spread the gospel of grace, and the praiseworthiness of God