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After This, Then What?
Once andFuture Life

2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (Monday)
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (NIV”)
1) Notice the contrasts mentioned in these verses. On the surface, these experiences seem to be quite the opposite of Jesus’ promise of, “abundant life” (John 10:10.) Explain the differences in each situation. How can knowing the difference(s) actually give us the courage to keep going—to move forward, pressing toward the mark or prize (Philippians 3:14?) Is experiencing any of these situations mean that you are out of fellowship with Christ? Are these situations to be expected? Why?
Hard pressed Crushed
Perplexed Despair
Persecuted Abandoned
Struck down Destroyed
2) Jesus told us that in this world we would have troubles (John 16:33.) I think that is why we sometimes fall into the first category described above. The above referenced scripture tell us that Jesus Christ is “revealed” in our mortal bodies. Ladies, the world is watching us! How is Christ “revealed” when our response to a negative situation is not being crushed, in despair, spiritually abandoned or destroyed by the things that come against us (Romans 5:1-5?) Can we be witnesses without uttering a word? Explain.
3) How do we share in Jesus’ death?
a) John 12:25 – by losing our life in this world and thereby, gaining eternal life with Christ
b) Romans 6:1:11 – by dying to sin. We are baptized unto Jesus’ death and we will be united with Him in resurrection! We are now freed from sin and are now alive with Christ!
c) Romans 7:4-6 – having died to sin, fellow Christians now belong to one another so they may bear fruit. We are released from the law! Yeah!
d) 2 Corinthians 5;14-17 – Christ’s great love now compels us to no longer live just for ourselves
e) Colossians 3:1-3 – by setting our minds on things that are above and being “hidden” in Christ
4) What is this hope that keeps the Christian “looking up” instead of “looking at” his/her circumstances?
a) Matthews 12:17-21 – we hope in the name of Jesus
b) Romans 8:18-25 – we hope in our inheritance, we hope in the redemption of our bodies, we hope for our adoption as sons and daughters, we hope in what is not seen, in what we do not yet have!
c) 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 – we hope that God will continue to deliver us from peril
d) Ephesians 4:4-6 – we hope in our calling
e) Colossians 1:27 – Christ in us is the hope of glory!
2 Corinthians 4:13-15 (Tuesday)
“It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (NIV)
1) Why is it important to “speak” our faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 10:8-13?)
2) Why do you think God requires that we “speak” our faith?
a) How was the world created (Genesis 1?)
b) Can you think of other ways God chose to “speak” to His people?
c) How did God choose to send His final Word to mankind (Hebrews 1:1-4?)
d) Is God silent now? Explain.
3) What does this tell you about our God, the Great Communicator?
4) “…grace (unmerited favor) that is reaching more and more people.” Do a little study on grace and be ready to discuss why grace is sooooo much better than the law!
5) How does grace, the free gift of a loving, merciful Father, bring all the glory back to God and God alone
a) Romans 11:6- we are chosen because of God’s grace, not our works
b) Ephesians 2:3-9 – we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
c) Romans 3:22-27 – Our redemption is a free gift coming through Jesus Christ our Lord, not of ourselves
d) 2 Timothy 1:8-10 – God’s grace saves us and calls us to a holy life
e) Titus 3:5-7 – We are justified by God’s grace
f) 2 Corinthians 1:12 – any boasting of how we conduct ourselves in this world goes directly to God, Who works the wisdom of His grace in us
g) 2 Corinthians 9:8 – God’s grace supplies all our needs and causes us to abound in every good work
h) 2 Corinthians 9:14-15 – God’s grace leads us to obedience and generosity

God, God, God! Not once do the scriptures point to any action on our part, except belief (John 6:28-29!) Isaiah 55 tell us to “Come! Drink freely and without cost!” God did it all! All we have to do is say, “Yes, Lord!” Oh, I hope you don’t miss this great gift. While it costs us nothing, it cost God everything, His own precious Son!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Wednesday)
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (NIV)
1) “Troubles produce for us immeasurably great glory and they will soon be over!” Hallelujah! Praise God! Nobody wants to suffer—nobody! Yet, God tells us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33.) How do we learn (it is a process) to look forward and not at our current circumstances?
a) Jonah 2:1-10. Jonah was in a mighty big fix! Even though he was sitting in the belly of a big fish and knew one big gulp would do him in, and he deserved it, too—what four things did he do?
i) He looked toward God’s holy temple
(1) Hebrews 11:8-16
ii) He remembered the Lord (to do that, you have to know Him and His ways)
(1) Psalms 20:7; Psalms 63; Psalms 77:3 and Psalms 103:1-6
iii) He gave thanksgiving, despite his circumstances
(1) Psalm 30; Psalms 100; Ephesians 5:11-20; Philippians 4:6 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18
iv) He pledged obedience to God’s perfect will for his life, even though he didn’t want to do it!
(1) Psalms 51:16-17; 1 Samuel 15;22; Isaiah 1:10-20 and Jeremiah 7:21-29
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (Thursday)
“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (NIV)
1) Is death a difficult thought for you? Explain.
2) What is it that troubles you about death?
3) How does Jesus’ resurrection affect your thoughts on death and what comes next?
4) What do you most look forward to in heaven?
5) Are you holding out for the Rapture? (Me, too!)
6) Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us there is a time and season for everything. A time to be born and a time to die. Yet, God has put the instinctive desire for eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11!) These two seem to contradict each other, or do they? Oh, sisters, we were meant to live eternally and God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that God will do what He has promised! Oh take time to read over John 11:21-44! "I AM the Resurrection and the Life!" One day, Jesus is going to descend with a shout and like Lazarus, we will come forth! Unlike Lazarus, who had to die again (I often wonder if this is the real reason behind Jesus’ tears), we will either be caught up with Him in the clouds, or, if we have already passed from this life into eternity, then glory to God, we will be coming behind Him to meet our loved ones in the air and forever we will be with the Lord! I can’t tell you which group I want to be part of! I can’t decide which group will be more blessed! Oh, it is going to be glorious! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18!) This is our hope! This is our confidence! Whether we live or whether we die we are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8!) and where He is, there shall we be also (John 14:1-3!) Be greatly comforted!
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (Friday)
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (NIV)
1) Judgment. Doesn’t sound like something we will totally enjoy! Be comforted here also. This judgment is not whether or not we get to enter heaven, but rather, this judgment is for the works done in our bodies, whether good or bad. Our names are already in the Lamb’s (Jesus’) Book of Life. Eternal judgment for us has already been nailed to the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:13-14!) Amen! Remember when I asked what part we had in our salvation? Belief! Let me assure you, the way we know we believe is that God begins to produce love, good fruit and good works in our lives (this is where the Holy Spirit comes in and He is how we know we are God’s own children!) God has had these works prepared for us before the beginning of time (Ephesians 2:10.) We will be judged based on our faithfulness to His plan. We cannot fully judge all our motives—were they for God’s glory or were they for our own. Jesus is the Righteous Judge. Either our works and motives will come forth as fine jewels or hay, wood and stubble. If the later, we suffer a loss, we will grieve, but, praise God we still get to go in! God is so good! Take note: There will be rewards!
2) There is another judgment, for those who reject Christ. Read Revelation 20:11-15. This is why if we boast, we should boast that our names are in the Book of Life! All other boasting belongs to God! Amen and Amen!