Playing The Last Quarter
2 Corinthians 4:1, 5-18
Introduction
Are you conditioned for the 4th quarters of life?
"Fourth and long" and the clock is ticking. The question is: can you make it through the fourth quarter? Are you conditioned for adversity in your life?
How Do You Thrive In The Difficult Times Of Life?
There are many "Fourth and Long" times in our lives:
"Honey, I have been promoted, but it means we will have to move . . . but if I don't move, I will lose my job."
"Mom . . . yeah, Mom, it's me. Yeah, I know it's late . . . Mom, I am in jail."
"Bill, I'm leaving you . . . I just need my freedom. I hope you understand. By the way, I want the kids."
"Sally, the tests . . . were . . . positive . . . I'm sorry."
** 4th Quarter –
** ** Main Application: - How do you live victoriously in your final years – 4th Quarter of Life
How Do You Thrive In The Senior Years Of Life?
* Illustrate: Seniors Joke
2 Cor. - written to church in cosmopolitan city of Corinth
- called the "painful letter" - confront many problems
- Paul faced 4th Quarter Experiences of life. -
- Ch. 4 and beginning of Ch. 5 = declaration of Paul’s "faith and his resolve that no matter what comes, he will be ready to go though the 4th Quarters of life because of - Faith in Jesus Christ."
* Written - just before Pentecost 55 AD -
- Beheaded in Rome late 66 AD or early 67 AD
- life expectancy not as long then – AT 55, PAUL IN HIS SR. YRS.
– Still Going For Christ — Wanted to Finish Well
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
** Every Football Coach has a game plan – includes plan for when they are in a jam and for the dying moments of the game (hurry up offense).
* God Has a Divine Game Plan to Preserve You Through the Tough Time and to Help You Make it Through the 4th Quarter of Life.
3 POINT GAME PLAN
I. What To Expect In The Fourth Quarter
4:8-10
* Paul lived in the 4th quarter of life. – Many difficulties
- God called him as messenger of grace and encountered resistance
* Looking back - recounted hardships – and faith needed to see him through.
- He’s been there – wants to finish well
– Shows us what to expect in the 4th Quarter.
1. Hard Hitting
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (2 Corinthians 4:8)
- series of vivid phrases that describe Paul’s life and ministry.
"Hard-pressed" - -- crushing grapes - Not Crushed
- - life like being squeezed like grapes.
- Sometimes Life Hits You Hard
- circumstances — hard hits of life
- Sr. = Seen Many struggles
- Perplexed - don’t know what to do -
** Expect Hard Hits - be ready
* Because Of Christ - Hard Hits Hurt But Don’t Destroy
2. Cheap Shots
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:9)
Persecuted - Cheap Shots and difficulties because you’re a Christian.
Struck Down - gk "kataBallo" -
kata = downward ballo = to throw – "Thrown Down"
* Paul - thrown down as minister of the gospel
* FOOTBALL IS FILLED WITH CHEAP SHOTS AND SO IS LIFE
- life is not fair – we will get cheap shots
* CAN TAKE CHEAP SHOTS BECAUSE NOT FORSAKEN BY CHRIST
- Christ not leave you or forsake you.
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:37-39)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
3. Extreme Pain
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body (2 Corinthians 4:10)
* Paul’s Perspective - all 4th Quarter trials and adversities = signs of Christ’s Faithfulness
- identified with the sufferings of Jesus.
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, (Phil 3:10)
* Everything that comes our way – every hard hit, cheap shot and pain of life – offer back to God as an offering of faith.
"O God, this is the fourth quarter, and I am tired and I am getting hit hard. I am taking some cheap shots, I am in pain, body and mind and soul from this onslaught of trials, but I know this: Jesus Christ is alive in me, and because He lives, this game is not over with yet!"
* THIS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE 4TH QUARTER - Hard Hits, Cheap Shots - Extreme Pain
II. How To Get Conditioned For The Fourth Quarter
Football coach puts team through conditioning exercises. –
** Prepare for 4th Quarters Of Life.
* Paul shows 2 Ways to Condition Ourselves.
2 Exercises Of Faith - Which Prepare Us For Fourth Quarters.
1. Know Your Strength
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
* Paul knew - if his faith was in his own works, decisions, strength - he could not make it through the 4th Quarter.
* The God of Creation (commands the light etc) - same God who is in our hearts
- He is Our Strength in the 4th Quarter
* STRENGTHENED BY FACT GOD ALONE SAVES US, KEEPS US, GUIDES US AND WILL LEAD US INTO THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN.
2. Trust In The Source Of Your Strength
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:7)
* Paul - trusting God’s power - he’s just the vessel
** Everything You’ve Experienced to This Point In Life Has Been Faith Training
- Finish well – he has been with you all these years - HANG ON AND TRUST HIM.
III. How To Play The Fourth Quarter
1. Realize That You Are On A Team
For all things are for your sakes, ()2 Corinthians 4:15
* Paul endured his 4th quarters for the sake of the church.
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10)
* STAND THROUGH THE TRIALS OF LIFE BECAUSE OTHERS (NEXT GENERATION) ARE WATCHING
- spectators watching you play in the 4th Quarter.
2. Remember To Encourage Others
knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:14-15)
* Paul encouraging Corinthians that because Christ is Alive and victorious - we can keep going.
- maybe down - things tough – But Christ is Alive and We Are In Him.
* As Paul Encouraged – Seniors – Encourage younger go keep going
3. Rally Your Own Soul
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
(2 Corinthians 4:1)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Cor 4:16)
Do Not Lose Heart - God is God - He is at work in us in every 4th Quarter.
4. Re-engage The Struggle
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (2 Corinthians 4:17)
* DON’T GIVE UP IN THE 4TH QUARTER – TRIALS ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR ETERNAL PRAISE.
- struggles here are preparing you for heaven and heaven for you.
* Don’t Give Up - Soon You Will Stand Before The King of Kings.
5. Reach For The Goal
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
* Look Past the 4th Quarter experiences – To The Day When You Stand Before The Throne Of God.
* ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE SUSTAINS US.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Col 3:1-2)
KEEP YOUR EYE ON HEAVEN -
Conclusion
The game is won in the fourth quarter. Finish well.
*
This sermon was inspired by the teaching ministry of Rev. Michael A. Milton - Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, TN.
