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Northwest Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Unseen Things” |
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I. Introduction.
A. Most of us have difficulty with the idea of “spiritual”
things. Have difficulty identifying with the spiritual, as
opposed to the physical, side of our natures and of this
world. That’s only natural, as we do live in a physical
environment, and all our experiences and points of
reference are here – in a physical, not a spiritual, world.B. What we feel we need most is help with struggles “here
and now,” not “then and there.”1. It becomes difficult to take a longer view, to look
at the “things which are not seen,” when the “things
which are seen” burden us and demand our
attention.2. The problems of today are more immediate; they
may concern us more than the promises of the
future.C. In the scripture text (II Corinthians 4:16-18), Paul
emphasizes our giving attention to “unseen things” and the
primary reason for this: v. 18 states that the things “which
are not seen are eternal.”II. The Broader Perspective.
A. Paul says we need to gain a broader perspective. We need
to consider the unseen, the spiritual, more than the seen, the
physical or material.B. After making this general statement, apostle gets more
specific as to what this can do for us. Are certain things
that looking at the “unseen” should convince us of. These
specifics found in some verses in Chapters 4 and 5.C. Looking at unseen things should convince us that the
spiritual side of our nature is all that will last. (Re-Read
II Corinthians 4:16; Read 5:1).1. Our “earthly house” will not last forever. It will be
“destroyed”; Ecclesiastes 12:7 says that the “dust”
will “return to the earth as it was.” (from which it
was taken).2. Our physical body was formed from the “dust” of
the ground (Genesis 2:7), made from elements taken
from the earth. To those basic elements it will
return.3. But, in contrast to this, there is a “house not made
with hands.” It is “eternal” – designed, and
destined, to exist forever.a. Conclusion of Ecclesiastes 12:7 tells us what
part of man this is: “. . . the spirit will return
to God who gave it.”4. That which is seen, decays; that which is unseen,
continues to blossom in preparation for eternal life.D. Second, looking at unseen things should help us in
surviving the difficulties of life.1. Read II Corinthians 5:2-4.
2. Paul, by inspiration, gives an accurate picture of our
existence here. We “groan” and are “burdened.”
Life seems to be one ache and pain, physical and
emotional, after another.3. How can we go on? Some don’t; some give up and
give in. Our only escape is our hope in the future;
our confidence that we have something better to
look forward to.4. In Romans 8:18, Paul gives us the thinking we must
develop for survival in a cruel world:“For I consider that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.”E. Third, looking at unseen things also helps us remain in
harmony with God’s purposes for us.1. We are all God’s creation. As Christians, we are
also His purchased people.2. When life turns sour; when things just don’t go
right; when we are led to ask why God lets certain
things happen to us – remember the “unseen
things.”3. Then, our main goal and purpose for living becomes
clear: (Read II Corinthians 5:9). We live so as to
be pleasing to God, the One who cares about us and
will take care of us.a. Being separated from God in this physical
body, we may feel alone, and abandoned,
and lose heart. But, remember, Paul says:
“. . . we walk by faith, not by sight.”
(II Corinthians 5:7).b. We are under God’s watch and care. We
occupy physical bodies with limitations
now, but one day we will be with God and
He will give personal attention to our needs.c. Until that time, we can consider “unseen
things.” We can be sustained until our faith
becomes sight, spiritually, and becomes
reality (eternally).F. Looking at unseen things should motivate us to prepare for
a certain judgment to come.1. Read II Corinthians 5:10.
2. Judgment may be individual and personal:
“. . . that each one may receive the things done in
the body, according to what he has done, . . .”3. Also, look at Romans 14:12: “So then each of us
shall give account of himself to God.”G. Finally, looking at unseen things demonstrates whether our
faith and practice are genuine.1. Read II Corinthians 5:11.
a. The words “well known to God” used here,
means “to uncover, lay bare, reveal.”b. This describes how we appear, both to God
and other people.2. (Illust.) Genuineness in our beliefs and practices
is far more powerful than mere appearances or
“showmanship.”A preacher went into a community where he was
not known and announced that he would hold
services there each evening. Some people went out
of curiosity, some because there was little else to
do. The man preached with power and sincerity,
and soon became the talk of the town.
In the community’s store one day, a customer asked
the proprietor: “What do you think about the new
preacher?” The store owner replied: “I haven’t met
him, or heard him preach. But, I’ve had three
people come in this week and pay up old accounts
that I thought I’d never collect on. Each one of
them referred to something the preacher had said
that made them decide to settle up.”3. When we’re motivated to think about our spiritual
life and spiritual responsibilities and to think
seriously about our relationship with God, we’ll
put our faith into action. We’ll demonstrate
whether our faith is genuine.III. Conclusion.
A. In this world, we do have only a veiled, partial under-
standing of spiritual matters. But, God has given us
enough of a glimpse of unseen things to allow us to
believe in Him, His word, and to trust in Him for victory
and eternal life.B. Apostle John states it this way: “Beloved, now we are
children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we
shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall
be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (I John 3:2).C. We can know enough, here and now, to be a child of God.
We can know what it takes to be pleasing, and obedient to
Him. We can think about the future and “unseen things”
and look forward to a time when we will see things much
more clearly.