In the Balance of Eternity

Corinthians 2 :8-10, 5:1-4
Paul had learned to weigh the cares of time in the scales of eternity and keep look for eternal things.

I: The Constant battles of the present.
1. He had learned the weakness of the flesh and the power of the spirit.
2. Troubled but not distressed, perplexed but not in dispair, persecuted but not forsaken.
3. In danger of death every day but giving life to others.
4. The outward man decayed but the inward man was renewed day by day.
5. This clay house will dissolve but God has a better house ready.

II: Things that are seen:
1. His birthright, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a highly educated religious man.
2. Here are some things that were temporal: of the Jews 5 times received, I 40 stripes save 1. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, Thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep. In journeyings often, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethern. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often in cold and nakedness and the care of the churches.

III: The Eternal Weight.
1. The goodness and mercy of God.
2. His experience on the Damascus road.
3. His experience in the 3rd heavens.
4. The miracles wrought in Jesus name.
5. The assurance of eternal life.
6. The joy of facing Jesus with a finished job.