OUR PRESENT GLORY


Text: 2 Cor 11:18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.


Introduction; Like many today, the people of Paul’s day loved to boast of their heritage. They also liked to brag of their accomplishments and their possessions. Do WE have anything about which we can glory?


I. What the Bible teaches about our present bodies.


A. Nothing good about it.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.


B. It cannot please God.

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.


C. We cannot glory in His presence.

1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
We might boast before man, but what can we brag about before God?
One might brag to his friends that he broke a hundred in his golf game but do you think it would impress Tiger Woods?


D. Our flesh cannot be trusted.

Phil 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Phil 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:


II. Paul did glory in the flesh before men, by the Grace of God.
A. Of the seed of Abraham? So am I--

Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Gal 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.


B. He rejoiced in Tribulation. So can we.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


C. In these he gloried BECAUSE of his infirmities.
2 Cor 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.


1.Why?

2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.


III. How we can glory in the flesh? through the flesh of Christ.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.


A. By a consecrated life.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.


B. In the future of the flesh.
Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.


Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.


IV. Without the new birth none of this is possible.