The Gospel, Grace, and Glory

Summary and Discussion Questions
Based on a sermon by Pastor Jeff Hardy
Presented on Sunday, March 22, 2026 | Christ Hills Church in Monroe, NC

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

There’s something both exciting and unsettling about stepping into something new—especially when that “something” is as weighty as launching a church. It’s the kind of calling that naturally raises questions: What are we doing? Why does this matter?

Will it be worth it?

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4, offers a framework that grounds us when the path feels uncertain. His words remind us that ministry—any ministry, but especially one as demanding as planting a church—is not ultimately about us. It is about three movements of God: the gospel going out, grace going in, and God’s glory going up.

The Gospel Goes Out

Paul begins with a simple but profound reminder: “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” You see, God has given us a wonderful opportunity and generously invited us to participate in what He is doing. Yet be sure to remember this: The gospel is not something we invented, prepared, or earned. It is something we have received—and now, it’s something we deliver. Imagine yourself as a server in a remarkable restaurant. Not just any restaurant, but one where the food truly satisfies the deepest hunger. People arrive searching for something good, something filling, something real. And there you are, entrusted with bringing them the very best: the bread of life and living water.

That’s what it means for the gospel to go out. It’s not about showcasing ourselves, but about faithfully presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to others. In other words, the gospel is consistently shared, heard, and believed. And as that happens, lives are changed—not for our recognition, but for God’s glory. This reorients everything. Our lives are no longer self-centered projects; they become conduits of grace.

Grace Goes In

This mission will be hard work, and we are weak vessels that can easily burn out. Paul reminds us that we are mere “jars of clay”—fragile, ordinary, easily cracked. Yet filled with the divine light of the gospel. And if our “jar of clay” draws any attention, it should be because it’s overflowing with the treasure of heaven. You see, the power belongs to God and not to ourselves. So allow me to ask this question: How well are you personally receiving what God is giving?

Grace is something we must continually take in. And like food, it must be metabolized. It must move from intellectual awareness to lived gratitude. When grace goes in deeply and is digested well, thankfulness will be a natural by-product. This is where the tension often surfaces. When the work gets hard—when the hours are long, the sacrifices costly, and the results unclear—do we still find ourselves grateful? Are we able to see disappointments and setbacks as gifts? Or do we begin to question whether it’s all worth it?

Grace reshapes those questions. It reminds us that we are not carrying the weight of the mission; we are carried by the One who gave it. Our job is to persevere in faithfulness and rely on God for the results.

God’s Glory Goes Up

Finally, Paul lifts our eyes to the ultimate purpose of life—the glory of God. But he does so with an important reminder—glory does not come first. Suffering does.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed... struck down, but not destroyed.” This is the pattern: death, then resurrection. Weakness, then power. Suffering, then glory.

This is not just theological theory; it’s a lived reality. Every act of service, every sacrifice, every moment of perseverance is part of a larger story that is moving toward eternal glory. We can begin to see our struggles not as interruptions, but as necessary ingredients in the process. And when we see that clearly, it changes how we endure. In other words, we can die to ourselves and live to tell about. We can and should stop trying to grab hold of glory now. Instead, we can trust that God will share it in His perfect time.

So, let me go back to one of the original questions we asked. Will it be worth it? If the gospel is truly being shared through your life, if grace is genuinely going in and reshaping your heart, and if God’s glory is ultimately what you are living for—then yes. A thousand times yes. Even the hardest days will one day be revealed as light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that God is preparing for us.

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. In what ways are you actively participating in sending the gospel out, and where

might you be tempted to make it about yourself?

2. How well are you “metabolizing” God’s grace right now? What evidence of

gratitude (or lack thereof) do you see in your life?

3. How does an eternal perspective reshape the way you view current struggles or

sacrifices? Are you prepared to face inevitable future difficulties as a member of

the Christ Hills Church launch team?