Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
In 2 Corinthians 4, the Apostle Paul was facing, by all appearances, deep affliction. Yet, he was a man who lived above see level; his perspective shows us how to live in faith in times of trouble.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen...” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

First, we must recognize the reality of the unseen, spiritual world; what is not seen is more real than that which is seen.

Hebrews 11:3 explains that the invisible world was here first. God spoke and made the visible out of the invisible. The invisible world will be here last, as 2 Corinthians 4:18 continues: “For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

According to Scripture, the unseen world is a vital resource. Knowledge of the unseen world helps us when we’re going through times of trouble, fear, or temptation.

As Believers, we are not immune to suffering, but we have the power to smile through it because we know God is with us. He offers supernatural strength to those who fix their gaze on what’s unseen.

We must release the power of the unseen spiritual world in our own lives. There are three great enemies of our faith that exist in the material world.

Appearance, or what we see. We are called to hope in what we don’t see.
Adrian Rogers says, “Hope means anticipation that is joined with assurance, which is based on divine promise.”

Emotion, or what we feel. God doesn’t do His deepest work in the shallowest part of our emotions.
Reason, or what we think. We cannot let our hearts be limited by our logic.
Adrian Rogers says, “Faith is not contrary to reason, it goes beyond reason.”

When a man lives above see level, he will see the invisible, therefore, he will tap into the unknowable and do the impossible. 

Apply it to your life
Are you going through a time of trouble, fear, or temptation? Fight to live above see level and have hope in what is unseen. Pray that God will open your eyes to see He is with you and will give you supernatural strength to face your afflictions.