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Hope for the Dishearted

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We Do Not Lose Heart

2 Corinthians 4:1–18

 

Outline

How do we conquer a disheartened spirit? Focus on the mercy of God in your

  1. Salvation
  2. Service
  3. Suffering

 

The Mercy of God in our Salvation

Fighting Discouragement

2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

Faithful Proclamation of the Gospel

2 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

Two Responses to the Gospel Proclamation

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 ESV

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

 

The Mercy of God in our Serving

Let There Be Light

2 Corinthians 4:5–6 ESV

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

Instruments of God’s Grace – Humility of Life

“It is not about you.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

 

 

The Mercy of God in our Suffering

Preserved through Trials

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Sacrificial Life

2 Corinthians 4:10–12 ESV

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Fruitful Life and Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:12 ESV

So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Unwavering Faith

2 Corinthians 4:13 ESV

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak 

Resurrection Hope

2 Corinthians 4:14 ESV

knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

Graced, Grateful, and God-Glorifying

2 Corinthians 4:15 ESV

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

 

Bringing it Home: How Not to Lose Heart

Focus/Perspective/Look

Focus on inner life rather than the outer life

2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Focus on weightiness of glory rather than the lightness of sufferings

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

Focus on eternal rather than temporal

2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV

as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

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