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
- Salvation
- Service
- 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.