12/04/2022 - Don't Lose Heart!

Grace Place Atlanta COGBF 4700 Mitchell Street Forest Park, GA 30297 Website: atlantacogbf.org Email: info@atlantacogbf.org Phone: (404) 241-6781 Wayne D. Mack, Pastor / Pastor Wayne D. Mack Sermon Notes December 4, 2022 Don’t Lose Heart Courage for the Conflict 2 Corinthians 4: 7-18 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 13 Seeing the Invisible 1 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. START Here . . . This morning, I want to encourage a number of our church family members who are going through. . . a tough season. I sense that some in our church family and the body of Christ at large are experiencing pandemic fatigue . . . and some other stress. Some folks are experiencing just the nagging cares of everyday hard life . . . the stuff that consumes your thoughts, requires money you ain’t got, and just drains your energy and mental and physical health. You’re not alone. Of course, Jesus is with you, but what I mean is: you got plenty of company. There are a lot of people who are feeling the weight of life and the present times. I was talking with someone the other day and they exasperated that 2022 has been a doosie – a trying year for them, but they hoped they had obeyed God in hopes that everything that belonged in 2022 would not carry over into 2023. 2 In the way of encouragement, I want to give you some pain medicine from God’s medicine cabinet known as the Bible. Too often, we have a sense of what God has promised and instructed us in regarding Scripture, but we rarely practice, or apply what we should know well that God has provided and promised us for every trial, temptation, or aggravation. So, in today’s message entitled: Don’t Lose Heart, I want to provide you one or two remedies of hope and encouragement. I first want to say, “please don’t be too down on yourself”. Start now, moving toward the exit of your “pity party”. Turn to our core Scripture passage found in 2 Corinthians Chapter 4, verses 1618. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. It is true that we in the church, and out of the church, are experiencing some exhausting times. Even more so, since the pandemic – there seems to be little structure or continuity to anything – jobs, home, church, social, business and on and on. It seems there’s very little care or sacredness to anything. On some level, it appears that everyone is doing their own thing – whatever fits . . . do it. But it’s this mindset that has caused even Believers to lean to their own understanding and in fewer and fewer things “acknowledge God so He will direct our path”. 3 But the Bible is still right according to Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. Admittedly, “These are the times that try men and women’s souls”. They’re starting to mirror a time in the Bible when every man did what was right in his own eyes. Deuteronomy 12:8 “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes— Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Proverbs 21:2 4 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. These passages are proof that without adherence to the truth principles of God’s Word and Way, man is prone to trapse off into his own enticements. From the New Testament, here’s what that looks like in the church: 2 Timothy 3:1-3 NKJV 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, . . . and on and on. Of late, there seems to be no bottom to the troubles of this world, nor the troubles of our own lives. “Where’s the relief?” many are asking! Where is the brighter day? These times are wearing us out. So many people are weary. What’s the answer? What does the Bible have to say? What is God saying? Well, I want to strain out the trickery, quick fixes, false hope, positive affirmations . . . misconstruing of Scripture, and the pie in the sky preaching that has been misleading so many of God’s children in the name of name of the church . . . and let the Word of God do the talking in our lives. We are lost without it. Before I jump in, I want to encourage most of you, and admonish the rest of you, to get back into spending personal time in the Word of God. The flesh will fight and resist you on this, but the Spirit will remind you that it is an imperative if you intend to be more than a conqueror in your daily walk of life. 5 It will be the difference between wallowing in pity and defeat and know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and you. God will speak to you and encourage you in the things that are beating you down. His Word is the place He’ll give you discernment, patience, and strength for everyday living. Now, I want to zero in on one bit of instructional promise we have from God. Listen to 2 Cor. 4: 16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Paul tells us here, Do Not Lose Heart! He is using the hardness of his own life and ministry to encourage us to not to give up on life or give in – no matter what! Paul starts out this 4th chapter by repeating “Do Not Lose Heart” in both the first verse and verse 16. Listen to 2 Cor. 4 and the first verse: and verse 16 . . . 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 6 So, he has book-ended this chapter with the same intense encouragement to himself, his fellow ministers, and us as well to summon courage for every conflict by not fainting, but rather reminding ourselves that we have a glorious ministry from God. That ministry is designed to keep us from fainting or giving up in the face of rough times. Are the times tough for you? The Word of God tells us not to lose heart. As for Paul’s situation, there were plenty of reasons for discouragement, yet the great apostle did not quit. What was it that kept him from fainting in the conflicts of life. The same thing that the Bible tells us in those hard seasons and places in life: To remind ourselves what we possess in Jesus Christ our Lord. [This won’t happen if we’re not engaging in the Word of God! We won’t know what we have . . . and Satan likes it like that.] Instead of complaining about what he did not have, Paul rejoiced in what he did have; and you and I are instructed to do the same. The real focus is on “This Ministry” here which is the New Covenant of the gospel of Jesus Christ as opposed to the hocus pocus of the world’s way. This gospel ministry keeps us from abandoning our hope and heart due to the conflicts and the continuous flow of seeming one problem after another. We are called to not surrender or throw our hands up in defeat. That was not how Paul responded to the continual attacks he faced. But declared that his life in Christ and the ministry was much more precious and important than anything in the world. We have to do the same. We have to fight on. In spite of what it looks like we are winning. Each of our lives is God’s ministry at work in the world. He has placed in us, by virtue of salvation in Christ, a glorious ministry. Despite our personal heart aches, 7 struggles, pain – God is using our lives as a ministry to bring men and women life, salvation, and righteousness. It is a ministry that is able to transform lives beyond our own burdens or shortcomings. The ministry of Christ at work in us is about something far greater than us – our personal interests – but about winning others . . . like our children, grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers, friends, strangers, and relatives. This glorious ministry keeps us from being a quitter, or deceivers, or selfpromoters. But the way you look at your ministry helps to determine how you will fulfill it. Positive breeds positive. Negative breeds negative. The main thing though is to not lose heart. In addition to esteeming this precious ministry we have been given by the mercy of God, here are two insights I’d like to share with you in the fight to not lose heart: 2 Cor. 4: 16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 4:18 “things which are seen . . . not seen . … This verse is about endurance. Endurance is based on one’s ability to look beyond the physical to the spiritual; beyond the present to the future; and beyond the visible to the invisible. Believers must look past what is temporary – what is perishing – that is, the things of the world. 8 But why is this so hard for us to do? Because we are conditioned for the now (more than ever). (Slaves and our fore parents and ancestor weren’t; they were hoping and banking on the hereafter). Things . . . not seen are eternal. Pursuing God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the souls of men should consume us – the believer. But it’s not going to happen until we know that we have a building from God. In other words, until we let go things on the earth, and put our hopes on things on high. Anybody remember Colossians 3: 1-3 NKJV 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. What about Matthew 6:19-20 NKJV “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 19 Second and final insight: 2 Corinthians 5:1 NKJV 9 5 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Not until we come to know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that we have a building from God other than this body and this life – will we ever be able to fully embrace that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. END 10