We Do Not Lose Heart

1. Jesus said (Jn 16:33 ). He was telling His disciples not to become weary. Because He was able to handle tribulation, if they continue to follow Him, they should be able also. 2. Almost everyone (young or old) has had something which frustrated them. It may have been the result of seeing something you had planned fall by the wayside. Or, it might have been that little repair job in which looked so easy but became much bigger once you started. Maybe you tried to help someone to turn around their life, and yet in spite of the best efforts you put forth, they went back to their former ways. Or, it may have been even more personal than that. It might have been a personal battle to overcome a weakness or a habit or an area where Satan seemed to be able to hinder your forward progress. You resisted, but then you yielded and in frustration you gave up. 3. Frustration is indeed an awful feeling. In frustration, nothing seems to go right; sometimes we wonder why we even started to do something; we may quit before we are finished because we have just simply lost heart in what we were planning to do. 4. Is there a way to overcome frustration? Is there an escape the depression, guilt, and the crippling power f frustration? The answer lies within the scriptures. 4. In the NT we find the expression "Do Not Lose Heart", or similar words. By examining those uses, we can learn how to deal with frustration. If "our heart" is in something, we usually give it our all. We go the proverbial "extra mile" of pleasant greeting, extra service, special concern and determined effort. If frustration rears its head, we tend to lose heart, grow discouraged and as a result our whole approach is affected. "Do not lose heart" is not just a series of empty words, but a genuine concern and encouragement from the Holy Spirit through the Scripture writers.

I. LUKE 18: 1-8 A Jesus teaches us the importance of persistent prayer through this simple parable. Luke tells us that Jesus taught that "men always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18: 1).

1. Prayer can help us when we are faced with frustration. Through it, we have opportunity to solicit God's help, to regroup our thinking, and to revive our heart.

2. As a result, we will either determine how to overcome our frustration or choose a different course of action.

B. The woman in the parable did not "lose heart" ; her continued approach resulted in moving an uncaring judge to act on her behalf. Persistence! Teaching how to pray.. . (Lk 11 :9-13)

1. Our prayers are offered to a Father who loves us and cares for us. Let us pray and "not lose heart" (not be frustrated).

2. We must allow God room to work;He may grant us something greater than what we ask.

II. 2 CORINTIDANS 4: 1-6

A. Paul was aware that not everyone would receive bis message of salvation (see 3: 14-16).

1. What does a teacher or preacher do when people do not respond to his preaching?

2 . He might re-examine his methods of delivering the message (2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2). He should examine his conduct to be certain that it is consistent with his teaching. He must be certain that bis preaching is a manifestation of the truth (1 Corinthians 4:2).

B. He must accept the fact that Satan is hindering his success (2 Cor 4:3-4)

1. It may be frustrating, but God's Spirit includes some insight that will encourage us to press onward in the battle. Listen to Paul's words, (2 Cor 4:1).

2. The Christian who forgets about his/her own salvation is doomed to failure, discouragement and frustration (cf. Hebrews 10:35-39). Thinking about what we have in Christ and through Christ will encourage us, and drive us to share it with others. C. As Paul closed that section of Scripture he declares that God "has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowJedge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (v. 6).

1. How do we overcome frustration? Think again about God's grace and mercy that you have received, and it will encourage you to freely share it with others. Enjoy life! (Labor Day)

2. Reminded of what a brother said recently (Prov 13:7; 2 Cor 8:9).

ill. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16 A Life itself sometimes proves frustrating with its lingering pain, the aches, the discomfort, the aging of our bodies, the afflictions as a result of injuries or disease.

1. Yet, Paul writes: "Therefore do not lose heart." (see vs 8-14). What does he know that we don't know? Paul knows that we do grow old on the outside (in our flesh), but that we can be renewed on the inside (in our spirit) (v. 16).

2. He reminds us that whatever affliction we face in life, it is short when compared to eternity (vs. 17). In the context, he speaks of "light affliction." and puts it against a "far more exceeding weight of glory." He further contrasts "for a moment" and "eternal." His solution to overcoming frustration is to look beyond this current situation.

B. The Christian must learn to be "far-sighted." He states: (vs. 18). We must discern the difference between the two situations.

1. He adds, "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (v. 18). He continues into the next chapter by showing that God has something greater in store for us; and that when this body of flesh fails, God will give us a new one (see 2 Cor 5: 1-4).

2. He reminds us that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (v. 7) and assures us that we can be confident of our future if we are found in Christ (v. 8). It's not a case of refusing to acknowledge our pain or suffering, but of thinking about something more glorious and greater -- our hope that lies beyond this temporary home and situation.

3. There are some things we can do nothing about (Raking leaves). IV. GALATIANS :9 In Galatians 6:6-10, Paul teaches us to continue doing good and "not to lose heart." Even if others don't appreciate the effort you are making, don't be discouraged or frustrated, for God jg aware of your doing and will reward you in due time for your effort (v. 9). V. EPHESIANS 3:13 Paul was in prison when he wrote the Ephesian epistle (3: 1 ), but his greatest concern was not about his own situation, but about their concern for him ( see 3: 13). His solution was to give glory to God through His Son (vs 14-15); to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man (vs. 16); to be "rooted and grounded in love,"( vs 17) "to be filled with the fullness of God" (vs 18-19) through knowledge ofRim, His Son and His Word (let His influence fully fill your life) and trust in God by giving Him the glory (Ephesians 3:20-21). That should keep you busy and keep you going!

CONCLUSION

1. Let's not lose heart or become frustrated to the point that we quit doing what is good and right. What can we do? We can pray. We can rejoice in what we have in and through Christ and that will encourage us to share it with others. We can look beyond the current temporary realm to that which is eternal. We can realize that God is aware of what we are doing, whether anyone else is or not, and that He will reward us in due time.

2. Finally, we can develop a firm and confident trust in God and His cause, and not grow discouraged even ifwe see others suffering for His cause. May God help us to overcome.

There is too much to do for us to be sitting or standing on the plains of frustration while a lost and dying world around us perishes. Remember what Jesus said, Jn 16:33 .